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[TheHikingLife]

It sounds like you have already put some really thoughtful consideration into this, so I will just share my experience and you can take as much (or as little) as you'd like. I also came to the decision to pursue a career in medicine after completing my BS and spending some time in the real world. I was a physics major/ math minor, so I had quite a few pre-reqs to finish up (all the chem and bio courses, biochem, and one english class).

I chose to take the DIY route, taking classes while employed as a chemist (yeah, I worked as a chemist without any chemistry coursework). I took my time, and finished my pre-reqs in 5 semesters + 1 summer. I could've done it quicker by taking summer courses both years, but instead I spent one summer backpacking in Asia. The benefits of this approach were being able to pay off some of the education costs with work revenue, while also saving money to travel, pay for application expenses, etc. It also gave me more time to gain some relevant volunteer and shadowing experience, though this does get a little tough when you combine working full-time with part-time coursework. Another benefit is that I was not locked into a rigid course schedule, I only took one class the semester I was prepping for the MCAT, one online class while working on my applications, and one class while travelling to interviews.

I can't comment too much on the organized post-bac programs, but I can tell you I was very happy with my decision to take the DIY route and had pretty good luck with admissions this cycle.

 

[Señor Chang]

Hey man,

Cool story, I was in a similar boat but fortunately I had some science class under my belt already.

I am generally very for DIY over post bacc. In my opinion, unless this "linkage" thing is super important to your chance at getting into any medical school, I would go with DIY. Another thing to take into consideration is the validity of this "linkage". I worry that some post bacc programs simply use that provocative word to entice desperate students. If they really can guarantee that if you pay and do well in your classes, then you are in after just one year, then that is a different story. In that case, I would actually consider the postbac option. But something tells me that is baloney.

On a separate note, you can definitely pull off DIY in 3 years (and only 3 semesters + 1 summer) if you want and if you don't have any exceptional circumstance. No need to write 3-4 years and 2-3 years of classes.

 

[tantacles]

I have to suggest the DIY route due to cost. If you're able to manage it, working and doing school is always going to be better than doing school alone, provided your grades don't suffer as a result. You'll gain useful life experience and possibly some savings that you can can use to fund your application process, which might run you another $3000-$5000 depending on where you apply and how many interviews you attend. In addition, as mentioned by @TheHikingLife , you'll have more time to pursue volunteering and research if you so choose, which will in the long run make you a better applicant.

 

[JPA178]

Hey man,

Cool story, I was in a similar boat but fortunately I had some science class under my belt already.

I am generally very for DIY over post bacc. In my opinion, unless this "linkage" thing is super important to your chance at getting into any medical school, I would go with DIY. Another thing to take into consideration is the validity of this "linkage". I worry that some post bacc programs simply use that provocative word to entice desperate students. If they really can guarantee that if you pay and do well in your classes, then you are in after just one year, then that is a different story. In that case, I would actually consider the postbac option. But something tells me that is baloney.

On a separate note, you can definitely pull off DIY in 3 years (and only 3 semesters + 1 summer) if you want and if you don't have any exceptional circumstance. No need to write 3-4 years and 2-3 years of classes.

I promise you it's not baloney. I have friends who have gone through the major post-bac programs (Goucher, Bryn Mawr, Hopkins) including one who got in through a linkage. Not everybody does a linkage because it's more stressful - from what I understand you have to apply (and have a solid application) after only a summer and fall semester of science classes plus your grades/experiences before starting the program. On top of that, linkage schools give a you a conditional acceptance that mandates a minimum MCAT score since linkage applicants apply before taking the MCAT. Those three programs are just as intense as MS1/MS2 - it's a lot of work in a short period of time, but nearly all their students are successful at getting into medical school, and the students who get in with a linkage don't have to do a gap year.

If you can afford it, I would definitely recommend looking into the programs at Goucher, Bryn Mawr, and Hopkins.

 

[FFH]

Maybe apply for a research position in the schools that
1. have a good postbacc program/or have the possibility to DIY
2. have a good tuition benefit program for employees which can pay for some of even all of your tuition.

I got two degrees for free this way and my work turns out to be great EC and yield excellent LOR and pubs. It's a bit tricky at times to juggle everything, but you might be surprised how good you can be.