25yo career changer, looking for guidance

[Member2223]

Hello, I'm currently working in Finance and am planning on a career change into Medicine towards the end of 2022. There are many reasons why I want to switch, and after lots of research, thought, and advice from family members in medicine, I am fairly confident that a career change is what I'm going to pursue.

I currently have no pre-med courses under my belt from undergrad so I'll be going through the post-bacc route. Additionally, my cGPA is 3.0 (upward trending) and I have no sGPA. Therefore, I'd have to really excel in my courses and MCAT.

As of now, I'm currently debating between the DIY route at my local state university or post-bacc at a private, 4 year university; the cost between both isn't that much of a difference, and I believe that having some sort of structure would be more beneficial for my situation. Regardless, I do wish to reside in the State that I'm in currently during the pre-med process.

I'm also getting clinical experience with a local internal medicine physician, volunteering on the side with URM students, and taking refresher courses from Khan Academy on chemistry, bio, and pre-calculus.

Does anyone have any advice or pointers for my situation?

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[gwrightjr90]

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on your situation. I do recommend the post bac route, just because it is designed for students such as yourself and will provide you with the content and resources you need to be a successful applicant.

 

[Member2223]

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on your situation. I do recommend the post bac route, just because it is designed for students such as yourself and will provide you with the content and resources you need to be a successful applicant.

The only thing that I'm concerned about is that it's the only one in my State, and there's no linkage. Do you think this should be something worth putting extra weight on?

 

[gwrightjr90]

Well, where would you be applying for linkage programs at? How far away is it from where you live? Can you support yourself through this program and moving to a new home?

 

[Member2223]

Well, where would you be applying for linkage programs at? How far away is it from where you live? Can you support yourself through this program and moving to a new home?

The next feasible program very far (thousands of miles away). My ultimate goal is an acceptance into my local state uni's MD program.

 

[gwrightjr90]

I would say to stay in the state that you are in. Of course you will be applying to more than one medical school, but if your goal is to get into your state uni's MD program, I think you should stay where you are. Unless, that program has a linkage to the state uni's MD program. If not, complete the post bacc in the state that you are in.

 

[Member2223]

I would say to stay in the state that you are in. Of course you will be applying to more than one medical school, but if your goal is to get into your state uni's MD program, I think you should stay where you are. Unless, that program has a linkage to the state uni's MD program. If not, complete the post bacc in the state that you are in.

Definitely, in-State would be optimal as the tuition is lower and the chances of admission are higher. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Member2223]

I would say to stay in the state that you are in. Of course you will be applying to more than one medical school, but if your goal is to get into your state uni's MD program, I think you should stay where you are. Unless, that program has a linkage to the state uni's MD program. If not, complete the post bacc in the state that you are in.

I'm debating between the post-bacc program ($30/yr) or just doing it DIY at my local State university ($13k/yr). I understand the drawbacks would be the priority/availability of classes, but an extra $17k a year is a bit hard to swallow...I can afford it, but I'm unsure if it's worth it.

I'm thinking of perhaps doing DIY and, for the advice portion, there are online advisory packages (MedschoolInsiders, etc...) who can provide all the pre-med advice/essay reviews/interview prep/MCAT guidance that a post-bacc program offers, for a few thousand dollars which is cheaper than the extra $17k/yr.

The structured nature of a post-bacc program would definitely help though.

 

[gwrightjr90]

There have been many students that I have seen on this thread who succeed in matriculating into medical school with either option. Honestly, at this point, that is up to you. If you do not believe that it is worth it to do the Post bacc and you are willing to pay for a program to help you with your admissions packet, then do the state uni. It is a four year institution and will show that you can handle the rigors of the pre-requisite science classes.