3.2GPA brough up to 3.4 in last year, probably 3.5 at end of semester. ~3.8 Sci

[opheracco]

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OK, I'm a non-trad, I'm 33 years old and have a computer science degree from a decade ago, the thing is, I only went into computers because of the potential. It's all a crock, it's such a volatile field, and I've hardly made any strides whatsoever. I found myself working alongside uneducated people when I had an AAS degree in server administration. Now I'm unemployed after a year and a half at a company in which I was working for doctors, and now that I see they're just regular people I decided to begin a journey into mental health, a longtime interest of mine.

That's my history, here's my present.

I had about 72 semester credits with a 3.2 GPA overall from my old degree (It's low and I know it, but I didn't apply myself because I didn't think it mattered much.)

By my calculations, I should have brought that up to about a 3.4 so far with the following classes and grades.
Gen Chem 1 (4 credits, B)
Gen Chem 2 (4 credits, B)
College Algebra (3 credits, A)
Gen Bio 1 (4 credits, A)
Organic Chemistry 1 (5 credits, A)

(before saying anything about the General Chemistry classes, let me just say that they were both done in a single summer session with the first one being 4 weeks long and the second being only 3)

After this semester, I think it will end at about a 3.5 if I get all A's.
Another year of Biology specific courses to finish my degree (about 28 credits in all) and it will be a little higher. I also have 2 general classes to finish plus calculus and 2 calc based physics.

This can potentially put my Overall GPA at around 3.6 and my science GPA at over 3.8.

I still feel this is low, but I do have a sharp upward trend in all of my grades.

What do you think my chances are of getting into an MD or DO school? I'm interested in Psychiatry.

Since you've read this far, I should ask what EC's I'll need and how many hours each.

 

[Catalystik]

If you get a competitive MCAT score, you could be in good shape for both MD and DO schools with their relative median acceptee GPAs of 3.65 and 3.45. A BCPM GPA of 3.8 is excellent.

(Sidenote: you don't need Calc-based Physics for the MCAT. Is your school obliging you to take it?)

ECs: Clinical experience with sick people. Working with both mentally and physically ill folks is possible to gain this. Get as close to 1.5 years as you can. About 3-4 hours/week is fine.

Community Service: volunteer for something you care about. Consider crisis hotline, peer counselor for drug and alcohol abusers, homeless shelter, needle exchange clinic (to mention some mental health related posssibilities), Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchen, and Humane Society, as examples.

Physician Shadowing: Maybe 60-80 hours split among 2-3 types of doc.

Also research (a year is average), leadership, teaching, and the richness of experience you've gained in the working world for so many years.

Beyond all this, you'll need good Letters of Recommendation, good interview skills, and a compelling Personal Statement.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

Instead of repeating information, I will simply say that Catalystik is giving you fine advice. I agree with the quality and quantity of EC's recommended. Let me add that given your non-traditional status, a lack or paucity of research experience may be more easily overlooked (compared to a traditional student), but nearly all of the other cateogories are must haves.

-senior medical student / admissions committee interviewer

I too earned a computer science degree, but realized that my future was in medicine. I know the pain.

 

[opheracco]

If you get a competitive MCAT score, you could be in good shape for both MD and DO schools with their relative median acceptee GPAs of 3.65 and 3.45. A BCPM GPA of 3.8 is excellent.

(Sidenote: you don't need Calc-based Physics for the MCAT. Is your school obliging you to take it?)

ECs: Clinical experience with sick people. Working with both mentally and physically ill folks is possible to gain this. Get as close to 1.5 years as you can. About 3-4 hours/week is fine.

Community Service: volunteer for something you care about. Consider crisis hotline, peer counselor for drug and alcohol abusers, homeless shelter, needle exchange clinic (to mention some mental health related posssibilities), Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchen, and Humane Society, as examples.

Physician Shadowing: Maybe 60-80 hours split among 2-3 types of doc.

Also research (a year is average), leadership, teaching, and the richness of experience you've gained in the working world for so many years.

Beyond all this, you'll need good Letters of Recommendation, good interview skills, and a compelling Personal Statement.

This is a very helpful reply, thank you! It gives me lots of ideas for EC's.
The reason I'm opting to take Calculus and Calc based Physics is because I've heard that adcoms look favorably on the additional effort it takes to take that level of Physics.

 

[Catalystik]

You're welcome. Is that your cat?

 

[opheracco]

You're welcome. Is that your cat?

I'm sorry to say it is not, I just needed an avatar and happen to be an animal lover and animal rights activist. I found the pic on google images and scaled it down with an imaging program.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm sorry to say it is not, I just needed an avatar and happen to be an animal lover and animal rights activist. I found the pic on google images and scaled it down with an imaging program.

🙂

 

[Morsetlis]

So, is that your cat, Cat?

 

[Catalystik]

So, is that your cat, Cat?

Yes, this is my rescued feral kitten, now 4.5 years old. Her patience with photo ops is short, but otherwise she's turned out to be a great companion.