Achieving My Goal.

[myr11]

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If anyone has gone down this path or knows the best way to approach my situation any advice would be much appreciated. I am a senior in undergrad and have completed a year of biology(B+,A), a year of chemistry(B-,C), and half of physics(but did miserable, D+). I am going to take the second half of physics next semester. Orgo I will probably take over the summer. My gpa is a little higher than a 2.92, im a psych major and have good grades in my major. Currently I am shadowing and volunteering with the school head atheltic trainer, i assist with rehab and am at the games(My goal is to become a physiatrist in sports med). Watching my father pass away from multiple organ failure due to glomerulonephritis(chronic kidney disease, he had his first tranplant in 1972, and lasted for over 25 years)convinced me that I must go into medicine, previously i was thinking about physical therapy but now I am sure. Anyway I am graduating in the spring so what kind of one year program can I do next year? I definetley want to be enrolled in a graduate program(i still have a goal of playing one year of d-1 baseball). What kind of program is well suited for my situation, as I am trying to show med school that I can handle the curriculum. Any suggestions on programs I should look into, preferably in the NY, long island area. Really appreciate anyone who took the time to read my post. Thank you.

 

[KeyLime]

I don't know much about specific programs, but it sounds like you will need to take some more undergrad science classes before you will be able to enroll in a science master's program. You will need to retake the first semester of physics for sure because schools require you have a grade of a C or above in all pre-requisites.
Playing D-1 baseball while taking a full-load of science classes might be pretty rough. There will be lots of travel and you might miss a lot of class. Keep in mind that you will also be studying for the MCAT, which is pretty serious buisness.
Decide what is most important to you and go for it! You can certainly bring that science gpa up by re-taking that physics class and taking more undergrad science.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

If anyone has gone down this path or knows the best way to approach my situation any advice would be much appreciated. I am a senior in undergrad and have completed a year of biology(B+,A), a year of chemistry(B-,C), and half of physics(but did miserable, D+). I am going to take the second half of physics next semester. Orgo I will probably take over the summer. My gpa is a little higher than a 2.92, im a psych major and have good grades in my major. Currently I am shadowing and volunteering with the school head atheltic trainer, i assist with rehab and am at the games(My goal is to become a physiatrist in sports med). Watching my father pass away from multiple organ failure due to glomerulonephritis(chronic kidney disease, he had his first tranplant in 1972, and lasted for over 25 years)convinced me that I must go into medicine, previously i was thinking about physical therapy but now I am sure. Anyway I am graduating in the spring so what kind of one year program can I do next year? I definetley want to be enrolled in a graduate program(i still have a goal of playing one year of d-1 baseball). What kind of program is well suited for my situation, as I am trying to show med school that I can handle the curriculum. Any suggestions on programs I should look into, preferably in the NY, long island area. Really appreciate anyone who took the time to read my post. Thank you.

You need to take Physics over again and a few of the other courses if you want. The AACOMAS factors in the higher grade, so that will help with your sGPA. I recommend enrolling in program related to the sciences so it shows that you're able to handle upper level science courses. There are programs sponsored by medical schools that help you get in. They are "prep" courses.

 

[myr11]

If I feel like I can handle physics 2 now though, it is fine to retake physics 1 after I finished 2 right?

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

If I feel like I can handle physics 2 now though, it is fine to retake physics 1 after I finished 2 right?

Yes. I did better in Physics II than Physics I. Stupid gravity! 🙂

 

[OlieRow]

Playing D-1 baseball while taking a full-load of science classes might be pretty rough. There will be lots of travel and you might miss a lot of class.

I agree with the other posters about pre-reqs and all and I really don't have much advice about program options but you don't have to ditch baseball. I'm a D-1 athlete and it's definitely hard to balance practice and class but you can do it. Keep in mind that while you might miss classes you'll have a whole host of resources to help you academically, its just up to you to use them. I don't know about other schools but I know we've got tutors provided and I'd imagine this is pretty standard.

 

[lala83]

i think you should enroll into a postbacc program. i didn't do so hot in some of my prereqs either, and i'm currently in a post bacc program at medical college of virginia at vcu. this website has most of the programs in the country (refer to the section for those who need to improve their credentials and the masters programs):

http://hpap.syr.edu/LISTPB.HTM

it's the best way to prove to medschools that you can handle the curriculum b/c you're taking first year classes (often taught by the med school faculty). PM me if you have any other specific questions. when i was applying, i got a lot of info from the post baccalaureate forum on sdn, so check that out too if you'd like. good luck!

 

[myr11]

If I complete the rest of the sciences I need, (Physics 2, retake physics 1, and organic chem 1 and 2 over the summer), instead of doing a special masters program can't I try and get into some type of one year masters program in something that interests me (health related). I really would like to go to NYCOM(i live on long island) but I am open to other DO schools. I am not trying to get into any top program , just trying to get in for fall 2008...Also, I read on one post about a clinical nutrition program offered at NYIT. It looks like it might work well for me. Any thoughts?(just to clarify i am the original poster).

 

[jkhamlin]

If I complete the rest of the sciences I need, (Physics 2, retake physics 1, and organic chem 1 and 2 over the summer), instead of doing a special masters program can't I try and get into some type of one year masters program in something that interests me (health related). I really would like to go to NYCOM(i live on long island) but I am open to other DO schools. I am not trying to get into any top program , just trying to get in for fall 2008...Also, I read on one post about a clinical nutrition program offered at NYIT. It looks like it might work well for me. Any thoughts?(just to clarify i am the original poster).

Don't try to rush through things, they'll happen soon enough. That is one big mistake I made in the past. A two year master's degree is not that long. In your second semester you can begin the application process and then you will be interviewing by your third semester, hopefully to matriculate shortly after you graduate. It's exactly what I'm doing, and it is working. A one year master's degree program will have you pretty busy with classes and doing some sort of major paper that you will not have time to do a thorough job with applying.

 

[DoctorMom78]

I think a post-bachelors program would be good. Here is a listing of some. There are a few in the NY/Long Island area, including one at Stony Brook. Good luck!
http://www.cse.emory.edu/sciencenet/undergrad/post-bac.html

 

[Terpskins99]

If anyone has gone down this path or knows the best way to approach my situation any advice would be much appreciated. I am a senior in undergrad and have completed a year of biology(B+,A), a year of chemistry(B-,C), and half of physics(but did miserable, D+). I am going to take the second half of physics next semester. Orgo I will probably take over the summer. My gpa is a little higher than a 2.92, im a psych major and have good grades in my major. Currently I am shadowing and volunteering with the school head atheltic trainer, i assist with rehab and am at the games(My goal is to become a physiatrist in sports med). Watching my father pass away from multiple organ failure due to glomerulonephritis(chronic kidney disease, he had his first tranplant in 1972, and lasted for over 25 years)convinced me that I must go into medicine, previously i was thinking about physical therapy but now I am sure. Anyway I am graduating in the spring so what kind of one year program can I do next year? I definetley want to be enrolled in a graduate program(i still have a goal of playing one year of d-1 baseball). What kind of program is well suited for my situation, as I am trying to show med school that I can handle the curriculum. Any suggestions on programs I should look into, preferably in the NY, long island area. Really appreciate anyone who took the time to read my post. Thank you.

A post-bacc medical program (like some others have suggested) is a great idea.

I would suggest using this list (scroll down to the "Master's program"), which is what I used to eventually choose BU's program.

http://hpap.syr.edu/LISTPB.HTM

Two guidelines I would recommend:

1. Make sure its a program that allows you to take actual medical school classes (preferably WITH the medical students). Typical curricula would include graduate level (read medical school-equivalent) instruction in at least Physiology, Biochemistry, Histology, Endocrinology and Immunology. Anatomy would be nice, but many programs do not permit their master's students to use the anatomy lab.

2. Make sure you WORK YOUR BUTT OFF. Aim high. REAL high. If you get in, then from day one focus on trying to maintain a 4.0 gpa all the way through. I cannot emphasize this enough. If you merely get a 3.0-ish gpa (basically anything lower than a 3.5-3.6), then you're practically giving up on matriculating to that particular school's medical school. I know this applies with at least Boston University, Georgetown and Drexel (three of the oldest and most reputable post-bacc programs). If, on the other hand, you can get a GPA near 4.0... you'll secure acceptances not only to that school's program (plus at BU medical, you're also exempt from taking any of the courses you already completed), you'll also have a plethora of other acceptances to work with as well.

 

[myr11]

So If I were accepted into the medical school of the post bacc than the classes that I take I won't have to take again? I am guessing that this makes medical school a lotttt easier? Lets say I took a year of the upper sciences...Would I be considered a year 2 medical student? Or would there be electives or something Id need to complete? My dilemma is that I have 2 somewhat conflicting goals. I have a need to play collegiete baseball for at least one year, and my other goal is to become a physician. This is why I was looking to just do a year or 2 program that interests me something like nutrition. I know I am asking a ton of questions but since I get such good and quick responses I must ask more. Any questions answered is appreciated!

 

[LINYKid]

i think it depends from school to school

 

[lk2230]

If anyone has gone down this path or knows the best way to approach my situation any advice would be much appreciated. I am a senior in undergrad and have completed a year of biology(B+,A), a year of chemistry(B-,C), and half of physics(but did miserable, D+). I am going to take the second half of physics next semester. Orgo I will probably take over the summer. My gpa is a little higher than a 2.92, im a psych major and have good grades in my major. Currently I am shadowing and volunteering with the school head atheltic trainer, i assist with rehab and am at the games(My goal is to become a physiatrist in sports med). Watching my father pass away from multiple organ failure due to glomerulonephritis(chronic kidney disease, he had his first tranplant in 1972, and lasted for over 25 years)convinced me that I must go into medicine, previously i was thinking about physical therapy but now I am sure. Anyway I am graduating in the spring so what kind of one year program can I do next year? I definetley want to be enrolled in a graduate program(i still have a goal of playing one year of d-1 baseball). What kind of program is well suited for my situation, as I am trying to show med school that I can handle the curriculum. Any suggestions on programs I should look into, preferably in the NY, long island area. Really appreciate anyone who took the time to read my post. Thank you.

You'll forgive if I'm wrong, as I'm no expert on the subject, but I don't think you can play Division I sports as a grad student. I don't think you can play in NCAA division as a grad student...only as an undergrad.

 

[mshheaddoc]

You'll forgive if I'm wrong, as I'm no expert on the subject, but I don't think you can play Division I sports as a grad student. I don't think you can play in NCAA division as a grad student...only as an undergrad.

In certain instances, post-graduate work (like a 2nd bachelors) as well as graduate students can participate in D-I athletics. I know of the requirements passed last Aug require full-time attendance of graduate students. To the extent that this legislation is actually used ... I have no idea. Nor do I know the extent of whether its "sport" specific, but baseball is one of the looser sports in college I've notice with some of the rules ... It depends on your eligibility with the NCAA honestly.

 

[Terpskins99]

So If I were accepted into the medical school of the post bacc than the classes that I take I won't have to take again?

For Boston University School of Medicine, the answer is yes. You are still required to pay the full tuition for your first year of medical school, and I believe they require you to fill in the available credit hours (to make you a full-time student) with some sort of undergrad class taught on the main campus (which is on Commonwealth Avenue... you can literally take Climbing lessons at the new gym if you want).

I am guessing that this makes medical school a lotttt easier?

Well, I guess that depends on what you define as "a lotttt easier"? But compared to some of your classmates that will be traditional MD/PhD's that have the full classload in addition to time they are required to allocate to research every week... yeah, I think you'll have it pretty nice.

Lets say I took a year of the upper sciences...Would I be considered a year 2 medical student? Or would there be electives or something Id need to complete?

No, upon completion of the master's degree, you matriculate into their medical school as a first year student. And at BU School of Medicine, the majority of MS2 courses (e.g. Pharm, Pathology) aren't available to GMS Masters' candidates.

My dilemma is that I have 2 somewhat conflicting goals. I have a need to play collegiete baseball for at least one year, and my other goal is to become a physician. This is why I was looking to just do a year or 2 program that interests me something like nutrition. I know I am asking a ton of questions but since I get such good and quick responses I must ask more. Any questions answered is appreciated!

I can't really answer this one for you. I know that BU has a Division IA basketball program (you'll probably have to walk-on, of course), and that NCAA rules usually allows graduate students to participate so long as you haven't used up your 4 years of eligibility (I know Alex Smith did this at Utah, he finished his MBA while leading the Utes to a Fiesta Bowl victory).

 

[amathew]

Don't try to rush through things, they'll happen soon enough. That is one big mistake I made in the past. A two year master's degree is not that long. In your second semester you can begin the application process and then you will be interviewing by your third semester, hopefully to matriculate shortly after you graduate. It's exactly what I'm doing, and it is working. A one year master's degree program will have you pretty busy with classes and doing some sort of major paper that you will not have time to do a thorough job with applying.

how do you have a masters in ALL of those areas??? thats pretty insane!

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

Yes. I did better in Physics II than Physics I. Stupid gravity! 🙂

I got B's in both Physics but I definitely thought Physics II was harder -- stupid electric circuits.

 

[jkhamlin]

how do you have a masters in ALL of those areas??? thats pretty insane!

Those areas are kind of a combined field. The microbiology and immunology is my primary focus and the epidemiology and biostatistics is my secondary focus. I am not getting a master's in each. It's kind of like some people studying for a degree in anatomy and cell biology.

 

[jkhamlin]

I got B's in both Physics but I definitely thought Physics II was harder -- stupid electric circuits.

I thought Physics I was harder, but it could have been the pathetic professor I had. Stupid multiple vector addition in 3D space.

 

[MaximusD]

You'll forgive if I'm wrong, as I'm no expert on the subject, but I don't think you can play Division I sports as a grad student. I don't think you can play in NCAA division as a grad student...only as an undergrad.

WHAT!? Penn State football players are consistently red-shirted their first year, graduate within the regular four years and then are able to play in their first year of grad school. There are four years of total eligibility in NCAA football within a given timeframe (unknown to me..). Whether or not you are an undergraduate or a graduate student is irrelevant. I do however think that it is not possible to begin playing as a graduate student...

 

[ImNoSuperman]

I got B's in both Physics but I definitely thought Physics II was harder -- stupid electric circuits.

LOL... damn you Kirchoff and your stupid laws!!!

Magnetism was pretty abstract as well...

 

[jkhamlin]

LOL... damn you Kirchoff and your stupid laws!!!

Magnetism was pretty abstract as well...

I liked Physics II. I guess it had to do with more application to the real world. I don't know how often I will find myself in two dimensional space with no wind resistance trying to shoot a monkey with an arrow as he falls out of a tree.

 

[LINYKid]

For Boston University School of Medicine, the answer is yes. You are still required to pay the full tuition for your first year of medical school, and I believe they require you to fill in the available credit hours (to make you a full-time student) with some sort of undergrad class taught on the main campus (which is on Commonwealth Avenue... you can literally take Climbing lessons at the new gym if you want).



Well, I guess that depends on what you define as "a lotttt easier"? But compared to some of your classmates that will be traditional MD/PhD's that have the full classload in addition to time they are required to allocate to research every week... yeah, I think you'll have it pretty nice.



No, upon completion of the master's degree, you matriculate into their medical school as a first year student. And at BU School of Medicine, the majority of MS2 courses (e.g. Pharm, Pathology) aren't available to GMS Masters' candidates.



I can't really answer this one for you. I know that BU has a Division IA basketball program (you'll probably have to walk-on, of course), and that NCAA rules usually allows graduate students to participate so long as you haven't used up your 4 years of eligibility (I know Alex Smith did this at Utah, he finished his MBA while leading the Utes to a Fiesta Bowl victory).

Football is only considered Division IA or I-AA
All other sports/teams are Division I/II/III
Some schools are in multiple divisions for certain sports.
Rememeber you only have 5 years of eligibility , including one redishirt or medical year, sometimes an appeal can be made in extreme circumstances. I have known grad students trasfer to a school and play 1yr or something but it isnt usually a 'new' college athlete