Advice/Feedback Needed

[Duran]

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I'm really aiming to apply to med schools next summer. Here's my background:

I graduated from Dartmouth in 2012 with a B.S in economics. My cum. GPA was 3.75. I did not take one single science course in college.

Immediately after graduation, I worked on a start-up project (co-founder) trying to develop a new technology which unfortunately failed. After that experience, I joined another start-up (as an early employee) that was successful and subsequently acquired by a Fortune 500 company. I stayed on at the F500 company and am working there now.

Anyways, last year I first had the idea of going to med school. My motivation is that I think I'd really enjoy the experience overall and am very interested in translational medical technology and its interface with patients. I also became disillusioned with other grad school paths (business school, law school etc.)

I initially was going to take my pre-reqs at a local state university, but honestly I just could not justify the costs of doing so. Therefore, I've been taking the pre-med classes in the evening (as I'm still working full-time) at a local community college. I expect to complete all the pre-med reqs by next summer. I've been getting all A's and I expect my science GPA to be around 3.8 (it's dragged down from a B- I got in college in multivariable calculus).

Anyways, do you guys think I'd be competitive in getting into an MD school? I know alot hinges on my MCAT. I"ve been taking a couple practice tests and got a 32. So let's assume I get a 33 on the MCAT.

Just wanted some feedback thanks.

 

[Duran]

I'd really appreciate some feedback guys haha...

I just want to make sure I'm on the right track and I can be competitive for med school admissions, especially given that I would have complete all-premed at CC.

 

[GunnarBronson]

Is this a serious thread?

 

[Duran]

Yes it is. Why would you think otherwise?

I just want some confirmation that my current path of taking the premed reqs at CC is OK, given that the financial burden of taking them at a 4-year is too great.

 

[GunnarBronson]

Ah, ok. On numbers alone, you look very solid. However, there are some medical schools that explicitly state that they do not accept CC credits. Others will not explicitly say it, but they will look down upon them. Most don't care so long as you ace them and have proven yourself academically otherwise (which you have).

Are there any particular schools you were looking at?

Also, don't forget that the numbers are only part of the equation. Clinical experience is a de facto requirement, usually gained through volunteering.

 

[Duran]

I'm looking at schools in California (lifelong resident, currently living/working here) and NY although of course I will apply broadly.

I def. do plan on gaining significant clinical experience and research over the next year.

Do you think my work experience would give me an advantage?

 

[theseeker4]

I'm looking at schools in California (lifelong resident, currently living/working here) and NY although of course I will apply broadly.

I def. do plan on gaining significant clinical experience and research over the next year.

Do you think my work experience would give me an advantage?

You will have something of an advantage over a never-worked-a-real-job traditional student, but it is hard to say if your experience will provide more than that. If you can discuss your accomplishments in depth, and they are impressive in and of themselves, that will help a lot, while if your discussion of your work experience leaves adcoms with no better impression than "he worked here for a while," it will be neutral.

California schools are more competitive than the US MD average, so make sure you kill the MCAT to give yourself the best chance of staying there. Also, make sure you have some volunteering experience, something meaningful if possible, in addition to the research and clinical exposure.