Advice for a future [fingers crossed] Do w/ a non sci degree

[LINYKid]

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[i am repositing this since i had it in an incorrect forum]

Glad I found this site, it has been very helpfull.

Ok so here's my story I will try to keep it as short and not to booring and any advice would be appreciated.

So I am interested in applying to DO schools in probably 3years. I have a bachelors degree in Biz 4yrs ago with a lousy GPA 2.86, if you add in 9 additional credits I took for some grad math classes and languages it boosts by gpa to still but pathetic 2.92. The reason for my low gpa was purely medical reasons I underwent surgeries almost every college semester while still thinking I could do it all

My dream is to go to NYCOM [especially for geographic reasons] or Nova 2nd or NJ . So I spoke to some people I know at NYCOM they said I can take science classes at community college so I have just started taking a few of the pre-req's phy, chem, etc so far with A's and A- in physics and am starting bio soon, I took some science AP's in highschool and did well but that was over 10yrs ago.

I have read about the policy where I may can take over a few classes to replace some of my lousy gpa but I assume my main focus should be for a high science gpa. I also dont want to retake 10 classes, I am thinking of taking 3-5 tops. I am worried since I see a lot of people here who dont have as high of gpa's have taken master's programs. I looked into a few but with no sci backround it would take me forever, probably 5yrs to do prereq's, masters, mcat's etc. I dont want to start school at 60 lol.

So are my chances hopeless? I am planning to take all the required minimums of course Physics, Chem, Bio, Organic than some elecctives like biochem, genetics, etc. I spoke to people at NYCOM that I know and they said it doesnt matter where I take my prereq's since I have a degree and just need the minimums but I highly doubt that, so I know I need to make up a lot of ground to compete w/ average applicants, so my hope is to excell in the science classes and do well in the MCAT, some people I know who went to DO school say it can work others say I should not even bother. Aside from the minimum preq's that most schools require what else do you suggest?


I have some volunteer work, and am in the process of being able to shadow a DO. So really an advice would be so helpfull thanks in advance, feel free to reply or email me.

sorry for all the spelling errors i advance incase the grammer police are watching
thanks

 

[PlasticMan]

If you take all the classes you plan on taking, ie the prereqs for med school, and average in all A's(maybe throw in a B+ or two for good measure) for those classes, what does your GPA and science GPA come out to then? You can definitely apply to NYCOM; the minimum is only 2.75 for science and cum GPA. It all depends on how well you do on the MCAT also. If you score very well on it (30+) I would say you have a shot getting in even if you can get your GPA up to 3.0. If you score average on it (25+), then you may need to be in the 3.3-3.5 range.

 

[CatsandCradles]

Hi there.

You are going to have to work quite hard, but it can be done. My advice to you is to maybe retake some of those old classes you did poorly in and aim for a non science GPA that is greater than 3.1 GPA. My opinion is that perhaps you should try to take at least as many classes again as possible to raise that GPA. If the admission committee sees too many low grades on your transcript, that might turn them off - so retake the ones that you did most poorly on.

As for science, you should strive for the very best and put in the utmost effort to get As in all of them. If this means sitting in the library from 5PM to 8PM each day, then by all means do it. Some colleges offer tutoring to aid you if you have trouble in classes. The admission committes can tolerate a C in a class like organic chemistry, but if they start seeing a few to many, then that sends them a red flag. I'm not sure what NYCOM's BCP GPA is, but just aim for one that is greater than 3.1.

Also have solid extracurricular activities. Volunteer at the hospital. Work with your township's EMS, support the local charitable groups, social work and social justice related matters - that sort of a thing.

And of course, there is the infamous MCAT. I think in your case you should aim for about 25+.

I know all of this sounds a lot - and it is a lot, but this is what must be done. You can do it if you really want it.

Best of wishes

C&C

 

[LINYKid]

Thanks for the advice.

Rght now I am focusing on taking the required Science classes and getting A's. I assume that if I continue to do well in my Sci classes it will offset my low business degree gpa. I havent sat done and done the math but if I average lets say a 3.5 in the science classes it should boost my regular gpa to close to a 3.1 which seems more acceptable, although I hope to emphasize my MCAT, Sci GPA and volunteer work.

As for volunteer work I am going to shadow a DO soon, and have volunteer experience with senior citizens and also work with a foundation to provide books to seniors. Due to some medical issues now [recovering from ortho surgery] I will be limited in my volunteer ops, so I cant volunteer at ems, hospital etc? Any suggestions on other volunteer ideas or other extracuriculars?

How long should I think about studying for the MCAT 6months? once I finish my sci prereq's thats my major focus. Also does anyone think I should take other sciences to boost my application aside from the 32req credits?

thanks again

 

[PlasticMan]

Thanks for the advice.

Rght now I am focusing on taking the required Science classes and getting A's. I assume that if I continue to do well in my Sci classes it will offset my low business degree gpa. I havent sat done and done the math but if I average lets say a 3.5 in the science classes it should boost my regular gpa to close to a 3.1 which seems more acceptable, although I hope to emphasize my MCAT, Sci GPA and volunteer work.

As for volunteer work I am going to shadow a DO soon, and have volunteer experience with senior citizens and also work with a foundation to provide books to seniors. Due to some medical issues now [recovering from ortho surgery] I will be limited in my volunteer ops, so I cant volunteer at ems, hospital etc? Any suggestions on other volunteer ideas or other extracuriculars?

How long should I think about studying for the MCAT 6months? once I finish my sci prereq's thats my major focus. Also does anyone think I should take other sciences to boost my application aside from the 32req credits?

thanks again

I think alot of people say 4 months is good? I did 2 months, but felt like I needed more. I didn't take a review course, but I used the Kaplan books, which I liked alot.

 

[noshie]

I just took the April MCAT for the first time and I thought that 6 months of studying would be good. I was wrong. I think if I could go back I would study for a year. First I would have taken 6 months like 2 hours a day to learn all of the material and get comfortable with it. Then I would have taken the next 6 months to learn the test and practice. I believe that the really high scoring people have been studying for the MCAT since they got into college. I would have also waited to take Biochem and Cell Bio first. Alot of the people I talked to that have taken these classes scored alot better than me on the practice tests.

 

[Jamers]

I just took the April MCAT for the first time and I thought that 6 months of studying would be good. I was wrong. I think if I could go back I would study for a year. First I would have taken 6 months like 2 hours a day to learn all of the material and get comfortable with it. Then I would have taken the next 6 months to learn the test and practice. I believe that the really high scoring people have been studying for the MCAT since they got into college. I would have also waited to take Biochem and Cell Bio first. Alot of the people I talked to that have taken these classes scored alot better than me on the practice tests.

I am not really much of an expert on MCAT, as you can see from my score. However, I know that not studying will get you my score. Taking too much care in class work to maintain that high GPA and multiple majors and positions on clubs and student government, that is a sure killer to any MCAT. That being said, it isn't so much the studying as it is the practice. I took a few practice tests and bought the book (read the bio section and skimmed the rest), but I never really practiced enough. If I could go back I would 1) take the course and 2) begin practicing from the first semester of my junior year.

 

[mj1878]

There's a GPA calculator on usnews.com that lets you put in your beginning GPA, and then enter some classes and projected GPAs and it will tell you where you will stand if you get those grades.

Don't worry about the non-science degree thing. My degree was in Spanish Literature.

 

[premedmaybe]

Retaking classes that you have a C in is the quickest way to boast your gpa.

 

[HunterGatherer]

you just started your basic sciences so you can grab some MCAT study material to start reading now. Read the relevant chapters to what you are studying in school and you will only need 10-12 weeks to prep for the MCAT. kaplan has a comprehensive book you can use ISBN: 0743266153. Or you can go with the EK complete guide ISBN: 1893858421.

Don't retake courses until you have 1-2 semesters of basic sciences left and then decide if your GPA needs a boost. Start with the lowest grades and work your way up. retake F's then retake D's and finally C's. read the FAQ to see what classes are considered science and take that into consideration as well.

read the 30+MCAT thread in the MCAT forum. It is at the top of the page.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I am in the same position as the OP. Except I graduated with < 2.5 cum GPA. And I also will have my MBA. I know a few people that have been in the same position as we have been. But we are at a deficit. I will be applying Summer 2007 with a cum GPA of hopefully about 3.0. (I need 3.0 for my state school).

I want it to be known that it CAN be done. I talked with the admission counselors at UMDNJ-SOM about 2 years ago and they told me to do my pre-reqs then do a post-bacc program, do well in it, do well on the MCAT.

My best advice that I can offer being in your position is deciding on what you can afford to do. If you are going to stay in your job, take your pre-reqs at night at a community college if need be. Then during your application year, make sure you are post-bacc program. That way you have a back up program already in place if you don't get in. Also it shows you will have grades to update your application with in December.

Many people can't put the full-time effort into medical school, but those of us with sub 3.0 GPA's really have to do the extra work to try to get in.

My advice can be taken with a grain of salt, but this plan has been 4 years in the making. Actually I was going to make a post on what some people would do in my position as I'm a cross roads in what I should ...

 

[LINYKid]

I totally agree its tough trying to take classes, while working fulltime and in addition to various other commitments. just like the poster above i come from a biz backround. I do believe [and hope] it can be done its just more difficult and I have read stories of people here who have been accepted so that gives me some faith.