Advice needed, please read entire post...thank you!

[dan123]

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Ok so I am a late 20's non trad who will be applying a 2nd time NEXT year in 2013. I will take MCAT next spring. I applied last year and didnt do so well on the MCAT. I am sure my bad score is the only reason I didnt get looked at, as I have good work experience, lor's, etc.. This past year I took genetics, a full year of biochem and a chemistry refresher course which I already know will help tremendously for my MCAT next spring. Here are some stats....

Science gpa is ~3.2, overal 3.6. BA in Sociology. All pre reqs including genetics, 1 yr biochem have been taken. I still need 1 semester of bio w lab. I am about 2 yrs (only 4 courses though) away from getting a chem degree (BA). Now here's where I need advice..........

If I take quantitative analysis (chem course only offered 1x a yr) this fall it will risk lowering my gpa (which isnt that great already) for when I apply next spring and I wouldn't be able to take that intro bio course with lab until fall 2013. (I will not be going to school in spring 2013 to strictly work and study for mcat). The importance of taking this class I guess would be if med school doesnt work out I can still finish the chem degree by spring 2014.

OR....I can just take that intro bio with lab this fall and a few other easier courses and get A's in them all which would increase my gpa but pretty much make me give up on the chem degree. what option would be best??

A few other things....I have no clue what else I would do if I don't get into med school. Would it even be worth getting a chem degree? I don't think you can really do much right, unless you go to graduate school. I feel any advice would be helpful as I really don't know what to do right now.

Also, should I take cell mole or human physio this summer? (I know cell mole would help more for mcat, but if I dont happen to get accepted, I have noticed a lot of other professional programs like optometry & pharmacy for example require physio.)

 

[Buzz Me]

Don't think it was solely your MCAT that hurt you. Your GPA (especially science GPA of 3.2) also didn't do you any favors. Remember the average for matriculants tends to hover around 3.65.

 

[DocHawk117]

if you are considering other career options, you might want to pick one and pursue it. i'm sure you've heard "only be a doctor if nothing else would make you happy," and i truly believe this is valid haha. if you are dead set on med school, then take the classes to bump your gpa. take human phys over cell. human phys is more interesting and will help more in med school (though honestly, neither is necessary to succeed in med school).

 

[dragonfly99]

Agree...don't hedge your bets if you want med school. Otherwise consider other stuff like optometry, pharmacy school, etc. Your lower GPA is going to hurt you a lot at US MD schools, so if you want that then try to bring it up.

 

[Helen Wheels]

OP, have you tried applying to DO schools? You don't say what your MCAT is but a 27, which will get you screened out at the majority of MD schools, is competitive for DO.

Other options in addition to what dragonfly suggested would be physician assistant or podiatry. Also, look into anesthesiology assistant programs.

Not sure it is worth the chem Bachelor's if it is going to take two years to get the four courses in. Do you ever see yourself working in that area? About the only thing that might make me lean toward finishing the chem degree is if one of your backups is a PhD in a basic science - most of those programs are going to require a Bachelors degree in a hard science. I don't know about employment opportunities with a Bachelors in chem but I can tell you about employment prospects with a BA in Soc (since I have a BA in Anthro) = not good.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I agree with the above posters. With 1 caveat... I say, if you don't get into med school a chem degree is a good degree. You can get decent enough paying jobs for a bit... however, if you're really passionate about medicine, chemistry will probably never be good enough