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[and_rea26]

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Hi everyone,

I’ve always wanted of becoming a physician, but my pre-med advisor discouraged me back in college, so I ended up taking a different path. I’ve earned my Master’s in Public Health and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Even though I’m proud of these accomplishments, I feel like there’s still more I want to do, and I wish I had believed in myself earlier because the feeling has never gone away.

I’m planning to apply to medical school by late next year, aiming to start in 2026. I’ll be starting at 28, so a bit later than some, but that doesn’t bother me. I’m currently working on retaking or completing the prerequisite courses I need, either through community college or Doane University. I know some schools might not prefer this route, but I’m determined to finish them however I can. My goal is to take the MCAT in the spring of next year. I’d really appreciate any advice or tips you can share. I’ve included some details about my background below.

Degrees:

• Bachelors in Health Science (GPA: 3.5)
• Master of Public Health (GPA: 3.6)
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (GPA: 3.8)

Already Achieved:

• Intermediate Algebra: C
• College Algebra: C
• Introductory Statistics: C
• General Chemistry I: C
• General Chemistry Lab I: D
• Introduction to Biological Sciences: A
• General Bio Lab: C
• General Bio: A

Missing PreReqs:

• General II Lab
• General Chemistry I Lab Retake
• General Chemistry II
• Organic Chemistry I
• Organic Chemistry II
• Biochemistry
• Physics I
• Physics II Lab

Extra:

• Microbiology: C
• Microbiology Lab: C
• AIDS Epidemiology: A-
• Intro to Epidemiology: B
• Biostatistics: B+

Extracurriculars -

• Worked for four years as a behavioral health technician in a mental health hospital.
• Completed two internships with the Florida Department of Health in Epidemiology and the Maternal Mortality Project.
• Worked as a Behavioral Health Project Manager for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
• Shadowing: Currently have 20 hours but plan to get more.
• Regularly volunteered at a clinic for a homeless shelter.

 

[AJS59]

Hi everyone,

I’ve always wanted of becoming a physician, but my pre-med advisor discouraged me back in college, so I ended up taking a different path. I’ve earned my Master’s in Public Health and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Even though I’m proud of these accomplishments, I feel like there’s still more I want to do, and I wish I had believed in myself earlier because the feeling has never gone away.

I’m planning to apply to medical school by late next year, aiming to start in 2026. I’ll be starting at 28, so a bit later than some, but that doesn’t bother me. I’m currently working on retaking or completing the prerequisite courses I need, either through community college or Doane University. I know some schools might not prefer this route, but I’m determined to finish them however I can. My goal is to take the MCAT in the spring of next year. I’d really appreciate any advice or tips you can share. I’ve included some details about my background below.

Degrees:

• Bachelors in Health Science (GPA: 3.5)
• Master of Public Health (GPA: 3.6)
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (GPA: 3.8)

Already Achieved:

• Intermediate Algebra: C
• College Algebra: C
• Introductory Statistics: C
• General Chemistry I: C
• General Chemistry Lab I: D
• Introduction to Biological Sciences: A
• General Bio Lab: C
• General Bio: A

Missing PreReqs:

• General II Lab
• General Chemistry I Lab Retake
• General Chemistry II
• Organic Chemistry I
• Organic Chemistry II
• Biochemistry
• Physics I
• Physics II Lab

Extra:

• Microbiology: C
• Microbiology Lab: C
• AIDS Epidemiology: A-
• Intro to Epidemiology: B
• Biostatistics: B+

Extracurriculars -

• Worked for four years as a behavioral health technician in a mental health hospital.
• Completed two internships with the Florida Department of Health in Epidemiology and the Maternal Mortality Project.
• Worked as a Behavioral Health Project Manager for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
• Shadowing: Currently have 20 hours but plan to get more.
• Regularly volunteered at a clinic for a homeless shelter.

A couple of questions:
1. Are the "extra" classes you mentioned part of undergrad or the MPH (or OPT doctorate?)
2. "regular volunteering" - how many hours?

I'd say right now you've hit most of the necessary boxes for extracurriculars (volunteering still withstanding) so what you need to focus on is #1 crushing it in your pre-reqs and #2 doing well on MCAT. You do well on both of those and you should be well equipped for the future.

I will also add you should be prepared to answer the question about why you're leaving occupational therapy

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hi everyone,

I’ve always wanted of becoming a physician, but my pre-med advisor discouraged me back in college, so I ended up taking a different path. I’ve earned my Master’s in Public Health and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Even though I’m proud of these accomplishments, I feel like there’s still more I want to do, and I wish I had believed in myself earlier because the feeling has never gone away.

I’m planning to apply to medical school by late next year, aiming to start in 2026. I’ll be starting at 28, so a bit later than some, but that doesn’t bother me. I’m currently working on retaking or completing the prerequisite courses I need, either through community college or Doane University. I know some schools might not prefer this route, but I’m determined to finish them however I can. My goal is to take the MCAT in the spring of next year. I’d really appreciate any advice or tips you can share. I’ve included some details about my background below.

Degrees:

• Bachelors in Health Science (GPA: 3.5)
• Master of Public Health (GPA: 3.6)
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (GPA: 3.8)

Already Achieved:

• Intermediate Algebra: C
• College Algebra: C
• Introductory Statistics: C
• General Chemistry I: C
• General Chemistry Lab I: D
• Introduction to Biological Sciences: A
• General Bio Lab: C
• General Bio: A

Missing PreReqs:

• General II Lab
• General Chemistry I Lab Retake
• General Chemistry II
• Organic Chemistry I
• Organic Chemistry II
• Biochemistry
• Physics I
• Physics II Lab

Extra:

• Microbiology: C
• Microbiology Lab: C
• AIDS Epidemiology: A-
• Intro to Epidemiology: B
• Biostatistics: B+

Extracurriculars -

• Worked for four years as a behavioral health technician in a mental health hospital.
• Completed two internships with the Florida Department of Health in Epidemiology and the Maternal Mortality Project.
• Worked as a Behavioral Health Project Manager for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
• Shadowing: Currently have 20 hours but plan to get more.
• Regularly volunteered at a clinic for a homeless shelter.

I'm concerned about the C's in the science-related courses that you have already taken. Were they taken as part of your undergrad education years ago? Or are they part of your current DIY postbac program? Same question regarding the A's in your science related courses. Were there extenuating circumstances when you did your bachelors that affected your performance as an undergrad?