Advice

[reddyman]

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I would first like to say how wonderful these forums are; the vast amount of information and experience has been beyond helpful.

Alright, now that that is out of the way, I do have a few questions and hopefully I can get a little advice. As of right now I am majoring in Political Science (Senior) at the University of Washington. I had been originally planning to graduate this Spring, but have come to the realization (after some wonderful public health and epidemiology classes) that I want to go to medical school. Although it is too late to switch majors, I plan on doing a postbacc (second degree) in biology. The UW has a credit cap of 210 credits, however you can extend this by getting a graduation plan approved. I have about 180 credits right now (or will after this quarter), so I should be able to squeeze out another full year. I plan on taking as many of the prerequisite classes for biology as possible during that year, along with a strong dose of self-study.

To add another interesting aspect to all of this, my fiancee (for about another month or so) and I plan on volunteering in the Peace Corps right after I graduate next year. In fact, I am already nominated and waiting for placement for this year, but am in the process of getting renominated with my future wife. This is something that I have always wanted to do and am completely set on. I will be applying for the postbacc progam after finishing this up.

On the the questions!

1. I would really like to do my postbacc work at the UW (love the campus, people, area, etc). Is it harder to get into a postbacc program at the same uni one received their bachelors at?

2. Does this plan seem at all feasible?

Thanks for all your help.

Oh yeah, my current GPA is about 3.3, with a strong possibility of being higher at the end of this quarter.

 

[Pemulis]

To answer your questions:

1. No
2. Yes

That said, it seems that you are taking a pretty indirect route to med school. The Peace Corps thing is a good idea; if it's something you've always wanted to do, then you should definitely do it now while you can. And it can't help but look good on a med school app. However, there is no reason whatsoever to get a second major in biology.

The ONLY courses you need to get to med school are:
1. 2 semesters of inorganic chem, with lab
2. 2 semester of organic chem, with lab
3. 2 semesters of physics, with lab
4. 2 semesters of bio, with lab

A few med schools also require a semester or two of math. Otherwise, that's it. Why not just take those courses at UW, whether as a matriculated student or not, and then apply? The only compelling reason to take extra bio courses would be to bring your gpa up. Yours is a little on the low end for med school. But get straight A's in the courses listed above, do well on the MCAT, and apply broadly, and you should get in somewhere.

Good luck. If you haven't already done so, I suggest you talk to the pre-med advisor at UW, since they are probably in the best position to give you advice tailored to your situation.