Age 30, making switch, Poor GPA, postbac, etc.

[AJM737]

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Hi all,

I just turned 30 and am finally in the position financially to make the jump to becoming a physician. Thought about doing it when I was much younger, but I did not yet have the grades or maturity to succeed. I am working as a major airline pilot in New Jersey, where I am hoping to go to school and practice medicine thereafter. I would like to stay put.

I really don’t know where to begin yet, I know I will need to take many courses or complete a postbac before applying to med school. My gpa from community college was 3.1 and I graduated with a degree in management from an online program and 2.7 gpa. This was what I did to move to a better airline, as I didn’t have time to go to a brick and mortar school. So based on some initial research, that gpa may be too low for postbacs at the NJ schools I’m looking at. That means I’ll have to take regular classes to try to get my gpa up.

My plan would be to take a leave of absence from the airline while I complete med school, just in case things don’t work out. I can pay the entire cost of school out of pocket, so I do not need to worry about loans or expenses. Just wanted to say hi and see if anyone can chime in on some initial steps, especially if you did this process in or around NJ. Thanks.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Try emailing the programs, you may be able to get individual feedback on how to move forward. A semester or two of As at a CC would likely be enough to sway them regardless, a lot of places look at more recent academic experience esp if you have few science credits.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Also, random thought, if you're interested in aerospace med check out the Dual Designator program through the Air Force or Navy. Could be a very cool opportunity for you to fly even cooler planes and be a doctor.

 

[AJM737]

Try emailing the programs, you may be able to get individual feedback on how to move forward. A semester or two of As at a CC would likely be enough to sway them regardless, a lot of places look at more recent academic experience esp if you have few science credits.

Thank you. I thought CC classes were frowned upon, but if that would be enough to get my GPA up for the postbac, sounds like it’ll be worth it.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Thank you. I thought CC classes were frowned upon, but if that would be enough to get my GPA up for the postbac, sounds like it’ll be worth it.

Not as much anymore, I did all my post bacc at a CC and then an online prereqs program for Orgo since my CC didn't offer it. Starting MD in a few weeks.

 

[potatopuncher]

Also, random thought, if you're interested in aerospace med check out the Dual Designator program through the Air Force or Navy. Could be a very cool opportunity for you to fly even cooler planes and be a doctor.

Flight surgeons/aerospace med docs don't fly planes in the military. They are the physicians for the flight community/pilots.
-edit, I looked it up and stand corrected. Looks like it is an actual thing but it is very rare, non-operational, and more of a research type of gig for dual designating these guys. Looks like they still use them more in the physician role though, which makes sense.

 

[anon2]

Even if you don't fly again in that role, having ATPL gives you great insight into how the pilots (patients) are thinking.

I've spoken to a few of these dual designated people who were fellows of AsMA, and they had the most interesting stories.

Heck, sky's not the limit, since NASA takes a bunch of aeromed.

 

[bbos]

funny, my co-worker is getting his pilot license and see it as his way out of medicine.

 

[AJM737]

I am looking at postbac programs now. I am hoping to do anesthesiology.

 

[JAK2-STAT3]

I really don’t know where to begin yet, I know I will need to take many courses or complete a postbac before applying to med school. My gpa from community college was 3.1 and I graduated with a degree in management from an online program and 2.7 gpa. This was what I did to move to a better airline, as I didn’t have time to go to a brick and mortar school. So based on some initial research, that gpa may be too low for postbacs at the NJ schools I’m looking at. That means I’ll have to take regular classes to try to get my gpa up.

Here's the 1000 yard overview of the process:

Before committing to a postbac, shadow at least one physician to make sure this is the path for you.

Postbac classes to take include Bio 1+2+labs, Gen Chem 1+2+labs, Orgo 1+2+labs, Physics 1+2+labs, and a couple of upper level bio courses. Some schools may also require stats, calculus, a writing-intensive course, and/or a behavioral sciences course. Check out school websites for details.

You will also need 50+ hours of physician shadowing, including primary care, at least 150+ hours of clinical experience (paid or volunteer), and at least 150+ hours of non-clinical volunteer experience. This should be with individuals who are underserved: think homeless shelters, food pantries, nursing homes, organizations serving immigrants/refugees, camps for kids with disabilities, etc. Pick something you enjoy and do it! You should plan to have these hours completed by June the year you plan on applying.

However, while doing your postbac your grades take priority over any extracurriculars. Once you finish your postbac, studying for the MCAT takes priority over any extracurriculars. You can always take an extra year to beef up your extracurriculars, but bad grades and/or a bad MCAT will be VERY difficult to recover from. Schools will see every grade you ever got and every MCAT score you ever got. So take it one step at a time.

As you get closer to applying, purchase the MSAR to see which schools are reasonable for you based on stats. Plan on applying to at least 20 schools, and be warned that the summer you apply will feel like a full time job in terms of writing secondary essays.

This process is a long road but there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck!

Edited to add: check out Goro's guide to reinvention on here as well.

 

[Goro]

Read these:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

Med School Rx: Getting In, Getting Through, and Getting On with Doctoring Original Edition by Walter Hartwig
ISBN-13: 978-1607140627
ISBN-10: 1607140624