alright folks, here goes...let the journey begin!

[dukboki]

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The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet. - Lao Tzu

Little did I know this would hold so true.

I did it - I listened to advice from you guys and even wrote about 40 schools to see what their adcoms would say about me working 60-70 hour weeks and taking classes through NC State's extended campus to get the pre-requisites done (2-3 per semester). Taped lectures but labs on campus...we'll see how it goes with the work schedule.

Funny thing is that there were a few who refused them outright, some were receptive to the idea on the condition that I get mostly 'A's and a 30+ on the MCAT, and most just said make sure it's an accredited school and we'll give you a look.

So it begins...taking chem 101 and pre-calc to get back in the saddle and start thinking like a pre-med again. Thankfully I had the lab courses before so they didn't require me to retake the labs. Also took a practice exam in my Examkracker's book and scored a 10 (the VR section where they don't give you the passage - just the questions so you infer the main idea). 16 months until the MCAT...let's see what I can pull in!

Wish me luck!

 

[dukboki]

I didn't mention that I'm also shadowing an orthopedic surgeon. Talk about a huge education - 3-4 hours a day four times a week. Even get to assist in the OR when he's in there as the first assist. I guess it helps when the military allows me to be in there on the discretion of the doctor. It's great being able to take a curette and scrape out osteomyelitis or get to clamp off veins and arteries when shadowing the general surgeon and removing a spleen!

I just hope this helps the packet in the long run...

 

[queenbee]

good luck to you. out of curiosity, how old are you and what was your previous background? it's interesting to me that everyone here comes from different walks of life.

also - i like your screenname! are you korean? if so, i love dukboki! i'm korean, too...

 

[blee]

Congrats on your fresh start, and best of luck. 🙂

 

[kimmcauliffe]

good luck to you! sounds like you have the right attitude and a foot in the door- keep us up-to-date on your progress!

 

[dukboki]

good luck to you. out of curiosity, how old are you and what was your previous background? it's interesting to me that everyone here comes from different walks of life.

also - i like your screenname! are you korean? if so, i love dukboki! i'm korean, too...

well, i'm 28 and my current background is military. i've been in the army leading troops since 1999 after graduating from vanderbilt. didn't do so hot then in school - like i said in a previous post a few months back - immaturity got the best of me. so now i'm sitting here in afghanistan and enjoying helping these guys in the OR - we get to heal one afghan one day at a time.

yes, i am korean - i love dukboki in all varieties. can't wait to leave here in february and get to korea for a vacation so i can go eat, eat, eat!!!

are you in medical school right now? or are you applying? any tips? 😀

 

[emgirl]

The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet. - Lao Tzu

Little did I know this would hold so true.

I did it - I listened to advice from you guys and even wrote about 40 schools to see what their adcoms would say about me working 60-70 hour weeks and taking classes through NC State's extended campus to get the pre-requisites done (2-3 per semester). Taped lectures but labs on campus...we'll see how it goes with the work schedule.

Funny thing is that there were a few who refused them outright, some were receptive to the idea on the condition that I get mostly 'A's and a 30+ on the MCAT, and most just said make sure it's an accredited school and we'll give you a look.

So it begins...taking chem 101 and pre-calc to get back in the saddle and start thinking like a pre-med again. Thankfully I had the lab courses before so they didn't require me to retake the labs. Also took a practice exam in my Examkracker's book and scored a 10 (the VR section where they don't give you the passage - just the questions so you infer the main idea). 16 months until the MCAT...let's see what I can pull in!

Wish me luck!

Wait how do you work 60-70 hours a week, take 2-3 classes a semester and shadow a doctor 3-4 hours 4 days a week- when do you sleep!?!

 

[bubbleyum]

well, i'm 28 and my current background is military. i've been in the army leading troops since 1999 after graduating from vanderbilt. didn't do so hot then in school - like i said in a previous post a few months back - immaturity got the best of me. so now i'm sitting here in afghanistan and enjoying helping these guys in the OR - we get to heal one afghan one day at a time.

yes, i am korean - i love dukboki in all varieties. can't wait to leave here in february and get to korea for a vacation so i can go eat, eat, eat!!!

are you in medical school right now? or are you applying? any tips? 😀

hiya ladies~

i'm another korean non-trad applicant and i loooooove dukboki too!! haha. unfortunately i can't eat it as much these days because i am trying to be on a glycemic impact diet.

dukboki, sounds like you have a great shadowing position. good luck, and kick a$$ in your classes and mcat!

 

[dukboki]

Wait how do you work 60-70 hours a week, take 2-3 classes a semester and shadow a doctor 3-4 hours 4 days a week- when do you sleep!?!

early mornings and late evenings. i usually only sleep about 4-6 hours a night and cram some classwork during work when things are slow. otherwise, make it up on the weekends!

 

[UCLA2000]

early mornings and late evenings. i usually only sleep about 4-6 hours a night and cram some classwork during work when things are slow. otherwise, make it up on the weekends!

I would definately cut back on the shadowing time NOW. Do it for 2 weeks or 3 weeks so that you can mention it as a great experience, but realize it is cutting into your study time/sleep time. All the shadowing in the world isn't going to get you anywhere if you screw up your grades.

Your study routine may work for you now, but you'll find premed courses are challenging and they get harder and harder as you progress through the series. Studying on weekends may not cut it pretty soon.

 

[efex101]

Agee, get A's and shadow but do not "overshadow" and let your grades slip. I am also prior military and that is a for sure good thing going for you but unless you back this up with solid GPA/MCAT it will not be of much help. Good luck!

 

[dukboki]

Agee, get A's and shadow but do not "overshadow" and let your grades slip. I am also prior military and that is a for sure good thing going for you but unless you back this up with solid GPA/MCAT it will not be of much help. Good luck!

roger - doing the shadowing at this frequency before the next semester starts.

what school did you end up if you don't mind my asking? when you say it's a good thing, how is this going to work? i'm hoping that being over here and then getting to help afghans and even getting a LOR from an Afghan doc will help. we'll see.

 

[efex101]

I am at Mayo now a second year....PM if you need further details of schools etc...