Am I missing anything?

[iatros13]

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I have been reading these forums for a while, and I really appreciate all of the helpful and insightful information here!

I am 36, and midway through my first degree, with plans to complete it in the spring of 2013. I had taken a couple semesters worth of courses back in 94/95 then bailed out mid way through the second semester. Unfortunately I was not smart enough to actually drop or withdraw from classes at 18, so my gpa was pretty crappy, but it is improving swiftly. In a little over one year it is up from 1.87 to 3.32 (essentially, I have made an A in every class so far, and if I somehow manage to keep that up I could have a 3.8 in the end...)

I work full time - supervisor at a small company. I have 2 teenagers (Lord help me), and I am just getting started with volunteering. I have gone on a medical mission trip with a church group (and there may be more coming soon), and I volunteer with the children's ministry there. I am starting next week as a volunteer at a local hospital, which should be about 4 hours per week and I am going to be involved in a research project over the summer.

I do not have anything set up with regard to shadowing, but I know a couple doctors I plan to ask.

I am majoring in psychology with a biology minor and have incorporated all of the required courses that seem to be common and many of the recommended ones: General BIO, Gen Chem, Organic Chem, Biochem, Developmental BIO, Physics, Cell BIO, Genetics, Virology, and about 8 labs that go along with those.

So... I have a few questions, if there is anyone willing to give me some feedback...

If I should graduate in Spring 2016, when should I plan to take the MCAT and when would I start applying to med schools?

And, am I missing something else I should be doing? (For which I will likely have to just stop sleeping... since there aren't many hours left in the day! lol)

Thanks!

RJ

 

[docelh]

well, you're most likely going to get stuck taking the new MCAT to be rolled out very shortly.

No one even knows what that thing will be really like. The test prep companies may even need some years to prepare their materials just right for it. Basically, taking it in its first two years since inception is a big risk.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the MCAT is valid for up to three years after it's taken.

So just factor those things accordingly.

 

[iatros13]

I had no idea there was a new MCAT coming... fun...

Well, the vast majority of the courses I listed are ones I still need to take, with about 2.5 years left for undergrad. I bought some study materials for the MCAT and after looking through some of it, I decided to put it away before I got discouraged. I felt pretty clueless, and I am hoping it is just a matter of not having taken the courses that will teach me the needed materials.

Maybe if there is time to get a few more courses under my belt before it changes I could give it a shot though. I think I read somewhere that the scores depend on your rank with others taking the same test...? If that is true, then I just have to hope that helps since we will all be taking the new test...

Thanks for the advice! 🙂

 

[BuddyTheElf]

A lot of people take the MCAT the year they graduate. So for you: Summer or Fall 2015, Spring or early Summer 2016. Do this only if you can handle intensely studying for the MCAT while taking courses. Then you can apply Summer 2016. If you can't handle the extra studying, then take the MCAT Summer 2016 or later and apply the following year. (If you take it early enough in the Summer, you can apply the same year). Just make sure you're prepared for the MCAT before taking it. If you have the time, start compiling a list of your ECs and work experiences along with descriptions and dates. This isn't necessary but I found it helpful when it came time to filling out the application. Never too early to start your personal statement, too. Make sure to get it proofread multiple times. Start asking for LORs several months before you anticipate applying. It can take professors awhile to actually sit down and write them.
Good luck!

 

[Juan Solo]

First, I tip my hat to your dedicated work ethic. Keep it going!
Second, as mentioned above, if you can handle studying for the MCAT in the end of 2015 to early 2016 and take the MCAT sometime in late spring of 2016 or summer of 2016 and you are happy with the results then go ahead and apply that summer. However, if you feel that you are rushed with studying for the MCAT or feel your grades will suffer or feel that you have rushed your PS or application, then hold off a year and get everything together because it will pay off to have a well put together application.

Good luck!

 

[iatros13]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It is very appreciated!

 

[iatros13]

I have been thinking about this a lot...

I will finish all of my science courses in the fall of 2015. So, over the break and in the Spring 2016 I will be able to study for the MCAT seriously. I do have 6 hours planned for spring, but its one psych class (for my major) and another class that should be easy.

So... If I take the MCAT late Spring and then apply, would that be to begin in the Fall 2016? I have read several places that you start applying the year before.... So an application in 2016 would be made to plan to begin med school in Fall 2017?

Seems like such a waste... (I will turn 40 in 2016... every year counts!) lol

 

[edgerock24]

well, you're most likely going to get stuck taking the new MCAT to be rolled out very shortly.

No one even knows what that thing will be really like. The test prep companies may even need some years to prepare their materials just right for it. Basically, taking it in its first two years since inception is a big risk.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the MCAT is valid for up to three years after it's taken.

So just factor those things accordingly.

That is an overly dramatic statement. Test prep companies will have a solid understanding of the material quicker than you think, and taking a prep course might actually be more helpful than usual due to these companies being able to strategize better for the exam than students studying on their own (the importance of test prep firms may actually become greater).

Moreover, students who have humanities backgrounds may actually feel more comfortable with this format with psychological/sociological concepts being tested, perhaps allowing them to do better than they would with a pure science-based exam.

 

[Goro]

Shadowing...don't forget about that! You need to see what a doctor's life is like.

I have been reading these forums for a while, and I really appreciate all of the helpful and insightful information here!

I am 36, and midway through my first degree, with plans to complete it in the spring of 2013. I had taken a couple semesters worth of courses back in 94/95 then bailed out mid way through the second semester. Unfortunately I was not smart enough to actually drop or withdraw from classes at 18, so my gpa was pretty crappy, but it is improving swiftly. In a little over one year it is up from 1.87 to 3.32 (essentially, I have made an A in every class so far, and if I somehow manage to keep that up I could have a 3.8 in the end...)

I work full time - supervisor at a small company. I have 2 teenagers (Lord help me), and I am just getting started with volunteering. I have gone on a medical mission trip with a church group (and there may be more coming soon), and I volunteer with the children's ministry there. I am starting next week as a volunteer at a local hospital, which should be about 4 hours per week and I am going to be involved in a research project over the summer.

I do not have anything set up with regard to shadowing, but I know a couple doctors I plan to ask.

I am majoring in psychology with a biology minor and have incorporated all of the required courses that seem to be common and many of the recommended ones: General BIO, Gen Chem, Organic Chem, Biochem, Developmental BIO, Physics, Cell BIO, Genetics, Virology, and about 8 labs that go along with those.

So... I have a few questions, if there is anyone willing to give me some feedback...

If I should graduate in Spring 2016, when should I plan to take the MCAT and when would I start applying to med schools?

And, am I missing something else I should be doing? (For which I will likely have to just stop sleeping... since there aren't many hours left in the day! lol)

Thanks!

RJ

 

[LiveLoveLearn]

I have been reading these forums for a while, and I really appreciate all of the helpful and insightful information here!

I am 36, and midway through my first degree, with plans to complete it in the spring of 2013. I had taken a couple semesters worth of courses back in 94/95 then bailed out mid way through the second semester. Unfortunately I was not smart enough to actually drop or withdraw from classes at 18, so my gpa was pretty crappy, but it is improving swiftly. In a little over one year it is up from 1.87 to 3.32 (essentially, I have made an A in every class so far, and if I somehow manage to keep that up I could have a 3.8 in the end...)

I work full time - supervisor at a small company. I have 2 teenagers (Lord help me), and I am just getting started with volunteering. I have gone on a medical mission trip with a church group (and there may be more coming soon), and I volunteer with the children's ministry there. I am starting next week as a volunteer at a local hospital, which should be about 4 hours per week and I am going to be involved in a research project over the summer.

I do not have anything set up with regard to shadowing, but I know a couple doctors I plan to ask.

I am majoring in psychology with a biology minor and have incorporated all of the required courses that seem to be common and many of the recommended ones: General BIO, Gen Chem, Organic Chem, Biochem, Developmental BIO, Physics, Cell BIO, Genetics, Virology, and about 8 labs that go along with those.

So... I have a few questions, if there is anyone willing to give me some feedback...

If I should graduate in Spring 2016, when should I plan to take the MCAT and when would I start applying to med schools?

And, am I missing something else I should be doing? (For which I will likely have to just stop sleeping... since there aren't many hours left in the day! lol)

Thanks!

RJ

Depending on where you want to apply, you may need to take Calculus and/or Statistics courses, so you may want to check out the requirements for programs that you are interested in. Other than that and shadowing, as some of the other posters have noted, I think that your plan looks great!👍

 

[iatros13]

Thanks - that's a good point! I am taking Cal I this summer and I took a Psychology Statistics course. I had contemplated how far I need to go in math, but have not seen much mentioned on pre-reqs for the schools I have looked at. I do not have any other statistics course planned; hoping that one covers it. It was painful!

I do have plans for shadowing - at least I have a few docs planned to ask. I am thinking next summer.

I have been considering forensic pathology and wanted to try and get some experience in that world, but I have not really seen much opportunity for it. I can't imagine they would let me spend a day shadowing in the autopsy room - but I think it would be very awesome! I was reading today; however, that there tends to be a lot of politics involved in that field (more than in others - I am sure it's everywhere to some extent)... So, maybe it's not for me. Plenty of time to decide, I guess.

 

[Sabate]

A lot of people take the MCAT the year they graduate. So for you: Summer or Fall 2015, Spring or early Summer 2016. Do this only if you can handle intensely studying for the MCAT while taking courses. Then you can apply Summer 2016. If you can't handle the extra studying, then take the MCAT Summer 2016 or later and apply the following year. (If you take it early enough in the Summer, you can apply the same year). Just make sure you're prepared for the MCAT before taking it. If you have the time, start compiling a list of your ECs and work experiences along with descriptions and dates. This isn't necessary but I found it helpful when it came time to filling out the application. Never too early to start your personal statement, too. Make sure to get it proofread multiple times. Start asking for LORs several months before you anticipate applying. It can take professors awhile to actually sit down and write them.
Good luck!

Depending on your work/home/life balance, I found that taking the summer before applying off classes and focusing on studying for the MCAT super helpful. I was still working/volunteering/not abandoning my spouse in that time as well. Having my score on hand going into my last year of undergrad really helped me as I could better decide on the programs I had a good shot at getting into and take whatever prereqs were left for them.