Another WDYT....

[SwimSwam]

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Hi everyone,

I'd like some opinions, so here's the low down on my background:

- 30 years old, mother of 2 little ones
- Just completed my BS in Neuroscience, with a GPA of 3.4 (am accustomed to balancing a very hectic work/life situation since my husband's job is demanding)
- Work experience in the pharmaceutical industry (light clinical research included)
- Planning to audit Chem/Phys/Bio over the next year to refresh for MCATs
- Still need to take Orgo w/lab - hoping this will boost me up to 3.5 or 3.6 since it's a 12 credit course at my university)
- Planning to take MCAT next spring
- Planning to apply simultaneously to SMPs & Med Schools

Given all that (sans MCAT scores, obviously):

1) What are my chances? - I know some accelerated SMPs have a "linkage" program w/a high possibility for acceptance to their affiliated med schools.
2) What is "shadowing" a doctor? - Is this an important app. booster?
3) Should I audit Chem/Bio/Phys with labs in order to refresh, even though I've already passed them? I would rather not in interest of time. Is lab material necessary for the MCATs?
4) This is general - do medical schools give the summer off?

Thank you to all who read my long post!!

 

[MeowMix]

I would not audit those courses unless you have zero self-discipline and it's been many years since you took the original courses; targeted MCAT study would be much more efficient.

You absolutely have to shadow, i.e. follow a doctor around at work. You can find more details around here about how people found docs to shadow. I asked every friend of a friend of a doctor and told everyone I knew that I was looking for opportunities. This worked out very, very well for me; one of the docs wrote me a letter of reference. I had 100 hrs shadowing when I applied, and all my interviewers said it was more than usual. If you want to apply to DO schools, you will have to shadow a DO too.

Most med schools have a couple of months off btw 1st and 2nd yr. At ours there is no break btw 2nd and 3rd, so you essentially go 2 yrs without a long vacation (Christmas vacation is the usual 2 wks). In 4th yr you have more latitude and can take months off if you like.

 

[Luxian]

Good luck on this path! It may be a long one, but its worthwhile!

Just a quick note on the MCAT. As the other poster mentioned, going to classes is not the greatest MCAT refresher. Instead I would highly recommend picking up a test prep book like Examkrackers. What it does is show you the material you need to know at the depth you need to know it, and it has example MCAT questions right there. You get practice with the right type of questions, and you don't spend extra time memorizing stuff that will never be on the test.

One more thing: the other poster also recommended shadowing. It is a good idea. I didn't have any and still got into med school, but it definitely was a downside of my application. If I had had the chance, I would have fit in some volunteering or shadowing so that I could talk about the clinical experience. This will come up in your interviews, and is good just for getting a sense of if you like the lifestyle.

Again, good luck! (BTW, there's a women in healthcare forum on SDN that has some discussion of being a mom while in school. You might find interesting topics there.)

 

[gman33]

Your gpa won't move much with 12 credits. Maybe .05 pts if you get all A's.
This will put your GPA below average, but not terrible.
Is your science GPA close to your overall?

I wouldn't audit any classes if you already did well in them.
Buy some MCAT prep books or take a class if you have trouble structuring your own program. I mainly used Examkrackers books and that worked fine for me. Focus on your coursework first and then worry about the MCAT. OChem is a tough class that requires a lot of time. Search the forums for some study tips.

Clinical experience is important, both for your app and for determining if you really want to be a doctor. A good start would be getting a volunteer position at a local hospital. This will help you learn about the healthcare system and you can figure out if you like being around sick people. Try to find something where you can volunteer for a few hours a week.

 

[Blade28]

It's very tough to know what your "chances" are because:

(1) You still have pre-reqs to complete
(2) You haven't taken the MCAT yet
(3) You still need more clinical experience/shadowing/volunteering

I agree with the above posters who say that auditing classes to study for the MCAT isn't a great idea.

 

[SwimSwam]

Thank you for your replies.

I suppose I was thinking of the MCAT as proof positive of all the knowledge I've accumulated, versus as a test. I'm surprised as to how many people study on their own. I didn't think that was possible - anyhow, that's what the Kaplans, etc sell you.

My science GPA is 3.35. I had a few C's during a semester when I was traveling out of state 3 days a week to care for my father who had 2 major surgeries. I know, the medical schools won't care.

From the reading I've done, the SMPs (where you take medical classes along with regular students) seems like the best possibility for me, with my GPA.

Thanks again everyone. This is an interesting start.

 

[Blade28]

Whatever you do, make sure you rock the MCAT.

Also know that you only get one chance to shine in an SMP program - do well and you're helping your cause, but do badly and you changes at matriculation are badly damaged.

Best of luck.