Anyone have any Suggestions??

[likekekaika]

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I don't have any help for my pre-med studies (advisor) so I thought I would look for help on here. I am in the Navy (active duty enlisted) Nuclear Power Program and I am extremely interested in going to medical school in Fall 2009. Currently, I have completed two bachelor degrees from Excelsior College (BS Business) and Thomas Edison State College (BS Nuclear Eng Tech) and I am working on a Master in Arts of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma. These degrees probably seem far fetched compared to most pre-med students' studies but I wanted to take advantage of every academic opportunity I had while in the military. I am presently completing my pre-med science requirements at a local community college in which I have all A's so far. I chose a CC due to my limited funds and freedom in my schedule along with the lack of the 4 year university offerings in the area. I don't have much time to do any volunteering anymore but I recieved an award for 200 hours of volunteering in 2004. Other than these things, I read alot of medical books in the little free time I have. I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions for me. Maybe a little advice on how I should attack my studies or whether I am making a bad choice going to a CC for the requirements. I also am curious about interview timeframes during the year (month they usually happen) so that I can try to plan around that in 2008. Any help would be great and thankyou ahead of time if you post something here for me. Also I am going to be 27 when entering school! Is that a BAD thing????

 

[arcin]

I don't have any help for my pre-med studies (advisor) so I thought I would look for help on here. I am in the Navy (active duty enlisted) Nuclear Power Program and I am extremely interested in going to medical school in Fall 2009. Currently, I have completed two bachelor degrees from Excelsior College (BS Business) and Thomas Edison State College (BS Nuclear Eng Tech) and I am working on a Master in Arts of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma. These degrees probably seem far fetched compared to most pre-med students' studies but I wanted to take advantage of every academic opportunity I had while in the military. I am presently completing my pre-med science requirements at a local community college in which I have all A's so far. I chose a CC due to my limited funds and freedom in my schedule along with the lack of the 4 year university offerings in the area. I don't have much time to do any volunteering anymore but I recieved an award for 200 hours of volunteering in 2004. Other than these things, I read alot of medical books in the little free time I have. I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions for me. Maybe a little advice on how I should attack my studies or whether I am making a bad choice going to a CC for the requirements. I also am curious about interview timeframes during the year (month they usually happen) so that I can try to plan around that in 2008. Any help would be great and thankyou ahead of time if you post something here for me. Also I am going to be 27 when entering school! Is that a BAD thing????

In SDN you will get quite a bit of variance in your answers, first of all it is never too late. As long as you have your Pre-req's you should be fine. Where you get them can be a source of concern but at the same time you have to do what you have to do. I can't go to a 4 yr until I get some more credits so I have to take some of my Pre-req's at a CC. The med schools are just going to have to understand. Interviews happen through the mid to last portion of the year. The overwhelming theme is that if you want it bad enough and are willing to do what it takes to make it happen it will happen. Just my two cents.

 

[bbabul01]

I def jumped on the bandwagon with your post about orgo, but seeing the rest of your profile it appears that there is a bit more to your story than I first assumed. I just figured you were an undergrad trying to get to med school straight from school, which obviously is not the case. That being said, I apologize and offer a bit better of a response.

Being 27 or 28 in school does not matter. The current average age is something like 26, so dont' worry about missing out on life because of the age. 35 is a slightly different story but 28 is fine. I still would recommend against orgo II first. But considering your background, and your degrees, you are probably smart enough to handle it. If you feel confident, try it out. If you find yourself in over your head, pull out before you get a W.

Try to find a little time to volunteer, just so you can still be involved with the medical community. Otherwise, with all your degrees and navy experience, med schools should understand the CC. It makes sense to me.

My main thought is for you to take your time, don't rush anything, and do you r best to take a little while to make your application as strong as possible before jumping into the incredibly costly and demoralizing process of applying to med school. Good luck!👍

 

[cubbbie]

Otherwise, with all your degrees and navy experience, med schools should understand the CC. It makes sense to me.

That may be true, but I would check with various med schools to be sure. Most med schools will strongly advise against taking pre-reqs at CCs, and some schools will flat out not accept them. You should verify that they would make an exception for you given your active status in the military. Don't risk it without being sure.

I still would recommend against orgo II first.

Me too. If you plan on matriculating in Fall of 2009, you will have at least 2 more opportunities to take Orgo II.

 

[awk]

I am a veteran also but I waited to get out of the miltary to complete my studies for a number of reasons....watch to make sure that your degrees are not online or distance learning as medical schools will not accept those credits or acknowledge your degrees. You do need a four year degree prior to matriculation that was taken in a classroom setting.

By the way the average age of a first year med student is 23 not 26...but it doesn't matter what age you are anyways.

 

[bottles999]

I don't have any help for my pre-med studies (advisor) so I thought I would look for help on here. I am in the Navy (active duty enlisted) Nuclear Power Program and I am extremely interested in going to medical school in Fall 2009. Currently, I have completed two bachelor degrees from Excelsior College (BS Business) and Thomas Edison State College (BS Nuclear Eng Tech) and I am working on a Master in Arts of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma. These degrees probably seem far fetched compared to most pre-med students' studies but I wanted to take advantage of every academic opportunity I had while in the military. I am presently completing my pre-med science requirements at a local community college in which I have all A's so far. I chose a CC due to my limited funds and freedom in my schedule along with the lack of the 4 year university offerings in the area. I don't have much time to do any volunteering anymore but I recieved an award for 200 hours of volunteering in 2004. Other than these things, I read alot of medical books in the little free time I have. I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions for me. Maybe a little advice on how I should attack my studies or whether I am making a bad choice going to a CC for the requirements. I also am curious about interview timeframes during the year (month they usually happen) so that I can try to plan around that in 2008. Any help would be great and thankyou ahead of time if you post something here for me. Also I am going to be 27 when entering school! Is that a BAD thing????

One thing I see that seems to be lacking in you list/plan is the MCAT and prep-time for the MCAT. That is something I wouldnt recommend taking untill after you finished Orgo I and Biology (1 year) atleast and preferrably Orgo II. You can check out the MCAT Forum, but that is somthing you really need to dedicate 2 even 3 months full time effort for. Many recommend a prep class too from either Kaplan or The Princeton review (TPR). Its not trivial and a critical component of your application.

Another, item not seen on your list are letters of recommendations. You'll need three. Two must be from science professors from your post bacc work and given your experience, I would suggest one from one your past COs.


As for the Application process check out:

http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm

It's a yearly cycle that starts in early May when you can start to complete the primary application. Then at the earliest, in June, you can submit the primary applcation which last through Oct or Nov depending on the school. After you submit you will be getting request for secondaries, almost immediately, after its appoved by AMCAS. Once complete you WAIT and WAIT.... Interviews start as early as Septemeber and go through March... Then the cycle starts again. If you receive acceptances from more than one school you have to commit to a single school by May 15. Effectively the entire process is a full year. Pain, frustrations, and agony many would describe it as - and elation too when it all works!

Good luck with your plan.

 

[likekekaika]

My two bachelor degrees are distance learning.. Med schools wont accept these?? That doesnt make much sense. I was able to get into a masters program at OU with them. Why would medical school be any different? I dont think learning HAS to be done in a classroom especially when teachers can sometimes limit how well things are learned. Just my opinion. I am curious about that now, I would like to hear a comment like that from an admissions committee.

 

[cubbbie]

My two bachelor degrees are distance learning.. Med schools wont accept these?? That doesnt make much sense. I was able to get into a masters program at OU with them. Why would medical school be any different? I dont think learning HAS to be done in a classroom especially when teachers can sometimes limit how well things are learned. Just my opinion. I am curious about that now, I would like to hear a comment like that from an admissions committee.

Every school has a different view on these kinds of matters. Generally speaking, a degree based exclusively on distance learning will not cut it. At some schools it may be fine, though. But you do need 3 letters from professors who know you personally.

Most med schools have their own counselors to address these kinds of questions. They are much better than pre-med advisors anyway. Plus, most med schools have this kind of information on their websites for prospective students. I would research all of your questions before going forth with your plan. I would also make appointments with admissions counselors at the med schools you are interested in -- either via phone or actual visit. They should be able to help you.

As a start, you could pose your question in the pre-med form under "my semi-solicited advise." There are some current admissions committee members answering questions over there -- but keep in mind that they are answering only from the perspective of their own school.

 

[notdeadyet]

Most med schools will strongly advise against taking pre-reqs at CCs, and some schools will flat out not accept them.

Just for the sake of clarity, though this is oft-repeated on SDN and have been the subject of repeated threads, there has not been a single example of a med school that flat out does not accept CC credits.

Don't feel bad, this is one of those myths that gets repeated so often folks take it as fact.

 

[awk]

Medical school is different mainly because it is the most competitive program to gain admissions to. Distance learning is looked down upon for various reasons...mainly because its too easy...not to say this is true. But I have had schools tell me (and its commonly on their FAQs) that they do not want DL or Internet courses. However, as long as all of your pre-reqs are taken in a classroom, such as your local CC, you will be better off although still very disadvantaged because you have never taken a class at a traditional four year university as many other applicants have. Its an uphill battle and your MCAT better be spectacular....these are reasons why I waited. While this info might come as a shock it s all available on the med schools own website. I suggest you review their FAQs at least. Good luck