Barely a nontraditional

[dylanclapton]

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Hi, I’m new to the forum but have been reading for a couple of weeks now. I couldn’t find a former thread that really applied to my exact situation. I graduated with my bachelor’s in May 09 after 5 years in college. When I started college, I had thought about entering the medical field before, so I majored in biology for a while. However, I was fairly immature at the time, and decided against medicine since I didn’t want to spend that much time in school and residency. I didn’t stop to think about what I actually wanted to do with my life; I just didn’t want to work too hard to achieve my goals. I switched my major to accounting at the end of my second year, and, even though it didn’t interest me, I decided to stay in it since it was a quick path to a fairly lucrative career. At the time I was really focused on $. Near the end of my fourth year, I realized that I didn’t want to spend my life in the business world, but I decided to finish my degree and find a job until I had a better idea of what I wanted to do with my life. I've been working at an office job since June and have lately realized that the medical field has always held my interest. Now that I am slightly more mature, I am willing to do what it takes to achieve my dream.

Since I was a biology major for 2 years, I already have my year of general chemistry, organic, and biology, and 1 semester of physics; however, I remember next to nothing from those classes, so I would be completely unprepared to take the MCAT any time soon. My cGPA was a 3.55, and I had A’s in the bios, Ochem, and first general chem, B in the other 2 general chems, and C in physics.

I have decided to go back to school this Dec/Jan. I was wondering if I should finish a second degree in something such as biology, or if I should just finish/retake my prereqs. Biomedical engineering has always been interesting to me, and think that I would like to do some research before I go to medical school. Should I get a second degree in this(biomed)? Would adcoms think it strange if I go back to school so soon after graduating?


Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[AmongtheVisions]

Welcome to the forum dylanclapton,

Would adcoms think it strange if I go back to school so soon after graduating?

I really can't think of any reason why adcoms would find it strange.

My cGPA was a 3.55, and I had A's in the bios, Ochem, and first general chem, B in the other 2 general chems, and C in physics.

I was wondering if I should finish a second degree in something such as biology, or if I should just finish/retake my prereqs.

I think the best option for you would be to go back to school as a non-degree student and finish your prereqs. I think you only have a semester of physics to take and perhaps some math.
It seems you did OK in your classes, with the exception of physics: I'm surprised that you remember next to nothing from them. Retaking classes would only be beneficial if you received low grades and are considering the DO route. There's no point in retaking classes that you got A's in the first time around. You should audit them instead to refresh your memory.
You can take additional upper division biology courses to increase your GPAs. I don't think a second degree in bio is necessary.

Biomedical engineering has always been interesting to me, and think that I would like to do some research before I go to medical school. Should I get a second degree in this(biomed)?

If you are interested in biomedical engineering, try to find a PI(s) who would be willing to have you in their lab for a semester rotation or however long he or she would have you. Also, attend seminars; read journal articles. This way you'd be able to get a better idea as to what the research is like, what the field in general is like. You could also try to find work as a lab tech.
I don't think that it would be wise to do a second degree in biomedical engineering at this point--that's a pretty tough major dude.

 

[dylanclapton]

Thanks for the response.

Maybe I should clarify a bit as far as what I remember from my science classes. I remember biology fairly well. As for physics, I skipped class a lot and BS'd my way through tests (hence the C). The chemistry dept. at my college was very small, and one lady taught all of the Ochem's every year (and she wasn't very good). The chemistry classes, especially organic, were such that I could cram the night before, make a low B or high C on the tests, and make up the difference with bonus points. So the A's and B's I got in chemistry are not really indicative of what I learned in them.

The reason I am (somewhat) considering a second degree is that I feel as though I never really challenged myself in school. I know my GPA was not that low, but I didn't find accounting or business to be especially challenging (or interesting). Would a business major hurt my chances at all? I have read before that adcoms do not look that favorably on business majors.

Also, coming from this background (little science, no research) how would my chances be at the top tier schools. Not necessarily Harvard or Hopkins (GPA is pretty low), but say, top 30-40 schools? Thanks again!

 

[AmongtheVisions]

Maybe I should clarify a bit as far as what I remember from my science classes. I remember biology fairly well. As for physics, I skipped class a lot and BS'd my way through tests (hence the C). The chemistry dept. at my college was very small, and one lady taught all of the Ochem's every year (and she wasn't very good). The chemistry classes, especially organic, were such that I could cram the night before, make a low B or high C on the tests, and make up the difference with bonus points. So the A's and B's I got in chemistry are not really indicative of what I learned in them.

If you feel that you didn't learn the material well at your alma mater, just audit the courses at another college/university. As I told you in my previous post, I do not think that it is necessary for you to retake these courses, except for physics. Any courses you retake will be averaged to determine your GPA when you apply to MD programs. DO programs will only count the newest grade to determine your GPA, but they will see both grades.

The reason I am (somewhat) considering a second degree is that I feel as though I never really challenged myself in school.

You can challenge yourself by taking a semester or two with a heavy course load comprised of upper-division classes after you've finished your remaining prereqs. A second degree would be a waste of time in my opinion. Be aware that you need to do well in these courses as adcoms will see your grades and they will factor in your GPAs.

Would a business major hurt my chances at all? I have read before that adcoms do not look that favorably on business majors.

I personally have not read anywhere that adcoms look unfavorably on business majors or any other majors. Just because most people who apply to medical school major in the biological sciences, does not mean that people who major in other disciplines are looked down upon by adcoms.

I think that adcoms consider: how prepared they feel you, as an applicant, are to withstand the rigors of medical school; how well rounded of a person you are; how much exposure to medicine you have had; how good of a fit you would be in their particular school.
You need to show them that:
a) You have a firm grasp of the basic sciences (bio, gen chem, physics, orgo, some math) with your BCPM GPA and a good MCAT score.
b) You are a good student with your overall GPA.
b) You have some insight as to what the medical profession is like by volunteering in a hospital setting and shadowing physicians.
c) You are a service-oriented person by volunteering at the community level.
d) You have some leadership skills.

I think your actual major, if you have a good overall GPA, is inconsequential. Others might disagree.

 

[dylanclapton]

Thanks for your help, sorry if I'm asking too many dumb questions 😳

I think that adcoms consider: how prepared they feel you, as an applicant, are to withstand the rigors of medical school; how well rounded of a person you are; how much exposure to medicine you have had; how good of a fit you would be in their particular school.
You need to show them that:
a) You have a firm grasp of the basic sciences (bio, gen chem, physics, orgo, some math) with your BCPM GPA and a good MCAT score.
b) You are a good student with your overall GPA.
b) You have some insight as to what the medical profession is like by volunteering in a hospital setting and shadowing physicians.
c) You are a service-oriented person by volunteering at the community level.
d) You have some leadership skills.

This is very helpful, I guess what I need more than anything is some clinical experience.

 

[AmongtheVisions]

Thanks for your help, sorry if I'm asking too many dumb questions 😳

If you really don't know something, then there's no harm in asking.

This is very helpful, I guess what I need more than anything is some clinical experience.

Yes, clinical experience is a must but so are good academic scores.