Beginning 2nd Bachelor's This Summer

[Remy LeBeau]

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Hello all,

I am about to begin my second bachelor's degree after having worked in IT consulting since I graduated in 2005. I wanted to start this thread to post my stats now and as they change over time (I've seen other threads like that, and I've really enjoyed seeing people make progress).

GPA's
Undergraduate GPA's
cGPA: 3.23
sGPA: 3.25

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: Not started
sGPA: Not started

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.23
sGPA: 3.25

MCAT
I haven't taken it yet, and I don't even want to guess what I might get. I'm not even sure a diagnostic is worthwhile since I haven't take biology or organic yet.

EC's
Shadowing
I haven't had formal shadowing experience, but due to recent events in my life, I have spent a lot of time in doctors' offices and ER's. I'm sure this is the career for me, so I will be arranging formal shadowing as soon as I quit working full-time.

Clinical
I'm not sure if home care of a sick loved one counts, but I have done that.

Other Volunteerism
A few hours of Ronald McDonald House
A few hours of Adopt-a-Highway
Mentorship program in professional fraternity

Other Extracurricular
Member of professional fraternity
Two-time president of fraternity, one-time vice president
Musician
Distance runner

The Plan for Summer 2011
This summer, I am going to begin my second bachelor's degree (in biology). I'll be taking Gen Chem I and II in summer sessions I and II. In order to fill out the obvious holes in my app, I will be:

• Arranging formal shadowing experience
• Getting CNA certification (my adviser tells me this well let me work more closely with patients at the local hospitals and hospice)
• Volunteering at the local hospital and hospice
• Study my butt off to get A's to help my sickly GPA's

That's about my whole story. Let me know if you all have any feedback on any part of it or questions about it. I know it's a long road, but you have to start somewhere.

 

[Catalystik]

I am about to begin my second bachelor's degree after having worked in IT consulting since I graduated in 2005. I wanted to start this thread to post my stats now and as they change over time (I've seen other threads like that, and I've really enjoyed seeing people make progress).

GPA's
Undergraduate GPA's
cGPA: 3.23
sGPA: 3.25

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: Not started
sGPA: Not started

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.23
sGPA: 3.25

MCAT
I haven't taken it yet, and I don't even want to guess what I might get. I'm not even sure a diagnostic is worthwhile since I haven't take biology or organic yet.

EC's
Shadowing
I haven't had formal shadowing experience, but due to recent events in my life, I have spent a lot of time in doctors' offices and ER's. I'm sure this is the career for me, so I will be arranging formal shadowing as soon as I quit working full-time.

Clinical
I'm not sure if home care of a sick loved one counts, but I have done that.

Other Volunteerism
A few hours of Ronald McDonald House
A few hours of Adopt-a-Highway
Mentorship program in professional fraternity

Other Extracurricular
Member of professional fraternity
Two-time president of fraternity, one-time vice president
Musician
Distance runner

The Plan for Summer 2011
This summer, I am going to begin my second bachelor's degree (in biology). I'll be taking Gen Chem I and II in summer sessions I and II. In order to fill out the obvious holes in my app, I will be:

• Arranging formal shadowing experience
• Getting CNA certification (my adviser tells me this well let me work more closely with patients at the local hospitals and hospice)
• Volunteering at the local hospital and hospice
• Study my butt off to get A's to help my sickly GPA's

That's about my whole story. Let me know if you all have any feedback on any part of it or questions about it. I know it's a long road, but you have to start somewhere.

Welcome to SDN and good luck on your journey.

Comments on the info provided: Nursing a loved one at home can be included as an experience under "Other", but supplementing this with more formal clinical environment exposure is a good idea.

Besides clinical experience, it's a good idea to start early on with some regular (weekly or twice monthly) nonmedical community service; 1-2 hours per week is fine if time is limited.

Don't overdo the ECs this summer as you dip your toe into the waters of science prerequisites. Take it slowly and solidify the study strategies needed to excel in this type of coursework. Getting As is your first priority.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

I got my grades for the first summer session of school today. I took General Chemistry I and the co-requisite lab. Updates to GPA are below.

GPA's
Undergraduate GPA's
cGPA: 3.23
sGPA: 3.25

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: 4.0
sGPA: 4.0

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.26
sGPA: 3.48

I begin General Chemistry II and its lab on Monday.

 

[Catalystik]

A nice start.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Time for an update...

I made A's in all my Gen Chem lectures and labs. I start bio, phys, and ochem this fall. One more thing... I'm getting married August 21, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

GPA's
Undergraduate GPA's
cGPA: 3.23
sGPA: 3.25

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: 4.0
sGPA: 4.0

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.29
sGPA: 3.55

One of my classmates said that undergrad GPA's are disregarded after three or four years by adcoms. I don't know to what extent that is true, but it would help my case when applying next summer.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

I forgot to add: I will be working as a lab assistant this fall, perhaps 10-15 hours a week tutoring and proctoring chemistry students. I am also trying to get a CNA, and I will be volunteering at a local free clinic for the homeless. Finally, I am trying to find hours to volunteer through synagogue to do something not related to medicine.

 

[drfancypants]

Time for an update...

I made A's in all my Gen Chem lectures and labs. I start bio, phys, and ochem this fall. One more thing... I'm getting married August 21, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

One of my classmates said that undergrad GPA's are disregarded after three or four years by adcoms. I don't know to what extent that is true, but it would help my case when applying next summer.

Doing a great job, keep it up! Your starting GPA is a bit little higher than mine, and I followed a similar track to you, finishing the third year to my post-bac bachelors during my gap year and constantly preparing for a second "just-in-case" application. Redemption is possible and I'm starting as an m1 at my first choice (non-trad friendly) allopathic state school in a couple of weeks.

Old bad grades don't exactly expire (well, they can be replaced for DO) but I know from personal experience if you have enough As to show you're a different person than the first time around through college, you can land some competitive interviews. The best thing is to kill the MCAT and keep collecting those A's all while participating in ECs you can be at least a little passionate about. This does make a case for applying a year later than you intend, while you stick it out with your bachelor's degree, prep for the MCAT on a more realistic schedule, keep pushing up that GPA, and (supposedly) submit your application to a ton of schools in early June of the cycle.

PM me if you have any questions. Good luck

 

[pure skill]

Time for an update...

I made A's in all my Gen Chem lectures and labs. I start bio, phys, and ochem this fall. One more thing... I'm getting married August 21, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

GPA's
Undergraduate GPA's
cGPA: 3.23
sGPA: 3.25

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: 4.0
sGPA: 4.0

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.29
sGPA: 3.55

One of my classmates said that undergrad GPA's are disregarded after three or four years by adcoms. I don't know to what extent that is true, but it would help my case when applying next summer.

If you can seemlessly work Caddyshack quotes into your personal statement, you will be a shoo-in. Otherwise, you'll probably get nothing and like it.

Seriously though, nice job.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Time for another update. All A's this semester, which brings GPA's to:

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: 4.0
sGPA: 4.0

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.36
sGPA: 3.72

The lab assistant job fell through at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict, but I have been volunteering at the clinic all semester. I sit for the CNA exam on Monday, so I will hopefully be able to work in patient intake soon in addition to working in patient records.

I'm debating taking a part-time job this semester. My class schedule is a little more full this semester, so I am hesitant to take on anything else for fear that my grades will suffer.

 

[Catalystik]

One of my classmates said that undergrad GPA's are disregarded after three or four years by adcoms. I don't know to what extent that is true, but it would help my case when applying next summer.

Every med school weights past years differently, but regardless, a recent steep upward grade trend captures attention.

I am trying to find hours to volunteer through synagogue to do something not related to medicine.

As an example, If you could do something working with a youth group, particularly if you got them involved in community service assisting elder members, this would be beneficial to your application.

Time for another update. All A's this semester, which brings GPA's to:

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: 4.0
sGPA: 4.0

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.36
sGPA: 3.72

The lab assistant job fell through at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict, but I have been volunteering at the clinic all semester. I sit for the CNA exam on Monday, so I will hopefully be able to work in patient intake soon in addition to working in patient records.

I'm debating taking a part-time job this semester. My class schedule is a little more full this semester, so I am hesitant to take on anything else for fear that my grades will suffer.

Looking good, but don't take on too much. Evidence of good time management skills will be continued success in your academic efforts.

 

[varsityblue]

every med school weights past years differently, but regardless, a recent steep upward grade trend captures attention.

As an example, if you could do something working with a youth group, particularly if you got them involved in community service assisting elder members, this would be beneficial to your application.

Looking good, but don't take on too much. Evidence of good time management skills will be continued success in your academic efforts.

+1

 

[Goro]

VERY good! This is a zone where we like seeing our applicants.

Time for another update. All A's this semester, which brings GPA's to:

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: 4.0
sGPA: 4.0

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.36
sGPA: 3.72

The lab assistant job fell through at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict, but I have been volunteering at the clinic all semester. I sit for the CNA exam on Monday, so I will hopefully be able to work in patient intake soon in addition to working in patient records.

I'm debating taking a part-time job this semester. My class schedule is a little more full this semester, so I am hesitant to take on anything else for fear that my grades will suffer.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

VERY good! This is a zone where we like seeing our applicants.

Thanks, Goro. That's encouraging.

Also, thanks to Cat and everyone else who has contributed. It's good to hear everyone's perspective, even if it's a +1 to a previous comment.

Over the winter break, I got my CNA and began doing clinical volunteering at a low-income facility. It's been a great experience so far: running lab tests, patient intake and vitals, and I even got to help clean and dress a third degree burn.

My question is this: The nature of my volunteering role is part shadowing/part volunteering. I might be filling out an intake form when a doctor pulls me into an exam room with a patient and talks me through their case. It's hard to separate the shadowing hours and normal volunteering hours. How should I address this on my application?

 

[CopaceticOne]

Thanks, Goro. That's encouraging.

Also, thanks to Cat and everyone else who has contributed. It's good to hear everyone's perspective, even if it's a +1 to a previous comment.

Over the winter break, I got my CNA and began doing clinical volunteering at a low-income facility. It's been a great experience so far: running lab tests, patient intake and vitals, and I even got to help clean and dress a third degree burn.

My question is this: The nature of my volunteering role is part shadowing/part volunteering. I might be filling out an intake form when a doctor pulls me into an exam room with a patient and talks me through their case. It's hard to separate the shadowing hours and normal volunteering hours. How should I address this on my application?

I was in a similar situation, so I just divided up the total hours at the position based on what percentage I did the different activities. Such as for every 20 hours at the job, 18 were working and 2 were shadowing. I had no issues with this on my application because I listed the activities separately on my primary application and even though they intermingled I was able to speak in interviews about them as if they were discrete experiences.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Quick update: I have started working as a research assistant in an organic chemistry lab, working about eight hours a week. I'll bump it up to 12 hours a week starting in the fall.

I will be working as a lab assistant for the summer for one gen chem class and one organic class.

I am registered for the July 6th MCAT.

 

[alexrgross]

Go Ramy GO!

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Grades are back for the spring semester, so here are my updated GPA's:

Post Baccalaureate GPA's
cGPA: 4.0
sGPA: 4.0

Total GPA's
cGPA: 3.42
sGPA: 3.80

I have been given increased responsibilities at the clinic where I volunteer, I continue to work in the research lab, and assisting with summer classes starts in a couple of weeks. I need to tally up the shadowing and volunteer hours I have completed, and I'll add a complete EC update soon.

For now, I would like to ask for any help or advice on my school list. I am a North Carolina resident, and my wife has family in California (that will explain the bi-coastal distribution of schools).

UNC - my alma mater and top choice
Wake Forest
Brody (ECU)
Western (Pomona)
Touro CA
UCSD (extreme long shot, but I promised my wife I'd apply)

I would appreciate any help in fleshing out the school list. I am open to MD or DO, but the location would need to be somewhere my wife can find a job relatively easily.

Thanks, SDN!

 

[Catalystik]

Keeping in mind Brody's cheap tuition and mission to train providers for east NC, you might want to specifically get in some shadowing of a rural doc in that location if you don't already have a background or experiences in rural areas, in order to make your application more appealing to them.

Other MD schools to check into for "fit":

LSU-NO, Wayne, Wright, FAU (new), Oakland (newer in MI), Commonwealth in Pa (seeks to train rural NE PA docs), Arizona X 2,
VCU, Louisville, ETennessee (vet preference, 13%OOS)
EVMS,
USCarolina (assuming state ties)

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Thanks for the school suggestions, Cat.

This summer, I have been working as a TA in the general and organic chemistry labs on campus. It's been a great experience.

I took the MCAT recently, but I am still awaiting my score. AAMC practice tests were all 32 and 33, except for one (28 on AAMC #11).

One of the docs at the clinic where I volunteer is a former adcom, so she has been helping me put together a list. Let me know what you all think:

UNC
ECU
UCLA/Drew (the clinic where I volunteer is a community clinic for the underserved; the doc I work with said my experience at the clinic is excellent for this program's mission, as well as...)
...Howard
Wayne St.
MSU MD
Wake
Northwestern
Einstein
Creighton
NYMC
EVMS
VCU

Touro CA
Western Pomona
Midwestern Chicago
MSU DO
Campbell

 

[ILuvScience]

This is so encouraging! I graduated last year and I'm beginning gen chem II this fall. Right now, my science gpa is about a 3.3 I believe. I have gen bio 2, gen chem II and Orgo 1 and 2 left. Other than that, I will probably retake genetics since I got a "c" in undergrad. But I got As' in Physics so I'm happy about tht. I will be applying next year in June and taking the MCAT in June as well. I am a URM, and I'm going to volunteer in a nursing home, free clinic and I also want to volunteer at a homeless shelter. Im in a Christian organization and I evangelized at a homeless shelter during my undergrad, it was so fun! But this is so positive. I am so happy for u! Congrats on the marriage! I am recently engaged myself. Update us on your acceptance. I will pray for you : )

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Update: 34 on the MCAT.

I have applied to Wake, ECU, Drew, and UNC. I am thinking about these:

MD:
Northwestern
MSU
Another Chicago-area school (Loyola? RFU?)

DO:
Western
Midwestern
Touro CA

 

[aspire2BMD]

Sorry if this sounds "dumb," but what do you mean "second bachelor's degree?" and why do you do a second bachelor's degree rather than a premed post-bacc type program?

 

[aspire2BMD]

Sorry if this sounds "dumb" but what do you mean a "second bachelor's degree" and why would you do that? Rather than doing a premed postbacc program?

Thanks!

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Sorry if this sounds "dumb" but what do you mean a "second bachelor's degree" and why would you do that? Rather than doing a premed postbacc program?

Thanks!

A second bachelor's degree is just what it sounds like. If you take all the major-specific classes, the university or college will grant you a second degree (your general education requirements should already be finished from the first degree).

The two main considerations for me were cost and location. The school I go to is in my home state, and I pay in-state tuition, which is far more affordable than many post-bacc programs.

 

[MicroSteph]

I am really impressed with your thread. I hope others read this as a good guide to getting into the sciences from another profession. Very impressive work and I wish you all the best!

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Hi everyone! I wanted to post an update about last semester. I got a 3.85 in upper level science classes while holding three part time jobs (tutoring, mentoring, and TA-ing a lab). I have continued with my research and volunteering too. I interviewed at UNC and ECU, and I will interview at Wake Forest soon as well.

Thanks to SDN for all the information and support along the way!

 

[brianphu53]

.

 

[BABSstudent]

Hi everyone! I wanted to post an update about last semester. I got a 3.85 in upper level science classes while holding three part time jobs (tutoring, mentoring, and TA-ing a lab). I have continued with my research and volunteering too. I interviewed at UNC and ECU, and I will interview at Wake Forest soon as well.

Thanks to SDN for all the information and support along the way!

I read the whole thread. Congrats on having the determination and will to go back to school, study for the MCAT, volunteer and, quite frankly, excel while doing it all. I am sure you will gain an acceptance. Keep us posted.

This thread is also a good thing for future non-traditional applicants to read.

 

[Shouraisei]

Just wanted to drop by and say that you've done an amazing job improving your application so much! Congrats on the marriage too 🙂

 

[Remy LeBeau]

congrats!

What type of classes did you take for your post baccs?

I had not taken any of the med school prerequisites in undergrad, so I took physics, chemistry, biology, and organic chemistry. I am currently focusing on my research while taking biochemistry.

I read the whole thread. Congrats on having the determination and will to go back to school, study for the MCAT, volunteer and, quite frankly, excel while doing it all. I am sure you will gain an acceptance. Keep us posted.

This thread is also a good thing for future non-traditional applicants to read.

Just wanted to drop by and say that you've done an amazing job improving your application so much! Congrats on the marriage too 🙂

Thanks!

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Hi everyone,

Quick update: I was rejected by UNC and am on the wait lists at ECU and Wake Forest. I am really disappointed in the outcome of this cycle, and I'm trying to assess my application as I prepare to reapply to see where I am weak.

I know my undergraduate GPA was relatively weak, but I thought my post-bacc GPA would help my case.

I thought my MCAT score was respectable.

I thought my EC's were fine too.

Anyone have any other thoughts? I didn't submit until August because I had to wait for my MCAT score. Could that really have doomed my application? I'm at a loss here.

 

[DokterMom]

I didn't submit until August because I had to wait for my MCAT score. Could that really have doomed my application? I'm at a loss here.

Sadly, yes. There's your answer right there...

Your thread is such a wonderful illustration of a patient, multi-year non-trad plan. (Except for the late ap. part...) It just has to work! If it doesn't work this time, it certainly will next.

 

[Almost7Famous]

Hi everyone,

Quick update: I was rejected by UNC and am on the wait lists at ECU and Wake Forest. I am really disappointed in the outcome of this cycle, and I'm trying to assess my application as I prepare to reapply to see where I am weak.

I know my undergraduate GPA was relatively weak, but I thought my post-bacc GPA would help my case.

I thought my MCAT score was respectable.

I thought my EC's were fine too.

Anyone have any other thoughts? I didn't submit until August because I had to wait for my MCAT score. Could that really have doomed my application? I'm at a loss here.

Just wanted to say that I really hope you get in! 🙂

 

[HirsuteAnthony]

You applied to 13 MD schools. I would have applied to at least twice that. You would have gotten in somewhere if you had applied to >25 MD schools, especially low tier schools. Good luck.

P.S. If you want me to get specific, add these OOS friendly, less competitive schools:
Oakland University/William Beaumont
Commonwealth Medical College
Albany
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Loma Linda
Rosalind Franklin
Hofstra
George Washington
Tulane
Cooper
Quinnipiac
Medical College of Wisconsin
Mercer

 

[Remy LeBeau]

You applied to 13 MD schools. I would have applied to at least twice that. You would have gotten in somewhere if you had applied to >25 MD schools, especially low tier schools. Good luck.

P.S. If you want me to get specific, add these OOS friendly, less competitive schools:
Oakland University/William Beaumont
Commonwealth Medical College
Albany
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Loma Linda
Rosalind Franklin
Hofstra
George Washington
Tulane
Cooper
Quinnipiac
Medical College of Wisconsin
Mercer

Thanks to everyone for the good vibes, and thanks Anthony for the school suggestions. When I made my school list last year, my wife and I tried to pick schools where we would have family/personal/professional connections. We have talked and decided that we have to be much less discriminating when it comes to geography.

I also plan to submit my application as early as possible this year. I am hoping that casting a wider net and applying earlier will get me an acceptance.

 

[gdfernan]

Would you consider DO as well?

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Would you consider DO as well?

Yes, I was planning on adding a few DO schools to the list this year. I was looking at Midwestern and Western specifically.

 

[Eiot]

Yes, I was planning on adding a few DO schools to the list this year. I was looking at Midwestern and Western specifically.

Good luck man. If you don't get in then my future will look a little bit darker.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

I am back after almost one year with one final update, and it has been a crazy year.

Last spring, I ended up on two wait lists, and I was rejected by my top choice, UNC. When it became clear that I wouldn't be getting in anywhere, I started to put a plan into action that would strengthen my application for another round. I took on more responsibility volunteering at the clinic, and I managed to talk my PI into hiring me full-time in the lab. I also wrote a new personal statement that was more focused and spoke better to my strengths.

I applied at 9:32 AM on June 10, the day AMCAS opened, and I was verified later that day. I applied VERY broadly (35 MD, 5 DO), and I returned secondaries as quickly as I could. Speaking of secondaries, I followed a more structured writing process this year, which yielded better writing overall. I received a much better response from schools, getting 13 interview invites before I began withdrawing applications from schools that I had not heard from.

I prepared a lot more for interviews this year, spending a lot of time thinking about common interview questions and my strengths. I attended 6 interviews, ranging from "I'll show myself out" to "This has to be a done deal."

The application cycle was kind to me. As of Monday morning, I had 2 MD acceptances and 1 DO. Monday night, I got the phone call that I have been waiting for years to get. A member of the UNC admissions committee called to offer me a spot in the Class of 2018.

It's been quite a journey to get here. To all you non-trads out there (and trads too), don't give up, always have a backup plan, and keep your eyes on the prize. Good luck in your journey!

 

[Catalystik]

As of Monday morning, I had 2 MD acceptances and 1 DO. Monday night, I got the phone call that I have been waiting for years to get. A member of the UNC admissions committee called to offer me a spot in the Class of 2018.

Your near-three-year journey finally paid off. Congratulations. And thanks for coming back to give a "final update." I should love to have been a fly on the wall when you told your family.