NonTradGladTrad
Full Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2023
- Messages
- 23
- Reaction score
- 17
Good afternoon all! I have one post in the past where I somewhat introduce myself, but I'll touch on it here for simple context. I looked around a bit, and this seemed within the norms to make a post like this, but if I'm wrong, please let me know or delete it. I apologize in advance for the lengthy post, but it felt necessary to add as much information as possible if I'm looking for targeted feedback.
TL;DR Skip to the bottom now:
I originally graduated college with a BS in Biology, minor in Spanish back in 2012. I served in the army for 4 years as an officer, exiting in November of 2016. It did not seem feasible at the time to try to pursue medical school (kids much younger, sole income provider with no obvious career path, no apparent path forward). Since then, I used part of my GI Bill to get an MBA which helped me secure and advance my career in revenue management, though it is never something I've wanted to do. I thought I could shove those dreams down deep and hope they die, but they just never did. My wife knows it. I know it. My wife thinks I should go for it. I think I should, too. The rough timeline I've laid out for myself now, at 34 years old turning 35 later this year, is to target taking the MCAT around Q4 2025 or Q1 2026 to be able to apply Q2 of 2026 a 2027 matriculation. Dates are flexible insomuch as if I should target a later date to maximize the chances of getting in, then I will do that instead. Though, at present, I can't see any reason why I wouldn't just try for 2027 and apply again after as necessary.
So, here's my current issues as I see them. My undergrad cGPA was 3.662. My sGPA is 3.47, unless you don't count an HONR class I used to finish my biology degree that I received a C in because I didn't get my self-study literature review published. I have no research hours. Without that, it's 3.54. I finished my MBA at Georgia Tech in 2020, which I did as an evening program student. I know business courses don't get much weight here, and I don't blame that at all. But for what it's worth, I did get a 4.0 the whole time, so having a full-time job and finishing 51 credit hours in two years I'm hoping could get some credit for being more recent examples of scholarly efforts. I have technically met all the prereqs for most schools except for probably Biochemistry where it's required and anywhere that has Anatomy and Physiology specifically (I do have human physiology and lab, if that matters). Other relevant factors are that I'm currently rated 60% by the VA, so I should qualify for VR&E just fine. My only concern would be needing any retroactive induction of VR&E to my GI Bill or having to explain a serious employment handicap, I feel like I could, and I won't go into why here specifically, but those are known unknowns for this process.
That being said, I'm trying to figure out how best to spend my time. Caveats are that I will have to work full-time if and until I am able to matriculate somewhere. I can back off of work at that point, as the GI Bill stipend or VR&E stipend should offset sufficiently. Otherwise, I can see nothing but benefit for trying to maximize savings prior to attending, therefore not quitting my job early.
Here's the options as I see them:
1) Try to take 12-16 credit hours next year (2025) to assist in preparing for MCAT prep as well as getting Biochemistry. I don't see myself getting research hours, so I'd focus primarily on getting further volunteer hours, non-clinical and clinical, and shadowing hours.
2) Take 4-8 credit hours just to get Biochemistry and maybe Anatomy & Physiology to show capability but focus primarily on getting volunteer hours.
3) Take no additional courses. Focus primarily on shadowing and volunteer hours.
Regardless of taking additional courses or not, I plan to spend the next few months just going through self-study courses for basic level biology and chemistry courses, anyway, just to refresh the information I would need to start studying for other courses I may or may not take.
Anyway, I'll take all advice here. I'm open to any questions anyone might feel adds useful information. I appreciate anyone who took the time to read this novel I've written. I just want to prioritize my time as best as possible and not spend time on aspects of my application that may not boost my chances as well as other choices given the limited time life affords prior to my target application cycle.
TL;DR = 34 y/o Looking to apply in 2027. 375 cGPA with MBA courses included, 3.66 just counting undergrad. 3.47 sGPA. Biochemistry is probable only prereq unsatisfied, but all prereqs are over 12 years old. Should I focus on volunteer hours next year and MCAT prep? Or should I focus on retaking some prereqs to improve application chances?
TL;DR Skip to the bottom now:
I originally graduated college with a BS in Biology, minor in Spanish back in 2012. I served in the army for 4 years as an officer, exiting in November of 2016. It did not seem feasible at the time to try to pursue medical school (kids much younger, sole income provider with no obvious career path, no apparent path forward). Since then, I used part of my GI Bill to get an MBA which helped me secure and advance my career in revenue management, though it is never something I've wanted to do. I thought I could shove those dreams down deep and hope they die, but they just never did. My wife knows it. I know it. My wife thinks I should go for it. I think I should, too. The rough timeline I've laid out for myself now, at 34 years old turning 35 later this year, is to target taking the MCAT around Q4 2025 or Q1 2026 to be able to apply Q2 of 2026 a 2027 matriculation. Dates are flexible insomuch as if I should target a later date to maximize the chances of getting in, then I will do that instead. Though, at present, I can't see any reason why I wouldn't just try for 2027 and apply again after as necessary.
So, here's my current issues as I see them. My undergrad cGPA was 3.662. My sGPA is 3.47, unless you don't count an HONR class I used to finish my biology degree that I received a C in because I didn't get my self-study literature review published. I have no research hours. Without that, it's 3.54. I finished my MBA at Georgia Tech in 2020, which I did as an evening program student. I know business courses don't get much weight here, and I don't blame that at all. But for what it's worth, I did get a 4.0 the whole time, so having a full-time job and finishing 51 credit hours in two years I'm hoping could get some credit for being more recent examples of scholarly efforts. I have technically met all the prereqs for most schools except for probably Biochemistry where it's required and anywhere that has Anatomy and Physiology specifically (I do have human physiology and lab, if that matters). Other relevant factors are that I'm currently rated 60% by the VA, so I should qualify for VR&E just fine. My only concern would be needing any retroactive induction of VR&E to my GI Bill or having to explain a serious employment handicap, I feel like I could, and I won't go into why here specifically, but those are known unknowns for this process.
That being said, I'm trying to figure out how best to spend my time. Caveats are that I will have to work full-time if and until I am able to matriculate somewhere. I can back off of work at that point, as the GI Bill stipend or VR&E stipend should offset sufficiently. Otherwise, I can see nothing but benefit for trying to maximize savings prior to attending, therefore not quitting my job early.
Here's the options as I see them:
1) Try to take 12-16 credit hours next year (2025) to assist in preparing for MCAT prep as well as getting Biochemistry. I don't see myself getting research hours, so I'd focus primarily on getting further volunteer hours, non-clinical and clinical, and shadowing hours.
2) Take 4-8 credit hours just to get Biochemistry and maybe Anatomy & Physiology to show capability but focus primarily on getting volunteer hours.
3) Take no additional courses. Focus primarily on shadowing and volunteer hours.
Regardless of taking additional courses or not, I plan to spend the next few months just going through self-study courses for basic level biology and chemistry courses, anyway, just to refresh the information I would need to start studying for other courses I may or may not take.
Anyway, I'll take all advice here. I'm open to any questions anyone might feel adds useful information. I appreciate anyone who took the time to read this novel I've written. I just want to prioritize my time as best as possible and not spend time on aspects of my application that may not boost my chances as well as other choices given the limited time life affords prior to my target application cycle.
TL;DR = 34 y/o Looking to apply in 2027. 375 cGPA with MBA courses included, 3.66 just counting undergrad. 3.47 sGPA. Biochemistry is probable only prereq unsatisfied, but all prereqs are over 12 years old. Should I focus on volunteer hours next year and MCAT prep? Or should I focus on retaking some prereqs to improve application chances?
