BSN a legitimate route to med school?

[Kentobari]

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I'm a returned Peace Corps volunteer with a low GPA looking at a good route to med school

I'm tempted to apply to the 1-year accelerated nursing degree at John Hopkins due to their history with Peace Corps volunteers and related fellowship program.

Is this a legitimate way to boost a med school application, or is doing nursing school just to get into med school generally frowned upon?

 

[DrMidlife]

Thanks for serving!

With GPA damage, nursing won't get the job done. Focus on a route that gets you access to boatloads of science, such as a 2nd bachelors in biochem, or a program like Harvard Extension or Berkeley Extension.

Specifically, the classes you take for nursing practice simply don't count as premed. It makes no difference whether you learn useful stuff in those classes (which you do).

Look into SMPs, if your cumulative undergrad GPA is over 3.0 and you can get a solid MCAT soon. Otherwise, more undergrad is the way to go.

Being an RPCV is plenty - you don't need to invest any more in Peace Corps "friendly" programs. Just be a premed now, if med school is the goal.

Best of luck to you.