Can I still get into medical school?

[868651]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,
I have posted on this forum before, so you can view my profile to see my past posts, however I’m just going in one shot.

I graduated from Fayetteville State University in 2003 with a BS in Business Administration and a 3.0, so I’m in my late 30s. I also have congenital glaucoma which is my primary motivation to pursue a career in medicine.

The only STEM courses I’ve taken were Algebra, Pre Calculus, Zoology, and Biology and I received a 2.1 GPA.

My only work experience has been in a retail setting, so I’ve never had a paid health care job or volunteered anywhere in a health care facility.

My only option is to take my premed requirements at either a community college or a post bacc program, then take the courses to become a CNA or volunteer at a hospital. Then take the MCAT and apply to med school.

Is this realistic at this point?

 

[willow84]

I would start volunteering at a hospital and shadowing now to make sure it's what you want. Once you have that under your belt you could look into a post bacc or completing the classes on your own. I'd also dig through the forum to get a sense of the EC expectations and commitment you need to make to this process before diving in.

 

[rg2o3]

I would begin volunteering at a hospital ASAP and I would also begin a post-bacc.

 

[mk04447]

Sure. Myself and some of my classmates matriculated after 40.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

You're 40 with no experience in healthcare (even shadowing) and your reason to go into medical school is because you have glaucoma?

I apologize for being harsh in advance, but you need to examine what's going on in your life. If you're some 20 year old talking about being a doctor over watching greys anatomy, understandable for that ages immaturity, but a grown ass person acting like this is very concerning, especially on top of the disastrous grades in courses designed as GPA boosters for non-science major kids entering fresh out of high school

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Is this realistic at this point?

As a general rule for questions like this, if you have to ask then you probably already know the answer. Had you asked, "What things should I be doing to get into medical school? Here are my credentials so far...", then the tone of your question is serious and answers should fit a two-year plan to get there. However, you asked a negative-tone question about it being realistic. So I'm going to reply assuming you feel the answer is no.

I agree with the posters so far. The best place to start is by getting involved in a medical setting. Volunteering is great, but scribing would be better. You may not have a choice though, depending on what experiences are available in your area. This will expose you to the field. If you like what you see and most of all like how you feel, then take the next step of enrolling in a general chemistry class and a biology class. You know that your current numbers will not fly, but there are schools that will consider only your latest work. You HAVE to get a 4.0 in your postbac work. If that part goes well, then you need to add organic chemistry and physics to the mix. If those are going well, then consider the MCAT. You have to build your applicant profile from scratch.

Also be open-minded to alternative fields. While MD or DO are your likely targets, there are alternatives like PA and nurse practitioner that will be quicker paths into a career.

All of that said, in my many years working with students during the MCAT phase, I have seen someone as old as 48 get accepted. His resume when he started probably would have evoked the same harsh response you got from AlbinoHawk, and rightfully so. You're going to have to answer those questions the entire pathway, so get used to it. Some people will sugar-coat their responses and others will not. Be thick-skinned and ready for a range of comments.

So to answer your question, only YOU can answer that question. Is it probable you'll get in based on what you've listed? No. Is it possible you'll get in if you build a great applicant profile? Yes. Do you have the drive and dedication to build that profile? Only you know.

 

[868651]

You're 40 with no experience in healthcare (even shadowing) and your reason to go into medical school is because you have glaucoma?

I apologize for being harsh in advance, but you need to examine what's going on in your life. If you're some 20 year old talking about being a doctor over watching greys anatomy, understandable for that ages immaturity, but a grown ass person acting like this is very concerning, especially on top of the disastrous grades in courses designed as GPA boosters for non-science major kids entering fresh out of high school

If it makes you feel better, I used to watch ER and House religiously. Lol

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

If it makes you feel better, I used to watch ER and House religiously. Lol

God, I can't watch House anymore without thinking how idiotic his team and him are. Then being more pissed when the diagnosis they claim actually never presents that way.

 

[Jaxey]

It is realistic, but will take a lot of effort and sacrifice. I started college at age 18, then dropped out after few years, and then went back to school as business major years later. Half way through the undergrad I had some personal experiences that made me consider a career in medicine. I switched my major to biology, volunteered at a hospital and non-clinical settings, shadowed physicians, and held 2 jobs to pay for everything. I am also married, but I am blessed with a very supporting spouse who understood why all of a sudden he never saw me around anymore. I did maintain very high GPA the entire time (something you must work on), and will be matriculating to a DO program this upcoming school year. I found that DO schools where much more accommodating to non-trads, but I still have not heard from a few MD schools I have interviewed at as well.

Our paths are different, but from my own experience I can say with confidence that even though you currently do not have any healthcare experiences it is still possible to get them. It took me 2 years to take all the prerequisites (along other college classes since I was still working on my undergrad) and all the necessary extra curricular experiences. And I am not in my 20s anymore either.