changes of getting into good postbacc

[Jasonlkegod]

Hi All,

First time posting here, and really need some good insight from the group.

I am 31 years old and a career changer. Here is a little background about me :

• 3.7 uGPA from a top 50 state university. Major in accounting / econ
• Also did master of accounting and worked in industry for a few years. I worked for a large health care distribution company (but business function). I recently got my MBA from a reputable program as well and I am currently in a leadership rotational program in a F100 company.
• I volunteered at ICU during my MBA years, hours wise, not too many compared to the younger premed group. I probably have around 100 hours.
• I am also a board member of a large local non profit org that has a mission to serve economically disadvantaged minorities, we do have a free clinic service as well.
• My graduate school GPAs are around 3.6,

Stat wise, I think my GPA is OK, however, my SAT is only 1680 on a 2400. I took it 13 years ago, 2 years after I came to the US. So it was a bit tough for me to get an excellent score. I got a decent score on GMAT (above 700) but I dont think that matters for med career.

Due to personal reasons I am not able to prepare for GRE before I apply for this cycle. My questions is:

• How realistic it is for me to get into those good postbacc premed program ? (BM, JHU etc).
• should I think about something else, like DIY etc? The only problem with that is I am on the older side and want to get in as soon as possible. extension schools seem to take longer to prepare for med school. and at this point linkage is a very important factor I am thinking about.
• any recommendations based on my stat ?

Thank you !

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[emergencydancing]

I'd apply broadly. I don't have direct experience with the top ones (Bryn Mawr, Goucher, etc.) but I do think that they care about undergrad prestige, GPA, SATs, and life experience. Essentially, they like to pick up candidates that would get into med school anyway but just want to do it faster and have the support (and in my limited experience, those students usually come from privilege). Unfortunately, I think they're fairly selective and you don't seem to be in that crowd, unless there's something spectacular about your profile that I'm missing.

I'd apply broadly to many programs, including the extension schools. It's slower for sure, but the benefit is that you can work during the day and not feel like you're going all in.

 

[Jasonlkegod]

Thank you for the info. any other postbacc you can recommend ? I know I always have the options for extension schools but at this age I have to take consideration of the risk going in. If I do an extension school, what is my chance of getting into med school? if most people do not get in then I probably will not do it, and may just stick with my current profession. I just can't afford paying extension school and spending 2 years without being accepted to med school.

 

[wanderer534]

I went to the Goucher program. You have a good chance because:
1. you're older
2. you have a decent GPA and standardized test score (GMAT)
3. you bring some diversity as an immigrant

Recommendations:
1. get significantly more clinical volunteering hours ASAP (this month, Sept, Oct, Nov.). you'll need to this for medical school applications anyway
2. try to apply as early as possible (early fall would be best)

Feel free to message me if you have any more questions.

 

[jhmmd]

Hi All,

First time posting here, and really need some good insight from the group.

I am 31 years old and a career changer. Here is a little background about me :

• 3.7 uGPA from a top 50 state university. Major in accounting / econ
• Also did master of accounting and worked in industry for a few years. I worked for a large health care distribution company (but business function). I recently got my MBA from a reputable program as well and I am currently in a leadership rotational program in a F100 company.
• I volunteered at ICU during my MBA years, hours wise, not too many compared to the younger premed group. I probably have around 100 hours.
• I am also a board member of a large local non profit org that has a mission to serve economically disadvantaged minorities, we do have a free clinic service as well.
• My graduate school GPAs are around 3.6,

Stat wise, I think my GPA is OK, however, my SAT is only 1680 on a 2400. I took it 13 years ago, 2 years after I came to the US. So it was a bit tough for me to get an excellent score. I got a decent score on GMAT (above 700) but I dont think that matters for med career.

Due to personal reasons I am not able to prepare for GRE before I apply for this cycle. My questions is:

• How realistic it is for me to get into those good postbacc premed program ? (BM, JHU etc).
• should I think about something else, like DIY etc? The only problem with that is I am on the older side and want to get in as soon as possible. extension schools seem to take longer to prepare for med school. and at this point linkage is a very important factor I am thinking about.
• any recommendations based on my stat ?

Thank you !

Reputation of post-bacc program does not matter as much as your performance in it. So don't buy into expensive post-bacc programs that PROMISE to get you into med school (I am assuming that you are asking about med school)...just work hard on making those grades.

Your GPA is great; you will need to have a solid reason for, "Why medicine?" for your PS as well as in your interviews, and plenty of ECs to support it. Start fleshing out your app to show not tell that you are serious about this, and good luck with everything <3