Critique my informal one-year postbacc plan please

[alienwares]

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Hello once again,

I have worked out the logistics of where I will be attempting my informal postbacc (UT-Austin; please don't tell my Aggie coworkers) and now am planning on a 1-year-to-18-month informal postbacc. I will be able to begin school full-time this summer.

My current plan is:
Spring 2010: Calc and/or English at a CC; English depends on whether med schools accept AP credits
Summer 2010: Chem I/II (student FT indefinitely)
Fall 2010: Orgo I, Physics I, Genetics
Spring 2010: Orgo II, Physics II, MCAT

I am thinking that this plan looks pretty doable. I will not be working FT during it, and considering that I spent a few years of undergrad working 20-30h while taking 16+ credits, Orgo/Genetics/Physics looks intimidating but not lethal... especially if I am only working PT.

However, on the non-trad sticky, the OP states that the one-year post-baccers that he/she knew nearly all flamed out with terrible grades. I found a few threads on the 1y vs 2y debate, but I was wondering if there is a general SDN consensus on the topic. Alternately, personal anecdotes are welcome.

I am somewhat concerned that MCAT prep while studying for Orgo and Physics II will be very difficult, especially I will be self-studying Gen Bio as part of it (I took the class 5 years ago). Specific comments on my plan are hugely appreciated; if some aspect seems like a red flag to you, please shout it out. Thank you!

 

[sgtbrushes]

If you have all the pre-reqs to do, 1 year can be tough to get it done. It sounds like you are done with bio already. Whether or not you can maintain discipline for a year and get good grades will just depend on the type of person that you are. The things that I would worry about the most if I were you are
(a) Chem I and Chem II in one summer semester. This is a lot of info to concrentrate into one summer semester.
(b) MCAT prep. You will have to prepare for the MCAT while taking organic chemistry II and physics II. This will be difficult, and adds more fuel to the potential "burning out" fire.

As non-trads, we tend to get frustrated with how far we are behind our peers, but what's worse? Matriculating a year later, or destroying your GPA/ getting a poor MCAT score because you don't have enough time to prepare, therefore... matriculating a year later. Only you know if you have the discipline to get all this done in the next 17 months.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

Well, I don't think you'll destroy your GPA or bomb the MCAT here. I'm sure plenty of people across the country take those classes at the same time. I too will take physics and organic chemistry in the same semesters starting in the fall. I'm not and will never take calculus so I'll likely take trigonometry or statistics instead, and that will likely be a summer course. I've already had a course in business stats so I'll likely take the math dept's version of it. I'll likely have to quit my job to do this 🙁 since I can't find a single school within two hours of here where classes would accomodate my work schedule. Oh, well, go big or go home right?

I took microbiology in the summer of 2002. The lab made the class kind of long and drawn out (read: boring), but it was doable. If this is what you want to do you'll do it. I personally would rather have to deal with a lot of suck in a shorter period of time than string it out more, i.e. two years. I'm thinking of taking another class on top of the o-chem and phys just so I can be classified as a full-time student. Good luck to you.

Note: I used "I'll likely" a lot because by then I could either die, or I could realize how stupid it is of me to give up stability and pursue life's dreams. 🙄

 

[2010houston]

I think that if you're not working full time during this, it looks perfectly fine. One question I have - genetics? If you're doing this for MCAT prep, I would think cell bio / physiology / biochem would be better prep. But take it or leave it!!

Also, for TX schools (if that's where you're applying for med) - I think they all (def Baylor, pretty sure about others) take AP credit for English. You can verify by emailing the people at the TMDSAS, they are actually quite forthcoming with information like this in my experience ;-)

Good luck!! Hope it goes well.

 

[alienwares]

Thank you all.

My alternate plan is to take Chem 2 this spring at a CC; I took Chem 1 in Fall 2004 at a 4-year college. This would, however, permit me to take Physics I and Stats over the summer (10-week), Orgo I/Phys II in the fall, and only have Orgo I and the MCAT in Spring 2011.

How risky is it to go right into Chem 2 with a 5-year old Chem 1 class?
I ordered the Berkeley Review books and Chem as a 2nd Language, and I'm pretty good at self-studying. I don't want to screw up and get a B in Chem 2, but this plan would help alleviate a rushed summer schedule and leave me with only Orgo 2 for MCAT prep semester... which would rock.

2010houston, I'm still researching what courses to take, and read somewhere that Genetics doesn't require one to remember a huge amount of Gen Bio. I am worried it would be disastrous to take Cell Bio/Biochem without having a recent Gen Bio credit. OTOH, who remembers much Gen Bio after a summer anyway?

 

[Econ2MD]

I took Chem 2 in a six week summer term after taking Chem 1 13 years earlier, with very little advanced prep. The first week was a little rough, but it worked out fine and I got an A. I think you'll be fine in a complete Spring term. I'd try to fit a science w/ lab course in in the spring term to spread it out a little in in an already condensed schedule.

Organic I is often a prerequisite for biochemistry. My genetics course doesn't require much general biology, and what was needed is reviewed.

BTW, I'm finishing up Genetics, Organic I and Physics II this fall. Busy but also doable.

If you are historically a good student able to perform well in classes, you should be fine with the courseload. If you need the extra time to perform well, take it. During this process, I've looked at a year lost now as a year of physician salary lost in the future. There's some truth to that, but rushing through classes, doing poorly, and having to reapply or never getting accepted is a real risk.

 

[spiderpete]

I think your plan is difficult but do-able. I'm in the middle of a similar schedule myself.

I graduated w/ a B.S. in accounting in 83, no science, and a long long time ago. My plan was to self study last spring, finish Bio I/II and Chem I/II in 2 six week summer semesters (done), Phys I/Orgo I fall (finishing now), Phys II/Orgo II spring, MCAT in June. I work part time. School is at Loyola in Chicago - a decent formal post-bacc program.

Results so far have been good. It is very demanding. But except for an A- in a lab (and we'll see how finals go this week), its been A's. Pre-studying the text and course info for the summer sessions was hugely helpful. I also used the pre-study time to get thru most of the EK MCAT study materials - also helpful. I am hopeful that the close proximity of the courses to the MCAT will mitigate the lack of MCAT review time.

Are you also covered on volunteer time? I just talked to one school whose applicants average over 500 hours. I'll have put in a couple hundred this year in ER hospital time and research. I am not doing any in the spring, so I'll have more MCAT time.

Do you really need Genetics now? Perhaps consider taking it after the MCAT if one of your preferred schools requires it. Otherwise, your time may be better spent nailing down A's in the core requirements and prepping for MCAT.

Anyway, my 2 cents. It can be done! It is being done!

best
sp

 

[TakeMe]

Hi! I was in your situation not too long ago. I thought I would let you know how my schedule worked. I didn't have bio, which you appear to, but I had English and Calc

1st Semester (Spring)- Bio I, Chem I, Physics I
2nd Semester (Summer)- Summer I- Bio II, Summer II- Chem II
3rd Semester (Fall)- Orgo I, Physics I and Cell/Molecular Bio
4th Semester (Spring)- Orgo II, Biochemistry + MCAT Prep
Took MCAT two weeks after last semester

It was very doable- although I spent a lot of time studying. I also managed to shadow teo physicians, volunteer weekly at the hospital and do 8 hours of research a week- but I didn't work (other than when my research position turned into a paid position). I only got two B+'s and the rest A's for the program and a 30 MCAT. I do wish I had more time to study for the MCAT. I think I could have done much better if I had more time to study (if I had taken it a month later, maybe?) but I didn't want to risk getting lower. My practice tests were much higher (33-34 range). Oh well.

I definitely reccomend you take Biochem. It is required./ an unwritten requirement of many med schools.

 

[Usernamed]

I'm doing an informal post-bacc at UT-Austin, too. I'm about 1/2 way through the pre-req's so I'll give you my .02, which is about what it's worth.

Calc and/or Eng - who cares. I think taking them at a CC in you situation is completely cool. You'll kill it.

CH 301 & 302 are heavy weeder courses at UT-Austin and 301 has become insanely more difficult with the most-recent Dean taking over the chemistry dept. It seemed like there was a huge focus on quantum mechanics in the beginning which was used to explain spin, orbital shape, etc. There was even an entire test focused on quantum mechanical equations - it sucked. My advise? Take both classes through University Extension. The classes are smaller and the professors are more accessible. They don't offer them in the half-semester sequence you're proposing in the Summer, so if you're stuck on the schedule above, try to take classes from Sutcliffe; she was a fair professor. If she's not available, be ready to spend a lot of time working equations...lots and lots of equations. ALSO DON'T FORGET THAT YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE THE CHEM LAB FOR THESE COURSES BEFORE PROCEEDING TO O.CHEM!!!

CH 310M, PHY 302K, and BIO 325 - Be sure you have room for the physics lab co-requisite. It's only an hour's worth of credit, but it's time intensive. Physics as a subject is a kick in the n*ts at UT. The physics dept is ranked consistently in the top programs of according to USNews and you'll quickly discover why. Be very prepared to work hard. On to o.chem: YOU MUST TAKE ORGANIC FROM IVERSON! Anything else is risking an A. Good luck getting in his classes, though, it fills up quick. Genetics is another weeder course at UT, but it's definitely doable. Try to get all A's in the beginning of the course, as the material is presented in the traditional easy --> hard sequence you'd expect, but the worst thing you could do is give up towards the end. When I took it, the last half of the semester was when I dropped a letter-grade - lame. They offer this course (and organic 1 & 2 through Univ. Extension, too).

CH 310N, CH 369 & PHY 302L - These are ones I haven't taken yet, nor have I taken the MCAT prep course. All te advise I can give is to make sure you leave time for the CH 210C Organic Chem lab and the PHY II co-requisite lab (just another 1 hr credit course). The organic lab isn't a co-req for CH 310N, so you could potentially take it after you apply during your gap year.

Good luck and feel free to PM if you need to. AND DON'T FORGET YOU'VE GOTTA TAKE YOUR LABS!!!

 

[NontradatBeach]

Hello once again,

I have worked out the logistics of where I will be attempting my informal postbacc (UT-Austin; please don't tell my Aggie coworkers) and now am planning on a 1-year-to-18-month informal postbacc. I will be able to begin school full-time this summer.

My current plan is:
Spring 2010: Calc and/or English at a CC; English depends on whether med schools accept AP credits
Summer 2010: Chem I/II (student FT indefinitely)
Fall 2010: Orgo I, Physics I, Genetics
Spring 2010: Orgo II, Physics II, MCAT

I am thinking that this plan looks pretty doable. I will not be working FT during it, and considering that I spent a few years of undergrad working 20-30h while taking 16+ credits, Orgo/Genetics/Physics looks intimidating but not lethal... especially if I am only working PT.

I started out with a similar plan to yours. I graduated in 2001 and had only taken one semester of gen chem, plus the required math and english courses. My plan looked like this:

Spring 2008: BIO II, CHEM II, PHYSICS I (all with Lab)
Summer 2008: ORGO I, ORGO II
Fall 2008: BIO I, PHYSICS II

However, on the non-trad sticky, the OP states that the one-year post-baccers that he/she knew nearly all flamed out with terrible grades. I found a few threads on the 1y vs 2y debate, but I was wondering if there is a general SDN consensus on the topic. Alternately, personal anecdotes are welcome.

I am somewhat concerned that MCAT prep while studying for Orgo and Physics II will be very difficult, especially I will be self-studying Gen Bio as part of it (I took the class 5 years ago). Specific comments on my plan are hugely appreciated; if some aspect seems like a red flag to you, please shout it out. Thank you!

I ended up with a 4.0 while volunteering 20 hrs/week with the rescue squad.

Where my plan hit a bump though was with the MCAT. I took it the first time July 08, before I had finished orgo, or any of the fall classes. I also had zero time to study for it since I was taking accelerated Orgo over the summer. I ended up getting waitlisted for the 2008-2009 cycle, but did have 2 interviews.

I retook the MCAT in Aug 2009 and got a 30O, good enough for me to get into my top choice, in-state for the 2009-2010 cycle. I had another acceptance as well.

A few words of advice:

1) Before you make your plan, see if someone from the admissions office won't be willing to meet with you. I did that, and it was great ebcause I was hearing straight from the horse's mouth what I needed to do.

2) Along those same lines, verify with your top choice that they will accept courses from CC. Mine would not, but they don't widely publicize it. I have a few friends that had to retake courses at a university for them to be elligible.

3) I agree with one of the other posters who suggested skipping Genetics and more advanced courses for now in favor of MCAT study time. I think this is sound advice.

4) Be patient. I know this is hard for us non-trads since we already feel like we are arriving late to the party. You just have to be realistic about how long it will take you to build your application (courses, MCAT, volunteer, clinical, LOR...) and realize that traditional applicants usually do what we're doing in half the time. So, don't get to down on yourself if you end up having to delay your plan some.

Best of luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.