Day 66 of 862

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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ntds

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Late 40s dinosaur here.

I officially started my premed journey 66 days ago.

I kicked off my DIY post bacc journey with sociology and stats. Received an A in both.

I’m taking chem 1 and trigonometry this summer.

It’s going to be an uphill battle, as I’ve so many college credits my cGPA is handcuffed at 2.9, but hope to crack 3.4 sGPA.

I plan to start my ECs soon.

Any tips much appreciated.
 
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Set goals to determine progress. Seems like you’ve already got that going with 862 days planned in the journey

You thinking MD? DO? Both? When’s your expected application year? What ECs are you gonna specifically do?
 
Sandman23 said:
Set goals to determine progress. Seems like you’ve already got that going with 862 days planned in the journey

You thinking MD? DO? Both? When’s your expected application year? What ECs are you gonna specifically do?
Click to expand...

My plan is to complete all coursework and MCAT by the end of 2025 and apply late in cycle (January 2026). I realize this is not optimal. So my focus will primarily be DO schools.

As far as ECs, I am thinking pallative, community hospital, crisis hotline, shadow PC, EM, Psy. Non-clinical thinking halfway houses, prisoners or community outreach program.

If time permits, I would like to do some research that aligns with my career goals.
 
I've got no tips. Just want to say I'm rooting for your success. I'm only 34 and trying, so seeing others older than me chasing a dream helps me to not feel crazy for wanting to chase mine.

Good on you!
 
ntds said:
Day 159

Quick update:

A in both Chem 1 and Trig.

This semester I am taking Bio 1, Chem 2 and Phy 1 + labs.

Everything is moving super fast!
Click to expand...
We're in similar classes this semester. I'm doing Chem 2, Bio 2, and Physics 1
 
So inspiring! I am a 30 year old trying to finish up the million pre-reqs 🙁 It's a lot!!! I dread taking physics...
 
Day 218

So far at college, the younger students and professors have been very supportive of my journey.

Outside in the real world I just experienced my first form of agism.

Long story short a volunteer coordinator at a hospital is trying to talk me out of the position. The person brought up all the reasons why I shouldn't volunteer. After the interaction, I thought about it and most of the potential volunteers (much younger than me) have the same issues.

Should I just suck it up, push forward and put in my time OR find a different hospital?

I am kinda bummed, because I had high hopes and dreams of potentially doing my residency there in the future.
 
Was the person flat out saying you can’t volunteer there? Cause if not you calmly express that you will be a hard working and helpful volunteer and move forward with it.

And hope karma exists and a bird poops on their car.
 
Day 274

Quick update.

Just finished semester with 3.5 after taking 6 science classes including the labs.

It was a lot to manage. Going to dial it back next semester and hopefully get all As.

Looking to add an EMT and BLS certifications to get hands on patient care experience.

Initially was thinking of going into an SMP with guaranteed pathway during a glide year, but decided against it. My concern is that I won’t have enough time to adequately prepare for a 510+ MCAT score, leaving myself vulnerable on a possible retake post SMP if things in the program don’t work out.

Things continue to move fast.
 
Congrats and much success on your journey. If you find the time I would add some physician shadowing. I expect as a career changer admissions may ask the "why medicine & why now" question and shadowing may be beneficial.

Good idea getting the MCAT outta the way.

I'm also on a reinvention/career changer journey in my 30s. (Day 117 for me lol). We got this!

I'm sure you've already reviewed this, but if not: Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention (updated for 2021)
 
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gyngyn said:
Not Algebra?
Click to expand...
My school as a trig requirement as well. The CC's set up the pre-reqs before you're allowed to take the class. From my experience, at only 2 CC's, there's algebra based physics that goes on for a semester, and then there's the typical college physics which is on the two-semester part 1 and part 2 track. They have trig pre-requisites.

I'm curious about why this surprises you. It seems from my discussions with others that MCAT physics can be done with algebra based physics, but you still need to learn the concepts of sin, cosin, and tangents. Does taking trig for physics that are not calc-based seem excessive from your experience?

The AAMC website also says trig concepts will be necessary:
Demonstrate a general understanding of the following trigonometric concepts: definitions of basic (sine,
cosine, tangent) and inverse (sin‒1, cos‒1, tan‒1) functions; sin and cos values of 0°, 90°, and 180°;
relationships between the lengths of sides of right triangles containing angles of 30°, 45°, and 60°
Click to expand...

People I spoke to said, you can learn them, and they're not really needed in depth, just know how to do the math. I took up to calc over a decade ago, and I wasn't sure if I could do phsyics without retaking trig, but based on your comment, and what other MCAT test takers have mentioned, it seems that it's doable?

Thanks for your input!
 
BeGladNonTrad said:
My school as a trig requirement as well. The CC's set up the pre-reqs before you're allowed to take the class. From my experience, at only 2 CC's, there's algebra based physics that goes on for a semester, and then there's the typical college physics which is on the two-semester part 1 and part 2 track. They have trig pre-requisites.

I'm curious about why this surprises you. It seems from my discussions with others that MCAT physics can be done with algebra based physics, but you still need to learn the concepts of sin, cosin, and tangents. Does taking trig for physics that are not calc-based seem excessive from your experience?

The AAMC website also says trig concepts will be necessary:


People I spoke to said, you can learn them, and they're not really needed in depth, just know how to do the math. I took up to calc over a decade ago, and I wasn't sure if I could do phsyics without retaking trig, but based on your comment, and what other MCAT test takers have mentioned, it seems that it's doable?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

I agree. IMHO you just need college algebra for physics w/ algebra.
 
MissDoctorLady said:
Congrats and much success on your journey. If you find the time I would add some physician shadowing. I expect as a career changer admissions may ask the "why medicine & why now" question and shadowing may be beneficial.

Good idea getting the MCAT outta the way.

I'm also on a reinvention/career changer journey in my 30s. (Day 117 for me lol). We got this!

I'm sure you've already reviewed this, but if not: Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention (updated for 2021)
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
Like 75% of Physics 1 is calculating stuff about triangles. It's probably a good idea to take Trig.
 
ntds said:
Day 274

Quick update.

Just finished semester with 3.5 after taking 6 science classes including the labs.

It was a lot to manage. Going to dial it back next semester and hopefully get all As.

Looking to add an EMT and BLS certifications to get hands on patient care experience.

Initially was thinking of going into an SMP with guaranteed pathway during a glide year, but decided against it. My concern is that I won’t have enough time to adequately prepare for a 510+ MCAT score, leaving myself vulnerable on a possible retake post SMP if things in the program don’t work out.

Things continue to move fast.
Click to expand...

I was in my 40's when I applied, and the best advice I can give you is to keep abreast that many of the checkboxes are far less critical for you (assuming you have done literally anything in life up until now). If your clinical hours or shadowing or community service is a little light, it is likely to receive little scrutiny.

Where the bias comes in will be with your grades. Your GPA and MCAT will almost assuredly be looked at more intensely than your younger counterparts. While I don't recall anyone asking how I would handle the course load during interviews, it was insinuated on numerous occasions throughout the process, particularly by advisors in undergrad.

You can (almost) never undo any of your coursework. You can ALWAYS add more checkbox stuff later. While I always recommend focusing on grades and MCAT before EC's for any applicant, it is substantially more important for older non-trads.
 
esob said:
I was in my 40's when I applied, and the best advice I can give you is to keep abreast that many of the checkboxes are far less critical for you (assuming you have done literally anything in life up until now). If your clinical hours or shadowing or community service is a little light, it is likely to receive little scrutiny.

Where the bias comes in will be with your grades. Your GPA and MCAT will almost assuredly be looked at more intensely than your younger counterparts. While I don't recall anyone asking how I would handle the course load during interviews, it was insinuated on numerous occasions throughout the process, particularly by advisors in undergrad.

You can (almost) never undo any of your coursework. You can ALWAYS add more checkbox stuff later. While I always recommend focusing on grades and MCAT before EC's for any applicant, it is substantially more important for older non-trads.
Click to expand...

I agree. I might only take one course this semester. I am looking at other institutions for courses so I can keep the content spaced out and have the best lecturers possible.

Getting the EMT was more for flexibility to get clinical hours if I ultimately have to go a different route.

If I stay the course, my advancement will likely hinge mostly on my MCAT score.
 
DAY 341 of 862

I decided to scrap Orgo 2 and just do Biochem.

These should be my stats at end of year:

40 credit DIY post bac 3.8
cGPA 2.8
sGPA 3.5

Last 60 credits cGPA 3.7
Last 90 credits cGPA 3.5

100+ clinical volunteering
1000+ clinical working

Plan to apply in February 2026 after taking MCAT in January 2026. I think best approach is to apply to <10 DO schools (instate + newish institutions)

If that doesn't work, then apply following cycle + add additional coursework (anatomy, physiology, genetics, microbiology, calculus) to bolster app.

How many hours should I have for non-clinical volunteering and shadowing by the end of the year to avoid being screened out?

I know many schools will screen 2.8 GPA alone, so I don't want to give the screeners any more reasons.

I realize at my age it might not matter, but I feel like I need all the edges I can get.
 
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I would just wait for the 2026-2027 cycle to open. You're going to be fighting for the dregs of schools by submitting in February. I don't even know who's still accepting apps at that point even for DOs. I think with your recent track record you could probably get a decent DO, maybe in-state MD.

Get 50-100+ hours of shadowing and 150-250+ non-clinical volunteering as a minimum. Your 1100+ clinical hours are plenty.
 
Nontrad_FL_LGBT said:
I would just wait for the 2026-2027 cycle to open. You're going to be fighting for the dregs of schools by submitting in February. I don't even know who's still accepting apps at that point even for DOs. I think with your recent track record you could probably get a decent DO, maybe in-state MD.

Get 50-100+ hours of shadowing and 150-250+ non-clinical volunteering as a minimum. Your 1100+ clinical hours are plenty.
Click to expand...

You make a good point.

I think I will have to wait for MCAT to truly decide if it's worth waiting for better options.
 
ntds said:
How many hours should I have for non-clinical volunteering and shadowing by the end of the year to avoid being screened out?
Click to expand...
You should have 150 hours by submission for non-clinical community service orientation activities such as food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/'tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. You don't need more than 50 hours of shadowing, but you should cover some primary care within your shadowing. Talk to admissions recruiters and current students about your chances.
 
DAY 360

It's almost been a year since I started this journey.

After revisiting my application timeline, I think I need to realistically work with schools that have March 15+ deadlines, if I plan to take MCAT during second week of January. I don't think I will be ready for this September.

That said, here is my list for late cycle applications for March of 2026 with a predicted 2.9 cGPA:

ARCOM
BCOM (both campuses)
CCOM
DMU
VCOM (all campuses)
LECOM (all campuses)
LMU (both campuses)
Meritus
OCOM
WCUCOM

If I need to push things to 2027, I will add:

KCOM (both campuses)
ACOM
KCU (both campuses)
AZCOM
PNWU
NYIT (both campuses)
NOORDA
PCOM (all campuses)
Pikeville (both campuses)
WVSOM
Western U - Lebanon
 
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DAY 363

Just learned while rereading Goro's guide to reinvention that graduate coursework is not included in the cGPA for MD.

Does this mean I have a chance now of not getting screened out with my 3.0X? (Graduate work is not science related)

This is huge. I think I may delay till 2026 cycle.
 
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