I returned to school this past year to complete a number of prerequisite courses for app to D.O. and, possibly, M.D. school. I just sat for the MCAT today and now it's just a matter of finishing up on my fall classes and getting those apps in order. I am a non-traditional applicant having completed my original tenure some 15 years ago and I am now applying in my late thirties. I'm not as worried about the age with the shift in applicant demographics and frequency of the non-traditional applicant, but I am concerned about my background and I was hoping for some feedback regarding my chances.
Here is the Reader's Digest version:
Originally graduated with a B.S. in Nuclear Medicine from Indiana University with an emphasis fairly heavily in the sciences. At that time I had some fairly poor attendance and motivation issues that resulted in an overall GPA of 3.31. Even with that GPA, most of my better grades were in the more difficult courses and it isn't too difficult to 'read between the lines' on my transcript. Since that time I have worked for ten years in Nuclear Medicine, two years in PET, and 6 years as a senior software consultant for a major Hospital Information Systems vendor.
I am in the midst of completing around 40 hours over the course of this calendar year at Indiana University including Org I and II, Physics I and II, Genetics, Embryology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and so forth. I anticipate a GPA over the course of those 40 hours to be around a 3.95 (already received A's in both Organic courses). This will bring my overall GPA up to around 3.47 with a comparable science GPA. All this while working full time and raising a family and not having had a chem/bio/math course in 15 years. It is my hope that a greater weight will be given my current tenure considering the quality and quantity of work being done with a de-emphasis on some of the question marks from 15 years ago. I also hope that this performance reflects my drive and motivation in this pursuit.
In addition, I have multiple outstanding references who I feel will speak very highly from a pool of some of the top physicians and specialists in the state of Indiana including an instructor with the IU School of Medicine. Most of my recommendations involve physicians I have had the chance to work with, but a few have been on the patient end and they are a few of my best. Also have several academic recommendations in order as my grades since my return have generally been at the top of the class.
Anyway, I have put a lot of time into this pursuit and I will remain anxious until the final verdict has arrived. I was just hoping for some feedback regarding my background and odds of acceptance if I perforrmed competitively on the MCAT. Right now my primary option is Indiana University Medical School, however, I am also looking at a number of D.O. programs as secondary options. Included in that group of D.O. programs is the alma mater of one of my primary references. The good news is that everyone he has ever recommended to his alma mater has been accepted so I hope not to break the string!
Anyway, going to be a long wait to get the MCAT scores and an even longer wait for those letters in the mail. ANY thoughts would be eternally appreciated! Thanks to all in advance!
Here is the Reader's Digest version:
Originally graduated with a B.S. in Nuclear Medicine from Indiana University with an emphasis fairly heavily in the sciences. At that time I had some fairly poor attendance and motivation issues that resulted in an overall GPA of 3.31. Even with that GPA, most of my better grades were in the more difficult courses and it isn't too difficult to 'read between the lines' on my transcript. Since that time I have worked for ten years in Nuclear Medicine, two years in PET, and 6 years as a senior software consultant for a major Hospital Information Systems vendor.
I am in the midst of completing around 40 hours over the course of this calendar year at Indiana University including Org I and II, Physics I and II, Genetics, Embryology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and so forth. I anticipate a GPA over the course of those 40 hours to be around a 3.95 (already received A's in both Organic courses). This will bring my overall GPA up to around 3.47 with a comparable science GPA. All this while working full time and raising a family and not having had a chem/bio/math course in 15 years. It is my hope that a greater weight will be given my current tenure considering the quality and quantity of work being done with a de-emphasis on some of the question marks from 15 years ago. I also hope that this performance reflects my drive and motivation in this pursuit.
In addition, I have multiple outstanding references who I feel will speak very highly from a pool of some of the top physicians and specialists in the state of Indiana including an instructor with the IU School of Medicine. Most of my recommendations involve physicians I have had the chance to work with, but a few have been on the patient end and they are a few of my best. Also have several academic recommendations in order as my grades since my return have generally been at the top of the class.
Anyway, I have put a lot of time into this pursuit and I will remain anxious until the final verdict has arrived. I was just hoping for some feedback regarding my background and odds of acceptance if I perforrmed competitively on the MCAT. Right now my primary option is Indiana University Medical School, however, I am also looking at a number of D.O. programs as secondary options. Included in that group of D.O. programs is the alma mater of one of my primary references. The good news is that everyone he has ever recommended to his alma mater has been accepted so I hope not to break the string!
Anyway, going to be a long wait to get the MCAT scores and an even longer wait for those letters in the mail. ANY thoughts would be eternally appreciated! Thanks to all in advance!