Do I stand a chance?

[regorius]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am 19. I was an on-campus student in Computer Science at the best state school in this state. I was always good at CS and didn't have to try (been programming since 12). I finished freshman year plus Highschool Dual enrollment with a 3.06. I just didn't care because I already have a job as a Software Engineer, thought C's get degrees and had no reason to care.

This last year I left campus and switched to the same school's online program because of familial issues and now will be finishing with a GPA of 3.15 and was scheduled to graduate this semester (so much AP/Dual Enrollment). I have just decided and realized now that my family is warming up to the idea that I want to be a doctor. However, I cannot go back to campus. My university will have me graduate as though I went to the same school and will not show Online anywhere on my degree, it will only say that I took the courses I took online as online. I have not taken any Pre-med courses yet with the exception of Physics 2 (which I got a C+ in, I have Stats/Psych/Physics 1 from AP)

Currently, have no volunteering/Shadowing.

I think the only way to go right now is this:

1. Push my graduation from this semester until the end of the Fall and take Bio 1, Biochem, Eating Disorders & a CS class. While studying for MCAT, working my job (no life) and live with family. This would all be covered by a scholarship I will lose the day I graduate, raise my GPA to 3.24 and all be online.
2. Finish taking the Pre-Med requirements (Chem 1, Chem 2, Bio 2, Orgo 1, Orgo 2 & Lab, Genetics) over the Spring & Summer with a DIY Post-Bacc at my local 4-year university (the pre-med requirements aren't available with my current online program) Finish with a final GPA of 3.37
3. Study for MCAT now - through fall and take it in Spring.
4. Apply for DO school as I take my final semester in Summer finishing the requirements.
5. Do some shadowing, clinical & non-clinical volunteering (approx 50/125/125 hours respectively)

Making my effective profile: 3.37cGPA, 3.5sGPA.

My Questions:

• If I do above (which will be hell and assumes I get all A's) can I get into MD school (or even DO)?
• Should I revise my plan?
• What should I do in the gap year?
• What would be a necessary MCAT?
• Do AACOMAS schools accept my "Online" degree?
• I want to ideally do one of the more competitive residencies, do I even stand a chance at MD schools - is there anything to do?

 

[Goro]

If I do above (which will be hell and assumes I get all A's) can I get into MD school (or even DO)?
Yes. There are MD schools that reward reinvention. Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

Should I revise my plan?
Yes. Forget about any online coursework.
Visit your school's learning or education center for help in time mgt, study habits, etc.


What should I do in the gap year?
Fill in the gaps in your ECs.

What would be a necessary MCAT?
For MD: 513+
For your state MD school: 510+
For DO: 506+

Do AACOMAS schools accept my "Online" degree?
Mine does if it's from an accredited university. But we on the Adcom don't take these courses as serious as in-class/lab courses.

I want to ideally do one of the more competitive residencies, do I even stand a chance at MD schools - is there anything to do?
Get into med school first.

 

[regorius]

Should I revise my plan?

So I definitely plan on doing my Pre-Reqs in-person at my local 4 year.

However, I still have two questions:

• Should I take a second bachelors degree (Online - say in Business) paid for by my scholarship that I will lose when I graduate and use that to bring up my undergraduate degree before graduating and doing an in-person DIY Post bacc?
• How many courses should I take, 1 year of just the pre-reqs, apply and then do the app OR should I do two years and have a gap-year of just work to lower my loan?

 

[Goro]

• Should I take a second bachelors degree (Online - say in Business) paid for by my scholarship that I will lose when I graduate and use that to bring up my undergraduate degree before graduating and doing an in-person DIY Post bacc?

What good will this do you, besides giving you a fallback in case Medicine doesn't work out. Just as an FYI, this will not be of any interest to Adcoms.

• How many courses should I take, 1 year of just the pre-reqs, apply and then do the app OR should I do two years and have a gap-year of just work to lower my loan?

You need to show that you can handle med school. How will having only a year of pre-reqs show this? I don't that you're going to be able to take both years of Chem in a single year. I think that you're on a two year cycle.

 

[regorius]

• Should I take a second bachelors degree (Online - say in Business) paid for by my scholarship that I will lose when I graduate and use that to bring up my undergraduate degree before graduating and doing an in-person DIY Post bacc?

What good will this do you, besides giving you a fallback in case Medicine doesn't work out. Just as an FYI, this will not be of any interest to Adcoms.

• How many courses should I take, 1 year of just the pre-reqs, apply and then do the app OR should I do two years and have a gap-year of just work to lower my loan?

You need to show that you can handle med school. How will having only a year of pre-reqs show this? I don't that you're going to be able to take both years of Chem in a single year. I think that you're on a two year cycle.

I guess I know where I gotta go. Thank you!