Don't seem to fit into either Career Change or SMP programs

[Kentobari]

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Hi all,

I've read over a bunch of threads before posting this, so I hope to not be asking a question that has been asked several thousand times over.

I got my undergraduate degree in Anthropology, but with a minor in Biological Sciences. I am a currently servince Peace Corps Volunteer in my last half year, and am looking at various grad school options, including premed.

With my bio minor, and the thesis I wrote in medical anthropology, I have a strong background in biology, anatomy and physiology.

However, I never took organic chemistry or physics. I took inorganic chemistry, but it was so long ago (5 years?) that I might need to take it again before going into org.

With so much life science (and chem on my record), I might not be accepted into the Career Change programs, many of which seem to exclude those with a certain amount of science credits. Also, I don't want to go into a program which would make me take basic biology classes.

However, many SMPs are designed specifically for those who have all the pre-med recs already in hand, and thus wouldn't work for me.

Anyone know of any good "hybrid" programs that would let me take physics and inorganic chem, but fill the rest with upper level, advanced biology courses? The UPenn program seems to be an option, but I would like to find more.

Thanks all in advance,

Sammy

 

[DrMidlife]

Sounds like you just need to take a few classes. A structured formal program would likely be overkill. Look at extension/evening/nonmatriculated coursework, at any university that's convenient. If you want some structure, look at Harvard Extension, Berkeley Extension, UT Dallas.

I recommend taking an MCAT practice test, cold, before you start MCAT prep. First one's free at www.e-mcat.com. People have disagreed with me on this, but in my opinion, the verbal section on a cold practice test is the best indicator of how much prep time you need. (Below 10: several months of prep. Above 10: a couple months of prep, depending on how much science review you need.)

Start clinical volunteering as soon as you're stateside. 4 hrs/week or so. Also start collecting faculty recommendations.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Kentobari]

Sounds like you just need to take a few classes. A structured formal program would likely be overkill. Look at extension/evening/nonmatriculated coursework, at any university that's convenient. If you want some structure, look at Harvard Extension, Berkeley Extension, UT Dallas.

I recommend taking an MCAT practice test, cold, before you start MCAT prep. First one's free at www.e-mcat.com. People have disagreed with me on this, but in my opinion, the verbal section on a cold practice test is the best indicator of how much prep time you need. (Below 10: several months of prep. Above 10: a couple months of prep, depending on how much science review you need.)

Start clinical volunteering as soon as you're stateside. 4 hrs/week or so. Also start collecting faculty recommendations.

Best of luck to you.

Am I incorrect in assuming that a structured program on my transcript helps more with admission than just "filling in the gaps"?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[DrMidlife]

Am I incorrect in assuming that a structured program on my transcript helps more with admission than just "filling in the gaps"?

Thanks for the reply.

You'll be an RPCV - if you have a high GPA & high MCAT, you're not going to have trouble getting into med school. What help do you think you'll need?

Structured formal prereq postbac programs like Bryn Mawr & Goucher are very helpful, very expensive, and they only take high GPA students. You can't get into such programs, even if you have a 4.0, because you've done a bunch of prereqs already. Regardless, the help these programs offer isn't necessarily help that you need to get into med school.

There's plenty of structure at a Harvard Extension, Berkeley Extension, UT Dallas, Penn Special Sciences, or similar premed postbacs that don't draw a hard line on "no prereqs yet". These programs have put a great deal of effort into gathering good stuff: advising, volunteering opportunities, access to upper-div science coursework, financial aid, etc.

An SMP is for people with GPA damage, such as 3.3 or lower. Don't do an SMP unless you have to do an SMP.

You mentioned Penn - I suggest you'd get great insights into possibilities and outcomes by reading the threads here about Penn Special Sciences.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Kentobari]

You'll be an RPCV - if you have a high GPA & high MCAT, you're not going to have trouble getting into med school. What help do you think you'll need?

This is very encouraging to hear... Sometimes when you're in the middle of your service it's hard to gauge how much impact the RPCV badge will have.

And yes, the idea is to also do GPA damage control. I'm looking at some unorthadox options as well, like getting a MA in medical anthropology while filling in these prereqs. So there's a lot to think about, but your advice has been helpful.