EIU student seking advice on my pre - med dilemma

[DKeyes247]

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Hello Guys,

Here's a little background info about myself. I'm a junior at Eastern Illinois University, and I'm majoring in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science. Last year I was finance major, but once I interned at HSBC I realized that I couldn't work in a cubicle all my life no matter what they paid me. I switched majors to become a personal trainer because I love exercise and nutrition. I even competed in my school's bodybuilding competition last week. You can check out the photos:



2006 Mr. EIU Bodybuilding Competition - 3/3/06 - I'm wearing the lime green posing suit!!!

I still love training people and making diet plans, but I really want to pursue something more fulfilling and challenging. I realized that I could accomplish this goal by pursuing a career in medicine. I'm definitely a health nut in all aspects, and I think many people believe their sickness is worse than it really is. In that aspect, I believe in the DO philosophy. Also, I think Loyola has a great MD program that I would love to get into. In the end, I'd be happy going to any medical school and becoming a doctor.

Now here's my dilemma!!. After reading this forum, researching the internet, and talking to a bunch of people I've decided to hold off my graduation for May 07' and take the pre-reqs I need for med - school at EIU and graduate in May 08'. This extra year will allow me to finish my PE degree, and get my pre-reqs for undergrad tuition prices at the same time. I plan on doing it this way instead of a post bacc. program to save money, time, and the "lag year." I plan on taking the MCAT in April of 07' and applying for med -school after I receive my scores. This way, I'll be able to start med - school in Fall 08'. Equally as important, I avoid the lag year because I will still be finishing up my undergrad degree. The only problem with this is that I will have to take the MCAT without taking Organic chem and without finishing the last couple weeks of Inorganic chem II and Physics II. In reality, this sounds like one hell of an uphill battle! I talked this over with the pre - med advisor at EIU, but in order to start med-school as soon as possible this is my only option. I know this is absolutely insane, but I'm a firm believer that if you put your heart and soul into anything you do you can make it happen. That is why I'm writing this at 4:14 AM Haha!! For this to happen, I know I need to start studying for the MCAT, start volunteering at the hospital, get as much information as possible about med-school and the profession from as many people as possible, and most importantly I need to start now.

If all else fails, I know I have to complete an internship in the summer after I graduate (May 08') from EIU. I made a contact at Lutheran General Hospital that would be able to help me land an internship with them in their fitness center. I figure I would be able to get hired there after the internship and then take the MCAT sometime in the Fall of 08' (as it would be on-line and probably offered more than twice a year) much more prepared. I think I'd have the lag year to deal with, but at least I would be getting my experience, and making salary at the hospital. That's option B! So that leads me to my laundry list of questions that if you guys could please provide me with any advice I would be extremely grateful!!! Thank you sooooo much!!! Sorry my post was so lengthy, but as you can imagine I'm going bananas over this.

1) Do you guys think this is possible with the right preparation? (Also, I have a 3.59 GPA, I'm active in student govt. and my fraternity, and I am active with community service)

2) I plan on purchasing a used edition of Kaplan's Comprehensive Review, a used Exam Krackers complete study package, Audio Osmosis cd's, and a used copy of the Kaplan course workbooks. I've heard pro's and con's about these study aids, but I want to get the best of both worlds and use them all. Is this a good decision, and will these study aids help me enough to score well (ie.30) on the MCAT in April????

3) Is someone from Eastern Illinois University with my type of credentials even considered for an interview by top notch programs like Loyola, Northwestern, or Midwestern (CCOM)??

4) What would you guys do in my situation?? (Remember failure is not an option!!! haha)

5) I could see myself as a DO, but the more I read about Loyola's program the more I would love to go there. Is it possible to compare Loyola's MD program to Midwestern’s (CCOM) program??

6) Is my backup plan the better option for me in order to develop my application???


Once again, I appreciate all comments given. If you guys need any more information about me feel free to ask!!! THANKS A LOT!

 

[pulsey]

It may be best to begin by focusing on the pre-reqs and getting clinical/research experience. Once you get closer to the MCAT, your practice tests will help you gauge how much additional time and preparation you will need to reach your target. Depending on your test-taking skills, because general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics are all tested on the MCAT, it may be most convenient if you complete each of these before you sit for the exam.

 

[DKeyes247]

It may be best to begin by focusing on the pre-reqs and getting clinical/research experience. Once you get closer to the MCAT, your practice tests will help you gauge how much additional time and preparation you will need to reach your target. Depending on your test-taking skills, because general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics are all tested on the MCAT, it may be most convenient if you complete each of these before you sit for the exam.

Thanks for the advice. I think time is the only answer for me!!

 

[NapeSpikes]

I even competed in my school's bodybuilding competition last week. You can check out the photos:


2006 Mr. EIU Bodybuilding Competition - 3/3/06 - I'm wearing the lime green posing suit!!!

1) Do you guys think this is possible with the right preparation?


2) I plan on purchasing a used edition of Kaplan's Comprehensive Review, a used Exam Krackers complete study package...Is this a good decision, and will these study aids help me enough to score well (ie.30) on the MCAT in April????


3) Is someone from Eastern Illinois University with my type of credentials even considered for an interview by top notch programs like Loyola, Northwestern, or Midwestern (CCOM)??


4) What would you guys do in my situation?? (Remember failure is not an option!!! haha)

5) I could see myself as a DO, but the more I read about Loyola's program the more I would love to go there. Is it possible to compare Loyola's MD program to Midwestern’s (CCOM) program??

6) Is my backup plan the better option for me in order to develop my application???

Hey, your link doesn't work!

Anyway, we have some similarities in our background (check out my signature), so I can relate to your wanting to branch out beyond personal training. Some advice:

1) You should not take the mcat before you finish your prereqs. But by 2007, the Beast will be on computer and administered more often. So you could take it the first admin after you finish your courses and still possibly apply for entrance for Fall 2008. I'm not sure, because they haven't released mcat dates for 2007 yet.

2)EK is pretty cool, and some people love Kaplan. Just make sure you put it the time.

3) Sorry, I'm not familiar with EIU, but if you rock the mcat, it won't matter.

4) Your situation is not uncommon. However, you HAVE to get clinical experience in a medical setting before you apply. For two reasons: to make sure this is what you really want. It's a long and trying road, so make sure you're set on it. And secondly, med schools are going to question your change of heart from fitness to medicine. Trust me. Make sure you have experiences to back up your claims.

5) I hear great things about Loyola, and I'd wager it'd compare to any DO school, but that's a personal preference.

6) Yes. You seem to be in a rush, which is good in that it shows your enthusiasm. But do NOT underestimate the mcat or, for that matter, rush into this decision.

Good luck!

 

[peterpansy]

I'm only a lowly little pre-med myself, not sure how qualified I am to give you advice, but I do know something about the MCAT and prepping for it. So here it goes - O.Chem is only 20% of the biological sciences section, not covered very indepth either, so if you are good at self-directed learning, you could probably get away with just using the prep materials + a good text book to memorize the important reactions. Also, I'd recommend taking an online prep course (like Kaplan or Princeton Review). I took the classroom Kaplan, and I thought the classes themselves were a big waste of my time, but all the online materials and full length practice exams were awesome and a huge help. If you need help deciding between courses - from what I hear, Kaplan goes faster and focuses more on strategies, while Princeton Review focuses more on the actual material. That's as much help as I can give ya. Good luck! (P.S. if you want to know my diagnostic MCAT vs. my final score, or any other stats (like GPA, courses taken prior to the MCAT, etc.), feel free to PM me)