Feedback on my postbac plan

[ahisma]

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My school doesn't have premed advisors so I was hoping to get some feedback on my plan and make sure I'm not missing anything here.

Some background: my first degree is a BA in Political Science with essentially no science classes. Just started back last Fall at a small state university (the only available) with Bio 1, Gen Chem 1, and Precalc. Got A's so upped the load for this semester, taking Gen Chem 2, Physics 1, Biochem, and Molecular Bio. Still going strong and feeling good. I'm currently volunteering 4 hours on the weekend in the ER and will likely continue that for a while. Thinking about getting a CNA for more hands on experience and to work during the gap year.

I'd like to wrap up prereqs as soon as possible and take the MCAT in Jan 2015 (last chance for the old version). Here's what I'm thinking:

Summer term I 2014: Ochem 1 + volunteer (weekend)
Summer term II 2014: Physics 2 + volunteer (weekend)
Fall 2014: Ochem 2 + Ochem lab + study MCAT + volunteer (weekend)
Spring 2015: take MCAT in Jan + apply in March (for 2016) + work/volunteer (full time after MCAT)

I may switch Ochem 2 to Spring 2015 and apply in summer 2015. However, I'd prefer to apply earlier for the best advantage if I can manage studying for the MCAT while taking Ochem 2. Just spoke with a friend in Ochem 2 now and she thought it would be doable. She estimates 6-8 hours a week out of class on homework and studying.

So what do you think? Appreciate any feedback, thanks!

 

[theseeker4]

My school doesn't have premed advisors so I was hoping to get some feedback on my plan and make sure I'm not missing anything here.

Some background: my first degree is a BA in Political Science with essentially no science classes. Just started back last Fall at a small state university (the only available) with Bio 1, Gen Chem 1, and Precalc. Got A's so upped the load for this semester, taking Gen Chem 2, Physics 1, Biochem, and Molecular Bio. Still going strong and feeling good. I'm currently volunteering 4 hours on the weekend in the ER and will likely continue that for a while. Thinking about getting a CNA for more hands on experience and to work during the gap year.

I'd like to wrap up prereqs as soon as possible and take the MCAT in Jan 2015 (last chance for the old version). Here's what I'm thinking:

Summer term I 2014: Ochem 1 + volunteer (weekend)
Summer term II 2014: Physics 2 + volunteer (weekend)
Fall 2014: Ochem 2 + Ochem lab + study MCAT + volunteer (weekend)
Spring 2015: take MCAT in Jan + apply in March + work/volunteer (full time after MCAT)

I may switch Ochem 2 to Spring 2015 and apply in summer 2015. However, I'd prefer to apply earlier for the best advantage if I can manage studying for the MCAT while taking Ochem 2. Just spoke with a friend in Ochem 2 now and she thought it would be doable. She estimates 6-8 hours a week out of class on homework and studying.

So what do you think? Appreciate any feedback, thanks!

MD applications open in June, ~14 months before you would start med school. In that aspect, you won't be applying in March, unless you mean for DO schools and they open up that soon. You WON'T be applying in March of 2015 to start school in August of 2015.....the application process is much longer than that. If you take your MCAT any later than this summer, you will be starting med school in August 2016, if you get in your first try. To start med school in the fall/end of summer 2015, you would need to apply this summer, 2014, complete the secondaries at the end of the summer/beginning of the fall, interview anywhere from fall 2014 to spring 2015, and find out some time after you interview if and where you got in.

If this timeline is something you are completely aware of, feel free to disregard it, but from your dates above I thought you might need some clarification on timing.

If you really want to take the old MCAT instead of the new one, stick to your schedule as well as you can to get it in, but if you are OK taking the new one, you can take it in May 2015 or so and have the scores in plenty of time to still apply early for the 2015-2016 application cycle....this would give you a little more studying time and wiggle room for the MCAT.

A single class, even O-chem, shouldn't prevent you from having adequate time to study for the MCAT, if that and volunteering is all you are doing.

 

[ahisma]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, sorry should have clarified planning to apply in early 2015 for 2016.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

What is your current cGPA? Any need to retake classes? You could probably throw another class in during the fall semester, or work ~20 hours a week without too much difficulty.

 

[ahisma]

My science GPA is currently 3.5 and should get slightly better if I keep up the good work. I'm a little concerned with having enough time to prep for the MCAT. At my school they combine Ochem 1 and 2 labs into an extra long 6 hr lab that I will have to take Fall 2015. But I probably will throw in another class, possibly genetics or upper level biochem.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

That sounds like a good plan.