First Time Post - What prereqs do I need to retake?

[shawnee4885]

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Hello everyone, I am a first time poster. I have recently been considering going to medical school, but I am not sure exactly what it would require for me to get accepted. So here is my situation:

I am a 2008 graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Computer Science. My GPA is a 3.03 cumulative. I have just a few of the prerequisites completed: I have taken 1 semester of general chemistry with lab (received a B- ), 2.5 semesters of engineering (calculus-based) physics with lab (B- average), 3 semesters of calculus (B average), 2 semesters of English (composition and advanced composition, with an A- average). Most of these classes were taken during early college. I am now living in NYC working for a software company on Wall St. My goal would be to go back to school for 2 semesters in NYC (starting in the fall) and complete my prerequisites, then take the MCAT the following summer, then go to medical school in Illinois after the "gap" year. Are these high expectations?

Other very important questions that I have:
- Should I retake my chemistry and physics that I have already completed, in order to get better grades? If I just continue the chemistry sequence (and not take any more physics), but still get very good grades in the courses i do take, will this be enough for medical schools?

- Would it be more beneficial for me to do a sanctioned "post bacc pre med" program, or should I just take these at the cheapest university in NYC as electives?

- Is it necessary to retake classes where I got C's and D's in (these are not related to the medical school prerequisites)?

- Is there any way to eliminate the "gap year" before entering medical school in Illinois? Is there a quicker way that I can get into/done with med school, like going to the caribbean or a different school?

Any advice would help. I appreciate everyone's time. Thanks!

Shawn

 

[teacherman84]

I would plan on it taking more than 2 semesters. Even if you were going full-time you have at least 3 more chem classes (inorganic I, OChem I, and OChemII) to take and i personally have not heard of anyone doubling these up in any way. Can you take Chem II this summer somewhere? This would make your timeline more plausible.
If you want to finish sooner rather than later I wouldnt worry about repeating Chem I or physics and definitely dont bother retaking courses that arent at all related to med school admissions. Spend that time taking courses that will help you with the MCAT or other advanced prereqs (biochem, micro, A&P). Your largest concern, as was mine, is doing well in whatever you take to get you cumGPA as high as possible.
As for the Gap year, I wish there were a way to avoid it. You need to have the MCAT to apply and applications for the fall of 2010 begin this spring. Look at the year as time to save money to make living through med school tolerable...good luck

 

[shawnee4885]

So Inorganic II is definitely a prerequisite for Organic I?

Also, will I be alright taking Inorganic II when I don't remember that much from Inorganic I or any Physics? Hopefully all the knowledge will come rushing back to me!

Also, the only question left unanswered is whether it is better to go into a sanctioned Post-Bacc Pre-Med program, or just take them as electives?

Thanks for your help!

Shawn

 

[doctor712]

Welcome to SDN!

There is a lot of debate about whether a formalized post bac program is more beneficial than a self initiated post bac sequence. I would search "formal post bac' on SDN and see what comes up. But, I think it's dependent on a few things: cost, the student, the outcome.

If you are the type of person who can REALLY study on your own, lay out a plan of action (course selection wise), has great EC LORs (a good time to look up abbreviations here on SDN 😀 ) than MAYBE a non-formal post bac would be the way to go. It's what I'm doing. Numbers wise, people have gained acceptance to both MD and DO programs going formal and non-formal routes. So, it's doable either way.

What I THINK is going to be really important in your situation are those post bac numbers. It's not as if you have a 3.7 going in and just need to MAINTAIN those grades. You need to actually get the 3.7 in the first place within your post bac for the ad coms to overlook any OLD yucky GPA from back in the day. Which is what we're all after here. Or at least, a lot of us non-trad posters. Your GPA is what it is, thus it will take GREAT post bac grades and a nice MCAT would be nice. 😉 You can accomplish both through formal or non-formal programs.

NOTE: I'm not sure how long you've been in NYC for, but if you choose to attend a cheap state school (I'm thinking Hunter for example), MAKE ABSOLUTELY certain that you have the needed documentation that you are an IN-STATE resident. Lease, car tags, etc. That date back 1 year, in most cases, prior to start of class. If you don't, you will be paying OOS tuition, and the benefit is gone.

Also, when you say cheap school vs. formal program, when I hear cheap school I think CC, and there is much debate about CC classes versus 4 year institution classes. Search both here on SDN to get an idea and make your own decision accordingly. Grades are key at either program.

I only know of two structured formal POST BAC programs in NYC, (others can add please if they know some more) Columbia University, and Hunter.
Columbia will cost you a fortune. When I was an UG it was around $900 a credit. It is an INTENSE program and will actually not allow you to start and finish in two semesters. CUs post-bac pre med program does have a linkage agreement with several schools (one in UK too actually) whereby you can skip that gap year, and even the MCAT i think in certain situations, though I may be incorrect here, however, linking is NOT a guarantee in that program. The committee needs to select you based on overall performance and grades.
You sound a bit as though you are in a rush, and I would think about the big picture more than 2 semesters. You want to be the COMPLETE applicant. I wish someone had told me this. I don't know much about Hunters Post Bac program.

So, if you can't afford CU or get over to Hunter from Wall Street after work easily 😛 that leaves non-formal and any other public/private formals I'm missing. Sound good?

Oh, one more thing, keep in mind that pre-req med school classes fill up fast, we're a motivated bunch. If you go to a school as a non-degree seeking student (so, non-formal post bac, non degree seeking) you might very well be locked out of the classes you need by the time registration for non-degree'ers comes around. OR, you can always get in as a 2nd degree student, then your a BA student, and register amongst the hoards. (No, you don't NEED to complete a 2nd degree. So says my school, and my advisors.) You're just there taking classes. That's a lot to think about, I'd start by looking at programs and when they offer courses and what you can afford, that will determine a lot.

As for the magic bullet non-formal vs formal, I don't really have the answer. As I don't think there is one.

Here's a good thread for you.... http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=591039

GOOD LUCK!

D712