Foreign Degree US citizen, non-trad wanting some information about prerequisites

[BluepolkaMD]

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Hi everyone,

I’m a 32-year-old stay-at-home mom who has always wanted to go to medical school. I attempted taking the MCAT 4 years ago but I had to put my plans on hold because of health reasons and a premature baby. Today we are healthy and happy...for the most of it because I just can’t seem to get over not going to medical school. I have a master’s degree in Microbiology from a foreign university (I am a US citizen though). It has been evaluated by WES and I have a GPA of 3.8. After going through a lot of posts here I know that most schools will not consider my GPA unless it is from US coursework. I want to get started with my Pre-reqs but I am so confused. I’m hoping to complete 60 credit hours of pre-reqs (or more if required, but want to shorten it as much as possible).
(1) How do I go about this in the most efficient way?
(2) What courses should I take? I have done a lot of upper-level sciences because of my Foreign masters (Biochem, Microbiology, immunology, biotechnology, pathology etc.)
(3) Where should I do them? Can I enroll in community college? I really don’t want to burn a hole in my pocket just yet
(4) Do I have to take the SATs to enroll into courses? Not sure how this works?
(5) What about a post bacc and how does one enroll in that?
(6) Is there a way to complete the courses online?
I know my questions sounds very basic but I’m really confused and any help would be wonderful!

 

[deleted966164]

Basic prereqs for almost all schools are:

-undergrad biology x2
-general chemistry x2
-organic chemistry x2
-general physics x2
-English composition x2

I think a lot of schools are ok with CC classes. Medical schools prefer (if not require) these to be done in the US.

Since you need lab for these prereqs, it’s hard to do them online.

You do not need to take the SAT to enroll - you will be a “transfer” student.

 

[BluepolkaMD]

Basic prereqs for almost all schools are:

-undergrad biology x2
-general chemistry x2
-organic chemistry x2
-general physics x2
-English composition x2

I think a lot of schools are ok with CC classes. Medical schools prefer (if not require) these to be done in the US.

Since you need lab for these prereqs, it’s hard to do them online.

You do not need to take the SAT to enroll - you will be a “transfer” student.

Thank you for the detailed response!
I reached out to UCSF medical school which is the closest to me. They said that If the language of education of my foreign degree was English, I’m not required to study anything in the US ‍♀️. Which seems odd considering how competitive that school is. Anyhow, if I have already completed about 160 credit hours in upper level sciences and chemistry can I transfer into a 4-year university to do an additional year for humanities and physics (and maybe English?). I just want to strengthen my application and maybe an additional year with a GOOD GPAMay be what I need? Or should I just do that at a CC to save time and money

 

[Naruhodo]

Have you looked into Berkeley extension? Due to the locations and scheduling it seems like it could be appealing to busy adults with other things going on in life. If interested you could also consider doing something like a credential in clinical lab science, and maybe picking up a part-time job at a school that may be high on your list like UCSF to try and get an insider track on an institution.

 

[BluepolkaMD]

Have you looked into Berkeley extension? Due to the locations and scheduling it seems like it could be appealing to busy adults with other things going on in life. If interested you could also consider doing something like a credential in clinical lab science, and maybe picking up a part-time job at a school that may be high on your list like UCSF to try and get an insider track on an institution.

Thanks for the input. You mean credential in Clin. lab instead of additional prerequisites? As of now UCSF and Stanford are my only options. And both are crazy competitive. But I have to be where my family is, and that is in SF. I called UCSF and it seems like are ok with not re-doing pre-reqs but emphasized that it might just be easier for them to see US GPA on the the AMCAS. They were also very open to CC coursework. ‍♀️

 

[Dave1980]

Your chances of getting into UCSF or Stanford are near 0. Unless you are OK with moving somewhere for medical school and then again for residency you should not spend all the time (years) and money (10's of thousands) it will take to prepare your app.

 

[BluepolkaMD]

Your chances of getting into UCSF or Stanford are near 0. Unless you are OK with moving somewhere for medical school and then again for residency you should not spend all the time (years) and money (10's of thousands) it will take to prepare your app.

Oh wow! I appreciate the bluntness. But everyone who tries and applies has a certain % of Chance 🙂 otherwise no one would apply. But out of curiosity, why do you say that?

 

[Dave1980]

Oh wow! I appreciate the bluntness. But everyone who tries and applies has a certain % of Chance 🙂 otherwise no one would apply. But out of curiosity, why do you say that?

You are competing against the absolute best applicants.

CC and online courses won't cut it.

 

[Scottish Chap]

Thank you for the detailed response!
I reached out to UCSF medical school which is the closest to me. They said that If the language of education of my foreign degree was English, I’m not required to study anything in the US ‍♀. Which seems odd considering how competitive that school is. Anyhow, if I have already completed about 160 credit hours in upper level sciences and chemistry can I transfer into a 4-year university to do an additional year for humanities and physics (and maybe English?). I just want to strengthen my application and maybe an additional year with a GOOD GPAMay be what I need? Or should I just do that at a CC to save time and money

Most schools won't look at you unless you do 'something' extra. Assuming a decent MCAT score, you can solve this issue in one of three ways:
1. A formal postbacc program (best chance for success, IMHO).
2. Roll your undergrad degree into a US university for transfer credits (second best chance). You'll likely take at least 18 months to get another B.S.
3. Do the missing classes individually at your local university or CC in the U.S. (some--but not all--medical schools don't like CC credits).

Also agree with others - you have you be willing to go anywhere to be a doctor. Your level of motivation/resilience should ideally be as high as possible at the start. You'll take a beating in this career, trust me. If you think you will be happy doing anything other than medicine, I recommend doing that.

Good luck!

 

[Naruhodo]

In response to the above, UCSF actually has a postbacc program targeted, I believe, at individuals from communities underrepresented in medicine. Unfortunately it does look like they want people who graduated from a US college or university, but maybe worth reaching out if you really want UCSF? Eligibility | UCSF Medical Education

As for my suggestion of Berkeley extension, I was thinking there might be substantial overlap between the prereq coursework and what it would take for the clinical lab credential. It never huts to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, and give you a nice backup option to do a meaningful job important to patient care if you don't go to medical school or if it takes a little longer to get there than you are currently envisioning. However, it also looks like Berkeley extension has a post-bacc program that may be more directly targeted to professional school requirements.

Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program

Take advantage of our small, academically rigorous classes & personal advising to become a competitive applicant for your chosen health profession

extension.berkeley.edu

 

[BluepolkaMD]

Most schools won't look at you unless you do 'something' extra. Assuming a decent MCAT score, you can solve this issue in one of three ways:
1. A formal postbacc program (best chance for success, IMHO).
2. Roll your undergrad degree into a US university for transfer credits (second best chance). You'll likely take at least 18 months to get another B.S.
3. Do the missing classes individually at your local university or CC in the U.S. (some--but not all--medical schools don't like CC credits).

Also agree with others - you have you be willing to go anywhere to be a doctor. Your level of motivation/resilience should ideally be as high as possible at the start. You'll take a beating in this career, trust me. If you think you will be happy doing anything other than medicine, I recommend doing that.

Good luck!

Thank you! Would a post baccalaureate still identify as a “degree” or will it just be like something you take to makeup for pre-reqs or improve GPA?
I called UCSF and they said to me that my foreign degree may be ok but just to avoid confusion I should do some
Coursework in the US and CC credit it ok. Although I understand I’m competing with the creme de la creme. And I don’t really have anything fabulous about me to show otherwise.
How many credits can I roll to get a second BS? This might be a good option if I just have to complete one year to get a BS...
Also, ideally I don’t want to relocate because I’m not sure about my husband’s career yet. This would mean breaking up my family for a good 10 years. If I was alone I wouldn’t even bat an eyelid. But obviously I’m not. But I will still apply to far off places, because you never know where life takes you.
Thank you for the responses 🙂

 

[Dave1980]

You should look into PA school also.

 

[|A|B|C|InTheMake]

I am almost in a similar situation, can I someone's advice. I have created a different thread but don't want to overrun this one. Thanks for your time

Non-Traditional International -US Masters in Eng with no Biology Background

Hi, I am planning for a MD-Medical School program and I have a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, 2010 from US and prior education in India. I do not have Biology in academic career except in high school. I have Maths, Physics, and Chemistry during my 10+1, and 10+2 academic career...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[Naruhodo]

You should look into PA school also.

Along these lines, although UCSF does not have a PA program to my knowledge, they do have a master's entry nursing program. This allows those with a bachelor's degree to obtain a nursing degree in an accelerated amount of time. You then continue on to become an advanced practice nurse (midwife, gerontology, pychiatry, pediatrics, primary care, etc.) with typically an additional 2 years of graduate study. Another worthy option to consider depending on the type of clinical work you're interested in. Prereqs for the program are similar to those you might consider taking for medical school (anatomy, microbiology, physiology, psych, stats).

Masters Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) | UCSF School of Nursing

Overview MEPN, a three-year program leading to a Master of Science degree in nursing, is for persons without previous nursing preparation but who hold a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree in another field. For Graduates holding specialized bachelor's degrees (e.g., Bachelor of Fine Arts--BFA)...

nursing.ucsf.edu

 

[BluepolkaMD]

In response to the above, UCSF actually has a postbacc program targeted, I believe, at individuals from communities underrepresented in medicine. Unfortunately it does look like they want people who graduated from a US college or university, but maybe worth reaching out if you really want UCSF? Eligibility | UCSF Medical Education

As for my suggestion of Berkeley extension, I was thinking there might be substantial overlap between the prereq coursework and what it would take for the clinical lab credential. It never huts to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, and give you a nice backup option to do a meaningful job important to patient care if you don't go to medical school or if it takes a little longer to get there than you are currently envisioning. However, it also looks like Berkeley extension has a post-bacc program that may be more directly targeted to professional school requirements.

Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program

Take advantage of our small, academically rigorous classes & personal advising to become a competitive applicant for your chosen health profession

extension.berkeley.edu

The post Bacc at UCSF seems to aiming at low-income groups who already have attempted MCAT. I don’t fall in the low-income group. But the Berkeley extension seems great! Thank you @Naruhodo, you’ve been of immense help!!!

 

[Dullhead]

Oh wow! I appreciate the bluntness. But everyone who tries and applies has a certain % of Chance 🙂 otherwise no one would apply. But out of curiosity, why do you say that?

I'm going around bumping desi threads today, and while I agree with the sentiment that having a non-zero chance requires one to apply in the first place, you're talking about UCSF and Stanford. If you get a 520+ and manage a couple first-author pubs before you apply, that's one thing, Otherwise your best chance would be Touro CA if staying local is the only option. And while UC Davis has a very heavy local preference as I understand, if you high MCAT gets you in there, you might be able to drive back on the days you don't have labs and exams etc that need you to physically be in Davis. This option will require heavy, heavy spousal support from dear Pati-dev. Residency, who knows, but get into med sch first I guess...

 

[deleted966164]

I'm going around bumping desi threads today, and while I agree with the sentiment that having a non-zero chance requires one to apply in the first place, you're talking about UCSF and Stanford. If you get a 520+ and manage a couple first-author pubs before you apply, that's one thing, Otherwise your best chance would be Touro CA if staying local is the only option. And while UC Davis has a very heavy local preference as I understand, if you high MCAT gets you in there, you might be able to drive back on the days you don't have labs and exams etc that need you to physically be in Davis. This option will require heavy, heavy spousal support from dear Pati-dev. Residency, who knows, but get into med sch first I guess...

UC Davis SOM is in Sacramento.