from teacher to doctor,is it too late

[gigiho]

Hi,
How do I do this? Should I even bother?
I am soon to be 28 yrs old and reside in Southern Cal.
I graduated from UCLA with a Spanish Literature BA (3.7 GPA). I went to Claremont Graduate for my Masters and credential in Special Ed. I have been teaching students with mild/moderate disabilities for 5 years. I love it, but I have always had the dream of becoming a doctor. I know that there Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program that can help me get started. Do you have any suggestions for me? Where do I start?

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[ReadyBeVet]

I'm trying (well, to be a veterinarian, not an MD) after being a teacher!

I'm 25 and taught elementary reading for a few years. I was also a pre-vet major before changing to education so I have a large chunk of the core sciences done already. I really don't think it is ever too late. Go for it! I'm from the opposite coast, so I have no suggestions on programs for you to pursue.

 

[NTF]

Former HS science and math teacher. Just started med school this year at 36.

You have a great ugrad GPA so far and come from a great service oriented field so you're in great shape. You path is simple:

1)Ace your science courses. I'm assuming you don't have much science coursework so every prereq grade is going to magnified, because your scGPA won't have a lot of credits. If you have the time and money, though not required, I highly recommend you take Biochem in addition to your prereqs.

2)Build ECs. Volunteer. Patient Contact. Shadowing. Biomedical research. Leadership positions.

3)Think about your LORs now. Every science class you take is a potential LOR, so make sure your professors know you.

4)Do well on the MCAT

5)Apply broadly and EARLY.

 

[teacherman84]

Former HS science and math teacher. Just started med school this year at 36.

You have a great ugrad GPA so far and come from a great service oriented field so you're in great shape. You path is simple:

1)Ace your science courses. I'm assuming you don't have much science coursework so every prereq grade is going to magnified, because your scGPA won't have a lot of credits. If you have the time and money, though not required, I highly recommend you take Biochem in addition to your prereqs.

2)Build ECs. Volunteer. Patient Contact. Shadowing. Biomedical research. Leadership positions.

3)Think about your LORs now. Every science class you take is a potential LOR, so make sure your professors know you.

4)Do well on the MCAT

5)Apply broadly and EARLY.

Excellent advice above...I had little to no science when I began and it really was a clean slate as far as science GPA so it was easy to have a good sGPA. I had a worse cGPA going into it so I was constantly struggling to raise that.

Do well in every course you need to take...dont jump in full-time for the first semester, especially if youre working while you take classes. Its never to soon to start good ECs. Find a few meaningful clinical and volunteering gigs and stick with them.

Dont take the MCAT lightly...begin studying as youre taking all your prereq courses and study the material and begin practicing with good MCAT style questions as you work through the courses.

As for a formal post-bac program, I dont know...I chose to take the take the classes on my own rather than with a formal program. Either way is fine, I just found creating my own schedule a better fit because I was able to do everything locally.

Good luck though. I used my teaching experience and desire to become a teacher when discussing why medicine in interviews and have had nothing but positive feedback. Good luck, its not easy but it feels good when youre done with all the prereqs and in the application process...now I just need an acceptance and it will feel even better.

 

[LadyTMD]

So nice to see my fellow educators taking a new direction from the educator role into the student role to ultimately take a step back into the educator role as practicing physicians and lifelong learners! I taught biology and chemistry for three years myself; I decided to take this school year off to focus on the admission process and prepare to move wherever I am accepted. It’s important to note that medicine and education are inseparable. MUST be quality educators and display all the traits that we learned as educators in the classroom.

I do miss my kids this year though, very much so! On the bright side, as a result of constant emphasis of healthcare and medicine in our biology and chemistry studies, many of the students took interest in the medical field as a career choice (which is why I decided to teach in the first place) and look forward to me achieving my academic pursuits just as I relentlessly fought for them to accomplish theirs! Teaching is a beautiful thing, we will never be completely done with it.

 

[gigiho]

Is there a list of required courses online? I guess I can do it on my own. How long does it take for all the required classes to apply? Are they both under grader and upper grad?

 

[teacherman84]

The required courses at most schools are Bio I&II, Chem I&II, OChemI&II, Phyisics I&II...some require Calc, 6 credits of English, Biochem, and others.
Schools list their requirements online or you can find them in the MSAR. Other courses are useful though, like microbiology or A&P

All required courses are undergrad, and mostly first or second year courses.

How long it takes depends on how soon you want to get it done and how many credits you take per semester. I did it in 4 semesters but it was miserable...others take a few years.

Good luck.

 

[ella2013]

D

 

[kb79]

Hello guys. I am new to the group and planning to take my prerequisites for medical school. I am a 34 years old teacher but in this country working as an interpreter, because cannot do anything else, since have to start everything all over. And now my dream is to become a doctor. I am not familiar with US system at all. In order to take the prerequisites do I have to pass any exam to be admitted to University?
I appreciate your help.

 

[survivordo]

It's definitely not too late but I would think long and hard about it. It will be a long road to get your pre-reqs filled. Definitely try to gain some clinical experience before you make the leap. Just "always wanting to be a doc" isn't going to be enough to make this heavy of a decision.

Survivor DO

 

[kb79]

Thank you for responding Survivor. I don't mind even if it takes long, I love studying and it definitely worth going through that road when you have a passion for that. My question is do I have to pass a test or can I just take the prerequisites without any additional requirements?
And my biggest concern is the work while being at medical school. I know I can work and study while taking the prerequisites but I heard they don't let you work when you are at medical school. How do I survive without work?