Full time engineer looking for advice

[Marvel_Man7]

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Hey everyone,

Been lingering for a while, and I'm looking for some advice.

Im 27 and work full time as an engineer, and although I'm financially well off, I've noticed I don't feel that sense of happiness and fulfillment, and I've realized it's cause I chose engineering over medical.

The medical school at the university I attended doesn't have "course requirements" but they recommend having the essential sciences to take the MCAT. The only science classes I've had, that are relatable would be calculus based physics 1&2 and a university chemistry class.

My engineering GPA is unfortunately a 3.0 with cumulative being lower (as i didn't take community college too seriously)

I suppose I'm wondering what steps I should take? I plan on taking chemistry up to organic 2 along with biology etc.

I've never really told anyone I've wanted to do this, so I don't have much to go on for letters of recommendation and so forth, so was looking for advice here aswell.

Thanks.

 

[WellWornLad]

Fulfilling your chem and bio requirements are a good first step. Since you're probably comfortable with a science background they shouldn't give you too much trouble, which is good because those grades will make or break you with your current GPA.

Spend some time exposing yourself to the field. It's not all sunshine and is certainly not a direct line to happiness and fulfillment. It can be a grind like any other job, more so in many respects. Taking call is a soul-sucking beast that only really sinks it's teeth into you after several years.

Medicine is also an expensive proposition when you factor in your opportunity cost of giving up a well-paying job. Don't give that up lightly.

 

[Goro]

Hey everyone,

Been lingering for a while, and I'm looking for some advice.

Im 27 and work full time as an engineer, and although I'm financially well off, I've noticed I don't feel that sense of happiness and fulfillment, and I've realized it's cause I chose engineering over medical.

The medical school at the university I attended doesn't have "course requirements" but they recommend having the essential sciences to take the MCAT. The only science classes I've had, that are relatable would be calculus based physics 1&2 and a university chemistry class.

My engineering GPA is unfortunately a 3.0 with cumulative being lower (as i didn't take community college too seriously)

I suppose I'm wondering what steps I should take? I plan on taking chemistry up to organic 2 along with biology etc.

I've never really told anyone I've wanted to do this, so I don't have much to go on for letters of recommendation and so forth, so was looking for advice here aswell.

Thanks.

Read this:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[khnz786]

Hey everyone,

Been lingering for a while, and I'm looking for some advice.

Im 27 and work full time as an engineer, and although I'm financially well off, I've noticed I don't feel that sense of happiness and fulfillment, and I've realized it's cause I chose engineering over medical.

The medical school at the university I attended doesn't have "course requirements" but they recommend having the essential sciences to take the MCAT. The only science classes I've had, that are relatable would be calculus based physics 1&2 and a university chemistry class.

My engineering GPA is unfortunately a 3.0 with cumulative being lower (as i didn't take community college too seriously)

I suppose I'm wondering what steps I should take? I plan on taking chemistry up to organic 2 along with biology etc.

I've never really told anyone I've wanted to do this, so I don't have much to go on for letters of recommendation and so forth, so was looking for advice here aswell.

Thanks.

I was in the same boat as you I was a computer engineer working full time, making great money, single no responsibilities. Life was good but something was lacking.

Same GPA as you, went back to school to take organic chemistry, biochemistry, mcat, etc. I got As when I went back to take these classes but it only boosted my GPA to 3.1.

I heard DO schools are more open to nontraditional students like me so I shadowed a DO got a letter from him, a letter from my organic professor. I had to get a letter from my speech professor from second year of college for my non-science letter (I don’t even think he remembered who I was so I assume that letter was pretty generic).

Anyway... long story short... I got into a DO school did well first two years doing well in my third year. Thinking about doing radiology as my specialty. So yes it can be done. Life was good before... but I feel like it’s better now (even though I’m constantly studying).


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[Marvel_Man7]

I was in the same boat as you I was a computer engineer working full time, making great money, single no responsibilities. Life was good but something was lacking.

Same GPA as you, went back to school to take organic chemistry, biochemistry, mcat, etc. I got As when I went back to take these classes but it only boosted my GPA to 3.1.

I heard DO schools are more open to nontraditional students like me so I shadowed a DO got a letter from him, a letter from my organic professor. I had to get a letter from my speech professor from second year of college for my non-science letter (I don’t even think he remembered who I was so I assume that letter was pretty generic).

Anyway... long story short... I got into a DO school did well first two years doing well in my third year. Thinking about doing radiology as my specialty. So yes it can be done. Life was good before... but I feel like it’s better now (even though I’m constantly studying).


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This is very encouraging to hear, I definitely appreciate the story, and I'm glad things are going awesome. This makes me even more excited to start classes this summer.

 

[khnz786]

This is very encouraging to hear, I definitely appreciate the story, and I'm glad things are going awesome. This makes me even more excited to start classes this summer.

Yeah man I had plenty of people telling me it’s too much work and the odds are stacked against me, but if you have the willpower and determination you can definitely make it happen.


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[JustPlainBill]

Hey everyone,

Been lingering for a while, and I'm looking for some advice.

Im 27 and work full time as an engineer, and although I'm financially well off, I've noticed I don't feel that sense of happiness and fulfillment, and I've realized it's cause I chose engineering over medical.

The medical school at the university I attended doesn't have "course requirements" but they recommend having the essential sciences to take the MCAT. The only science classes I've had, that are relatable would be calculus based physics 1&2 and a university chemistry class.

My engineering GPA is unfortunately a 3.0 with cumulative being lower (as i didn't take community college too seriously)

I suppose I'm wondering what steps I should take? I plan on taking chemistry up to organic 2 along with biology etc.

I've never really told anyone I've wanted to do this, so I don't have much to go on for letters of recommendation and so forth, so was looking for advice here aswell.

Thanks.

Yeah, it can be done -- former telecomm EE/software engineer back in the days of Z8000/Motorola 68K assembler when Kernighan and Richie first came out and OOP was a gleam in someone's eye -- actually worked implementing Bell Labs SS7 protocols and STP/SCPs when we were pulling signaling out of the voice channel for the first time long before DARPA released the internet...then helped develop/deploy Nortel's (BNR/Northern back in those days) first analog/digital radio product for cellular to compete with Ericsson...ahh, good times...but the party ended in '02 with the downturn -- truth be told, it was getting boring -- 15 years later, I'm a practicing FM attending. Stayed the heck out of radiology since being a cave dweller locked into a room with computers was not a mistake I wanted to repeat -- I hated the cubicle farms and was much better out on the integration floor for large projects......PM if you need to.....as a point of reference -- are they still using Perl, Java and Python? Oh, yeah, almost forgot -- I was 42 when I started medical school with 2 children, a mortgage and a wife.

 

[Forever Geebs]

Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. You are taking the first step in achieving your goal. It is entirely possible but you need to make sure you are focused and prepared, so as to not repeat past mistakes.

Best of luck to you.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Im 27 and work full time as an engineer, and although I'm financially well off, I've noticed I don't feel that sense of happiness and fulfillment, and I've realized it's cause I chose engineering over medical.

27 is very young, you can still pretty much do anything.

 

[JG1706]

Hey everyone,

Been lingering for a while, and I'm looking for some advice.

Im 27 and work full time as an engineer, and although I'm financially well off, I've noticed I don't feel that sense of happiness and fulfillment, and I've realized it's cause I chose engineering over medical.

The medical school at the university I attended doesn't have "course requirements" but they recommend having the essential sciences to take the MCAT. The only science classes I've had, that are relatable would be calculus based physics 1&2 and a university chemistry class.

My engineering GPA is unfortunately a 3.0 with cumulative being lower (as i didn't take community college too seriously)

I suppose I'm wondering what steps I should take? I plan on taking chemistry up to organic 2 along with biology etc.

I've never really told anyone I've wanted to do this, so I don't have much to go on for letters of recommendation and so forth, so was looking for advice here aswell.

Thanks.

First things first, you need to get your pre-reqs out of the way. Maximize your GPA so that you can show a massive shift in passion. Once you have that completed, you have a few options: Graduate school, post-bacc program, or self-study.

There are pros and cons to each, so you might have to do some research as to which sounds like the best fit for you and your family. (Not sure if you have kids\spouse).

Graduate School - will offer you research experience, allow you to make connections to professors (you will need this for letters of recommendation) and help prepare you a tad for learning at the graduate level. Problems could be potentially struggling and having a lower gpa again, time committment, and cost of tuition.

Post-bacc - these programs are geared toward non-traditional students like you. They allow you to focus on getting connections with staff members for LOR while guiding you through improving your application. The issue is you generally need to have all pre-reqs and again cost tuition. (many boast matriculation rates around 85%+ after attending though).

Self-study - the most cost effective option and will allow you to work around your work schedule the best. This one will require a lot of research on your end to make sure you plan everything accordingly and not miss steps. I would highly recommend finding someone to guide you through the process.

If I was to recommend one, I would say completely uproot your life if your are able to and dive in the deep end of medicine. Work hard, get good grades and then apply. Ultimately it will be more of a question of what factors of your life you can change and how fast.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am a non-traditional as well and have been through this process. Best of luck mate, don't get discouraged! Might be cliche, but really you can do anything you want if you are passionate about it.

 

[post-bacc]

Hey Marvel Man,

You're doing the right first thing- you're thinking about it. I did something similar, as I was working in business and I've transitioned into a grad school program in biomedicine. I did my pre-reqs for this at night while working full time, and it is very attainable to make both work.

I recommend starting with experiential activities such as patient volunteering, because this type of experience will be a major inflection point in your decision as to whether or not you should proceed with going back to school and keeping on down this path.

I hope this helps!

 

[trev5150]

Hey everyone,

Been lingering for a while, and I'm looking for some advice.

Im 27 and work full time as an engineer, and although I'm financially well off, I've noticed I don't feel that sense of happiness and fulfillment, and I've realized it's cause I chose engineering over medical.

The medical school at the university I attended doesn't have "course requirements" but they recommend having the essential sciences to take the MCAT. The only science classes I've had, that are relatable would be calculus based physics 1&2 and a university chemistry class.

My engineering GPA is unfortunately a 3.0 with cumulative being lower (as i didn't take community college too seriously)

I suppose I'm wondering what steps I should take? I plan on taking chemistry up to organic 2 along with biology etc.

I've never really told anyone I've wanted to do this, so I don't have much to go on for letters of recommendation and so forth, so was looking for advice here aswell.

Thanks.

You're an engineer so I'm gonna talk to you like an engineer. Straight up data.

The medical school at the uni you went to may not have pre-reqs (what is the name of this unicorn?) BUT you have to proceed under the presumption that you're not going to get into that particular school. Google up some numbers on the applicants vs matriculants in any given year and look at their GPAs, pre-reqs, extracurriculars, relevant volunteering and clinical experience (none of which you appear to currently have).
BIO 1 & 2 WITH LAB
Gen Chem 1 & 2 WITH LAB
Physics 1 & 2 WITH LAB (You probably have this)
Organic Chem 1 & 2 WITH LAB
As an engineer you probably have the stats and calc most schools want to see.
My recommendation is Biochem 1 & 2 or your MCAT isn't gonna be that hot TBH as well as some cell & molecular biology so that you have a good grasp of all that as well.
You also need a broad scope and spectrum of volunteering and physician shadowing in clinical settings so that you are fully aware ( and can demonstrate as much) of what you're getting into.

In other words, you have to ensure than your portfolio is reasonably sufficient to apply to any medical school, whether they have "course prerequisites" or not - and they all do.

Good luck.

 

[sarahjoy]

I quit my engineering job about 18 months ago, which was about 9 months after I started taking my med prereqs. I totally dove in head first, volunteering, shadowing, getting a research assistant job at a med school, taking all kinds of extra courses, and now studying for the MCAT. This is a huuuuge commitment if you’re going to succeed. But I’m so happy with my decision. You should know that it’s not just about taking bio and chemistry courses and then the MCAT. It’s a whole lifestyle change even before you apply. Especially since you need glowing recommendations from life science professors and medical-field professionals who have known you on this journey.


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