Getting into Post-Bacc with little or no medical exp?

[NyMedicine]

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Here is my situation:

I have a high GPA (3.9+) in a business major graduating this upcoming year, SAT in upper 1300s, work experience, and several volunteer and community service activities but I don't have anything directly relating to medical experience. (For example, I volunteered at a soup kitchen).

I have had several personal experiences in my life which have led me to pursue a career in medicine. I'm looking to voluneer at a medically related facility, but it will be a few weeks before I can start anywhere considering that I will be on vacation in August so I might not start until late August.

I want to apply for a Post-Bacc program starting next Summer or Fall 2008 so therefore I need to apply this Fall. Can I still get into the better schools? What are your thoughts/suggestions? Thank you!

 

[GetUrMinRite10]

Considering your grades, yours is the kind of situation that is ideal. All I'd say you need is medical volunteer experience before applying. I'd suggest you take the GRE's as well. Otherwise, you're a prime candidate IMO.

 

[sfnix]

get volunteer/shadowing experience under you. most post-bac programs want some form of direct patient-physician environment experience. make that happen, and i think you'll have more than the necessary "credentials" for acceptance.

not sure if you need to take the GRE, a 1300 SAT is going to be pretty competitive.

 

[blackadder]

hi five sfnix!

 

[NyMedicine]

Thank you for your comments.. I have a 1380 SAT score to be exact..

I know I just need some medical experience but like I said I probably won't be able to start any until late August. Every place I call has orientation, application, interview, etc..

Do you all think it will be sufficient to start something in late August and then in October, when I apply to post-bacc programs, indicate that I'm volunteering and have a committment to continue it into the future (i.e. future 100 hrs committment, etc.)???

Thanks once again.

 

[Nyu2004]

If you are starting a post bac program I don't think your SAT score will matter at all. Wouldn't it be 4 years old? Your grades are stellar. Just show your dedication to medicine in your interviews and essays and you are a good applicant.
Best of Luck
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Class of 2011

 

[Pemulis]

I did the Goucher program a few years ago. At the time I applied, I had similar credentials to you: similar grades and such, and only about three months of volunteer experience in an ER plus a few one-time shadowing experiences (I started volunteering in August, and was applying in October/November). I got into both Goucher and Bryn Mawr. I do seem to remember them requiring SAT scores, so these should help. I don't think the GRE is required, but you might want to call the programs you're interested in to find out for sure.

 

[NyMedicine]

I think it is either SAT or GRE, not both. Bryn Mawr and Goucher are definitely at the top of my list in terms of where I want to apply. I know Bryn Mawr starts accepting applications in October. Does anyone know when Goucher starts accepting applications?

 

[oneandonlylo]

I generally agree with what everyone has said in this thread (ie you sound excellently qualified, just get that volunteer work nailed down). I also agree with the people who said that you should consider taking the GRE. If you were able to perform well on the SAT four years ago there is no reason you couldn't do well on it, and that would just be one more good thing to offer.

 

[Pemulis]

I think it is either SAT or GRE, not both. Bryn Mawr and Goucher are definitely at the top of my list in terms of where I want to apply. I know Bryn Mawr starts accepting applications in October. Does anyone know when Goucher starts accepting applications?

Around the same time.

I generally agree with what everyone has said in this thread (ie you sound excellently qualified, just get that volunteer work nailed down). I also agree with the people who said that you should consider taking the GRE. If you were able to perform well on the SAT four years ago there is no reason you couldn't do well on it, and that would just be one more good thing to offer.

While I'm sure you'd do fine on the GRE, I don't see any advantage to taking it. It's obvious from your grades that you're a good student. Unless they are specifically requiring the GRE these days, nobody is going to care that you didn't take that when you've already proven yourself as a student and standardized test taker. On the flip side, if you sign up for the GRE and then happen to have an off day when taking it, you'd be putting a red flag on your app. So it's a risk without much benefit.

Both of these questions, by the way (when applications are accepted, and whether or not to take the GRE) would be best answered by the people at Goucher and Bryn Mawr. Check their website, call them, or shoot them an email. Whatever they say is worth a lot more than what anyone on this board (myself included) says.