Help with a direction

[shioami]

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Hey everyone.

I'm pretty new around these parts. I read some of the posts and stickies and have gained some insight but am in need of some more. Here is a little bit about me. I'm 25 and just recently graduated from my art schools undergraduate program (private school) with a 2.9 overall GPA. I have made the decision to pursue medicine. I have not fulfilled any of the medical school requirements. Currently, I am looking into some post bacc programs. Is it better to do a post bacc program or take the requirements at a local college? Is one more of an advantage than the other? Should I consider restarting another undergrad? Also how did/does everyone fit in working full-time with volunteering, shadowing and extra-curricular activities? Any advice, suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
James

 

[dazed1980]

Hello!
A postbacc program is not a requirement for med school. People get into that to improve their stats. You need to tackle the essentials first. Take your pre-requisites at a local college or university. With your work schedule, u will probably have to take evening or weekend classes. With GPA of 2.9, i think you will need to take a few classes at a time, so u can focus and ace them. After your biology, chem and physics and organo classes, start prepping for ur mcat. Within this time try to get into some volunteering in health-related activities.
Basically u need
1. your undergrad requirements(u don't need another undergrad degree).
2. Really Really work on getting your GPA up.
3. Extracurricular activities
4. Good MCAT scores.

Welcome to the struggle and Good Luck.

 

[shioami]

Dazed,

I really appreciate the advice giving. It was pretty inline to what I was thinking and had written down, I just needed an outside perspective/s. Again thank-you. I'm really excited I found this forum, there is a lot of encouraging stories and awesome advice. I'm already on top of the extra curricular activities. I cannot start school until January, so I will be flying to San Francisco to shadow a urologist for a week. I've also put in my application for volunteering at the local children's hospital and am researching some community service opportunities. I know there is more but I'm trying to get the ball rolling. I even already started writing my personal statement..lol..More of a motivational thing than anything. Are there any resources or examples of what a curriculum vital or medical school resume might look like? Also, being a design graduate I do a lot of volunteer design work (designing websites free of charge) to local organizations. I plan to continue doing this, is this something that I can use as far as community service or volunteer is concerned? I submit a significant amount of time into these projects perhaps 2-3 months.

Thanks Again
James

 

[dazed1980]

Looks like you do have the ball rolling.
As far as the design-related volunteer work, i can't say for sure whether it counts or not. It does indicate that you can sacrifice time for others. Your other healthcare-related volunteering will not only show your interest in medicine but also re-enforce the fact that you can sacrifice time for others.
I hope your PS is going well. You have lots of time for that though.
Impress that urology physician you will be shadowing; read before going to the clinic, and ask questions. He will be a good source for LOR.

 

[Nasem]

The formal post-bacc VS informal-do-it-your-self post-bacc (IN MY OPINION) are saying 1 = 1.....or...... one equals one

They both get you to the same end of the tunnel:
-they both increase your Undergrad GPA (if you do well)
-they both help you finish whatever pre-med classes you need to take

There are some advantages / disadvantages to both

The advantage to some of the formal post-bacc programs out there (the nice once) is that they have a linkage program where once you finish their program with a 3.5 gpa or higher (I think), you get automatic interviews at some medical schools..... from what I underestand, those are NOT automatic acceptances, they are only interviews.
The disadvantage would be that you woun't be able to work at any job, the post-bacc is a full time curriculum and a harsh one (academically) from what people say..... And there is a good chance you might need to move out of state (incase your state schools don't have a post-bacc program)

The advantages of a informal-do it your self post-bacc is.... your in total control of everything. You pick and choose your classes, you can go part-time to school and continue to work at your job (what I do, I work in IT and attend MSU for my post-bacc), or you can quit your job soon and go full time into your post-bacc (planning to do in the next 8 months or so 🙂 ).
Disadvantages are...... some people feel the lack of the linkage program is a turnoff.... oh well... you lose some, you win some