helpful advice...

[premedguy]

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Hi Everyone,

I have been reading on this forum for a while and I would like your suggestions on the following:

I graduated with double major in Biochemistry and Economics from UC Davis in 99'. Ever since then I have been working in Clinical Research conducting clinical trials in orthopedics, oncology and currently, neurology. This experience has really convinced me that I would like to be a doctor.

My UG GPA is 2.5 with sciences 2.4. I am studying for the MCAT and was planning to take it in April. I am taking the KAPLAN prep class and scoring around a 30 on the practice tests. I am leaning more towards taking it in August because I realize that I need to do better than 30 plus I am confident I can. I would also like to take the MCAT before they start administering it electronically (2007). I currently work full-time and have looked into repeating some UG science classes to improve my GPA. The problem is I cannot find nightly classes that offer the classes I need since I work in the day time and that is when classes are offered. I live in the SF bay area and have looked at all schools in the area.

I cannot quit my job at the current moment as I am supporting my family and am the sole bread winner. Most post-bacs are fulltime as well.

Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[relentless11]

I can sympathize with having to work to support yourself and family. However the reality is, you will have to figure out how to take more undergraduate classes to boost your undergraduate GPA. If you spoke with UCDSOM admissions back when you were an undergrad, you should recall they treat MCAT and UG GPA equally. Therefore doing good in one does not make up for deficiencies in the other. This applies to most other schools, especially the UC schools.

Your low UG GPA will essentially cause you to be screened out at the UC's (as well as other schools that screen GPA). I believe the cut off is somewhere within the 3.0-3.2 range. Even with supporting ones family, and a high MCAT, it will be a hard sell because there has been no recent academic work to remove any concerns of your low undergraduate performance. With a 2.5 overall GPA, and a 2.4 science GPA, it will probably be difficult for DO schools as well.

The point I'm getting at is, you cannot deny the fact that you will have to take classes. You will need to do upper division undergraduate work (not lower division) to boost your GPA. Night classes at a junior college is not really an option since JC's only offer lower division courses. If you want to become a physician, then you will have to find some other funding source to support your family, or wait until your family can support itself (and you) so you can pursue this goal. For those that are changing careers, and/or doing GPA rehab, the time committment, and resources required to be a decent applicant (no guarantee of getting in) is substantial. If this is truly something you want to do, then I suggest you work this out with your family, since this will be a costly and time consuming endeavor regardless of the outcome.

I too am at UCD, and had a UG GPA of 2.65. However spent 1.5 years at UCD Extension to take more UG classes which resulted in a post-bacc GPA of 3.4. Due the costs of UCD Extension (and the hassel), I applied to a graduate program at UCD, which pays for tuition and provides a limited monthly stipend (pays for rent). I'm currently a PhD student, so have 2-3 more years left. My MCAT score was 36S, but after consulting with Ed Dagang, director of admissions at UCDSOM, I decided to take more UG classes to boost my GPA due to the reasons I stated in the first paragraph. Funny part is, I will have to retake my MCAT again, since by the time i finish my PhD, the 3 years are up. You gotta do what you gotta do. There are many people in these forums with similar situations as you, and many have succeeded, however had to make a lot of sacrifices. You may have to do the same.

 

[chrisjohn]

I had to work two years in between graduate school and matriculating due to an expired MCAT score.

More course work is a must. A high MCAT (>34) is a must. You can do it, but it's a lot of work. Okay, its an insane amount of work. 🙂

 

[vtucci]

You definitely need to take more courses to raise your GPA. Check the local colleges-- I did my post-bac at CCNY in New York City and almost all the coursework was at night or on weekends. I am surprised that no colleges offer evening classes in San Fran. I worked full-time as well so I feel your pain.

A really high MCAT will also help. You have the clinical research (and publications to go with I assume if not, get them).

*******I found one college that seems to have evening classes- City College of San Francisco. Below is the listing for the Anatomy course in the fall-- the evening classes are in red on the site. *******

http://www.ccsf.edu/Schedule/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fall 2006 Anatomy--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANAT 14 Human Anatomy and Physiology 0.0
70477 001 L/L M W F 08:00-10:00AM SCIE 314 Staff
70478 002 L/L M W F 10:00-12:00PM SCIE 314 Scheerer, R
70482 003 L/L M W F 12:00-02:00PM SCIE 314 Staff
70479 004 L/L T R 02:00-05:00PM SCIE 314 Grass, J
ANAT 14- 004 accepts students for regular credit and,
via a contract with the instructor, for honors credit.
Questions on honors credit, call 239-3376 or email skudsi@
ccsf.edu.
70480 005 L/L T R 08:00-11:00AM SCIE 314 Staff
70481 006 L/L T R 11:00-02:00PM SCIE 314 Staff
70483 501 L/L T R 06:30-09:30PM SCIE 314 Malachowski, M
72626 548 L/L T R 05:00-06:30PM 1860 Hayes St. Vasquez, E
T 06:30-09:30PM 1860 Hayes St. Vasquez, E
75766 549 L/L T R 05:00-06:30PM 1860 Hayes St. Vasquez, E
R 06:30-09:30PM 1860 Hayes St. Vasquez, E
ANAT 25 General Human Anatomy