How did you make up for a lack of science extracurriculars?

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[unhappytnt]

Since you didn't take any of the pre-reqs your GPA doesn't say much. Med schools differentiate between your science GPA and cumulative GPA (non-science courses included). For reference, the average science GPA of all applicants is 3.65. However, keep in mind that this GPA must be supplemented with a good MCAT score (>30) and, as you said, extracurriculars.

I would rather leave the recommendation to more knowledgeable members of the forum but if I were you, I'd apply to the post-bac program this year and volunteer at a local hospital to get those clinical hours. Since you said you have no science background, the post-bac will probably take two years. In this case, you have plenty of time to accumulate the clinical hours and study for the MCAT.

 

[SoftwareKevin]

With that being said, my biggest concern is the lack of science extracurriculars I would have if I do choose to apply to med school in a few years.

If you have a few years, then you're not really behind at all. Most traditional premeds have 3 years of undergrad under their belt when they start applying, so you've got about the same amount of time to start doing extracurriculars. First thing you can do is start volunteering right now. Get a hold of your local hospital(s) and find out what they offer.

For research, I'd spend some time on your school web page looking through different research projects that are ongoing. Find a few that look interesting to you and start e-mailing professors. I think most people are more than happy to get free help with their projects 🙂. Most professors will be impressed that you're being proactive and e-mailing them. I was able to find a research assistant position before I had taken any chemistry or biology. Just prove to them that you're a quick learner and you should be fine.

 

[njbmd]

I am currently a college senior thinking about switching fields. Although I am too late to take the required science pre-reqs (I have one more year to complete the requirements for my major), I will be applying to a postbacc premed program.

Initially, I was thinking about getting an associate's in biology/biochem at a local CC, but from what I have been reading on this forum, med schools frown upon students doing this.

With that being said, my biggest concern is the lack of science extracurriculars I would have if I do choose to apply to med school in a few years. There are many premed students who have done extensive research, published papers, and/or volunteered in hospitals/clinics. Coming from a humanities background, I have none of this (I'm assuming that med schools do not distinguish between nontraditional and traditional students). How did you make up for the lack of these activities? Is there something I can do now before I graduate? It is very difficult for me to find research opportunities at my school because I do not have any science coursework.

On a side note, I will probably graduate with a 3.5 GPA, more or less. Is this a bit low for med schools? I am serious about medical school, but would rather not pursue it if I do not stand a good chance in the applicant pool.

Edit: Sorry, I have so many questions. Is it realistic to go straight (right after my BA) into a postbacc premed program?

You don't have to have "science" extracurricular activities. You should have some meaningful volunteer work that shows interest in your fellow human beings. If your uGPA is poor, research is not going to offset it and neither will your MCAT score.

If medicine is your goal, then you get into a post bacc program (informal or formal) and get your uGPA to a point where you are competitive. There are plenty of people who are non-science majors with no scientific research or publications that enter medical school every year. An associates degree in biology is only useful if you plan on transferring to a four-year university to do a degree in biology. If you already have a bachelors degree,then why waste time with an associates? This is useless "back-peddling".

Yes, your 3.5 is low but you can get that up with strong post bacc work (you say that you are already planning to do this). You are also going to need to show that you can handle a medical curriculum (research doesn't do that) and that you would be good candidate for admission into their class. If your total focus is on how you compare yourself to others, then you are always going to come up lacking. If your focus is on taking the steps to get your application complete and well-rounded ,then you have a shot but you have to make yourself competitive within the pool of applicants to the schools that interest you (look at a recent copy of the MSAR).

No one is a "sure thing" when it comes to application to medical school. You get yourself as competitive as possible within the restraints of your ability to pay tuition, volunteer and keep your academics strong. A good starting point would be to look at the medical school admissions information on other parts of this website; look at the MSAR for schools that would be a good fit and get busy.

Your problem right now is to do exceptionally well in your pre-med coursework so that you can take the MCAT (score well) along with getting some meaninful volunteer work. If you get that done sucesssfully, you have the underpinnings of a strong application.

 

[sm640739]

Hi - I thought I'd comment because I can relate to your situation a bit -

I just graduated from ugrad with an international relations/political science BA... and no science extracurriculars. I'm beginning a formal postbac at UPenn in the fall, and have met several other people who came right out of ugrad to do the same thing. We're not that strange 🙂

Anyway, regarding the science extracurriculars... I agree with previous poster on calling up your local hospital and inquiring about their volunteer program, at least until you apply to a post bac. I volunteered at a local community hospital until I graduated... and will be doing volunteer work at a hospital located near my postbac in the fall.

Also, once you zero in on which postbacs you'd like to apply to, start looking at the opportunities they offer for extracurriculars. I'm currently conducting clinical research at a hospital, enrolling patients in various studies while learning a lot about research in general.... before I've even completed my pre-reqs. It's never really too late to start 🙂

Best of luck