How should I structure my Postbacc curriculum?

[jonn]

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Hello. new here.

So I graduated from Tufts University in '03 with a degree in Computer Engineering and a GPA of 2.99 . Four years later, I have decided to pursue a medical degree. Last spring, I took physics 1 and chem 1. I received an 'A' in both classes. My current plan was to take Physics 2 and Chemistry 2 this semester, then Organic 1 and Bio 1 in the Spring with Organic 2 and Bio 2 next Fall.

I was just told that I should really try to take at more classes so that I can prove to med schools that I can handle the course work. The basic schedule that I was told was Bio 1, Chem 2, Physics 2 this Fall. Bio 2, Organic 1, and another science class in the Spring.. so on and so forth.

Now, I am also working as a technical consultant at a cable company, but if this is what I have to do, so be it. I will quit.

What do you think about this? Should I continue on with my original plan? Would I be shooting myself in the foot by taking these three science classes together?

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

🙂

 

[2008orbust]

I am not sure about the number of classes per semester, but I do think you should take enough classes total so that your GPA can increase at least 0.3

Good luck, James

 

[DrMidlife]

I don't think you have to quit your job to prove your ambition. What kind of course load did you take with your CSE degree? When the time comes to apply, you can explain in your applications that during your CSE degree you frequently worked all night on programming assignments and, whatever, you "enjoy the challenges of a full time academic load." It wasn't that long ago. When nontrads have been out of school for 10 years, the "recent heavy courseload" advice makes a bit more sense. To me.

You will, however, need to do community volunteering and maybe some research. Volunteering can be no more than 5 hrs/wk, but start now so that you show longevity.

Also, see if you can do IT work in a hospital or for a healthcare company. Maybe you'll take a pay cut, but there are TONS of opportunities. This will be very helpful in having things to say about how realistic your view of medicine is - you'll see the very dark and scary administration underbelly...

Best of luck to you.

 

[jonn]

So it should be okay to continue with my original plan?

I actually double majored in Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. During high school (about ten years ago) I took Biology at a local University. Being able to transfer those credits allowed me to graduate on time since I decided on the Biomed Eng. major my junior year. The course load at Tufts was pretty vigorous. I there were many sleepless nights spent in the labs.

I've had to redo all my science courses since I completed them about 7 years ago during my freshman year (Physics 1 & 2, and Chem 16). I must say, I did very poorly in Chem 16 (D+), which was a chemistry class for engineers. There were several factors that attributed to such a low grade (and low GPA)... I was young, first time away from home, depressed, pursuing a degree that my father pushed me to do and then a friend of mine passed away. I am hoping that my 'A' in Chem 1 and (fingers crossed) an 'A' in Chem 2 will make up for that.

Will I have to take upper division classes before applying to Med School, or will it be alright just to take the general prerequisites ?

As for volunteer work, I have actually been doing some volunteer work on my Saturdays for a while now. I have about 180 hours in a Trauma Center at a local hospital. Why is it not good to do more than 5 hours a week? I actually do 8 hours. My girlfriend had to move back to Canada for a while and thus, I have absolutely nothing to do on my Saturdays. 🙁

 

[DrMidlife]

So it should be okay to continue with my original plan?

I think so. Here's a bucket of salt to take with my opinion...

Will I have to take upper division classes before applying to Med School, or will it be alright just to take the general prerequisites ?

Hmm, in my view, if you have damage control to do with your science coursework (< 3.0 GPA in BCPM), you'll definitely want to do upper div to demonstrate that you can handle it. DO schools will wipe out the old grade for a repeat, but allos won't. If you repeat the course at a different school, it can be tricky. Also, let me be clear: computer science and engineering DON'T count as BCMP for AMCAS schools. Texas counts them though. I cared a lot about this, having a 3.8 in CS...

As for volunteer work, I have actually been doing some volunteer work on my Saturdays for a while now. I have about 180 hours in a Trauma Center at a local hospital. Why is it not good to do more than 5 hours a week? I actually do 8 hours.

Awesome. Keep it up if you can. I mentioned that you can do <= 5 hrs/wk in case you felt you didn't have any time to volunteer. We get that a lot here.

And no matter what, no matter if your GF begs, no matter if your consulting work offers you crazy money, no matter what, you MUST keep your GPA high now, like above 3.7. Absolutely.

Go get 'em.

 

[jonn]

Thank you so much. this has been very helpful. Just one more thing. What exactly is BCMP and BCPM? I am still learning about the whole AMCAS application process.

 

[DrMidlife]

Thank you so much. this has been very helpful. Just one more thing. What exactly is BCMP and BCPM? I am still learning about the whole AMCAS application process.

bio, chem, math, physics. And apparently I don't know what order they go in. Your overall GPA, BCMP GPA, and non-BCPM GPA are shown on the report that AMCAS sends to schools. These GPAs are also broken down by year for the first 4 years, and everything else gets lumped into postbac. It's a whole lotta data.

Here is the AMCAS guide for coursework, starting on page 41: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2008amcasinstructionsrvs.pdf

 

[jonn]

Great. Thank. I just calculated my current BCMP GPA and its above a 3.0. Hopefully when I am done with my postbacc, it should be closer to a 3.2

🙂