I really need suggestions.

[JayKayBee]

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My dream is to be a doctor but unfortunately it took me a while to realize it. I started out my undergrad as a chemistry major but after 6 semesters of discouragement from my advisor, I decided to switch to Political Science at the begining of my senior year (fall 07). I have a 2.95 GPA and completed very few prerequisites (only the chems) but I DO have a lot of extracurriculars (not that it would balance out but I thought I'd mention it). I REALLY miss the sciences and regret my decision to switch but I am graduating this spring with a BA in Political Science. I went to my advisor last week and while practically laughing she told me to be more realistic and to focus on a different career path. I have given myself three options (but am open to others):

1. Drag out my undergrad a little bit longer, take the prerequisites and MCAT and apply.
2. Apply to a Political Science Masters program or other master's program and take prereqs in the meantime.
3. Go to nursing school then work and take prereqs. I think this is more of a side step than a step up but my advisor told me to consider it so I am.

I desperately need suggestions. I am very unfamiliar with the postbac programs I am seeing people discuss but I know I have found my "groove" and am very willing to do what it takes to get in. I would appreciate any suggetions! THANKS!

 

[njbmd]

My dream is to be a doctor but unfortunately it took me a while to realize it. I started out my undergrad as a chemistry major but after 6 semesters of discouragement from my advisor, I decided to switch to Political Science at the begining of my senior year (fall 07). I have a 2.95 GPA and completed very few prerequisites (only the chems) but I DO have a lot of extracurriculars (not that it would balance out but I thought I'd mention it). I REALLY miss the sciences and regret my decision to switch but I am graduating this spring with a BA in Political Science. I went to my advisor last week and while practically laughing she told me to be more realistic and to focus on a different career path. I have given myself three options (but am open to others):

1. Drag out my undergrad a little bit longer, take the prerequisites and MCAT and apply.
2. Apply to a Political Science Masters program or other master's program and take prereqs in the meantime.
3. Go to nursing school then work and take prereqs. I think this is more of a side step than a step up but my advisor told me to consider it so I am.

I desperately need suggestions. I am very unfamiliar with the postbac programs I am seeing people discuss but I know I have found my "groove" and am very willing to do what it takes to get in. I would appreciate any suggetions! THANKS!

If all you need are the rest of the pre-reqs for medical school then take them and see where you end up. Getting a masters degree in Political Science if that is NOT your interest is not going to help you gain admission to medical school.

You DO need to sit down and calculate where your uGPA will be once you have completed your pre-med coursework with no grade less than B+. You may end up having to take more upper division science coursework to inch your uGPA up but don't do a graduate degree unless you actually want that graduate degree. A graduate degree does not enhance your chances of getting into medical school and won't raise your uGPA.

You may want to look into SMP (Special Masters Programs) such as the one at UVa or Georgetown (there are others). They are expensive but they greatly enhance your chances of getting into medical school provided you do very well.

The same argument goes for nursing. Don't go into nursing with the idea that you are going to head into medical school from nursing. Sure, some nurses go into medicine but nursing is going to be a completely fresh degree for you and won't enhance your credentials for medical school.

If you want medicine, look into things that will get you into medicine and not nursing or graduate school (outside of SMPs). You also need to take and score well on the Medical College Admissions Test once you are done with your pre-reqs. Good luck!