In need of some advice.

[copon]

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Where do i even begin? I am 25 just started school in spring after taking over the family business at 21. I had not been in school since i graduated high School at 17.

I am fully committed to pursuing my dream of being a doctor. The reason why I took over the family business is that my father became ill and still needed to have the income but could not run the company, that's where I came in. He is now retired so I am back to being a Doctor.

Well being out of school for a long time might have been a good thing because it really ignited the passion I needed to get through this. But it was a bad thing because I have to take every intro level class known to man.

I need some advice or critiquing on how i am doing and what i am doing in the future.

Keep in mind i hadn't attended school for 8 years. I am also Majoring in History. I am trying to get most of my pre-reqs for the major out of the way and then when i transfer in the spring of 11' to a university is when i will jump into my sciences.

Spring 10
Math 082- yes the second lowest math- A
English 101- A
Psychology 101- A
History- B

Summer 1
Math 092- A
English 102- A

Summer 2
Math 121-Russian teacher very tough to understand- C
History- B

Fall 10'
Intro to Chemistry 130- I really enjoy it...shooting for no less than an "A"
Math 152 Algebra- Have a great teacher so an "A"
Environmental ethics- I am now wishing i would have just done an normal ethics class-
History- Online class.

In the spring I will be taking General Chem and starting Intro the bio. Then I will be doing physics in the summer sessions and waiting on the chem and bio till fall. I am not sure when to take the MCAT maybe spring of 12' or end of 12' but thats what i am shooting for. I hope to finish with a GPA over 3.7 in both science and regular.

Please advise or critique on my plan and what i should do.
Thanks!

 

[kevster2001]

So your plan is to take a lot of science classes and get really good grades?

If only other people came up with smart plans like you...


Overall, dont sweat the timeline stuff as much as you should be sweating your activities. Even if you delay applying an extra year, it wont make a big difference in the long run. Focus on establishing a strong EC list that demonstrates your passion for medicine and the rest will sort itself out.

 

[LizzyM]

In the time since you graduated HS have you been engaged in any volunteer activity, membership in a service organization, hobbies, other activities besides family business? Have you worked or volunteered in a clinical setting? Have you shadowed a physician? How have you tested your interest in medicine as a career? That should be something you focus on in the coming 12 months.

You are "off" by a semester (having started in Spring) but taking courses in summer you may be catching up.... Typically, students take MCAT at the end of the third year of study and apply in June before starting the final year of undergrad.... you will either catch up so that your graduation is in late spring with matriculation sometime in the 4 mos after graduation OR you will have a gap of 6-9 mos after college graduation.... in either case, you should apply in June before your final academic year of study whether that academic year ends for you in fall or spring. You should figure on taking the MCAT in January-May before your final academic year.