Information for new Pre-med

[foley08]

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Hi everyone, I've been reading posts for a couple of weeks now, I've taken in a lot of information and I've also managed to become confused on some points as well.

A little about myself:
I've been in and out of college since I graduated high school in 2002. My GPA at my previous two schools was 3.6 and 3.65. During semesters that I was not in school I was either traveling or working.
I went back to school last semester and I am in a program where I design my own major, I've been revising it but it's going to be a combination of psychology and hard sciences (pre-med requirements). I received a 4.0 last semester and just started taking Bio I and Chem I this semester. I see no reason why I won't be able to get an A in both. This summer I will take Bio II and Chem II and from there I have my senior year to complete a year of Orgo and Physics.

Does anything that I have stated thus far present any big problems for med school?

Looking at a couple of med schools I would need to have a completed AMCAS application by Dec 15, 2008. At that point I would just be finishing up Orgo I and Physics I. Is it possible to apply to med school in general before completing all the pre-requ's.

Also, there's the matter of MCAT's. Do MCAT scores go on the AMCAS application?

Ok, I'm going to stop there because my head is starting to spin, basically any advice would be much appreciated especially from anyone who experienced this type of time crunch.

Thank you.

 

[Luxian]

Does anything that I have stated thus far present any big problems for med school?

Some schools will frown upon breaks in your academic career. I know that Wash U requires you to have a letter from the Dean of each school that you took time off from. Basically, they all want to know if you will be able to go through a very heavy load in four years. That said, I don't think it's impossible. Just apply broadly.

Looking at a couple of med schools I would need to have a completed AMCAS application by Dec 15, 2008. At that point I would just be finishing up Orgo I and Physics I. Is it possible to apply to med school in general before completing all the pre-requ's.

Don't be fooled by application deadlines. Almost all the schools out there have rolling admissions. That means you have a much better chance if you apply early (July) rather than late (Dec) no matter what the officialy deadline is. I think you would have a much better chance if you finish all your coursework, take time to study for the MCAT and then apply in 2009. (I say this cause I applied "late" in November in 2007 and got not a single interview. Applying in July/Aug 2008 got me four interviews including two at schools that had completely rejected me before.)

Also, there's the matter of MCAT's. Do MCAT scores go on the AMCAS application?

Yup, MCAT scores are part of your AMCAS. The AMCAS will also ask you to have each school you attended submit an official transcript, then they will take 4-6 weeks to verify the grades.

All in all, I think you should know that your academic history will be a downside from the point of view of most admissions commitees (adcoms). You'll have to make sure you do well on the MCAT, have some clinical volunteering experience, a good essay, and apply early and broadly.If you really want this, you can make it happen. Don't rush it!