Interested in feedback/advice...

[thamfgoat]

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Long time reader first time poster...

I graduated in May of 2009 with a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. Since about 2005 I have wanted to go to medical school I just did not feel like I could commit to the math/science courses at the time to have a good enough GPA to get accepted. I was young, stupid, and lazy as a student and spent most my time in college sleeping/partying. Fortunately, because Political Science was pretty easy for me I graduated with a 3.6 GPA.

Fast forward to today, I have worked as a financial analyst for 2 years and hated it realizing by the day that if I don't at least pursue medical school I will greatly regret it. I am a lot more mature/focused now on my desire to succeed so I think doing okay in the Math/Science courses is doable.

I currently live in Hawaii and my plan is as follows: this summer take Bio 1/2 with lab at a local CC along with Chem 1/2 with lab and a precalculus course. I will then transfer to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to take 2 semesters of Calculus, Physics and Organic Chemistry.

I would like to rush this process as quickly as possible because I am 26 and even going at the fastest rate possible I still would not enter med school until 28. My question for you all is what do you recommend? Should I try to get it all done as quickly as possible which would mean a Fall semester of: Orgo 1, Physics 1, Calculus 1 Spring: Orgo 2, Physics 2, Calculus 2 and then the August MCAT.. or do you think it would be best to space it out a bit?

Also, how detrimental/weird will it look for me to have a BA from Minnesota and then to be doing all this science/math work in Hawaii, will it even matter? Financially it makes more sense for me to do it this way rather than to attend a more formal post-bacc program.

Thanks!

 

[Dr. Ducky]

Long time reader first time poster...

I graduated in May of 2009 with a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. Since about 2005 I have wanted to go to medical school I just did not feel like I could commit to the math/science courses at the time to have a good enough GPA to get accepted. I was young, stupid, and lazy as a student and spent most my time in college sleeping/partying. Fortunately, because Political Science was pretty easy for me I graduated with a 3.6 GPA.

Fast forward to today, I have worked as a financial analyst for 2 years and hated it realizing by the day that if I don't at least pursue medical school I will greatly regret it. I am a lot more mature/focused now on my desire to succeed so I think doing okay in the Math/Science courses is doable.

I currently live in Hawaii and my plan is as follows: this summer take Bio 1/2 with lab at a local CC along with Chem 1/2 with lab and a precalculus course. I will then transfer to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to take 2 semesters of Calculus, Physics and Organic Chemistry.

I would like to rush this process as quickly as possible because I am 26 and even going at the fastest rate possible I still would not enter med school until 28. My question for you all is what do you recommend? Should I try to get it all done as quickly as possible which would mean a Fall semester of: Orgo 1, Physics 1, Calculus 1 Spring: Orgo 2, Physics 2, Calculus 2 and then the August MCAT.. or do you think it would be best to space it out a bit?

Also, how detrimental/weird will it look for me to have a BA from Minnesota and then to be doing all this science/math work in Hawaii, will it even matter? Financially it makes more sense for me to do it this way rather than to attend a more formal post-bacc program.

Thanks!

First off, taking Bio 1/2, Gen Chem 1/2 and a pre calculus course over one summer will be tough. As you can imagine summer classes move at a fast pace, and the each day is usually something different.

Of course, getting this done in a timely manner is important, but you don't want to do it at a pace that is going to harm your GPA. Finding a happy medium is going to be essential. Do you have other commitments (work, dependents, etc)? These aren't simple courses you are talking about taking, so, expect to be a bit overwhelmed just by classes alone.

I don't see why it would be a huge issue about taking classes in Hawaii. It's where you live. You aren't expected to do all of your pre-reqs in Minnesota since your BA is from there.

What is your exposure to medicine? ECs? Remember, you still have to take the MCAT (which, doing well will require you to master said material) AND AMCAS/AACOMAS. 2 years from now may be pushing it.... Good Luck, OP! 🙂 👍