Is it feasible?

[JohnBlack]

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I'm 23, and I graduated from the University of Arkansas with a history major and 3.2 GPA this summer. I was premed when I started college, but then I switched my major to history. Right now I'm teaching English abroad and contemplating what my next move will be. My dream has always been to become a doctor, and I regret not taking it more seriously my first few years in college. Is there any way I can go back to school and take the rest of the premed courses (or take them again), raise my GPA, and have a realistic chance of getting into a decent medical school (MD)? I've been reading other posts and it sounds like a post-bac would be the thing to do, or can I just take the courses without doing a post-bac?

(When I was in school I took Chem 1 my first semester of my freshman year, and I made an F...I took it again my sophomore year and made a C. I made a B in Biology and a B in Microbiology. I made A's in all my labs. Those were the only three premed sciences I took. Again I wasn't the most committed student in those days.)

 

[GreenTomato]

My situation was very similar -- started college with vague premed thoughts but bombed my chem class 1st semeter (D+) and didn't take another science class after that. Graduated with a 3.2 in journalism and worked in that field for several years until I couldn't ignore the desire to be a doctor anymore.
I went back and took my prereqs 2 or 3 at a time while working full-time (took me a few years), then took the MCAT in July. I'll be starting medical school in the fall 🙂
I know lots of people have had success with a post-bac, but it wasn't an option for me since I needed to keep working.
Good luck!

 

[MJB]

It's very possible...but if I was in your shoes, I'd start looking at DO schools too.

 

[JohnBlack]

Thanks for the responses! What route would you suggest I take? Should I do a post-bac? Green Tomato, did you get into an MD school?

 

[GreenTomato]

Yep, it's an MD school -- UNC, which is also where I went for undergrad (but not where I did my prereqs). Feel free to PM me if you'd like to know details; I'm happy to share.

 

[Krisss17]

JohnBlack,

The post bac doesn't need to be a formal one. The advantage to DO schools is that you can replace that low Gen Chem grade with a higher grade so that can raise your GPA. But look into both, don't limit yourself unless YOU want to go DO.

Kris