Is it Worth Pursuing?

[TradNonPod]

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So guys.

I'm 21, graduate college with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. It wasn't anything special, and my cumulative is a 3.0 if they calculate it for pod admissions would be a 2.8 roughly I imagine.

The thing I'm considering if I've been working in sales for the last 2 years (specifically tech startups) but I'm not being challenged academically and its not my passion. I was initially pre-med for my first year in college, but I didn't dedicate enough time or effort since I was working.

I really want to go back to school, roughly for 2-3 years and get a BS in Biology on top of my degree and apply to pre-pod schools. Do you think starting Pod school at 24/25 is too late? Also will my previous degree has more weight than my new degree?

The reason podiatry is that I specifically sell currently to medical professionals and have an uncle who was a podiatrist (he just retired) and use to be in and out of his clinic all the time. So it's not like a spur of the moment thing. I just would love some feedback.

 

[TradNonPod]

Or one step further would it be better to just do the pre-reqs since I have the 'degree' and take the pre-reqs and a couple harder courses in Biology? Which if I took at a CC or even at the local university (ASU) could be done in 2 years tops (including summers).

 

[Sweatshirt]

I wouldn't bother getting a whole new degree. Only take the pre-reqs you need. No need taking any other useless bio classes like ecology or something. Take only what you need and ace those classes. Oh and you'll have to take the mcat at some point

No 24-25 is not too late. I think in my upcoming class there at least 1 person in their 30s

 

[TradNonPod]

I wouldn't bother getting a whole new degree. Only take the pre-reqs you need. No need taking any other useless bio classes like ecology or something. Take only what you need and ace those classes. Oh and you'll have to take the mcat at some point

No 24-25 is not too late. I think in my upcoming class there at least 1 person in their 30s

That makes sense. I know it's been beaten to death on here, but whats your opinion on CC vs. 4 Year for the pre-reqs? I'm leaning towards 4 years but the price difference (20K vs. 5K) seems like a big difference. Especially if I focused a ton of time on MCAT and blow it out.

 

[dorsiflexor]

That makes sense. I know it's been beaten to death on here, but whats your opinion on CC vs. 4 Year for the pre-reqs? I'm leaning towards 4 years but the price difference (20K vs. 5K) seems like a big difference. Especially if I focused a ton of time on MCAT and blow it out.

First off I'm in the 24-25 and I'm a first year. I took 2 years off after graduating from my undergrad and I'd say thats fairly common for my class at scholl.

If its possible for you to just take the pre-reqs at a university level I would recommend that. Pod school is no joke academically. However, I do understand the money. Have you thought about doing a post-bacc rather than completing another Bachelors? I think if you can get into a post-bacc that offers a masters that would be what I would do. I think that would also better prepare you for the rigors of professional school.

 

[TradNonPod]

First off I'm in the 24-25 and I'm a first year. I took 2 years off after graduating from my undergrad and I'd say thats fairly common for my class at scholl.

If its possible for you to just take the pre-reqs at a university level I would recommend that. Pod school is no joke academically. However, I do understand the money. Have you thought about doing a post-bacc rather than completing another Bachelors? I think if you can get into a post-bacc that offers a masters that would be what I would do. I think that would also better prepare you for the rigors of professional school.

I've looked into several post baccs, the one which is closest to me and most viable isn't a real post-bacc. It's just a research program for applying to MD or MD-PhD's (its ASU).

I'm even thinking of just knowing out the Bio/Phys/Chem at a community college over a summer/fall semester and then go to a 4 year for ochem/biochem/AP and a couple more high-level Bio courses. I know I have the Science aptitude since I took a couple Speech Language Pathology (hard science) courses and enjoyed it.

I figure that even a mixed approach CC/4 Year would be better than just CC.

 

[dorsiflexor]

I've looked into several post baccs, the one which is closest to me and most viable isn't a real post-bacc. It's just a research program for applying to MD or MD-PhD's (its ASU).

I'm even thinking of just knowing out the Bio/Phys/Chem at a community college over a summer/fall semester and then go to a 4 year for ochem/biochem/AP and a couple more high-level Bio courses. I know I have the Science aptitude since I took a couple Speech Language Pathology (hard science) courses and enjoyed it.

I figure that even a mixed approach CC/4 Year would be better than just CC.

Yeah a mixed approach is probably your best bet if you plan on taking upper level bio classes on top of pre-reqs (which I highly recommend).
If you plan on staying in the local area why not just call up midwestern and see what they have to say?

 

[ro221]

Man you got all the time in world! There are at least 5 people in NYCPM (first year) who are 30 or above. Take those pre-req and kill your MCATs. Also there is someone in my class with a dance degree.. As long as you take the classes you need and perform well then you should be ok. Good luck!

 

[FootAndAnkle]

I've looked into several post baccs, the one which is closest to me and most viable isn't a real post-bacc. It's just a research program for applying to MD or MD-PhD's (its ASU).

Midwestern's Arizona campus also offers both MA (9 months) and MBS (2 years) opportunities that are good gateways to graduate medical education. Quite a few AZCOM students graduated from those programs. You would need to have the same pre-requisite courses finished before that, however, so for you that may be more of a moot point. If you can get everything done at a community college, there's really no point in shelling out extra money to larger institutions.

 

[AttackNME]

Never too late, I have had successful classmates 30+ years old who already have had previous careers and decided to switch to podiatry

 

[Weirdy]

Not too late. Doing my masters right now. Also just had a convo with @BTR1208 . We're both 24/25 by the time we apply.

Would suggest mixed as they've stated above. Pre-reqs done at CC to save you money and perhaps a bit more flexible time wise. Uni for upper level bio and electives like pharm/micro/histol/neurochem.

Kill the MCAT. Murder it.

Keep us updated.