Looking for honest advice

[ss93]

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I'm just getting started down the path to applying. I still have some doubts that I'll ever get accepted but I feel if I don't move forward now I'll have serious regrets. Given my stats/background, anyone have any honest advice on how to be the best applicant? Maybe share how you started down this path and were at one point in my shoes?

Age - 34
BA/MA gpa: 3.1 (biology)/ 3.9 (Environmental Science/Analysis). Took all pre-med coursework then and did fine except for physics/calculus/2nd semester orgo which I got either a C or C+ in. This was the reason I never pursued med school right out of college.

7+ years work experience as an ecologist, 2 published papers

Starting post-bacc coursework this semester, not part of a formal post-bacc program although I'm considering applying for one. This semester I'm taking physiology, microbiology, and calculus I.

I have 2 main ECs that I've done for a while, but am lacking volunteer/clinical experience. I just signed up to volunteer at a local hospital and hope things grow from there.

Given my age I feel really behind. Is there hope to catch up, get the necessary volunteering/clinical experience to apply before i turn 50? 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

Given my age I feel really behind. Is there hope to catch up, get the necessary volunteering/clinical experience to apply before i turn 50? 🙂

Yes.

It looks like you're done w/ pre-reqs and just taking upper division classes to raise your grades. So if you get in a solid 1.5 years of good post-bac grades and GPA (ideally 3.8+) and take the MCAT this fall or next spring, you could be applying in summer 2010 to start in summer 2011. Best of luck. 🙂

P.S. For success stories and tons of good advice, check out some of the links in the sticky at the top of this forum. I would hate to think I had collated them all in vain. 😉

 

[ss93]

Thanks - I did read the sticky before posting this thread.

My pre-reqs were originally taken over 10+years ago so I was going to re-take most, if not all. I figured I would need this for the MCAT anyway. I thought med-schools wouldn't accept pre-reqs taken that long ago. Any thoughts?

 

[ruraldr]

Most of my pre-reqs were as old as yours and I haven't had trouble with not updating them all...for me I did physics and o-chem recently, all the bio and gen chem are old...(part of schools being okay with this might be demonstrating that you can handle the material you aren't recently retaking via the MCAT).

Check with the specific schools you are interested in as some may tow the line on the recent-ness of grades more than others.

 

[craniopage]

Ditto what ruraldr said. I spoke to one adcom member last week who told me that biology and chemistry would have to be more recent (within 5 years) as they are continually evolving fields, but different schools do have different guidelines.

My history is similar to yours: I'm 35 and have a 13 year old UG biology degree, ~3.1 also. I'm taking all prereqs over again to prepare for MCATs, to show that I can do well in them this time around / raise GPA, and to have the best possible foundation in the basics going into med school, should I actually get accepted somewhere.

 

[PB2464]

My story is somewhat similar.
I just turned 31 and I also have a Biology degree that is about 9 years old with approx a 3.3 GPA. I also decided to retake all of the prereqs as a refresher and because of some sub-par grades. A C in physics and C's in O-chem are what made me give up on med school back then. Such a bad decision now that I think about it.
I've been retaking all the prereqs over the last year or so with a 4.0 avg.
Don't worry, you will do fine. It's easy now! You should also have plenty of time to gain some good clinical experience.

 

[thoffen]

You are quite capable of getting into med school with a little work. The question is, are you prepared to start a new career in your 40s?

 

[flip26]

You are quite capable of getting into med school with a little work. The question is, are you prepared to start a new career in your 40s?

amend the above question with: under a mountain of debt?

 

[BoDiddly]

I would definitely focus on the classes you received lower than a B-. Cs are not doctor friendly no matter what your overall is.

 

[punkiedad]

I owuld take the O Chem and physics first and start studying for the MCAT. Get Examkrqckers complete set and EK Audio Osmosis. These two with refreshing some of the pre reqs should help you out.

It seemed there was a good amount if solution chem for inorganic chem and more bio than O Chem wen I took the MCAT last year, though I am sure they update them constantly.

I was just about to turn 36 when I got the b***s to tell my wife I wanted to quit my good paying job and go to med school.......she said she knew it but was just patiently waiting for me to tell her!?!? In any event, I will be just ready turn 39 when I start this fall.

I said this before, but it sounded good, so I will say it again. Going back to school with a bunch of 18 year olds did not make me feel old. I took it all in stride and really mete some good people. Funny thing was, it was being around osme of them that kept me young. Working hard, doing what they seemed to think would be impossible was quite fulfilling......It is my own kids and the mortgage and the job that make me feel old.........

Focus on what you want, get a plan together and then execute. The time will fly by.

Best of luck to you.

 

[doctor712]

My story is somewhat similar.
I just turned 31 and I also have a Biology degree that is about 9 years old with approx a 3.3 GPA. I also decided to retake all of the prereqs as a refresher and because of some sub-par grades. A C in physics and C's in O-chem are what made me give up on med school back then. Such a bad decision now that I think about it.
I've been retaking all the prereqs over the last year or so with a 4.0 avg.
Don't worry, you will do fine. It's easy now! You should also have plenty of time to gain some good clinical experience.

check my MDapps. I'm your age. There are lots of us here. It's not about the odds, it's about committing to doing this for the rest of our lives. I'm game. 😀

D712