Looking for Post Bac program please help

[tobe101484]

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Hi! After much "soul searching" and working for the past year I've come to the conclusion that I want to go to medical school, but I definitely need a post bacc program to make my application more competitive. After perusing the forums and reading about many of the different schools and options, I'm still confused about what may be the best program for my situation, hopefully I'm not too late in terms for the app cycle for 2010. Thank you in advance for your help and guidance

Here's my story

UCLA '08, BS in physiological sciences, took 5 years sorry mom and dad
2.687 GPA for science =/
3.012 in upper division courses for major
3.071 overall

3 years student athletic trainer (ate up all of my time 20 to 30 hrs/ week in retrospect probably not the best decision, sigh)
5 months orthopedic research April 08 to Sept 08
I have 4 potential LOR, one from a major course, one from non-science course, one from my supervising athletic trainer, and one from my boss who keeps asking me when I'm going to go back to school lol
I want to go to DO school.

Sept 08 to present, been working full time as an surgical recovery tech for an eye and tissue bank in los angeles and orange county for transplant and research, will hopefully work with the organ side soon.

I'm trying to get a research job on the side, but with the budget cuts, its soo bad. I'm hoping to shadow my own personal doc because he is an DO, but also going to contact the DO's I worked with through athletic training.

I took an MCAT class last spring but with my job demands didn't have enough time to honestly put into studying, and didn't feel ready for the mcat, I'm trying to bargain with Kaplan to let me take the class again. I'm looking at taking the MCAT in the spring of next year, but I'm flexible if you guys feel that I should take it sooner because I realize some post bac programs want a score. I'm looking for a more structured program because I need it, and if possible to maybe get a masters out of it. Cost isn't really an issue because I've been saving up a lot of $$ from work and there's always loans, and if I go to med school I'm planning on having the military probably pay for it. Location isn't much of an issue as well because a change of scenary from socal would probably be nice.

Also on side note, whats the average age of people entering med school, I'll be 25 soon and I feel like I'm quickly getting on the upper end of med school applicants.

Again thanks for your time and let me know if you need any other info.

 

[njbmd]

Go to the AAMC site and do a search for postbaccalaureate programs. Their website has every program in the country listed so that you can see what they offer and check them out. Do be aware that if you enter a post bacc program, you need to be ready to work at a very high level. A post bacc is essentially a second chance. You can't have a mediocre performance so clear your schedule and be prepared to work extremely hard and do extremely well in this type of program. A mediocre performance can end your medical school chances, DO or MD.

Since I started allopathic medical school at age 45 (I was the third oldest in my class with the oldest being 53), being in your 20s isn't much of an issue. Also keep in mind that when you retake the MCAT, you need to take it only one time more. If you are not ready, don't take that test. No postbacc program is going to offset a mediocre MCAT performance on a repeat. You also can't keep repeating the MCAT either as each retake diminishes your chances of acceptance.

Your plan is sound if you take your time, save your money and do a thorough prep for both academics and the MCAT as to do anything less is going to be both expensive and unsuccessful.

You have already mentioned "job demands" in your post. I can tell you that working and going to school for post bacc work is very difficult for most students. When there are conflicts, it's always the academics that suffer and not the work. Don't let this happen to you. Take your time and do well.