Looking for some advice and support

[Jbunny]

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Hi everybody!

I've been reading a lot of posts here for some motivation, but this is my first time posting.

Just briefly, I was 16 when I graduated high school (2000), didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life, and I also launched a passive aggressive rebellion against my very proper, very indian parents, so my early college years have a lot of bad grades and repeats. (Even I was a little shocked when I saw it presented so starkly on the AACOMAS website!) I matured and managed to straighten myself out and complete a bachelors in Radiation Therapy (2009) thinking I'd work in the field for a few years and go back to school. Unfortunately, I graduated right in the middle of the big market slump, and couldn't find a job. So I kept my pharmacy tech job (10 years!) and recently (July 2012) started working as a clinical research coordinator (mostly oncology). Both of these jobs are part time, so I barely make anything and am constantly..unsatisfied.

I recently turned 30 this past summer, and decided to bite the bullet and apply to med schools, which has been my dream for some time, but just seemed too unattainable.

I just have a few questions, and I hope some of you with more experience and insight will help me out.

1. What are my chances with DO schools with all the repeats? (about 6-7 years ago). Also, some of my non science pre-reqs are atleast 13 years old. Too old? My GPA is ns3.07, s3.15, c3.11. I have yet to take the MCAT (probably early 2014)

2. I've been thinking I'll most probably need a post bacc program to boost my GPA. My bachelor's was pretty physics heavy but I don't have enough organic chemistry (most require 8 credits). I already have a 4 credit Organic/Biochem class (finished with a 2.6). How do schools look at combo organic classes? And if I take another organic class in the winter, will this be enough to meet requirements?

3. I'd really like to apply in the 2014 cycle, hopefully start a post bacc program in fall 2014 – and med school in 2015. Does this seem doable?

4. EC/experience wise, I've been a pharm tech for years, my bachelor's involved lots of clinic hours, I currently work in clinical research, and I'm also really active in my local temple (planning and organizing health fairs, educational seminars, tutoring kids, going with non-english speaking members to appointments as translator, etc) – any other recommendations?

I hope this wasn't too long, but I'd appreciate any feedback and advice, esp. from some of you ADCOM members out there.

Thanks!

 

[Goro]

Grades do not expire, but if you have any F/D/C science grades, best to retake them and only the higher grades will count as per AACOMAS' re-take policy. Does wonders for the GPA. re-takes will also betetr help with MCAT prep.

As of right now, you're at the low end of competetive for DO programs.

1. What are my chances with DO schools with all the repeats? (about 6-7 years ago). Also, some of my non science pre-reqs are atleast 13 years old. Too old? My GPA is ns3.07, s3.15, c3.11. I have yet to take the MCAT (probably early 2014)

As long as they're acceptabel to AACOMAS, they're fine. You're required to have a year of orgo for most schools.

2. I’ve been thinking I’ll most probably need a post bacc program to boost my GPA. My bachelor’s was pretty physics heavy but I don’t have enough organic chemistry (most require 8 credits). I already have a 4 credit Organic/Biochem class (finished with a 2.6). How do schools look at combo organic classes? And if I take another organic class in the winter, will this be enough to meet requirements?

No, because we won't see your newer grades that will prove to us that you can handle medical school. There;s no need to hurry...this is a marathon, not a sprint.

3. I’d really like to apply in the 2014 cycle, hopefully start a post bacc program in fall 2014 – and med school in 2015. Does this seem doable?

You need to show us that you know what a doctor's day is like, and that you like being around sick and injured people. So, you definitley have to do some shadowing, and you'll need something other than being a Pharm tech, which is very different from, say, working in hospice or pushing people around in wheelchairs, or chatting with family members in ER wait rooms. Your non-clinical ECs seem to satisfy the need to demonstrate yoru altruism and humanism.

4. EC/experience wise, I’ve been a pharm tech for years, my bachelor's involved lots of clinic hours, I currently work in clinical research, and I’m also really active in my local temple (planning and organizing health fairs, educational seminars, tutoring kids, going with non-english speaking members to appointments as translator, etc) – any other recommendations?

 

[Jbunny]

Grades do not expire, but if you have any F/D/C science grades, best to retake them and only the higher grades will count as per AACOMAS' re-take policy. Does wonders for the GPA. re-takes will also betetr help with MCAT prep.

As of right now, you're at the low end of competetive for DO programs.

1. What are my chances with DO schools with all the repeats? (about 6-7 years ago). Also, some of my non science pre-reqs are atleast 13 years old. Too old? My GPA is ns3.07, s3.15, c3.11. I have yet to take the MCAT (probably early 2014)

As long as they're acceptabel to AACOMAS, they're fine. You're required to have a year of orgo for most schools.

2. I’ve been thinking I’ll most probably need a post bacc program to boost my GPA. My bachelor’s was pretty physics heavy but I don’t have enough organic chemistry (most require 8 credits). I already have a 4 credit Organic/Biochem class (finished with a 2.6). How do schools look at combo organic classes? And if I take another organic class in the winter, will this be enough to meet requirements?

No, because we won't see your newer grades that will prove to us that you can handle medical school. There;s no need to hurry...this is a marathon, not a sprint.

3. I’d really like to apply in the 2014 cycle, hopefully start a post bacc program in fall 2014 – and med school in 2015. Does this seem doable?

You need to show us that you know what a doctor's day is like, and that you like being around sick and injured people. So, you definitley have to do some shadowing, and you'll need something other than being a Pharm tech, which is very different from, say, working in hospice or pushing people around in wheelchairs, or chatting with family members in ER wait rooms. Your non-clinical ECs seem to satisfy the need to demonstrate yoru altruism and humanism.

4. EC/experience wise, I’ve been a pharm tech for years, my bachelor's involved lots of clinic hours, I currently work in clinical research, and I’m also really active in my local temple (planning and organizing health fairs, educational seminars, tutoring kids, going with non-english speaking members to appointments as translator, etc) – any other recommendations?

Thanks for reply!

I have actually replaced my F/D/C grades...the only one I haven't is an combination organic/biochem class where I got a 2.6. Does AACOMAS have final say on how the credit is evaluated? As in, does it count as Organic or Biochemisty? Looks like a lot of schools don't accept a combination class as Organic credit, so I'm not sure it's worth it to retake?

As for the EC's, like I said, I work in clinical research in Oncology. I work very closely with patients and doctors. I'll add some shadowing and volunteer work though.

I guess I realize it's a marathon, not a sprint...but you know how when you make a decision, you kind of just want to do it as quickly as possible? Esp. since I feel old when I see all these youngsters on here, with their lives figured out. Starting med school in 2016, when I'm 33 seems pretty...daunting.

 

[Deekle]

Thanks for reply!

I have actually replaced my F/D/C grades...the only one I haven't is an combination organic/biochem class where I got a 2.6. Does AACOMAS have final say on how the credit is evaluated? As in, does it count as Organic or Biochemisty? Looks like a lot of schools don't accept a combination class as Organic credit, so I'm not sure it's worth it to retake?

As for the EC's, like I said, I work in clinical research in Oncology. I work very closely with patients and doctors. I'll add some shadowing and volunteer work though.

I guess I realize it's a marathon, not a sprint...but you know how when you make a decision, you kind of just want to do it as quickly as possible? Esp. since I feel old when I see all these youngsters on here, with their lives figured out. Starting med school in 2016, when I'm 33 seems pretty...daunting.

Age is a number. My advice to you is to forget about it. As a medical student and a doctor you are going to see and work with patients who won't even make it to 33. They'd all tell you the same thing: live your life and do what you love. If your dream is to be a doctor, then start now and don't worry about how long it's going to take.

I started at 31, so I'm no spring chicken. In my class of 72, we have a 33yo, 4 more between 30 and 32, and a 40-something.

You're not in a terrible situation, there are plenty of success stories in this forum who started worse off than you, so take that as encouragement and do what you gotta do to get in. Once you get an acceptance the rest will take care of itself.

 

[Goro]

Some of my all-time best students have been int heir 30s when they matriculated


I guess I realize it's a marathon, not a sprint...but you know how when you make a decision, you kind of just want to do it as quickly as possible? Esp. since I feel old when I see all these youngsters on here, with their lives figured out. Starting med school in 2016, when I'm 33 seems pretty...daunting.[/QUOTE]

 

[Shjanzey]

Here is a little perspective for you. I started my prep at 29 and will matriculate next year at 35. If you really want it, the time goes remarkably quickly. I was too busy to worry about my age.

 

[CW 2010]

Starting med school in 2016, when I'm 33 seems pretty...daunting.

The way I look at it (or least I try to 🙂) is that you will be 33 anyway! So you could start med school at 33 ... or you could be just where you are right now. The choice is up to you.

 

[Jbunny]

... or you could be just where you are right now. The choice is up to you.

Exactly what I tell myself for motivation. Thanks guys! Appreciate it!