Looking for some advice

[Chillenb26]

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I am a non-tradition pre med student. Previous to starting this hopeful journey to a career in medicine I had earned a bachelors degree in business management and was working as a Financial adviser for wachovia bank. I decided after 3 years in this field that it was not for me and decided to go back to school and start this pre med track. My undergraduate degree was nothing special 2.9-3.0 range. I was really unsure of what I wanted to do with my life at the time and was not passionate in the least bit about what I was studying. I am currently doing my pre med work at Rutgers. I have taken Bio 1 and 2, Chem 1 and 2, Physics 1, Pre calc, Calc1, Organic Chem 1 and the labs required. I currently taking Orgo 2, Physics 2 and genetics. My current GPA at Rutgers based on the classes just listed is a 3.65. I have been a volunteer for the last year in my local hospitals ER, and am planning to take the MCATs this summer. With these grades, volunteer work, decent MCAT scores do I look look to be a viable candidate for acceptance? Is there anything else that I can be doing to help better my chances? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[OrangeRoost]

Don't forget to set up some shadowing. Are you also considering DO?

 

[theone1979]

I am a non-tradition pre med student. Previous to starting this hopeful journey to a career in medicine I had earned a bachelors degree in business management and was working as a Financial adviser for wachovia bank. I decided after 3 years in this field that it was not for me and decided to go back to school and start this pre med track. My undergraduate degree was nothing special 2.9-3.0 range. I was really unsure of what I wanted to do with my life at the time and was not passionate in the least bit about what I was studying. I am currently doing my pre med work at Rutgers. I have taken Bio 1 and 2, Chem 1 and 2, Physics 1, Pre calc, Calc1, Organic Chem 1 and the labs required. I currently taking Orgo 2, Physics 2 and genetics. My current GPA at Rutgers based on the classes just listed is a 3.65. I have been a volunteer for the last year in my local hospitals ER, and am planning to take the MCATs this summer. With these grades, volunteer work, decent MCAT scores do I look look to be a viable candidate for acceptance? Is there anything else that I can be doing to help better my chances? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Can you clarify something:
When you say your gpa is 3.65, do you mean that your gpa from your recent pre-med courses is 3.65 or that when you factor your recent pre-rec grades into your original undergrad gpa of 3.0, it comes out to be a 3.65?

The reason I ask, is even though it seems silly that med schools would care about your grades from years ago, the fact is when med schools calculate your gpa, they factor in all grades, regardless of when they were taken.

If your overall gpa (including your courses from years ago) has now been bumped up to 3.65, you are in good shape. However if you are saying that only your recent pre-recs are 3.65, we need to know what your overall gpa is including these courses so that we can advise you.

 

[Chillenb26]

No, unfortunately those are just from the pre-med grades so far. My plan is actually to finish a second degree here at Rutgers in biological sciences. I know I will be doing this undergrad work longer than I would like, but I feel it is necessary to show that I am a much stronger, more dedicated student than I was 5 years ago. Plus I am hoping that by taking these "extra" classes (besides those strictly required of a pre med student) it will show my enthusiasm and seriousness for getting into med school.

Thank you so much for the response, I get pretty stressed sometimes as a non-traditional. I feel I am "all in" on this plan right now having given up a career in finance and NEED to succeed. I have the motivation hopefully I can make it.

 

[0919mmk]

Yeah I actually think you are in pretty good position. Get a good score on the MCAT, and I think you should be just fine.

 

[domoloft11]

Your grades seem like you're heading in the right direction. i'm a non-trad as well and i kinda think that finishing the second degree would be a waste of time and money. After you finish orgo and physics you're pretty much done with all the pre-reqs. Start focusing on that mcat and shadowing. Put your time into that rather than other unnecessary classes. I must say that Anatomy and physio will def help you for the mcat. If you get good grades there is no reason for adcoms to not think you are a "serious and motivated" student. Good luck! 🙂

 

[slatermd]

Don't forget to set up some shadowing. Are you also considering DO?

definitely need the shadowing. depending on your MCAT you could be an excellent candidate for DO.

Instead of finishing a second Bachelor's, you could apply to MBS programs. They do not require a science degree, many just require the med school pre reqs. If you are looking to show dedication, I think a master's speaks more loudly than a second bachelor's