Major change in career path. Guidance?

[Colonel Mustard]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I was dead set on being a doctor until my senior year of high school. I did well there, including plenty of science, English, philosophy, debate, music, and math, all of which I excelled in.

For a series of foolish reasons, I worked for four years, went back to college, and chose to study business instead. I was terribly bored with the business program and the lack of any challenge -- I rarely attended or made an effort and will be finishing with a 3.1 GPA, no science.

My work history and extracurriculars include: Information systems, politics, communication.

I was interested in law until the realities of the profession were less than appealing. I've already invested a bit of time preparing for LSATs. Economics is another alternative.

Currently I'm self-employed, doing fine financially and due to graduate in December. I have some electives left to fill (one semester left) and I'm again considering healthcare and using my last semester (plus summer) to pick up science and upper level math courses.

Why medicine? Prestige, meaningful work, the challenge, and ongoing change and new developments. I do well in environments that challenge me but quite poorly in environments that don't. I'm not terribly concerned about income.

Due to my age, 28, the pre-med advisor I spoke to at my university suggested healthcare management and healthcare administration as alternatives that would utilize my education and experience.

Setting aside the likely answer that this may not be for me, what is my next step? Is the Caribbean my only option? What about post-baccalaureate pre-med programs?

I'm signing up to volunteer at a hospital to get some exposure. I have doctors and nurses in my immediate family to draw some support and experience from as well.

Thanks for your time and honesty. I've been talking to everyone I possibly can, and greatly appreciate your input.

 

[PCxX]

I was dead set on being a doctor until my senior year of high school. I did well there, including plenty of science, English, philosophy, debate, music, and math, all of which I excelled in.

For a series of foolish reasons, I worked for four years, went back to college, and chose to study business instead. I was terribly bored with the business program and the lack of any challenge -- I rarely attended or made an effort and will be finishing with a 3.1 GPA, no science.

My work history and extracurriculars include: Information systems, politics, communication.

I was interested in law until the realities of the profession were less than appealing. I've already invested a bit of time preparing for LSATs. Economics is another alternative.

Currently I'm self-employed, doing fine financially and due to graduate in December. I have some electives left to fill (one semester left) and I'm again considering healthcare and using my last semester (plus summer) to pick up science and upper level math courses.

Why medicine? Prestige, meaningful work, the challenge, and ongoing change and new developments. I do well in environments that challenge me but quite poorly in environments that don't. I'm not terribly concerned about income.

Due to my age, 28, the pre-med advisor I spoke to at my university suggested healthcare management and healthcare administration as alternatives that would utilize my education and experience.

Setting aside the likely answer that this may not be for me, what is my next step? Is the Caribbean my only option? What about post-baccalaureate pre-med programs?

I'm signing up to volunteer at a hospital to get some exposure. I have doctors and nurses in my immediate family to draw some support and experience from as well.

Thanks for your time and honesty. I've been talking to everyone I possibly can, and greatly appreciate your input.

I'm no expert on this, but I'd imagine that with a good MCAT score as well as bringing up your GPA some, you could be competitive in DO schools.

DO > Carribean seems to be the general consensus here.

 

[Catalystik]

A formal postbacc program with strong linkage to a med school would be ideal for you. Wander over to SDN's Postbaccalaureate Programs Forum and see the list of programs and what they require, cost, etc. Definitely start the volunteering and also see if you could shadow a doc or two for awhile to get their perspectives on medical practice and so you can see what they do all day, beyond the glory of saving lives.