many questions, please help :)

[slicejl152]

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Hello, everyone!

I'm hoping to matriculate in the fall of 2014 but I'm getting a bit concerned about my current pace/trajectory.

I guess I'm considered to be a nontraditional student so I will provide some background...

I'm a post-baccalaureate student (graduated from Juilliard in 2011 w/ degree in piano performance) and have been taking prerequisite courses for the past year.
So far I have taken..
Two semesters of physics (1 and 2)
Two semesters of math (calculus 1 and statistics)
Two semesters of English Literature and Writing
I'm currently taking my first semesters of Biology and Chemistry and will be taking the second semesters this coming spring. I am planning to take Organic Chemistry during the summer of 2013.
prereq GPA so far = 4.0
MCAT = n/a
EC = volunteering at children's hospital (oncology/hematology unit), recently got my CNA certification but no CNA work experience yet, nonprofit music outreach performances at nursing homes (I made this website to track my adventures http://coloradomusicoutreach.org/), piano competitions and performances, music festivals, teaching a couple piano students, accompanying pianist acquaintances at competitions and concerts, clubs at school (AMSA and brigades)
Shadowing = Cardiovascular Surgery, Emergency Medicine, General Medicine (PA)

Now for the things that I'm concerned about..

1. For the AMCAS, I understand that it's best to submit the application as soon as it opens? I think Juneish? However, by June of 2013, I will not have my Organic Chemistry credits and MCAT score yet. Will this be a problem or can I update the application as I complete them?

2. The latest MCAT score they will take is September of 2013 and I wont finish my Organic Chemistry classes until early August. This leaves me with only a month to study. Instead, I was thinking of studying for the MCAT and Organic Chemistry on my own, beginning asap. How possible is this considering that I'm still in the process of finishing my first semester of general bio and chem courses?

3. With my strange background and late MCAT and Organic Chemistry credits, is there still a chance to be matriculated in the fall of 2014?

4. Is there anything crucial that I'm missing? Any other limiting factors that I should be worried about?

Sorry for the long post! Thanks for your time and thoughts.

-Jeff

 

[ClemsonFirst]

1. For the AMCAS, I understand that it's best to submit the application as soon as it opens? I think Juneish? However, by June of 2013, I will not have my Organic Chemistry credits and MCAT score yet. Will this be a problem or can I update the application as I complete them?

There is a section in AMCAS for you to write future courses or courses currently enrolled. That is meant for just this scenario. You can add organic as one of those classes.

2. The latest MCAT score they will take is September of 2013 and I wont finish my Organic Chemistry classes until early August. This leaves me with only a month to study. Instead, I was thinking of studying for the MCAT and Organic Chemistry on my own, beginning asap. How possible is this considering that I'm still in the process of finishing my first semester of general bio and chem courses?

Organic is not a huge part of the MCAT, and a lot of it is memorization of the reactions. Exam Krackers has a pretty good organic book that I used. It is definitely doable. Since you will have just taken organic, it should be pretty fresh in your mind and will require more of a review.

3. With my strange background and late MCAT and Organic Chemistry credits, is there still a chance to be matriculated in the fall of 2014?

If you get your AMCAS in with all prereqs accounted for, GPA high enough, MCAT high enough, you should have a chance. Remember, if your state school has a high in-state preference, then that school is your best friend. Apply early as well so you have the best chance at open spots.

4. Is there anything crucial that I'm missing? Any other limiting factors that I should be worried about?

Your ECs all look pretty solid! You have that going for you. Keep up the clinical experience as you approach your application submission, and if anything, you can always send a letter of intent or update letter to your interested schools with your updated organic grade.

Good luck, Jeff.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Bottom line: if you do well in pre-reqs (which you are) and have good ECs, LORs and a good MCAT, your different background will be extremely interesting and appealing to adcoms. Especially Juilliard - holy cow 🙂

And yeah, just make sure you have good longevity to your clinical experiences, as well as most everything else.

Clemson hit the nail on the head regarding #1 and #2 - no worries about Orgo MCAT-wise, since many of the reactions they want you to know, they want you to know it conceptually and not necessarily mechanistically - much of the time, they'll give you information that you would otherwise have to memorize for class.

But one last thing - be prepared to explain why medicine, especially in light of your music degree from Juilliard. This would be a good opportunity to show maturity and growth and help assuage any adcom fears that you might change your mind from medicine to some other field. From their perspective, the only thing they see is somebody who quickly switched to medicine from music, so it's up to you to thoroughly convince them. Good luck!

 

[mmmcdowe]

Closing thread, those who wish to help can do so here.

 

[Fivo]

OP. Search google first and then make threads to fill in the blanks