MD after computer science

[3dObject]

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Hi there. I'm a 27 year old computer science major with about 4 plus years of experience in my industry. I am currently employed full time, and put in about 50 hours a week. I have recently developed an interest in the medical and dental profession. The hardest thing for me to do was work full time and complete my dental school pre-requisites, and prepare for the DAT, and volunteer at a dental clinic. My scores were decent and I have applied to alot of private dental schools, I don't know if I will get in but I want to keep some options open. I don't think I have the strength to prepare for the MCAT, and by no means do I wish to demean the medical profession, but are there any schools of medicine that will accept students with less than stellar or even no MCAT scores? I did very well as a full time student in college but with a full time job now, I have very little time to study, hence I was wondering if such an option exists for prospective medical students. Thank you for time.

 

[NonTradMed]

Computer Science major turned medical student here.

I have to tell you, there are no US medical schools that will take you without the MCAT save for the handful of 6 and 7 year programs that takes students straight from undergraduate. As for 'less than steller' MCAT scores, it depends on what your score is. The average matriculate for MD schools have MCAT scores of about 30. DO schools' average is about a 25. The average GPA for accepted students at MD schools is 3.6-3.7, and probably something below that for science GPA. DO schools' GPA is ~3.3. Are your scores in range for that? If your GPA is above that range, then your MCAT can afford to be a point or two below the standard average, and vice versa. Med schools also require clinical/volunteer experience, so you will need to get some of that.

FYI, if you don't think you can get into dental school, med school is not a good 'backup' as it is not any easier to get into.

 

[Richie Truxillo]

I was a comp-sci major. 😀 Go buy MCAT Audio Osmosis and the Examcrackers books and read them (takes about 2 months reading 30 minutes an evening) It brought my MCAT up to the magic number mentioned above. 🙂 Apply to M.D./D.O. schools that you like and then just go for it. As for volunteer work, ask to volunteer at the hospital for a couple weekends. Medicine is 1000x more interesting than programming to me. My life is no longer an episode of Office Space 😛 With a little bit of work you can get in.

Plus, you'll have a tremendous edge with being familiar with technology, especially on clinical rotations.

Just know this. If you have a family, it will be a rough road with all of the hours required for study while you are in school. As for whether or not it is worth it? So far I'd say yes!

-Richie

 

[3dObject]

Thanks for the advice guys. My GPA upon graduation with my computer science degree was a 3.5, and I'm not married or involved in a serious relationship yet, so I guess I just gotta find the time and start hitting the books.

 

[NonTradMed]

I forgot to tell you that the rule of thumb is a 3.5 and 30 MCAT for med school, usually your state school will accept those stats. Your GPA is solid, especially given that it's CS (which most people would not consider a 'soft' major). Just get a 30 and make sure your BCPM GPA is at least ~3.4 range.....oh yeah, make sure to have done some science coursework at a four year university if you haven't already done so. If you did your prereqs there already then no prob, if you did your stuff at a CC, then it's suggested you do some upper division courses at a four year uni (also you will need to ask the schools if they take CC as some med schools have policies against accepting science credits from CC).

 

[thoffen]

Some good advice here. I am also a CS (well, technically CompE & currently working in embedded software) non-trad. Your GPA is good enough, but you do have a tough hill to climb. Med school requires a lot more than just a GPA and MCAT. You need a history of volunteer work and especially clinical experience, which will really tell you if you want to be in medicine. Some research background can really help for most of the allopathic (MD) schools.

What is your ultimate goal? Is it to become a good physician? If you are interested in primary care and you do not want to be a researcher, than osteopathic (DO) schools offer a lot with an easier path to acceptance.

 

[Taurus]

My advice is to not discount dental school. It's a very good option and it is easier to get into than med. In hindsight, I would have chosen that path because no residency, low malpractice, and less overall bs.