more undergrad or masters?

[mochafreak]

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Hey guys, I'm wondering what I can do to become competitive for DO schools. Right now, I have a B.S. degree (chemical engineering) with a 2.75 cum gpa and a 2.77 science gpa. That's from coursework more than ten years old. I went to college when I was 16 and didn't have a clue what I was doing there. 🙄 I'm going to retake chem, ochem, and physics. I'm taking bio for the first time right now (with physics). If I get A's my cum gpa will be a 3.09 and the science will be a 3.49. Would taking more undergrad (biochem, genetics, etc.) and having a cum of 3.2 and a science of 3.6, with an MCAT in the low 30's be competitive? Do DO schools care if the work is done part-time or full-time? Or, would I have to do a one-year masters with straight science courses (no research) after my pre-reqs to become competitive? Also, do DO schools require that the english courses be composition, or do they accept literature courses that had writing components? I do want to be a DO and plan on concentrating my efforts on DO schools. I considered becoming a chiropractor after resigning my engineering job. But, I became an EMT instead and fell in love with medicine. I've been an EMT for two years, and I have one year of caretaking experience at an assisted living house.🙄

 

[NDESTRUKT]

chemE is freakin' hard. I was a mechE and that was hard enough...but chemE...geez that's crazy!

you resigned from being an engineer? dang...crazy. I'm staying an engineering until I head off to school next year.

I don't think they care if the classes are part time or full time because I took classes part time - ochem2, ochem lab, and anthropology. just do whatever it takes to get a higher GPA and score a 30 on the MCAT and you'll be set set set.

 

[mochafreak]

Yeah, chemE sucked to study...wasn't much fun to practice either
So, are you physically in Indiana and mentally in SoCal? I'm physically in Indiana and mentally in...well I wish I was in New Zealand.😎

 

[sixteenstones]

If you are in Indiana, the one-year MS Program at IUPUI, through Purdue is a good program, if you end up needing to do a one-year masters.

 

[mochafreak]

It's good to hear that, since that's the one I have my sights set on. If I have to do the masters thing.

 

[Forensic Chick]

I earned my Master's through a one year (well, 13 month) program, however unless you truly want a Master's degree - you should go post-bacc. Too much extra time is spent on a thesis/research/etc and if you don't want the degree in the end - it's not worth the extra time and effort. Most undergrad schools have a post-bacc pre-med program which can be completed in a little over a year (since chem is a prereq for o-chem). Also, known from being on an EMT salary myself, the undergrad institutions would charge a fraction of the price.

Best of luck in whatever you choose!