My Plan as a Nontrad

[HesyRa]

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I finished up an undergraduate degree a year ago with a cGPA of 2.98. That being said my major GPA was 3.8 and in my last 90 hours of coursework I had a cGPA of 3.65. I am now completing a thesis based MS in Geology with a GPA of 4.0 through the first quarter of the program. For the past 6 months I have been thinking that in order to achieve the dreams that I have always had that I HAVE to go to med school, so at this point there is only one direction for me.

I was a co-author on a peer reviewed journal article as an undergrad and I will have two more (first author) by the time I am through with my grad program. In order to meet the pre-reqs for most med schools I need 8'ish hours of bio with lab and both o-chems. I also intend to take a few upper division molecular biology classes and biochem.

I have a year left of my MS. I plan to knock out some of this pre-req work at the same time that I am doing my grad work and research. My plan is this:

Spring '13: Genetics w/ lab
Summer '13: I have already committed to a high paying internship (I'll be needing that savings come 2015), but I also plan to volunteer/shadow
Fall '13: O-Chem 1 (Done with coursework for MS)
Spring '14: O-Chem 2, Cell Biology 1 (Finished with MS)
Summer '14: Open - possibly lots of volunteering and retaking Physics 2 (calc based)
Fall '14: Biochem 1, more upper division division bio classes
Spring '15: Study for MCAT full time, volunteering, take MCAT in April. Apply in June


I got a C+ in Physics 2 so I feel that I might want to take advantage of grade replacement by retaking the course. Other pre-reqs were either A or B grade. My BPCM GPA is around 3.5.

I tend to do well on standardized tests (1500 GRE), so I am hopeful I will do the same on the MCAT.

I am focused on MD but also open to DO. If anyone has gone down a similar path I would appreciate your input on how you went about the process. I'm grateful for any and all input/advice.

 

[Chuchunezumis]

You are not calculating your master GPA into your BPCM GPA are you?

 

[HesyRa]

No, I am not. Solely based on my undergrad work. My reasoning for taking other upper division courses over the next few semesters is to raise both my cGPA and sGPA.

 

[HesyRa]

I am sitting here calculating my BPCM from my undergraduate. I have read here on SDN that if a class is 50% or more BPCM, even if not in one of those departments, that it counts towards the BPCM GPA. For instance, I took classes such as geochemistry, geophysics and geomechanis. I am assuming these would all count?

 

[Captain Sisko]

I am sitting here calculating my BPCM from my undergraduate. I have read here on SDN that if a class is 50% or more BPCM, even if not in one of those departments, that it counts towards the BPCM GPA. For instance, I took classes such as geochemistry, geophysics and geomechanis. I am assuming these would all count?

You set the designations yourself and then aamc will either change it or it won't. If it helps your average, go for it, if it doesn't then don't bother. The worst that could happen is a delay in your application so it's up to you on whether you want to do it.

 

[HesyRa]

As far as calculating my cGPA goes, I attended two universities for my undergraduate though I only attended the first one for a semester. The cGPA I have listed above is based solely on the GPA where I received my dimploma from. If I am calculating based on how it will be calculated by aamc, should the first institution be included as well? Unfortunately, if so, my cGPA is lower.

My prereq grades so far are:
Chem 1 - B
Chem 2 - A-
Physics 1 - B-
Physics 2 - C+
Calc 1- B
Calc 2 - B

I think I should probably retake Physics 2, but should I retake Physics 1 as well? Also, I took the calc based versions of these classes because it was a requirement for my undergrad major. Is this necessary, or can I take the easier versions. Unfortunately (unless you love physics) my school is #1 in physics so they like to make them REAL hard.

 

[Shjanzey]

I kind of wonder about this too.

My undergrad was engineering so my Physics pre-reqs were all engineering level where I was happy to get a C. I retook Physics 1 just for a refresher and I got the highest grade in the class...by a lot. I was surprised at how easy it was. I wonder if there is any distinction or if it is purely "by the numbers" (e.g. your GPA is your GPA regardless)

 

[Einthoven]

You've set up a great plan and it looks to me like there's a strong upward trend in your GPA. Best of luck!

 

[Juan Solo]

I didn't do a masters program after undergrad but I did have very similar grade trends and did a lot of my ECs after undergrad. I think you have a solid plan and keep up the hard work. You can totally make it happen. Good luck!

 

[HesyRa]

My undergrad was engineering so my Physics pre-reqs were all engineering level where I was happy to get a C. I retook Physics 1 just for a refresher and I got the highest grade in the class...by a lot. I was surprised at how easy it was. I wonder if there is any distinction or if it is purely "by the numbers" (e.g. your GPA is your GPA regardless)

I wonder the same thing. I have friends who took the non-calc physics and said that it was a joke. Unfortunately, calc based physics was not such a joke. I wish I could have assumed "constant acceleration" ha ha.

 

[HesyRa]

I went and met with my pre-MD/DO adviser on campus this morning. She also has an MD. I laid it all out on the table for her and told her that I was willing to hear any and all advice, whether it be harsh or not. One of the first things that she told me was not to take MD programs off the table. She saidthat 'most' schools will care more about the very strong upward trend over my last 80 hours, as opposed to just seeing a cGPA of 2.98, and that having a grad GPA of 4.0 will absolutely not go unnoticed.

Looks like I need to hoover above a 3.8 for all post-bacc classes and do well on the MCAT and my dreams just might come true. Now, only 2.5 more years of studying until that day 😉

I've decided to get some exam prep books for the MCAT even though I will not be taking it for 2 more years. I figure that it can never hurt to begin to know what material to expect. Unfortunately, I will be taking one of the new 2015 exams.

 

[Shjanzey]

I've decided to get some exam prep books for the MCAT even though I will not be taking it for 2 more years. I figure that it can never hurt to begin to know what material to expect. Unfortunately, I will be taking one of the new 2015 exams.

Aren't they changing the format of the MCAT next year? If you buy prep books, I suggest getting them from 1/2 price books over time, but then again....it is never too early to get a headstart on PS and BS 😀

 

[Bru]

I suspect your geo classes may fall under "natural and physical sciences" depending on the course prefix. You can try tagging them as bcpm as mentioned above if it helps you but they may get punted.

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/181694/data/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf

 

[HesyRa]

I suspect your geo classes may fall under "natural and physical sciences" depending on the course prefix. You can try tagging them as bcpm as mentioned above if it helps you but they may get punted.

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/181694/data/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf

I asked my adviser about it and she said that they would not be counted towards BCPM. Even those entitled Geophysics and Geochemistry.