My plan. Please comment!

[Itisnottoolate]

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Hi,

I am currently a NP but have been taking classes for med school.

Long ago, I was a biology major but did poorly due to being young and immature. Wish I had my act together then.

Here are my science classes from 15 years ago.
Bio 1: C
Bio 2: C
Chem 1: B
Chem 2: C
Micro: B
A & P 1: C
A & P 2: B

My retakes over the last 3 semesters
Bio 1: A
Bio 2: A
Chem 1: A
Chem 2: B
Physics 1: A

My cGPA is just over a 3.0. My science is a little above that. My GPA is low because of classes from 15 years ago. I have a great upward trend. Nursing GPA is 3.5 and graduate GPA is 3.8. I wished that counted!

I have 10 years total experience between being a nurse and then an NP.

I am taking organic Chem this spring.
I am taking the MCAT this summer or early fall.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to have biochemistry before the MCAt. I know this is not ideal but planning to have a strict biochem study plan before the MCAT. I know it is a large component but unfortunately it is only offered at my local school at certain times.

I know my grades are not great because of the past but hoping my upward trend and medical experience will help.

Any suggestions and comments will be appreciated.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

It's not a good idea to take the MCAT without taking biochemistry first. Here's why. Although you do have a rising grade trend, the 3.5 nursing GPA is still below average, when taken alone, for competitive applicants. Most MD schools will not consider the graduate GPA. DO schools will if you are not particular.

If you are aiming for MD, then you can counteract the low cGPA and sGPA with a strong MCAT which will be difficult without taking biochemistry first. Even with DO, you will still need a good MCAT score.

Don't rush taking such an important exam without a foundational course like biochemistry. Find a way to take biochemistry before the MCAT.

There are schools that recommend biochemistry, but don't require it as a prerequisite. Check the MSAR. So could you possibly take it online?

 

[jk441]

Ahhh as someone who has taken the new MCAT, I highly recommend not going into it without taking biochem. first. Having a solid foundation in biochem. is critical before attempting to tackle the exam. Like the above poster said, see if you can find an online class??

 

[Itisnottoolate]

It's not a good idea to take the MCAT without taking biochemistry first. Here's why. Although you do have a rising grade trend, the 3.5 nursing GPA is still below average, when taken alone, for competitive applicants. Most MD schools will not consider the graduate GPA. DO schools will if you are not particular.

If you are aiming for MD, then youu can counteract the low cGPA and sGPA with a strong MCAT which will be difficult without taking biochemistry first. Even with DO, you will still need a good MCAT score.

Don't rush taking such an important exam without a foundational course like biochemistry. Find a way to take biochemistry before the MCAT.

There are schools that recommend biochemistry, but don't require it as a prerequisite. Check the MSAR. So could you possibly take it online?

Thank you for you input. My nursing GPA was a 3.5 but again that was when I was not focused 10 years ago. My last year of nursing school was a 3.7.

I will try to take biochemistry first but that will put behind an entire year.

If I take the MCAT in 2018 then I can apply in 2019 to start in 2020, if I get in. The main school I am applying to has to have the MCAT taken the previous year. I am not sure if all schools are like that.

I will strongly consider postponing but it makes me very sad. I am not getting any younger!

 

[workaholic181]

Thank you for you input. My nursing GPA was a 3.5 but again that was when I was not focused 10 years ago. My last year of nursing school was a 3.7.

I will try to take biochemistry first but that will put behind an entire year.

If I take the MCAT in 2018 then I can apply in 2019 to start in 2020, if I get in. The main school I am applying to has to have the MCAT taken the previous year. I am not sure if all schools are like that.

I will strongly consider postponing but it makes me very sad. I am not getting any younger!

Biochem is unbelievably important as it will appear often on both the chem/phys and bio sections of the MCAT. Being in a really rigorous biochem course before I took my MCAT was absolutely critical for my success on it.

Could you maybe take a condensed biochem summer course followed by MCAT in august? You'll be behind for MD but in line for DO schools schedule wise if so, and wouldnt have to miss the whole year.

Your experience as a nurse does help as long as you can articulate why you decided to go for medical school rather than staying a NP.

Your graduate GPA will help you with DO schools but not so much for MD, as others have stated.

Good luck OP!

 

[SpoiledMilk]

I will strongly consider postponing but it makes me very sad. I am not getting any younger!

Age is not an issue. Read this thread: ~NonTraditionals~: Ages

And consider this. You take the MCAT without biochem and you don't do well. How long will restudying for it and retaking it add to pressure of this most important of exams. The choice is obvious.

Edit: I am speaking from a similar situation. Biochem was my last post-bacc undergrad course I took. I delayed my app for a year to take a single biochem course at a 4 year university in the Fall semester so that I could be ready to tackle the MCAT the following April. Now I am sitting on multiple acceptances....

 

[Itisnottoolate]

Does anyone know a good online biochem course?

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Does anyone know a good online biochem course?

A quick online biochemistry google search yields a bunch:

From University of Washington

UW Biochemistry - Online Courses

or

From Harvard

Principles of Biochemistry | Harvard Online Learning Portal

 

[jk441]

Does anyone know a good online biochem course?

Look into the course run through University of New England: Online Medical Biochemistry: Online Biochemistry Course

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Just make sure you get a subscription to MSAR and investigate the MD medical schools that don't require biochemistry as a prerequisite as well as the school you are interested in applying to. The reason is that some medical schools don't accept online courses, but others do, if biochem is a required course.

I can't speak to DO schools, but @Goro could help with that.

 

[Itisnottoolate]

It looks like the Harvard biochem is a free course. The schools I am applying to do not require it. I just need it for the MCAT. Would this be a good option?

 

[SpoiledMilk]

It looks like the Harvard biochem is a free course. The schools I am applying to do not require it. I just need it for the MCAT. Would this be a good option?

Unfortunately, since I have not taken the online course at Harvard, I cannot recommended it one way or another. What I suggest you do is make another post asking for advice from other SDNers regarding the best biochemistry online courses that you can take.

Post it in the regular Pre-Med forum where more eyes can see it.