Navy Pilot -> Medical School

[Whidbey]

All,

Thank you for a great resource.

I'm 33 and just separated from active duty service to start my prerequisites, Doctor shadowing, and MCAT study plan this fall. I have a 3.33 GPA in political science from 1998 (not USNA). JO tour in Prowlers and IP tour in the T-45. I'm a resident of the state of Mississippi.

I have a few questions and would really appreciate any opinions:

How much will my weak undergrad major and GPA hurt my applications given that is more than 10 years ago?

How much will my prior service help me with admission USUHS? How much would having flown jets in the military help with admission to a civilian school? (I know I'm not the first guy on this forum to fly an airplane 🙂)

What is the earliest I could realistically get an application in to USUHS?

AND, Since I have the new GI bill that I could use at a civilian med school, would USUHS make financial sense?

I realize it's early to be asking a few of these questions. My humble thanks in advance.

Whidbey

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[teacherman84]

How much will my weak undergrad major and GPA hurt my applications given that is more than 10 years ago?
Your major wont hurt you and if you do really well in all your prereqs it will boost your GPA

How much will my prior service help me with admission USUHS? How much would having flown jets in the military help with admission to a civilian school? (I know I'm not the first guy on this forum to fly an airplane 🙂)
If your stats are good then the fact that your prior service will be a plus. As far as civilian schools I can only speculate that it will give you some good questions from schools during interviews. As long as you have a good reason for leaving one career to move to medicine I think you are all set

What is the earliest I could realistically get an application in to USUHS?
It depends on what prereqs you have done and how much you can handle each semester. For me I had none of the prereqs and it took 4 semesters:
Sem1-Chem 1 and Trigonometry
Sem2-Chem 2, Calculus, and A&P 1 (not a prereq but I think it worth taking if only for the little bit on MCAT)
Sem3-Ochem 1, Bio 1, Physics 2, A&P 2(again not required but I enjoyed it...and this semester was rough)
Sem4-Ochem 2, Bio 2, Phys 2
This was spring to spring so I was able to take the MCAT and apply to med schools as soon as i finished my last semester. This was the fastest way for me and I was able to keep my grades up in these classes...if you arent able to take these heavy science semesters then dont do it this quickly.
My other self-criticism was that I had 3 weeks after finishing my last semester and taking the MCAT. I was working full-time during this and every one of the semesters so my MCAT study time was very less than I would have desired. I am OK with my score, I know given real study time I can do better but this was a decision I made.
If you start this fall and followed a similar schedule then you would finish with a spring semester free to prepare for MCAT...this would be nice.
Also, dont stop taking courses after these. Look at the school's other recommended courses and try to take these...just dont let them interfere with MCAT prep

AND, Since I have the new GI bill that I could use at a civilian med school, would USUHS make financial sense?
You need to crunch the numbers for your state school and GI bill benefits. One big plus is with the save pay at USUHS, if i understand it correctly, you wont keep your rank while a student but you will retain your pay. If you have been military since college then I would imagine your pay through USUHS would be very comfortable.

 

[notdeadyet]

How much will my weak undergrad major and GPA hurt my applications given that is more than 10 years ago?

Med schools look at lifetime GPAs. You can add additional coursework to try to boost it, but they'll still be looking at a single number for screening purposes. If you end up with a so-so GPA that is good enough to get you interviews, you can probably talk away some of the old coursework successfully, but you need to get your foot in the door first.

How much will my prior service help me with admission USUHS? How much would having flown jets in the military help with admission to a civilian school? (I know I'm not the first guy on this forum to fly an airplane 🙂)

Past military experience will make for great talking points at interviews. It won't be a substitute for a bad GPA. You need to bring your cumulative GPA up to at least 3.1/3.2 before bothering to apply to the least competitive programs, and even then it would be longshot. A 3.5 GPA is most people's yardstick to be a good middle of the road applicant. Your major doesn't matter.

AND, Since I have the new GI bill that I could use at a civilian med school, would USUHS make financial sense?

With the new GI Bill, USUHS makes good financial sense only if you want to make a career out of military medicine.

Best of luck to you...

 

[Whidbey]

Teacher Man,

Thank you for the detailed course plan. Mine is as follows:

Sem 1: Chem 1 and Bio 1, maybe college algebra or trig.
Sem 2: Chem 2 and Bio 2, Calculus? (USUHS requires calc)
Sem 3: OChem 1 and Phys 1, higher science (Genetics, Cell Bio?)
Sem 4: OChem 2 and Phys 2, MCAT study.

I am thinking about going fall-summer. If I go this summer, I can do Ochem 1 and 2 and Physics 1 and 2 with next fall being MCAT study and maybe 1 higher science.

As far as a job, I am really fortunate to have the reserve unit in town where I can fly as it fits my schedule, as much or as little as I need, to pay the bills.

Notdeadyet,

My college GPA is 3.33. Weak, I know, but I am hoping a higher BCPM in more recent years can help me out.

Thank you both. Anything else I'm not thinking about?

Whidbey

 

[notdeadyet]

Notdeadyet,

My college GPA is 3.33. Weak, I know, but I am hoping a higher BCPM in more recent years can help me out.

A 3.3 is higher than a lot of non-trads start out with when they start repairing. If you still have all of your pre-reqs to do, you can definitely get it to a 3.5+ and can find a home somewhere.

Good luck!

 

[Whidbey]

Notdeadyet,

Repairing! What a great word. I read it as "preparing" first but I realize yours is a much more appropriate word!

I can't tell you what a waste of four years I think a degree in Political "Science" is.

Whidbey.

 

[notdeadyet]

I can't tell you what a waste of four years I think a degree in Political "Science" is.

You'd probably say the same about your degree in Biology if you ended up working as a legislator in Washington.

 

[DrMetal]

All,


AND, Since I have the new GI bill that I could use at a civilian med school, would USUHS make financial sense?

I realize it's early to be asking a few of these questions. My humble thanks in advance.

Whidbey

USUHS is particularly a good deal for someone in your position. Say you were an O-3 >8. B/c of the new save pay provision at USUHS, you would get paid as an O-3 >8 while there, attending med school (your BAH be that of an O-1). I'm sure you can do the math, but that's the equivalent of a six figure civilian salary, to go to school! Also, as far as retirement goes, the numbers work out nicely: say you do 5 years of training after med school + 7 years payback + 8 year prior serivce = 20 yrs of service (tag on your 4 years of med school), and you can retire at 24 yrs of service, probably as an O-5 or O-6. Not too shabby.

Now numbers and $$$ aside . . .I echo the comment above that you should really want to do mil med. Your advantage is that you're a little seasoned, a little used the Navy admin BS. Just make sure you really want to do it. There's a USUHS thread here, it's a good read. Also, apply early: you can turn in your AMCAS on or about 6/1. Have your letters and mcat squared away by then, turn in your secondary right away, you should get an early interview and (hopefully) an acceptance. good luck!

 

[Whidbey]

Dr. Metal,

Thanks for the reply. I am starting classes in August.

It looks like I am going to be able to do O Chem and Physics (Both semesters of each) over next summer at a state school.

What would you think of taking the September MCAT so soon after finishing Ochem and physics?

The reason I ask is I am 33 now, If I don't hit the start of the Application cycle next summer and wait another year, I would be 36 before I was able to matriculate.

Is that too old? Are they going to see my age as a drawback?

Thanks again!

Whidbey

 

[DrMetal]

Dr. Metal,

Thanks for the reply. I am starting classes in August.

It looks like I am going to be able to do O Chem and Physics (Both semesters of each) over next summer at a state school.

What would you think of taking the September MCAT so soon after finishing Ochem and physics?

If possible, I'd recommend dedicating separate blocks of time in your life to take the pre-reqs and to study for/take the MCAT. I think it's really hard to study for classes and the MCAT at the same time, especially if you have other things going on in your life (significant other, kids, etc). So if you schedule a Sep. MCAT, you'll probably have to start studying for it while you're taking ochem/physics . . . .is possible, just a little time consuming. Plus if you're looking to apply in a couple of years, you can delay your MCAT a bit (you don't want to take it too soon, the score is only good for 3 years).

Is that too old? Are they going to see my age as a drawback?

That's an interesting question, I wonder that myself! I'll be 31 when I matriculate this Fall, and so I'll be a 35 yr old intern, you'll be a 40 year old intern! (I think the max age for matriculation at USUHS is 35, but they often grant waivers. Check out their catalog for more info. I know guys that started in their early 40s even, with families, mortgages, the whole 9!)

Your age wont really matter during MS1 or MS2, b/c you'll just be stuck in a library studying for your classes and Step 1. It may start to matter when you get into the wards during MS3/4, and then onto your training. But really, I think it's all about your personal mentality. If you're humble about it, hard-working, open-minded, and if you don't mind taking direction from people younger than you, then you should be just fine. You may even be able to use your age to your advantage. I'd trust the judgment of a ped intern w/ 3 kids of his own, over that of a 26-yr old that's never been out of school!

Now, if you have a chip on your shoulder about your age, if you have a youre-not-the-boss-of-me mentality, then you might get yourself in some hotwater!

 

[notdeadyet]

The reason I ask is I am 33 now, If I don't hit the start of the Application cycle next summer and wait another year, I would be 36 before I was able to matriculate.

Is that too old? Are they going to see my age as a drawback?

Just to chime in here, as someone who matriculated at 35...

Med schools tend to love older applicants. There may be one or two you meet on the interview trail that have uber-traditional views that docs should all be 22. Or white. Or whatever. But these are the exception.

When interviewing applicants, their are several traits schools look for, but one of the biggies and universals is maturity. They'll like the fact that you've had life experience that you won't find in a 22 year old. They like that you'll have repeatedly faced adversity and over come it, that you've had lots of experience dealing with bosses you didn't like, that you've had to make decisions you'd rather not.

They also like the fact that they're interviewing the finished product. The problem with applicants soon out of college is that the person you're interviewing is going to probably be fairly different from who ends up practicing medicine, because they're in their 20's and still finding out who they are and are defining themselves. The nice thing about applicants in their 30's is that you know the doctor they'll become is going to be very much like who you're interviewing today.

Don't sweat the age thing. It's an advantage in the application and interview stage. During med school, it can be a slight negative during the first two years as you get used to going back to the world of scan trons, but it's a big positive for most of third and fourth year, as you're essentially in the working world, which will feel a lot more comfortable. The only disadvantage you'll have in these years is getting used to having your circadian rhythms messed with, which I think (anecdotally) tends to hit older folks harder.

Best of luck with your application....

 

[Whidbey]

All,

Thanks again for the help. I am looking at my GPA, etc. and trying to plan my actions accordingly.

It's probably smart to open up my scan beyond USUHS. Judging by these threads, 3.33 seems pretty weak for MD schools. Even if I get a 4.0 for all of my prereqs, it will still only get my up to 3.48 or so.

Is it safe to say I should focus my research on DO schools?

 

[BlueIsis]

Is it safe to say I should focus my research on DO schools?

Not necessarily. If you like DO, go DO. If you like allopathic, go allopathic. I had mulitple MD acceptances with a 3.15, 34 MCAT and a Naval aviation background. I did not apply to any osteopathic schools.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

All,

Thanks again for the help. I am looking at my GPA, etc. and trying to plan my actions accordingly.

It's probably smart to open up my scan beyond USUHS. Judging by these threads, 3.33 seems pretty weak for MD schools. Even if I get a 4.0 for all of my prereqs, it will still only get my up to 3.48 or so.

Is it safe to say I should focus my research on DO schools?

You are competitive for USUHS with a 3.33 plus your experience. If you were still an undergrad, it would be different. But, schools are looking for experienced professionals and USUHS does like career military as a good investment.

So, do well in your pre-reqs and do well on the MCAT.

There are several veteran friendly schools. Are you east coast, west, or have a preference?

 

[NWNavy]

Whidbey,
I am trying to do something very similar to you. My current commitment lasts until Jun of '12 and I would like to apply for Med school that fall. I also earned a PoliSci degree and need to complete all of the prereqs. Right now I am planning on completing them while serving abroad using UMUC and the other resources available here in Naples, IT. I am skeptical about the quality of these institutions and could use some input on whether or not I should look elsewhere for credits. By the way you are in a better position GPA wise than I am.

 

[Whidbey]

NW Navy,

Check PMs.

 

[Funcooker]

All,

Thanks again for the help. I am looking at my GPA, etc. and trying to plan my actions accordingly.

It's probably smart to open up my scan beyond USUHS. Judging by these threads, 3.33 seems pretty weak for MD schools. Even if I get a 4.0 for all of my prereqs, it will still only get my up to 3.48 or so.

Is it safe to say I should focus my research on DO schools?

A few years ago I was in a very similar situation as you: prior naval aviator (Grumman Iron Works aficionado like you, though different platform), mediocre GPA, liberal arts degree, no prereqs, etc. Was definitely questioning whether I had a shot. Ended up getting a 4.0 in my prereqs with a decent MCAT and got in to USUHS and 4 other allopathic schools. Ended up going HPSP at a private school because I needed a little break from the military. Just started third year and have no regrets.
So it definitely can be done and I know of quite a few Navy guys who have gone this route, so I think you have a good shot and wish you luck.

 

[Whidbey]

DogFaceMedic,

Which schools are veteran friendly in your opinion? I have found the Yellow ribbon program website, but which ones off the top of your head have a reputation as being Veteran friendly?

Thanks,

Whidbey