Need a focus...

[xDreamer]

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I just graduated this May with a BS degree in Biological Sciences, and was originally planning to go with the law school track (got into a t25). However, I woke up a few days ago realizing, "what the heck am I thinking! I always wanted to do med!!!"

So here I am with a 3.09 Overall GPA and a 2.6 BCPM . I plan on taking my MCATs in August so I can possibly apply for UMDNJ's MSDS for the spring semester. However, I also don't want to be too full of my self, and was wondering if I should focus on doing informal postbac stuff first instead of the MCATs. If I sign up now I can still take 2 summer courses to start pulling my GPA up, but I'm pretty sure I would have to invest all my studying for them as I will be working full time. My current practice MCAT score is around 29~33, but I'm sure I'll do lower on the actual test due to pressure🙁.

so...
Option 1: Take the MCAT and hopefully ace it for an SMP.
Option 2: Start doing informal postbac stuff, and study for MCAT and SMP gradually (next summer).
Option 3: Give up and go to law school 😡

Would it also be advisable to retake a course that I got a D in? or should I just take some completely different bio course instead.? (Too bad psych courses don't count toward BCPM...)

P.S. I can not quit working full time due to parents being over 62+ and low-income.

 

[kidthor]

Will your law school let you defer?

I just graduated this May with a BS degree in Biological Sciences, and was originally planning to go with the law school track (got into a t25). However, I woke up a few days ago realizing, "what the heck am I thinking! I always wanted to do med!!!"

So here I am with a 3.09 Overall GPA and a 2.6 BCPM . I plan on taking my MCATs in August so I can possibly apply for UMDNJ's MSDS for the spring semester. However, I also don't want to be too full of my self, and was wondering if I should focus on doing informal postbac stuff first instead of the MCATs. If I sign up now I can still take 2 summer courses to start pulling my GPA up, but I'm pretty sure I would have to invest all my studying for them as I will be working full time. My current practice MCAT score is around 29~33, but I'm sure I'll do lower on the actual test due to pressure🙁.

so...
Option 1: Take the MCAT and hopefully ace it for an SMP.
Option 2: Start doing informal postbac stuff, and study for MCAT and SMP gradually (next summer).
Option 3: Give up and go to law school 😡

Would it also be advisable to retake a course that I got a D in? or should I just take some completely different bio course instead.? (Too bad psych courses don't count toward BCPM...)

P.S. I can not quit working full time due to parents being over 62+ and low-income.

 

[xDreamer]

most likely not this late into the game.
I know, it's unrealistic to turn down such a great offer, but I'm pretty sure I won't be as happy in the law profession 🙁. Taking another 2-3 years of my life for med school is worth it...assuming I can right all the wrongs in life.

I was preparing my self to get ready for law school anyway, which isn't any easier than med school.

 

[AppTrail]

well, it's kinda tough because every step from here on out has to be all-out. doing an mcat to get into SMP is good, but you might have to do two years to pull the grades up. so it would suck if you did all that and didn't get into med school, so it seems risky...however, there is always DO schools which is a good career path

 

[kidthor]

I just finished up law school myself, so I know what you're saying about not beign totally into law! You could call the smp/postbacc directors at the programs you might be interested in and explain your situation to see if they think you'd have a shot after finishing their programs (and you can see whether you could be admitted to such a program).

most likely not this late into the game.
I know, it's unrealistic to turn down such a great offer, but I'm pretty sure I won't be as happy in the law profession 🙁. Taking another 2-3 years of my life for med school is worth it...assuming I can right all the wrongs in life.

I was preparing my self to get ready for law school anyway, which isn't any easier than med school.

 

[xDreamer]

well, it's kinda tough because every step from here on out has to be all-out. doing an mcat to get into SMP is good, but you might have to do two years to pull the grades up. so it would suck if you did all that and didn't get into med school, so it seems risky...however, there is always DO schools which is a good career path

I'm looking at 36 credit hours done by next summer,
2x3credit for summer (1 400 level, 1 300 level)
4x3credit for fall (1 400 level, 2 300, 1 200)
4x3credit for spring
2x3credit for summer 08

Assuming most of the courses end with As (uunrealistic, but this has to be an all out effort). My overall and BCPM would be over 3.2/3.1 each, I'll apply for a SMP/D.O. in spring 08.

This is assuming everything goes right...

I just finished up law school myself, so I know what you're saying about not beign totally into law!

ALthough you do have the benefits of a professional degree while you're shifting your career path. Maybe I should go to Rutgers-Newark Law School and try to transfer XD....nah. Good luck,kidthor, you shoulbe be able to go pretty far with a good MD+JD combo.