Need Advice: Should I continue working FT while taking 1-2 undergrad classes or enroll in a Master’s Program?

[lemonxlime]

Hi All:

Thanks for helping me out. I’ve been out of school for five years and several of my pre-reqs are now 7-9 years old. I recently was accepted to University of Cincinnati’s Pharmacology program and am deciding if I should accept. This would require me to leave my current job and take out loans. I’m currently trying to weigh out my options. My goal is to get accepted into an allopathic medical school program.

Here are my stats:

Major: Biomedical Engineering

cgpa: 3.55
sgpa:3.56

MCAT:504 ( I know I need to retake it)

Experiences:
-5 years working as a scientist for a large company
-56 hours shadowing
-346 hours scribing
-mentor to college student
-160 hours of hospital volunteering
-1000+ hours of research
-lots of leadership

Options I am thinking about:

1) enroll in the master’s program
Pros:
-Research experience
- Recent coursework to demonstrate I can still handle rigorous coursework
-possibility to network
-learn about pharmacology
-continue volunteering and shadowing
Cons:
-taking out loans ( I am financially independent and do not have parents or family who can support me)/ no longer receiving an income
-no guaranteed interview
-may not have enough time to study to improve my MCAT score

2) Continue working while taking 1-2 undergrad courses per semester and studying for the MCAT
Pros:
-Still making an income
-Can take courses to refresh my knowledge and help with MCAT
-Raise undergrad GPA
-Demonstrate recent coursework
-continue to shadow and volunteer
Cons:
-may not be able to get into 1st choice courses b/c uni places non-degree students as low priority
-Med schools may not perceive taking 1-2 courses as enough to demonstrate academic rigor
-Finding classes that fit with my schedule



My goal is to apply next year, 2021 and take the MCAT January 21st.

Any advice? Would it be more valuable to take undergrad courses or enroll in a formal program? Also, I applied to two SMPs and did not get in, so that option is out.


Thanks and sorry for the grammatical errors! I was writing this quickly on my phone.

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[curbsideconsult]

A masters in pharmacology isn't going to do anything to improve your app. You're better off with option 2. Med schools will see that you're working full-time while taking 1-2 classes.

You don't need any more shadowing, unless none of those hours were in primary care. If that's the case, you need about 40-50 more hours of primary care shadowing.

Continue the scribing if you still have that as an option.

What kind of hospital volunteering are you doing? Also, you need to start volunteering at a place/with a population that's underserved.

 

[lemonxlime]

Thanks for taking the time to apply. I scribe in the ED and most of my hours were shadowing specialists. I will be sure to increase my primary care hours (hopefully I will be able to do this even with the covid19 outbreak).

I volunteered in the NICU assisting nurses with administrative tasks and making sure medical supplies were stocked. I now am a bed rest volunteer, so I interact and sit with the patients to give them company.

When you say I need to start serving the underserved, does it have to be a clinical experience or could I help out at my local soup kitchen? A lot of the free clinics around here do not have volunteer openings for non-healthcare professionals.

A masters in pharmacology isn't going to do anything to improve your app. You're better off with option 2. Med schools will see that you're working full-time while taking 1-2 classes.

You don't need any more shadowing, unless none of those hours were in primary care. If that's the case, you need about 40-50 more hours of primary care shadowing.

Continue the scribing if you still have that as an option.

What kind of hospital volunteering are you doing? Also, you need to start volunteering at a place/with a population that's underserved.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Thanks for taking the time to apply. I scribe in the ED and most of my hours were shadowing specialists. I will be sure to increase my primary care hours (hopefully I will be able to do this even with the covid19 outbreak).

I volunteered in the NICU assisting nurses with administrative tasks and making sure medical supplies were stocked. I now am a bed rest volunteer, so I interact and sit with the patients to give them company.

When you say I need to start serving the underserved, does it have to be a clinical experience or could I help out at my local soup kitchen? A lot of the free clinics around here do not have volunteer openings for non-healthcare professionals.

The volunteering doesn't have to be clinical since you already have that experience. Soup kitchen is fine, but try to also do something a little more unique like helping out with a STEM outreach program for low income children.