need course plan advice, starting post bacc

[number11]

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EDIT2:Fixed tables. Post is now 1 mile long 🙂

Hello!

First, this is going to be a lengthy statement, but please try and bear with me.

I started a brief thread on the 'what are my chances' forum, and have >30 hours lurking on here. Yep, SDN junkie overnight almost... I only have 1 chem course done. I have around 18 hours of docotorate level statisics, and stats and measurement is the emphasis area of my masters.

Age: 26
ugradcGPA: 3.0 (this is not counting my gradGPA, perhaps I should re-figure it?)
gradGPA 3.65 (I know, I know,I meaningless grade inflation)
Degrees: BA Psycholgy, BA Art History, MA Psychology Dec2012 (if things work out)
GRE- 1320 Quant-720 Verbal-600

Here is my question: I am unsure about my current 'postbacc' plan. I don't think it will allow me adequate time to prepare for the MCAT. Below are 3 different plans. I tried writing one plan, but it got cfixeonvoluted when I started adding options. My premed advisor strongly suggested I do not take 3 science classes, but I think it would be better overall if I did; a B in one of the three classes is less important to me than a kickass MCAT score, unless you guys dont think so. She also suggested that I take physics as late as possible for MCAT purposes. I am planning on applying to MD programs.

Based on the information I currently have, this seems to be the best plan for me, summer 2014 application goal, which would mean I would need to take the MCAT in ~april? :
Fall 2012
Chem2
Bio 1

Spring 2013
Genetics
Ochem1
Physics 1

Summer 2013
Ochem2

Fall 2013
Physics 2
Cell Bio

Spring 2014
Biochem
MCAT Prep

Here is what my advisor recommends:
Fall 2012
Bio 1
Chem2

Spring 2013
Genetics
Ochem1

Summer 2013
Ochem2

Fall 2013
Physics 1
Cell Bio

Spring 2014
Biochem
Physics 2
MCAT prep

Chem2 is currently full, and if I cant get in, here is what her plan will look like:
Fall 2012
Bio 1
physics 1

Spring 2013
chem2
physics 2

Summer 2013
Ochem 1

Fall 2013
ochem 2
Cell Bio/genetics

Spring 2014
Biochem
genetics
MCAT prep

Perhaps it would be best to take physics first, and have the 3 science classes be physics, genetics and chem2. Taking 2 classess while trying to simotaneously prep for the MCAT seems silly to me. MCAT prep seems more important than having 1 super intense semester.

Now genetics, cell bio and biochem are not required for all schools, but are strongly recommended, but I don't know if this translates to "o hai premed/post bacc. I can has your $$?" . What do you guys think about these plans? I intend to start volunteering at the local free clinic, possibly the ER, and start shadowing ASAP.

As far as finances are concerned, I have a good amount of money saved up, and may be able to get research related jobs in psychology to hold me over or help with tuition. I also have a very sweet and loving girlfriend that I intend to marry soon. We have lived together for over two years and are happy as clams. She is very supportive of my newfound career path (I bitched a lot about psychology to her).
As a side note about me, I have not done much with my masters. I did not have an advisor until my second year (long story), and when I got an advisor, she was NTT and uninterested in research. Last semeseter I got a better advisor, but was unable to do much. I started a few projects that administrators shot down (for no good reasons, I assure you). I have no pubs, posters or anything to show for it. I essentially lost interest after my first year due largely to my ****ty experience with advisors. iI come from a family of psychologists, mom, dad, sister almost done... I'd really like to do something else with my life. Something helping, yet more hands on.

I got my bio book 3 days ago, and I have trouble putting it down 🙂

I am currently interested in primary/family care, but this may change as I mature.

If everything goes well... I will be 33 when I finish med school, and at least 36 with residency...yikes.

Sorry for the essay, but as far as I can tell, 95% of you are absolute sweet hearts, and would be glad to help a non-trad out 🙂

 

[DrMidlife]

My first question is whether you've looked at whether you can get registration priority and/or financial aid at your school. If you're not degree seeking, registration priority is a problem. If you already have a degree, financial aid is a problem. These 2 problems are the constant recurring schedule-breakers.

My second question is what grade did you get in Chem 1? If you got an A, fantastic! If not, then what steps have you taken that make you confident in a better outcome this fall?

I don't see a "bio 2" in there. If your school uses cell bio and/or genetics etc. to cover "bio 2" that's fine, but make sure you're taking the topics on the MCAT. (I generally mistrust premed advisers, and specifically mistrust their advice for nontrads, and vehemently mistrust their advice for low GPA comebacks.)

I agree that you need to start slow. 2 classes this fall is slow enough (assuming you killed Chem 1). If you don't get A's, then you have to stop and regroup. Don't keep taking classes and not getting A's and thinking you can't stop and that you'll just have to work harder - just stop. Every grade you get that isn't an A is a step away from med school.

Your load after the first semester can and should be heavier, assuming you get A's. If your school only offers the prereqs fall-spring, then that's a reason to be looking at other schools.

I like the biochem plus MCAT prep idea for a spring semester. If that happens in 2014, fantastic. But if things go awry, don't play with the idea of taking the MCAT in the summer. On a GPA comeback that's just too much risk.

Best of luck to you.

 

[number11]

Thnx for the feedback midlife- Ive read your story- pretty interesting and challenging one indeed. Your persistence is more than inspirational.

I do not have registration priority, as you pointed out, I am non-degree seeking. Financial aid will not be a problem, I have a good bit of money saved up.

I coasted through Chem 1 when I was 20 or so. I think I got a B, without trying. I am not too worried about Chem- so far it has come pretty naturally to me (even though it has been a while...).

As far as my advisor, I think she wants me to take my time and be successful. However, time is important to me, and I don't want the whole process to take an additional year just because I didn't push myself as hard as I could have.

Hopefully, I will be able to take the Mcat in early-mid May 2014... IF everything goes to plan. Here is the schedule I am thinking of, and now I have one main, yet different question, which may warrant a separate thread. My school will let me (I think) take Cell bio and Bio 1 concurrently, which I think seems like a great idea, because I forgot about taking physiology, which I understand helps a ton on the MCAT, and thoroughly prepares students for medschool.

Is it a bad idea to take cell bio and bio1 concurrently?

Here is my current tentative schedule:

Fall 2012
Physics 1
Bio 1
Cell bio

Spring 2013
Genetics
Chem 2
Physics 2

Summer 2013
Ochem1

Fall 2013
Ochem2
Animal physiology

Spring 2014
Biochem
MCAT Prep for May.

Some other thoughts- I just remembered I have a 6 month old puppy, who will undoubtedly make this very difficult (hard to be gone all day from a 6 month puppy. My girlfriend can help care for our pup, but she likely wont want to come home in the afternoon to play with the pup).

Also, I have apps out for a great part time job, and one full time job. If I get the part time, great, probably no changes to the plan. If I get the full time, I may need to cut back a bit. In this economy, even though I am ideally qualified for both jobs, I doubt I will get either.

Then there is my master's thesis- I am working with existing data on student records, but it is not pulled yet. The institution at my University that is pulling it for me told me June 2012, but they have not even started it yet. I am worried I will be stuck trying to finish a thesis next semester during my heavy course loads. The proposal is written, and waiting to be proposed... It shouldn't be that hard, but I duno... I've never done anything like it before, so... 😕

The puppy and thesis things are stressing me out more than my anticipated course load, but I will have to find a way to make it all work.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

my school would not allow cell bio and bio1 to be taken concurrently, having bio1 as the pre-req for cell bio. but looking back at it, it seemed possible to do.

 

[number11]

It is indeed possible; I am enrolled. However, I am unsure if its going to overlap nicely with Bio 1 or be slightly over my head...

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[Courtjester8]

Swap cell bio with ochem 1. You do not want to be taking ochem during the summer.

-cj8

 

[number11]

I can't take ochem until I finish chem, which is full up this semester. I'm going to try and get in, but it seems like a long shot.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

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[Courtjester8]

Maybe you can appeal it. There's really not much overlap at all.

 

[number11]

bump..

hrmm anyone else got feedback? 🙂

 

[NuttyEngDude]

cell bio over the summer, then shift the chem sequence up one. you dont want to take ochem over the summer, lol.

 

[number11]

so 2 for no ochem over summer.. when searches of summer ochem yield mostly 'do ochem over the summer. I did.'

hrmmm

 

[The_Sunny_Doc]

Thirding not taking ochem over the summer.

Here's why it wasn't a good idea for me personally:
1) I had just 1 week of break time between a spring semester (full courseload of sciences) and the summer session. Was feeling pretty burned out.
2) The summer session for organic is 6 weeks long at my school. There was class 3.5 hours in the morning and a new assignment up every day. No breathing room, no room for asking questions or thinking deeply about the topics you want to explore and letting it all sink in like you can during a regular semester. Takes the "fun" out of it.
3) I got a really shallow understanding of the material because we didn't have time to cover every topic and because my professor wanted rote memorization. Am not feeling prepared at all for a semester of Organic II.
4) The professor had a reputation for only giving out a few As. Only 2 people out of 30 ended up getting As. During the regular semester you can get the professor that is the best at teaching the material/has a better reputation, lol.

YMMV of course. 🙂 Best of luck, however you decide to map out your schedule.