New - Accelerated PB timeline?

[CLH2008]

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I am 24 years old. I will graduate with an MS in political science in December (minor in economics, focus on econometrics), and have a 4.0 as an undergrad and as a grad student. The only science class I've ever taken is Chem I. That being said, I have a rather interesting story regarding my desire to completely change paths and go to med school (looking towards a joint MD/PhD degree, although I know those programs are highly competitive). I will graduate from a state school, no prestigious Ivy League education here.

I am enrolling in a post-bacc program in the spring, and wanted to ask about the timeline I have planned to apply for med school fall 2008:
spring 2007: Physics I, Chem II, Bio I, Bio II
summer: Org Chem I and II, take MCAT Aug. 20
fall: apply for med school by Sep. 20, take Physics II, BioChem, Anatomy

From the other advice I have read, there are three major flaws with the above plan: (1) I am taking the MCAT too late, and may not have enough time to study for it (I am planning on enrolling in an MCAT study course), (2) I am applying too late for med school, and (3) I am taking the MCAT before completing all pre-reqs. I also am planning on working "full-time," although this will probably be about 30 hours a week. Perhaps I am overly confident because I have done 2 years of grad school and have written a thesis.

My plan may not be possible, perhaps I should wait to apply in June of 2008 for enrollment in 2009 - I know, I know, don't rush it. My pre-med post-bacc advisor said the above plan would work, but after looking through the forums I'm afraid she could be wrong.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated - *many* thanks in advance! 😀 Of course, any additional general advice for a newbie in my position is also quite welcome.

 

[Sundarban1]

You are greatly underestimating the time/commitment required to do well in science courses and on the MCAT. The path to medical school is not something you want to rush into, or rush through in general. You are right, not only are your rushing the schedule, you are taking the MCAT before all of your pre-reqs are complete, and taking the MCAT in August, leaving no time to study. If you are planning on working throughout, I'd say the chances you have on completing that schedule and doing it succesfully is around 0%.

Do it right man. Take the courses over a full 2 years, take time to study, etc.

 

[relentless11]

I would recommend re-evaluating this schedule after finishing your first semester (Spring 07).

In terms of the MCAT, as Sundarban1 said, take it when you have completed your pre-reqs. Considering the physical science section is 50% physics, you could be deficient in up to 25% of the topics covered on that section alone. Additionally, for your first semester of physics, chemistry and bio....you should also factor in that you have to take a lab for all of these classes. So I'm not sure how that will work out in terms of efficiency.

The other factor would be studying for the MCAT. Will you have time to study for the MCAT? The classes you've taken are good to lay down the foundations, but MCAT problems are different than your standard in-class exam questions. Additionally, what about extracurriculars? Obviously you have research experience, but what about clinical exposure and community service? There isn't a set amount for any of these, but I can guarantee that many traditional applicants will have a good many hours of everything imaginable...and unimaginable too.

Lastly, non-science classes vs. science classes are apples and oranges. Plenty of people do well when going into a science to a non-science field, and vice versa. But there's also plenty of people that will crumble when faced with a hard science class or literature class. Don't worry about your school being a public institution, I don't think that is much of a factor, but grades do. Given your GPAs, I am confident that you will do fine, but seriously, don't underestimate the rigors and competition of pre-med courses. My PI once said, after passing the PhD qualifying exam and/or submitting ones dissertation, you feel like a god, but when you finally go out to the real world, you quickly come crashing down back to earth😉. Congratulations on finishing your thesis, but lets look at it this way. I will have a PhD in pathology, but it doesn't mean I'll be getting 4.0's if I decide to go pre-law or something..haha.

Its easy in this game to think TOO far ahead, underestimate the process, or unneccessarily rush yourself. Submitting your application 9/20 is WAY too late. Late July is probably the upper limit these days given the new MCAT. For example, I have one friend who applied to George Washington this year, she already had an interview, while my other friend who took the August MCAT just got her scores last week, and her AMCAS application isn't complete until they receive her scores! Therefore she hasn't even received a secondary yet..let alone be considered for an interview. So yea don't rush it. There's plenty of time to do it.

 

[silkworm]

summer: Org Chem I and II, take MCAT Aug. 20

When I took the full sequence of Org Chem over the summer, it felt like a full-time job to me: lecture in the morning, lab in the afternoon, study at night, sleep, repeat for four days of the week, every Monday is a major exam. It was physically impossible to fit anything else that's a major time-committment in the schedule.

 

[Maxprime]

I am enrolling in a post-bacc program in the spring, and wanted to ask about the timeline I have planned to apply for med school fall 2008:
spring 2007: Physics I, Chem II, Bio I, Bio II
summer: Org Chem I and II, take MCAT Aug. 20
fall: apply for med school by Sep. 20, take Physics II, BioChem, Anatomy

Bio I & Bio II together? Most schools require one as a pre-req of the other. Remember that science classes will have labs, section, problem sets, etc. For Chem I, I am in lecture for 3 hours a week. But I have section for an hour and lab for 2-3 hours. I have a problem set that takes 1-2 hours. Reading before lecture takes 2 hours to do properly. That's 10-12 hours minimum, per week. This doesn't factor in that it's my easiest class. My most difficult class has 3-4 hour labs, 4 hours of lecture a week, and requires 10-15 hours of reading, problem solving, etc. to be on top of things.

I also am planning on working "full-time," although this will probably be about 30 hours a week.

4 classes * 15 hours per class = 60 hours/week
working = 30 hours/week

I'm assuming that you have zero clinical experience, which most schools aren't going to allow, so:

volunteering = 10 hours/week

total for an average week = 100 hours / week

This doesn't account for exams, having trouble with material, etc.

There's a reason they suggets you only take 2 per semester, because if you do everything else you need to be doing to matriculate, it's a BIG load.

If you do it, I wish you nothing but success.

 

[RaaMD]

It looks like you are rushing things. I think waiting for the next year after you initially planned would be good.

 

[PsychEpathic]

I think you should reconsider applying for Fall 2008! These classes, depending on where you take them, can be very difficult and demanding! For me, there is barely enough time to take 2 lab courses and do all the extracurricular stuff! Even if you're pretty smart, these classes take so much time! I wouldn't take more than 3. For example, next semester I will be taking organic chem I, physics I, and an upper division biology. All of these courses have lab, and they all require lots of time! Good luck.

 

[Maxprime]

My opinion is that anyone can do well in 2 science classes (& labs) with enough work. I think that each class you add on top of that requires more talent - hence requiring less work per class.

I tried to take 4 science classes w/ labs this semester and it was literally impossible. Between labs, section, and lecture, I couldn't get 4 to fit. No prof is going to sign off on you taking their class with another lecture scheduled during theirs. Three has been a good bit of work and with co-currics is just right for me. I can handle bumps in the road (had to go to a wedding last weekend) and be just fine. I think with 4, I'd survive but be in much worse shape.

Above all else, remember just how long you're going to be in school. The last thing you want to do is get burned out while you're learning stuff that can't save someone's life.

 

[Lshapley]

I would also add that it will take you more time, effort and explaining to make up for a bad grade than it will to just stick to a more practical timetable.

Also, it is important to test your own interest and ability to do the work as well as the work of being in the healthcare field. Adcoms are interested in this too. They want to see commitment over time.

Take your time, the average life expectancy is up! You'll have plenty of time to be a doctor.

lee