New here, with questions.

[MaryWrathers]

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Hello,

I apologize for cross posting. I posted this entry in the Post Bacc forum to try to gain as much feedback as possible.

"I am new to the forum. I thank you all for your helpful posts which I read until the wee hours.

Stats:
Senior
Graduating w/ B.S. (psychology) in Dec 05
GPA 3.75 comm. college (received A.S.)
GPA 4.00 at the 4-yr level (last two years)
took GRE, plan to take it again in August to get a 1250+
have not taken MCAT
have not taken nat sciences (pre reqs)
tons of research experience (doing an honors thesis now)
tons of volunteer experience
am wavering between Med school and a Ph.D. in a different field (choose not to state it here so early)

So, basically for possible admittance into med school I will need to have a 3.7+ in the nat. sciences and a 30+ on the MCAT.
Since I grad. in December, that gives me Spring-Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 to take the nat. sciences. Then, take the MCAT in April....take more classes in summer 07?...then take the MCAT again in August. I think I might go the informal route or a la carte since formal post bacc programs cost more? (or so I've been reading).

1. What will I be doing in Fall 07 and Spring 08 when waiting to hear about interviews/acceptances? Or, what did you do?
2. Do you have an recommendations as to the order of nat. sciences I should take? e.g., what should I take in the spring, etc.?
3. Can anyone enumerate for me the post bacc programs along with their linkages to med schools? I am really interested in moving to AZ, NM, or CA. Maybe even CO.


Thank you tremendously!!!"

 

[MaryWrathers]

Hello, I forgot to add that I consider myself a non-traditional b/c my plan was to go into clinical psychology, but I am finding myself increasingly interested in the medical side of my field.

Thanks!

 

[samenewme]

Hello, I forgot to add that I consider myself a non-traditional b/c my plan was to go into clinical psychology, but I am finding myself increasingly interested in the medical side of my field.

Thanks!

I did the informal post-bacc route, myself. You'll start with general chemistry because you need to finish that before you start your year of organic chemistry. You'll need to take either physics or biology at the same time as chemistry. Take whichever of the two is harder so you can take the easier subject iwth o-chem, since most people find o-chem to be more time-consuming than general chem.

To have the "in-state" tuition advantage, in most states you have to live in the state a year without going to school before you can get in-state tuition or be considered a state resident for the purposes of admission. Keep that in mind as you plan your attack.

 

[MaryWrathers]

Thank you samenewme for your advice. It will help me in planning my future schedule.

Thank you again! 🙂

If anyone else has additional suggestions for ordering of classes, please feel free to comment. Thanks!

 

[MaryWrathers]

Hello,

I'm very excited b/c I've made my decision. I have a mix of feelings: nervousness, happiness, joy, etc. I am very emotional. I have always been thinking about becoming a MD, but never thought I was good enough or smart enough. Sometimes the slightly Type A, highly neurotic people are doubtful of their capabilities when in the end they perform just fine. I think it's natural to have that doubt with you so you don't let yourself down. If all goes well with my health and life then I hope to apply in summer 2007 for 2008 matriculation, graduation 2012. I was at a fork in the road at one point (okay for the past few months) between PhD and MD. It is/was very hard to decide because I feel like I would be letting down my advisors/mentors who are PhDs b/c I wouldn't be going into their field, doing their route, etc. All the work I've done up to this point has been geared specificially and tailored toward the PhD in my field. So, for the next one calendar year and one semester beginning in Jan 06 I will be a non trad premed student at my same university but as a 2nd degree seeking student. I understand I won't be allowed to obtain the Pell grant anymore and will only get the minimal subsidized loans. I have my schedule laid out, I applied for and interviewed for a clinical job at a hospital, have interviewed two MDs thus far, read the SDN websites religiously, and have bought my first book about "how to apply to med school." I wish I could start this process this fall but I am wrapping up the B.S. and am taking a full course load. I want to try to maintain my GPA 4.0 after graduation and I have dreams of reading the MCAT prep books day and night---but I know for sure I won't be that devoted to the MCAT. Who knows? Maybe I'll change my mind. I just know that right now I need to be studying for the GRE (fall back plan) and haven't studied but only 1 hour per week! That sucks! So, from here, I will continue reading SDN, read the "how to be a doctor" book, register in fall for premed classes (have to apply to program first), wait on a reply from the premed advisor from my school, shadow and interview more MDs, volunteer more, and pray that I land this clinical job at the hospital. I've also read that you have to REALLy set yourself apart from others when applying. You see, everyone of us is smart (duh), actively involved in EC, volunteering, etc, but we must do something really excitiing and different to WOW the adcoms. Just imagine - they're reading all these apps with similar profiles....that could be soporific! So, here are some things to consider if you are in my boat:
*travel to foreign country and volunteer there (don't have the time to do this)
*start a SADD chapter at your school (need to do a lot of paperwork, planning, getting an advisor)
*start a grass roots project?
*be a public health advocate?
*study AIDS in Africa? (see first option)
*have a full-time job (this is something not a lot of people do which will set yourself apart from others). Unfortunately I cannot do this.
*be a scholar in England doing research? I've done enough research. Now, I want practice/primary care experience. But, I have never won any abroad scholarships. This is for the cream of the crop
*obtain a Masters degree first in a medical-related field.

I guess my main point for this follow-up post is that I wanted to get it all out in the open. It feels cathartic and joyful to have made a decision. I also want to let others know that I am open to PMs as I have constantly been PMing others each week w/ questions. So, thanks for listening and thanks for helping me with all of my previous questions. I look forward to this 2 year journey and I will continue to browse this site.

Oh, I forgot to add that besides the biggest worry of not getting in, my other worry is "will I be able to make a 35-40 on the MCAT?" But, after looking at what my top choice school calls for, I think I'll shoot for a 30. I know it's extremely difficult so I'm not making any promises. I've read that the MCAT is the worst part of the app process. I just want to let others know that you could look up the MCAT minimum scores and the like on the website of the school of your choice, so you don't let yourself down if you didn't get what you wanted. Also, you can take it again!

Good luck to everyone. I wish I could apply next spring but my prereqs won't be satisfied/fulfilled. I hope I didn't sound too confident in my post, but it is a very uplifting feeling I am experiencing...knowing what I want to pursue after great contemplation. My mom always said, "You'll feel better once you have made a decision." This is for you Mom.

 

[Truth_seeker]

I too have a psych. degree and found my classes very interesting but totally immersed myself in bio. psych. I'm now pursuing my place in med. school. I'd encourage you to stay focused. Take this one step at a time. Hammer your pre-req's and focus there. Then move onto the MCAT phase and study hard there. Also, I'd recommend shooting for the April MCAT. That was an earlier question I had and all the research shows that April is the one to take for rolling admissions purposes. You don't have to have ALL your pre-reqs done but from what I've garnered, have 1 yr. Bio, 1 yr. Chem, at least 1 semester Org., and 1 semester of physics. Keep in mind some schools also require calculus. Don't worry about what your prof's think. You're the one who's going to be working in the field. You have to follow your heart and do what satisfies you not your prof's. Congrats on your decision and remember stay focused...one step at a time.

 

[Celiac Plexus]

Hello,

I apologize for cross posting. I posted this entry in the Post Bacc forum to try to gain as much feedback as possible.

"I am new to the forum. I thank you all for your helpful posts which I read until the wee hours.

Stats:
Senior
Graduating w/ B.S. (psychology) in Dec 05
GPA 3.75 comm. college (received A.S.)
GPA 4.00 at the 4-yr level (last two years)
took GRE, plan to take it again in August to get a 1250+
have not taken MCAT
have not taken nat sciences (pre reqs)
tons of research experience (doing an honors thesis now)
tons of volunteer experience
am wavering between Med school and a Ph.D. in a different field (choose not to state it here so early)

So, basically for possible admittance into med school I will need to have a 3.7+ in the nat. sciences and a 30+ on the MCAT.
Since I grad. in December, that gives me Spring-Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 to take the nat. sciences. Then, take the MCAT in April....take more classes in summer 07?...then take the MCAT again in August. I think I might go the informal route or a la carte since formal post bacc programs cost more? (or so I've been reading).

1. What will I be doing in Fall 07 and Spring 08 when waiting to hear about interviews/acceptances? Or, what did you do?
2. Do you have an recommendations as to the order of nat. sciences I should take? e.g., what should I take in the spring, etc.?
3. Can anyone enumerate for me the post bacc programs along with their linkages to med schools? I am really interested in moving to AZ, NM, or CA. Maybe even CO.


Thank you tremendously!!!"

you sound like a good applicant. take the rest of the prereqs and keep doing well. take the april mcat. don't worry about the mcat now. just focus on each science class and learn the material one course at a time. when it comes time to review for the mcat it won't be too hard. and getting a 30 isn't too hard if you prepare systematically.

as far as md v phd.... as an md you will be well-positioned for a research career if that is the direction you wish to go. you will also have the added benefit of better job stability, and income. the phd world is an endless cycle of grant writing and your job will depend on winning grants unless you work in the private sector (and then you will be doing a corporate project working for "the man").

what to do in the "gap" year while you are applying? well if you get your app in very early, you will get some early interviews and hopefully an early acceptance by nov/dec. if that happens, i suggest sleeping in a lot, and getting in as much non-medical recreation as possible. you can hedge somewhat by doing a little bit of medically related volunteer work so that if you don't get in the first time, you will have something to update your app with.

best of luck.