New NonTrad; any pointers?

[nobaddays]

Hey all,

I'm a new (to the site) non-traditional, pre-med student. Been checking out the forums for a few days now, and the wealth of information and personal experiences shared on here is awesome! Anyhow... figured I'd kind of introduce myself and see if anybody has any tips/tricks/pointers they think I should hear, as well as ask a few questions.

About Me:

• B.S. in Ocean Engineering; 3.5 GPA at time of graduation
• Currently working full-time in the aerospace industry
• I have been taking prereq night classes after work; took Chem 2 (+lab), took Orgo 1 (+lab), finishing Orgo 2 (+lab) now. Next Bio 1 & 2 with labs. Straight A's in these so far, and planning on keeping it that way. (These aren't included in the 3.5 GPA above)
• Currently zero volunteer/shadow hours (I know i need to change this)

I have a zillion questions, but I'll try to start small:

1. Local university offers an MCAT prep class, that I was planning on taking before taking the MCAT. Is this a waste? is my time and money better spent at Princeton Review/Kaplan/Next Step?
2. Should I take Biochemistry or Microbiology before the MCAT prep course? Microbiology is available nights and would likely be just another semester of the same prereq routine for me. Biochem is only in the afternoons, so this would involve some serious life rearrangements, but I can find a way if I need to. Would love to here from somebody who has recently taken a similar track.
3. Any notable volunteering positions i should go after, other than just wondering into the local hospital and asking what they've got for me?

Thank you all in advance!

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[nobaddays]

You should definitely try to take Biochem before the MCAT, and possibly Molecular Biology as well. These are high yield topics on the Bio section. You should also try volunteering in a nonclinical setting in an underserved area, i.e. soup kitchen, tutoring low income students, etc. It's important to have both clinical and nonclinical volunteering, and the more you volunteer with underserved populations, the more favorable this looks for you.

Awesome, thanks for the input. Definitely want to take some of these higher sciences. I'll have to find a way to make it work I guess.


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[wholeheartedly]

definitely biochem, its a major content area on the MCAT

 

[star.buck]

University of New England has a decent online biochem course, that many schools accept as the pre-req requirement (definitely check the requirements of the med schools you’re interested in). It may be worth looking into. It’ll for sure help with the MCAT, as the exam has quite a bit more biochem than it used to. It would help build a foundation for a lot of med school material as well.

 

[001002154]

I did not take biochem before the MCAT and as a result, that was my lowest section. If you haven't already discover Khan Academy (.com), look into it. It is a massive help in studying for the MCAT. I used khan academy, the princeton review book and (very little) kaplan and did well enough.

Regarding the MCAT course you mentioned, it sounds like you are a self starter, motivated, and bright individual so I would sAve your money and study hard. Take lots and lots of practice MCAT tests. If you buy the princeton review book, it comes with access to (I think) 4 full length tests.

My MCAT strategy was something like:

AAMC diagnostic
TPR test 1,2
AAMC Full length 1
TPR 3,4
AAMC full length 2

(Sorry for grammar and typos, I'm on my phone)

 

[nobaddays]

University of New England has a decent online biochem course, that many schools accept as the pre-req requirement (definitely check the requirements of the med schools you’re interested in). It may be worth looking into. It’ll for sure help with the MCAT, as the exam has quite a bit more biochem than it used to. It would help build a foundation for a lot of med school material as well.

Awesome. I'll definitely have to check that out. Looks like if i take Bio 1 & 2 in person, that will fulfill most of my required credits for admissions. Biochem would be basically just to learn the material for the MCAT. Local community college offers state-accredited Chem, Orgo, and Bio, but not biochem. So far the only local biochem options I've found are during the work week, which isn't an option for me at the moment. But it sounds like I'd be wise to take Biochem before the MCAT.

 

[DocJanItor]

Awesome. I'll definitely have to check that out. Looks like if i take Bio 1 & 2 in person, that will fulfill most of my required credits for admissions. Biochem would be basically just to learn the material for the MCAT. Local community college offers state-accredited Chem, Orgo, and Bio, but not biochem. So far the only local biochem options I've found are during the work week, which isn't an option for me at the moment. But it sounds like I'd be wise to take Biochem before the MCAT.

You'd be wise to take biochem altogether. Biochem is a major component of pre-clinical med school education. It's a class that you should have decent mastery of before you take the MCAT and apply to med school.

 

[nobaddays]

Whelp. Biochem it is lol.. thank you all.

I signed up to do some K-12 math tutoring for kids who are having to repeat classes, so hopefully that will help toward the non-clinical volunteering that @bigbite mentioned.

I've definitely got my hands full for the next few semesters, but I can't believe how fast it's been going by so far.

 

[Jdp00921]

Hey all,

I'm a new (to the site) non-traditional, pre-med student. Been checking out the forums for a few days now, and the wealth of information and personal experiences shared on here is awesome! Anyhow... figured I'd kind of introduce myself and see if anybody has any tips/tricks/pointers they think I should hear, as well as ask a few questions.

About Me:

• B.S. in Ocean Engineering; 3.5 GPA at time of graduation
• Currently working full-time in the aerospace industry
• I have been taking prereq night classes after work; took Chem 2 (+lab), took Orgo 1 (+lab), finishing Orgo 2 (+lab) now. Next Bio 1 & 2 with labs. Straight A's in these so far, and planning on keeping it that way. (These aren't included in the 3.5 GPA above)
• Currently zero volunteer/shadow hours (I know i need to change this)

I have a zillion questions, but I'll try to start small:

1. Local university offers an MCAT prep class, that I was planning on taking before taking the MCAT. Is this a waste? is my time and money better spent at Princeton Review/Kaplan/Next Step?
2. Should I take Biochemistry or Microbiology before the MCAT prep course? Microbiology is available nights and would likely be just another semester of the same prereq routine for me. Biochem is only in the afternoons, so this would involve some serious life rearrangements, but I can find a way if I need to. Would love to here from somebody who has recently taken a similar track.
3. Any notable volunteering positions i should go after, other than just wondering into the local hospital and asking what they've got for me?

Thank you all in advance!

1. I took an MCAT prep course and I feel it did not significant change my score. In hindsight, I would simply buy the review books (you can research which companies are best for which sections) and study what you need to refresh on. Mostly, the biggest piece of advice I can give you - take as many practice tests as possible. This is the one benefit of taking a class, you usually get numerous practice exams. Overall, I cannot stress the taking of practice exams and reviewing those exams enough!
2. As mentioned above, Biochemistry is important for both the MCAT and for medical school. Taking this course before hand will ultimately be extremely high yield.
3. Hospital or clinic is always good for clinical volunteering but personally, I most enjoyed volunteering with an organization that truly interested me! Some volunteer for the sake of volunteering - I'd recommend doing something you really like instead.

Good Luck!

 

[DokterMom]

I'm going to put in a plug for "Start shadowing now!" -- The whole idea behind shadowing is for you to find out what the daily lives of practicing physicians are like and to determine if that's a life you would actually enjoy. You might surprise yourself and find out you actually don't! Of course, a day in the life of a psychiatrist, pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, pathologist and pain specialist are going to be pretty different, and you'll probably find yourself liking some much more than others. But definitely something you want to find out soon, or else you are "putting the horse before the cart" so to speak.

Shadowing first looks like sound planning; shadowing last looks like box-checking.

For your volunteering, please think outside the box a bit. Taking any old hospital volunteering gig is also simple box-checking that impresses no one. Also, you may find such gigs relatively hard to come by depending on where you live and that area's local population of eager pre-meds.

Look for volunteering opportunities that are a bit different -- Hospice, Alzheimer's care, working with the developmentally disabled, tutoring, HIV / Drug treatment, low-income clinics, etc. As a general rune, the more personally 'uncomfortable' is it for you, the more 'points' you'll get for actually doing the activity. Find someone who truly needs the help, and you'll actually get a lot more out of it.

Anyway - that's my two cents. Best of luck to you --

 

[nobaddays]

1. I took an MCAT prep course and I feel it did not significant change my score. In hindsight, I would simply buy the review books (you can research which companies are best for which sections) and study what you need to refresh on. Mostly, the biggest piece of advice I can give you - take as many practice tests as possible. This is the one benefit of taking a class, you usually get numerous practice exams. Overall, I cannot stress the taking of practice exams and reviewing those exams enough!
2. As mentioned above, Biochemistry is important for both the MCAT and for medical school. Taking this course before hand will ultimately be extremely high yield.
3. Hospital or clinic is always good for clinical volunteering but personally, I most enjoyed volunteering with an organization that truly interested me! Some volunteer for the sake of volunteering - I'd recommend doing something you really like instead.

Good Luck!

Awesome, thanks for the input. I agree 100% with volunteering somewhere meaningful. I worked as a math tutor in college, and it was the best (not best-paying) job I ever had. Extremely rewarding... so I figured that'd be a great non-clinical tutoring experience. Still keeping my ear to the ground for clinical tutoring opportunities that really jump out at me.

 

[nobaddays]

I'm going to put in a plug for "Start shadowing now!" -- The whole idea behind shadowing is for you to find out what the daily lives of practicing physicians are like and to determine if that's a life you would actually enjoy. You might surprise yourself and find out you actually don't! Of course, a day in the life of a psychiatrist, pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, pathologist and pain specialist are going to be pretty different, and you'll probably find yourself liking some much more than others. But definitely something you want to find out soon, or else you are "putting the horse before the cart" so to speak.

Shadowing first looks like sound planning; shadowing last looks like box-checking.

For your volunteering, please think outside the box a bit. Taking any old hospital volunteering gig is also simple box-checking that impresses no one. Also, you may find such gigs relatively hard to come by depending on where you live and that area's local population of eager pre-meds.

Look for volunteering opportunities that are a bit different -- Hospice, Alzheimer's care, working with the developmentally disabled, tutoring, HIV / Drug treatment, low-income clinics, etc. As a general rune, the more personally 'uncomfortable' is it for you, the more 'points' you'll get for actually doing the activity. Find someone who truly needs the help, and you'll actually get a lot more out of it.

Anyway - that's my two cents. Best of luck to you --

Thanks! I never thought of the "box-checking" implications, but that makes total sense. And I definitely agree with doing something outside of my comfort zone, and outside the "ordinary".

 

[Blanky]

No prep course
Yes lots of practice full lengths (timed/review them after and learn from mistakes)
Yes Biochem!

 

[star.buck]

Whelp. Biochem it is lol.. thank you all.

I signed up to do some K-12 math tutoring for kids who are having to repeat classes, so hopefully that will help toward the non-clinical volunteering that @bigbite mentioned.

I've definitely got my hands full for the next few semesters, but I can't believe how fast it's been going by so far.

Yeah, I'm a second year medical student... I can tell you first hand I really wish I had paid better attention during that class (rather than cram the material for the pre-req/MCAT purposes). We use biochemical processes nearly every day in some way or another. It's really important to have a good grasp of and you'll certainly have a great edge if you have the info learned well.

Best of luck to you, this path is long... but intensely rewarding!

 

[nobaddays]

Yeah, I'm a second year medical student... I can tell you first hand I really wish I had paid better attention during that class (rather than cram the material for the pre-req/MCAT purposes). We use biochemical processes nearly every day in some way or another. It's really important to have a good grasp of and you'll certainly have a great edge if you have the info learned well.

Best of luck to you, this path is long... but intensely rewarding!

Thanks! It is "long", but I'm of the mindset that the time is going to pass, regardless of how I choose to spend it... Glad to hear you're having a good experience so far.