Non-Trad, Career Changer - How to begin my journey into medicine?

[DJShu]

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Hi Everyone,

This is my first post on the Student Doctor Forum so bear with me. Seeing as how you all have been so helpful in the other posts I have read, I was hoping you could provide me the same guidance.

A little about my background; I graduated in 2007 from Binghamton University with my MBA and an undergraduate degree in Economics (with GPAs of 3.3 and 3.0 respectively and a GMAT score of 640). I partook in an accelerated program that allowed me to complete my undergraduate and masters degrees in the span of 5 years. Since my graduation, I have been working in NYC for a risk consulting firm.

Over the course of the past several years, I have realized that I had rushed into the wrong field and that a career in medicine is what I want/need to do with my life. I don't feel it necessary to divulge into the reasoning behind my decision for this change (as I am sure this will be questioned continuously throughout this whole process) but more so am looking to make sure I start this journey in the right direction. Here are few initial questions I have been dwelling on, but please do not hesitate to expand beyond these thoughts to anything you think may help.

1) Based on other posts, I have decided that a formal post bacc program is a better option for me. I am curious, however, as to how much of an advantage a post bacc from a well known institution has over lesser known school? Also, based on some of the qualifications above, what post bacc schools would I be a viable candidate for? I live very close to Sage College, which is a 4 year university with a formal program but I am fearful that medical schools will look for a more recognized name (i.e. Columbia, NYU, Univ. of Rochester).

2) For post baccs geared towards career changers, what is generally the maximum science credits that can already have been taken and/or do most post baccs allow you to retake those courses? As a freshman undergraduate, I took chemistry 1 and 2 and received C's in both.

3) What are some of the pros and cons of a one year program vs a two year program?


I'm sure there are 1000 more things to ask but I'll cut it off there(for now at least 🙂). Your advice is much appreciated!

 

[Calipers]

1) Things that I would consider about a formal post-bac program: name I feel is not as important as the structure. There are programs that allow X number of students from their post-bac program directly into a medical school. There are others that have an excellent advising and/or application system, which will ease the process significantly. And there are programs where it is relatively easy to establish rapport with professors and hence obtain good letters of recommendations. These components are much more important than the name. If Columbia offers these, then by all means, go for the Columbia post-bac program. But if Sage offers these and Columbia doesn't, then I would go to Sage. If both are equal, then choose what would make you feel most comfortable (e.g. whether you value commuting vs. prestige more).

2) If you are aiming to apply for MD schools, know that all of your courses will be averaged. There is not really a limit on the number of credits you can take. You can definitely re-take classes, but an A earned in a post-bac chemistry course will not completely wipe out the C you received in freshman chemistry. On the other hand, if you are looking at DO schools, then re-taking classes will be to your advantage as they will replace those C's with newer grades.

3) Pros: you pay less money for a 1 yr program and you get all your prereqs done faster. Cons: 1 yr programs tend to be more intense and may not be compatible with full-time jobs. Also, it can be dicey juggling a 1 yr program with applications and interviews.

 

[pol2med]

@DJShu, I am in a similar place you were 7 years ago. I am looking to change my entire career from state legislative politics to medicine. And I'm 33 now.

I am in a place where I need to either quit my job and do a 1 year post-bacc program at Sage College or somehow piece together my science pre-requisits at SUNY Albany while working full time. I am quite disapointed in SUNY Albany's lack of night classes.

My job has definite seasons when it is very busy to far more flexible where I could accomodate some classes early in the morning. My busiest season is always spring, however, so it would be very difficult to get anything accomplished toward completing my pre-requisits.

I have thought to maybe take the classes at HVCC, but have since seen so many posts about avoiding community colleges for these pre-requisits. So perhaps that is not an option at all.

I am kind of at an impass. I don't have the financial flexibility as I wish I did, because I pay for all my expenses alone and my recent realization that I want to study medicine came so out of the blue in a good way, but left little time for preparation.

What did you end up deciding on regarding the post-bacc program at Sage?

Also, @Calipers, thank you for sharing your insights.

 

[Dullhead]

@DJShu, I am in a similar place you were 7 years ago. I am looking to change my entire career from state legislative politics to medicine. And I'm 33 now.

I am in a place where I need to either quit my job and do a 1 year post-bacc program at Sage College or somehow piece together my science pre-requisits at SUNY Albany while working full time. I am quite disapointed in SUNY Albany's lack of night classes.

My job has definite seasons when it is very busy to far more flexible where I could accomodate some classes early in the morning. My busiest season is always spring, however, so it would be very difficult to get anything accomplished toward completing my pre-requisits.

I have thought to maybe take the classes at HVCC, but have since seen so many posts about avoiding community colleges for these pre-requisits. So perhaps that is not an option at all.

I am kind of at an impass. I don't have the financial flexibility as I wish I did, because I pay for all my expenses alone and my recent realization that I want to study medicine came so out of the blue in a good way, but left little time for preparation.

What did you end up deciding on regarding the post-bacc program at Sage?

Also, @Calipers, thank you for sharing your insights.

You're not likely to hear from DJShu. Their only interaction on this forum was the one post they made in 2010 and they have not been seen since. You are engaging with a 7 year old thread. You'd get more responses if you start your own thread. However, you should search here for posts by DrMidLife first, before you start your thread.