Non-trad help

[WESTcoastREP]

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I recently graduated from a California state school with a degree in business. Over the past two years, I've worked and interned at a few places and have quickly realized that it is not really my cup of tea. I'd flirted with the idea of going to medical school in the past, but never really did anything about it. Recently, I've begun thinking about it again after having seen what the business word entails. As mentioned, I was a business major so I have not taken any of the necessary science classes (I've taken the english and calculus courses though).

Here are a few of my stats:
Overall GPA: 3.97 (I transferred from a CC)
Honors program
Work experience: various places, all related to business
Volunteering: Volunteer at my temple for the past 4-5 years, volunteered at soup kitchens, volunteered at my local hospital for around 2 years
Shadowing: shadowed a doctor for 10-12 hours

My question is, how would I go about getting my application ready? How should I begin taking classes (CC, State school, etc...)? What sort of EC's should I get involved in?

Thanks!

 

[flatearth22]

Awesome GPA. EC's are also pretty good considering you're a non-trad. Definitely get more shadowing with docs in different specialties. Also see if you can get a more "hands-on" clinical experience - like a medical assistant or something to show that you're very comfortable working in the medical field.

You'll probably get better answers in the non-trad forum - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=110

Also you're gonna wanna do a postbac or at least take the prereqs so check out the postbac forum - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[WESTcoastREP]

Awesome GPA. EC's are also pretty good considering you're a non-trad. Definitely get more shadowing with docs in different specialties. Also see if you can get a more "hands-on" clinical experience - like a medical assistant or something to show that you're very comfortable working in the medical field.

You'll probably get better answers in the non-trad forum - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=110

Also you're gonna wanna do a postbac or at least take the prereqs so check out the postbac forum - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

Thanks for the advice. In regards to EC's, I should be able to get some more shadowing in, but I'm not sure if I can get anything research related as my background is non-science.

As for the post bac, would I be better served by just taking the classes out right instead of doing a formal program?

 

[LizzyM]

A formal program will provide you with an advisor -- some of them are well known to adcoms and their LORs carry considerable weight. Your advisor will set you up with opportunities for clinical volunteering and research... after you have a few science classes you can get your hands dirty in a lab setting -- I have seen humanities undergrads with bench research experience so if they can do it, so can you.

This usually means giving up your job and jumping in full-time. If that is too big a jump, then doing it one or two courses at a time while working at your usual job is not a deal breaker.

Be sure you can describe why medicine and why now. It is curious that you volunteered in a hospital as a business major, what prompted that?

 

[WESTcoastREP]

A formal program will provide you with an advisor -- some of them are well known to adcoms and their LORs carry considerable weight. Your advisor will set you up with opportunities for clinical volunteering and research... after you have a few science classes you can get your hands dirty in a lab setting -- I have seen humanities undergrads with bench research experience so if they can do it, so can you.

This usually means giving up your job and jumping in full-time. If that is too big a jump, then doing it one or two courses at a time while working at your usual job is not a deal breaker.

Be sure you can describe why medicine and why now. It is curious that you volunteered in a hospital as a business major, what prompted that?

I appreciate your advice. Would you happen to have a list/ link to post-bacc programs? I understand this may sound demanding, but I'd like to stay in California as long as possible 😀, all of my family is settled here.

In regards to volunteering at the hospital, there was no one big reason, just a variety. I wanted to be proactive and see what was out there while at my CC. At the same time, I wanted to try and give back to my local community. And of course, I wanted to get a feel for the medical field and if it interested me.

 

[RedSox10]

I appreciate your advice. Would you happen to have a list/ link to post-bacc programs? I understand this may sound demanding, but I'd like to stay in California as long as possible 😀, all of my family is settled here.

In regards to volunteering at the hospital, there was no one big reason, just a variety. I wanted to be proactive and see what was out there while at my CC. At the same time, I wanted to try and give back to my local community. And of course, I wanted to get a feel for the medical field and if it interested me.

Try the Scripps program if you want to stay in CA.

 

[Catalystik]

Would you happen to have a list/ link to post-bacc programs?

Searchable database: http://services.aamc.org/postbac/
Dr Midlife List: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=640302
Post-Baccalaureate Programs Forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[WESTcoastREP]

Scripps seems like exactly what I am looking for. Although, the one thing I feel that may hold me back are my SAT/ACT/GRE scores. I don't remember exactly, but my SAT wasn't too hot (based on 2400 when I took it) and my ACT was around 30 perhaps. Would the only way to remedy this situation be to take the GRE?

Also, what can I do to improve my chances of getting into Scripps? I searched here on SDN, but the helpful threads are at least 2-3 years old.

 

[WESTcoastREP]

found it

 

[WESTcoastREP]

Scripps seems like exactly what I am looking for. Although, the one thing I feel that may hold me back are my SAT/ACT/GRE scores. I don't remember exactly, but my SAT wasn't too hot (based on 2400 when I took it) and my ACT was around 30 perhaps. Would the only way to remedy this situation be to take the GRE?

Also, what can I do to improve my chances of getting into Scripps? I searched here on SDN, but the helpful threads are at least 2-3 years old.

bump 🙂