Non-Trad Medic Needs Some Serious Advice

[SummerPharmer]

I'll keep it short folks. 3 years ago I was in my last year of undergrad at UCB (social science) and decided law school wasn't where I was heading. Last minute I switched to being pre-pharm. I got a couple pre-reqs out of the way on my road to graduating and spent the following year working on pre-reqs at the local community college. My grades are as follows:

UCB (Cumulative- 3.33, Major- 3.8):
Sciences-
Gen Chem I: B
Gen Chem II: B
Calc I: B
Bio I: C

Community College:

Bio I/II (Lecture): A/A
Physiology & Lab: A/A
Gen Chem I/II (Labs): A/A
Organic Chem (Lecture) I/II: A/A

Economics: A
Speech: A

Missing Coursework:

Organic Chem (Labs) I/II
Physics I/II & Labs
Bio I/II (Labs)
Calc II
+ Any other necessary pre-reqs such as biochemistry.

After a year of pre-reqs, I realized I still hadn't yet made up my mind about what I wanted to in life and was still thirsty for adventure. Long story short, I'm a military medic now and am trying to plan out how to pursue medical school once my commitment is over in 3 years.

So here are my questions and although I've read plenty of posts on them before, I'd like to get an updated opinion. Should I pursue a formal or informal post-bacc? How heavily do med schools weight CC courses vs. 4 year? I probably will forget all the science I've learned by the time my commitment is up, would you suggest I retake ALL my pre-reqs in order to do well on the MCAT? I'm from California and would prefer to stay in state for my post-bacc, any recommendations for schools would be appreciated. Also, I'm overseas for the next 2 years and will be unable to take any legitimate science courses except those offered online or engage in any research. Any recommendations on what I can do to improve my application in the meantime?

And to any vets out there, do you happen to know if the Post 9/11 Bill will cover post-bacc courses?

Let me be straightforward, I'm basically looking for a nearly guaranteed and quick path to medical school. I'm in drone mode, tell me what I have to do and I shall do it. Thanks in advance everyone.

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[CodeBlu]

Love the name!

Try posting this in the non-trad forum. It will most likely get the responses you're looking for.

Found here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=110

Also, be wary, there exists no quick and easy path to medical school. The road is long and dirty.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Try posting this in the non-trad forum. It will most likely get the responses you're looking for.

Truth. Moving you over there.

 

[CaptainObvious]

Also, be wary, there exists no quick and easy path to medical school. The road is long and dirty.

The more time I spend on this road, the truer this becomes.

In fact, this is such a good statement, I'm thinking of putting it in my sig!

 

[CopaceticOne]

1) Should I pursue a formal or informal post-bacc? How heavily do med schools weight CC courses vs. 4 year?
2)I probably will forget all the science I've learned by the time my commitment is up, would you suggest I retake ALL my pre-reqs in order to do well on the MCAT?
3) Any recommendations on what I can do to improve my application in the meantime?

4) Let me be straightforward, I'm basically looking for a nearly guaranteed and quick path to medical school. I'm in drone mode, tell me what I have to do and I shall do it.

1) I personally did a informal post-bacc and it was great! I went to the state university in the city I live, and enrolled as a non-degree seeking undergrad (already has degree). I was treated like any other ugrad on campus (including the awesome premed advising that the school has). The biggest benefit I got from going the informal route was that I has a lot of choice in classes to take (added in some social sciences to balance out the hard sciences) so that I didn't get bored / burnt out. Also, the tuition was cheaper than what I have seen for the formal post-bacc programs.

2) If you can study from a book, spend your time constantly re-learning what you've taken thus far. It will help when MCAT time rolls around to be able to be self motivated in learning. If you aren't able to book learn, talk with the professors where you'll be continuing your coursework when you get back. If you explain your situation, I'm certain they can point you in a direction for success.

3) Working in the military as a medic is amazing. Kudos for joining up. You'll need to get the requisite physician shadowing in, and you can strengthen it if you can work in someone's lab doing research when you get back. (Not necessary, but lots of the pre-med gunners have been doing it.). Most importantly, study hard for classes and devote yourself to preping for the MCAT. If you rock that test, you'll be in good shape.

4) As CodeBlu said, NOTHING is guaranteed. You're going to have to work you butt off because, in the end, med school admissions is a competative game. Hard work = success.

Good luck!

 

[deleted407805]

So here are my questions and although I've read plenty of posts on them before, I'd like to get an updated opinion. Should I pursue a formal or informal post-bacc? How heavily do med schools weight CC courses vs. 4 year? I probably will forget all the science I've learned by the time my commitment is up, would you suggest I retake ALL my pre-reqs in order to do well on the MCAT? I'm from California and would prefer to stay in state for my post-bacc, any recommendations for schools would be appreciated. Also, I'm overseas for the next 2 years and will be unable to take any legitimate science courses except those offered online or engage in any research. Any recommendations on what I can do to improve my application in the meantime?

I've been told by premed advisers that community college or online courses aren't considered as true an indicator of your ability to perform in the sciences as courses from four-year colleges or universities.

If you'll have forgotten all of your prerequisites by the end of your commitment, you might consider applying to the Scripps College Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program, where I did my prerequisites. It's really more of a program for career changers, usually people who've taken very few science courses, so I'm not sure how the admissions committee will view your transcripts.

If you think at all that you could do well, maybe you could apply for the UC post-baccalaureate programs? They're intended for people who've already had the basic prerequisites, so they take more advanced coursework.

As for improving your application, I think your experience as a medic will already give you lots to discuss in your personal statement and interview. Maybe you can get some research experience when you're back in California taking classes?