Non traditional med school student advice?

[McNelly]

Hello everyone, I’m in a pretty unique situation. I graduated with a degree in Accounting, worked for 4 months an decided accounting is not for me. I have to much of a desire/need to help and make a difference in people’s lives. After shadowing a couple physicians I have decided to go down the med school route.

I have talked with some advisors, and it is looking like I will have a 3.5 cumulative, and a 3.8 pre req after I finish up these classes. Will my cumulative GPA hurt my chances?

The main thing I need tips and advice on is, should I get involved with research projects? How much shadowing/volunteering should I have done? What would be a competitive MCAT score for me? I’m from Kansas if that helps. And lastly, any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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[Goro]

Hello everyone, I’m in a pretty unique situation. I graduated with a degree in Accounting, worked for 4 months an decided accounting is not for me. I have to much of a desire/need to help and make a difference in people’s lives. After shadowing a couple physicians I have decided to go down the med school route.

I have talked with some advisors, and it is looking like I will have a 3.5 cumulative, and a 3.8 pre req after I finish up these classes. Will my cumulative GPA hurt my chances?

The main thing I need tips and advice on is, should I get involved with research projects? How much shadowing/volunteering should I have done? What would be a competitive MCAT score for me? I’m from Kansas if that helps. And lastly, any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

A 3.5 is not lethal, especially with a rising GPA trend.
KS is a very lucky state for Jayhawkers. But shoot for a 510+

Read these:

• Goro's Guide to the Application Process (2018 edition)
• Med School Rx: Getting In, Getting Through, and Getting On with Doctoring Original Edition by Walter Hartwig
  ISBN-13: 978-1607140627
  
  ISBN-10: 1607140624
  

 

[McNelly]

That’s what I was worried about. I got 3 C’s in accounting related courses, if I retook them and got A’s, it would raise me to like a 3.62. But I figured if I focused on my pre reqs and did well in those I’d be good.

 

[gyngyn]

That’s what I was worried about. I got 3 C’s in accounting related courses, if I retook them and got A’s, it would raise me to like a 3.62. But I figured if I focused on my pre reqs and did well in those I’d be good.

Even if your school replaces the C's with a subsequent grade, the AAMC will merely average them.
It's not worth the trouble of re-taking them as they are in classes that have no relevance to a medical school application.

 

[Ultimax]

We are fortunate have to have Goro as our Lord and Savior as his advices are top quality. I recently talked to a MS1 student, 33 years old, non-traditional, with accounting as his major. You can do it, but definitely need a competitive MCAT score. The student I talked about even received 15k scholarship a year, and its huge considering that medical school tuition in Texas is around 20k.

 

[McNelly]

We are fortunate have to have Goro as our Lord and Savior as his advices are top quality. I recently talked to a MS1 student, 33 years old, non-traditional, with accounting as his major. You can do it, but definitely need a competitive MCAT score. The student I talked about even received 15k scholarship a year, and its huge considering that medical school tuition in Texas is around 20k.

That’s great news. Can you tell me in your opinion, how many shadowing/volunteer hours I should aim to be around? What would a competitive mcat score look like? How important would it be for me to do research?

 

[Ultimax]

I say look at Goro's guides under his post, you will find all the information you need there.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

That’s great news. Can you tell me in your opinion, how many shadowing/volunteer hours I should aim to be around? What would a competitive mcat score look like? How important would it be for me to do research?

From what I’ve seen on SDN over the years

Try for 200-300 clinical volunteering hours and 150+ nonclinical volunteering. Get 70+ shadowing.

For MD try 510+
For DO try 505+

It’s not as important for nontraditionals to get research experience. But try for 100+ hours.