first post here..fantastic site. i will do my best to keep my story short. i was a biotech major from 2001-2004 and stopped during my last year because i was there for all the wrong reasons. my gpa was ~3.0-3.1 during that time. the highest science classes i took were biochem and immunology so i fulfilled all pre-reqs except physics 2. after leaving school, i networked my way into a trading/investment consulting job and worked for 4 years. i wanted to advance further within the company but it was impossible considering i never finished undergrad. so i quit my job and enrolled back in college in 2009 and am completing a double major in math/econ. my current major gpa is ~3.7 with ~1 year before graduation. so the point of my story: i want to give med school another shot. i will spare you guys my reasoning as to why but i will be 32 when i finish this last year of undergrad. i wanted to know if i should retake any of my pre-med science classes over this next year since i am enrolled full time in undergrad. i need to refresh myself for the MCAT and also wanted to get rid of the couple of C's i have in the pre-med curriculum. i was thinking about a post-bacc after i complete my math/econ degree because i doubt my overall gpa would be competitive without it. just looking for opinions on what i should do as far as retaking any classes. i appreciate any help. thanks.
non traditional pre-med advice
- Thread starter BSPS
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2007
- Messages
- 4,197
- Reaction score
- 36
It seems like some of your prereqs are going to be over 10 years old. I would retake those classes, especially since you got Cs in a couple of them.
Personally, I would not retake courses because they are earned 10 years ago or more. I completed Chem I, Physics I, Calc I,II,III, and Stats FIFTEEN years ago and it hasn't been an issue anywhere I have applied, interviewed or been accepted. If you have your heart set on a particular school, check with the school about the issue beforehand.
Why? I think because I took 28 credits of science courses, all with labs, in a year and performed really well in them.
Have you considered finishing your biotech degree instead of math/econ?
I would recommend NOT retaking old prereq's you performed well in "back in the day". Retake the C's and take Physics II, maybe Genetics and a couple other upper level science courses. This will show that you can handle the rigor of a heavy science load and can pull from your prerequisites the knowledge to perform well in upper level courses.
Retaking old courses is a pretty inefficient way to prep for the MCAT. Get Examcrackers and Berkeley Review, set a solid study schedule and take a prep course if you feel the need.
Why? I think because I took 28 credits of science courses, all with labs, in a year and performed really well in them.
Have you considered finishing your biotech degree instead of math/econ?
I would recommend NOT retaking old prereq's you performed well in "back in the day". Retake the C's and take Physics II, maybe Genetics and a couple other upper level science courses. This will show that you can handle the rigor of a heavy science load and can pull from your prerequisites the knowledge to perform well in upper level courses.
Retaking old courses is a pretty inefficient way to prep for the MCAT. Get Examcrackers and Berkeley Review, set a solid study schedule and take a prep course if you feel the need.
Also, don't neglect the non-coursework parts of the application.
If you don't volunteer currently, start now. If you have no clinical experience or shadowing, get some.
Find out what constitutes a strong application and position yourself so you have one when admissions committees are considering you for admission. Plus my volunteering and clinical experiences have been some of the most rewarding, touching moments in my life.
If you don't volunteer currently, start now. If you have no clinical experience or shadowing, get some.
Find out what constitutes a strong application and position yourself so you have one when admissions committees are considering you for admission. Plus my volunteering and clinical experiences have been some of the most rewarding, touching moments in my life.
