Non-Traditional Students: Working Full-time & Pre-med

[Bluemirage]

Hi there,

I was wondering how many non-traditional pre-med students come on this forum who work full-time and are taking pre-med prerequisites? I am 27 years old and I have decided to complete my prereqs and apply for medical school. Unfortunately my previous 2 degrees were in business and I have to complete 47 credit hours of science/math prereqs. I am also currently the bread winner of the family and have to keep my full-time job. My goal is to apply for med school for class of 2006 (I'll be 30 by then).In your experiences, what is a sensible class load in credit hours to take on for each semester while holding a full-time job? I was thinking of trying for 9 credit hours....is that too much?? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Bluemirage
😛

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[DSM]

My post should make you feel better. I work anywhere from 40 to 60 hours a week. I work nights as a supervisor at a local ambulance service. I have a degree in horticulture plus my paramedic certification. I had to take all of the prereqs. All I like now is Phys II next semester. The most I ever took in one semester was 13 hrs and that semester I got a 4.0. It all depends on how difficult the classes are and your natural ability to excel in them plus organization of your time and schedule. You can do it. You just have to have the drive to see it through. People constantly ask me how I do it. I tell them, "I don't know, I just do it." Think positive or better yet....Don't think....just do it.
🙂

 

[jlee9531]

well when i was back in college...

i would take around 20 units a semester and work full time...40-50 hours.

it was tough since i would come home past midnight and that would be when i would start my hw/studying...

but i survived and im sure you will too....

but if you want to at least be somewhat sane and have reasonable hours then maybe 13-14 units a semester might be good.

good luck yo.

 

[Asclepius]

I worked for about 50 hours a week, sometimes up to 70. I took two lectures and two labs a semester and finished my prereqs in two years. The key, it seems, is the number two. 😛
I didn't have to take any English courses, however, as I had plenty as an undergraduate.

9 hours is doable, depending on the difficulty of your courses and their hours of availability in the day. My advice is: take these classes keeping in mind that, in doing so, you are studying for the MCAT...keep reviewing, etc, and you will be well-prepared for the exam.

-Asclepius

 

[lalee]

I worked full-time while taking 2 classes at a time (with labs). I probably could have taken one more class but my schedule wouldn't allow it. But I agree that 2 classes at a time is a good number. I'm a single mom, so my time is limited, but if you have a supportive spouse to help with the kiddos, you could probably take 3.
Also keep in mind that going back post-bacc, you're most likely taking sciences only. And, you must take gen chem before organic, trig before physics, etc. So this also limits the number of courses you can take.
Good luck!😀

 

[JDAD]

I play Div 1 baseball at a to 50 program. During the season, I am either on the field or on a bus going to the field for a minimum of 55hr to a maximum of around 95 depending on the location of the game. It makes it very difficult but it can be done.

That being said, I don't have the responsibility to come home to a wife and family. I would suggest that you start off with anywhere from 8-12 hours.

Just plug through it, adcoms like to see a heavy course load, but in your case, school, job, FAMILY, they will understand. Just make sure you get them done in a timely manner. Don't take anymore than 2 years to get them done. Also, remember the MCAT!

 

[loomis]

i also worked full time teaching and doing research while completing my prereqs and mcat prep. it's tough but definitely can be done. for mcat prep, at least in boston, i found the princeton review to be very helpful for framing all the stuff that i had learned in my premed classes. exhausting to have to go to class on sunday though! best of luck to you!!

 

[Irene Adler]

I finished my pre-req's at a community college over a period of three years while teaching middle school science full time. The most credits I took was 13--which felt like too much. If you can study efficiently, go for two classes with labs--that will keep you busy at least four nights a week. I managed to take Organic Chemistry and basic Biology at the same time--but the Biology class was bogus.

 

[OrthoFixation]

If your taking classes with labs (4 hrs), limit yourself to two classes. If your taking no labs, three classes should be fine. You could do more, but your sanity, grades, and relationships may suffer.

I took a break between jobs and piled on 4 classes with labs and that was plenty. They were Org. I, Microbiology, Anatomy, and Zoology. Most of the time, this wasn't too bad, but when several classes would have a test in the same week it became hectic.

After going back to work, I took Org. II and that was OK. I had to miss several classes and labs due to business travel which had to be made up. Be sure to give yourself at least 6 weeks to study for the MCAT b/c so much rides on this single factor.

 

[2DEG]

Bluemirage:

I am pretty much in a similar situation. Fulltime job (typically 50 to 60 hours/week), a family. Many people don't realize, all kids are not the same. Some kids give his or her parents lots of time, go to bed at a sensible time, eat well..etc.

Well, you guessed it right. Not my 2 and half yr old daughter. She means the world to me..but when I go home at 6pm or so, I swear I get no study done, not a single page until about 12:30am.

People with no kids may not realize this..but thats the situation with us.

I find one class to be enough for me. But I am thinking about reducing my work load by one day. I think I can handle 2 or even three classes easily if I had one fullday to myself.

I am hoping to apply in 2006 as well. Best wishes to you.

Shahab

 

[Bluemirage]

Thank you very much for everyone's posts....your responses have been very helpful and inspirational. I feel alot better about tackling 9 semester hours on top of my job after reading your responses.

Some fantastic anecdotes here...I take my hats off to all of you! It sounds like most of you were able to complete 45-50 credit semester hours within 2 years despite working a full-time job. Did most of you take your MCATS with about 2 semesters worth of credits to complete? Or did you complete all of yout prerequisites before taking the MCAT? Did you lighten your load during the semester in which in took your MCAT? My plan is to complete 9 credit hours per semester starting Spring 2004 and 6 hours per summer. I am thinking of taking the MCAT Summer of 2005 and hopefully get my application accepted for class 2006.

Thank you for everyone's best wishes.

Bluemirage

 

[Jalopycat]

I was a not trad too. When I was pre-med, I had a full time job and a part time job. I did my prerequistes pretty slow ( I already had a degree)...about 5-6 hours a semester, so it took awhile, but I started med school last year so I reached my goals...

My one mistake was on the MCAT. I tried to study for it while taking classes. My score was terrible so I studied all summer without taking any classes and then took it again. I did much better.

I hope that answers your questions! 🙂

 

[gary5]

I'd take 4 credits per semester (lecture and lab), and 4 credits for each condensed summer session. That's 16 per year, so 3 years for you. Take the MCAT sciences last. AND, remember to volunteer for at least 1 year before applying.

The funny thing is, the effects of your decision are permanent. Decide well.

 

[lyragrl]

I worked 45+ hours a week in a demanding career (totally separate from medicine) nearly the whole time. It was pretty rough but I took my courses fairly slowly and I learned a lot about how to budget my time.

 

[Bluemirage]

Gary 5: How much volunteering time per week is considered sufficient? I am a pharmaceutical representative and so I technically do alot of "volunteering" work in my day-to-day activities besides just sales calls on doctors eg providing drug info to hospital staff, providing CME credits to Hospital Pharmacy staff etc.

I have also completed a number of preceptorships shadowing Urologists, Family practice/Internal Medicine, Orthopedic Surgeons and Rheumatologists. Would this be considered an advantage for me in my application?

Sounds like a few of you did lighten your semester hours in the months before taking the MCAT's...I think I will dp the same.

Thanks again for all your responses.

 

[Califlower]

I work about 40 hrs/wk and take at least 12 units a semester. But I am still working towards a bachelors -- I am a nursing major first. I am trying to squeeze some premed prereq's -- I can tell you that if you've been out of school a while, this stuff will overwhelm you. Rather than to advise how many units is appropriate, I'd tell you to start with one or two classes, and work your way up. First, it takes a while to get back into that academics-mode, and second, you need to see how much time you'd be able to spend studying. Third, it would be better to take less units and get better grades, because when push comes to shove, GPA and MCAT matters quite a bit (from what I understand 😉 ...). It would also be helpful to take the time to fully grasp science concepts, as they are the foundations which you will base your medical school studies as well as something you need to retain for the MCAT's. Good luck...

If any of my advice seems like crap, feel free to tell me. I didn't mean to be so wordy.... I'm just a lowly premed afterall!😀