Nontrad about to start this long journey, low gpa high MCAT

[Wbarte01]

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Good morning,

I have decided very recently that I am going to embark on this long, grueling, but totally worth it journey into medical school.

I am a 25 year old, nontraditional student. I am an engineer (been out of school for the past 3+ years) looking to switch to medicine. Though I have an exciting job that I really can't talk about, I want to move into a field where I can help people more directly (the dream is surgery but I can only imagine how hard it must be to match into any specialty of surgery so I will cross that road when I get there).

Below I have listed all the information the sticky thread suggest. I am very early in this process so any and all advice is much appreciated. I am still under contract with my current employer so I am looking into leaving for school as soon as I can put in my two weeks (looks like I will be in the class graduating 2025!). Finishing up my last semester of a job sponsored MS degree in interdisciplinary engineering, then off to start my DIY post bac to get my prerequisites in.

1. 3.41 cGPA and 3.36 sGPA as calculated by AMCAS (this does not include my bio and chem prereqs that I have to take. Planning on taking chem 2, orgo 1 and 2, bio 1 and 2 at a local school)
2. Haven't taken my official MCAT yet, but I have been studying and taking timed practice tests that put me at 520-523. I will be conservative and say my real score will be around a 515 since I have read practice tests put people artificially high.
3. Originally from NY but been in FL for 3 years now so I am a FL resident
4. Latin American (Peruvian)
5. NYU
6. Been placed for volunteering at a local hospital, should have 200+ hours by the time I apply due to the time I have before my application goes in.
7. 1+ year of research at the NYU medical center. It was an interdisciplinary project in cardiovascular modeling. No publication
8. Looking to have 50 hours from a primary care doctor (my mom's friend) who is will to let me shadow him each year when we spend a week back home around the holidays the next couple of year. I am looking for local opportunities as well but no luck so far.
9. Nothing too recent besides church related activities, but I had 150 hours back in the day at a immigrant empowerment organization. I have been working full time to support my family and trying to get my clinical exposure has taken priority (sad to say)
10. Judo team member in college, 2.5 years with the DoD on a top aerospace project, currently at a one of the top 5 aerospace companies in the country working on another top project.
11. School's promise scholarship recipient (no undergrad debt woohoo)
12. Worked through school to help my single parent mom. My grandmother who did most of my raising died of cancer right before I started college. Put my mom into a depression and I had to take care of her. Pretty pissed off kid for most of college (dealing with a lot but had to step up you know). My life really turned around when I met my wife senior year and I got more of a support system (my senior year grams were around 3.7+ and now my grad GPA is about the same). My mom and I have always been below the poverty line but we got by.

I am still very early in the game so a list of target schools (maybe a couple of dream schools) and some safety schools would be appreciated. Also anything else that can boost my chances would be great too. Thank you all for taking the time to help someone with no guidance out. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[Faha]

Without an actual MCAT it is speculative but if you score over 512 and do well in your science prerequisites then you should apply to all your Florida MD and DO schools, including the new NOVA MD school when it opens. You could also try some of the NY schools, at least Albany, NYMC and Hofstra. Give us some followup when you have completed your science courses and MCAT.

 

[bigmoney]

I am on a similar boat like you Wbarte01

3.37 science gpa
3.34 cumulative gpa
haven't taken the MCAT yet
volunteered at emory hospital, Grady, and a free clinic (160 hours)
Pharmacy Technician at CVS pharmacy
Will start shadowing soon

Do I have a chance at getting into MD or DO school? What MCAT should I be striving for?

 

[Goro]

Come back when you have an actual MCAT score, and then we can advise. Continue with your post-bac schooling, and you'll need a 3.7+ GPA for MD schools for at least a year's worth of classes, (3.5+ for DO)

I also suggest gaining more non-clinical volunteering, especially in service to others less fortunate than yourself.

Good morning,

I have decided very recently that I am going to embark on this long, grueling, but totally worth it journey into medical school.

I am a 25 year old, nontraditional student. I am an engineer (been out of school for the past 3+ years) looking to switch to medicine. Though I have an exciting job that I really can't talk about, I want to move into a field where I can help people more directly (the dream is surgery but I can only imagine how hard it must be to match into any specialty of surgery so I will cross that road when I get there).

Below I have listed all the information the sticky thread suggest. I am very early in this process so any and all advice is much appreciated. I am still under contract with my current employer so I am looking into leaving for school as soon as I can put in my two weeks (looks like I will be in the class graduating 2025!). Finishing up my last semester of a job sponsored MS degree in interdisciplinary engineering, then off to start my DIY post bac to get my prerequisites in.

1. 3.41 cGPA and 3.36 sGPA as calculated by AMCAS (this does not include my bio and chem prereqs that I have to take. Planning on taking chem 2, orgo 1 and 2, bio 1 and 2 at a local school)
2. Haven't taken my official MCAT yet, but I have been studying and taking timed practice tests that put me at 520-523. I will be conservative and say my real score will be around a 515 since I have read practice tests put people artificially high.
3. Originally from NY but been in FL for 3 years now so I am a FL resident
4. Latin American (Peruvian)
5. NYU
6. Been placed for volunteering at a local hospital, should have 200+ hours by the time I apply due to the time I have before my application goes in.
7. 1+ year of research at the NYU medical center. It was an interdisciplinary project in cardiovascular modeling. No publication
8. Looking to have 50 hours from a primary care doctor (my mom's friend) who is will to let me shadow him each year when we spend a week back home around the holidays the next couple of year. I am looking for local opportunities as well but no luck so far.
9. Nothing too recent besides church related activities, but I had 150 hours back in the day at a immigrant empowerment organization. I have been working full time to support my family and trying to get my clinical exposure has taken priority (sad to say)
10. Judo team member in college, 2.5 years with the DoD on a top aerospace project, currently at a one of the top 5 aerospace companies in the country working on another top project.
11. School's promise scholarship recipient (no undergrad debt woohoo)
12. Worked through school to help my single parent mom. My grandmother who did most of my raising died of cancer right before I started college. Put my mom into a depression and I had to take care of her. Pretty pissed off kid for most of college (dealing with a lot but had to step up you know). My life really turned around when I met my wife senior year and I got more of a support system (my senior year grams were around 3.7+ and now my grad GPA is about the same). My mom and I have always been below the poverty line but we got by.

I am still very early in the game so a list of target schools (maybe a couple of dream schools) and some safety schools would be appreciated. Also anything else that can boost my chances would be great too. Thank you all for taking the time to help someone with no guidance out. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[Wbarte01]

Thank you all for the feedback! I will be sure to take all of your advice for action and will update.

If anyone else (or someone who has already chimmed in) has anything further, please do.

I have one more thing to ask by the way. Could anyone please point me in the direction of the MD schools that reward reinvention? I would really appreciate it!