Ok

[jimhawking]

l
also worried prereqs would be expired etc

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[AJS59]

im worried my lack of schooling since dec 2020 would hold me back. i stopped research in 2023 but maintained medical assistant work part time.
also worried prereqs would be expired etc

Don't, no reason. Look at the schools you're interested in but I think you may find at many of them you'd still be fine for pre-reqs

 

[Goro]

No. At the worst, take a course or just to keep your academic chops exercised

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Take the MCAT and see how it goes. Prereqs don't really expire but it's probably worthwhile to take a class or two to show you've still got it.

 

[jimhawking]

Don't, no reason. Look at the schools you're interested in but I think you may find at many of them you'd still be fine for pre-reqs

many thanks im mainly interested in DO schools and I really cant find anything regarding expiration on their sites...so I'm confused

 

[jimhawking]

No. At the worst, take a course or just to keep your academic chops exercised

thank you im mainly interested in DO schools and I really cant find anything regarding expiration on their sites...so I'm confused. my parents are convincing me to do it to "get in regardless and start med school next year" so I understand what they are saying by not wasting another year.

 

[jimhawking]

Take the MCAT and see how it goes. Prereqs don't really expire but it's probably worthwhile to take a class or two to show you've still got it.

Thank you for the advice

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

There are many Post Bacc programs that offer linkage agreements with their medical schools. Most Post Baccs offer undergraduate courses for candidates that decide to take additional courses at the undergraduate level. There are other masters Post Baccs that last up to two years, many of which teach curricula that tailor towards a medical school candidate. These programs are essential to consider because many have linkage agreements that are predicated on a minimum MCAT score. Others do not have linkages that guarantee an interview but will accept candidates with lower MCAT scores if they completed a Post Bacc at their school and have shown interest in the program. There are many reasons why you should apply now and see if your candidacy is considered, but there are others that push one to enroll in a post bacc program to enhance their application and apply as a Post Bacc student who has access to the university advising and resources that are often necessary to apply to medical schools. The decision to enroll or not enroll in a Post Bacc program are very unique to the applicant, and cannot be predetermined off a general "rule of thumb."

That said, the reality is that regardless of what you've done since graduating, if you WANT to pursue medicine and practice as a physician, make this clear in your application.

 

[LizzyM]

If you've taken all the pre-reqs and finished with a 3.86, you do not need to waste time and money on a SMP or a post-bac. You could take some classes as a student-at-large, just to keep things fresh. Do take a diagnostic MCAT and see where you stand. Figure that you might need 2-6 months of prep before taking the real thing. It might be possible to take MCAT in late Spring and if you can manage 515 or better you should just go ahead and apply if you want to.... why did you have so many years of delay?

 

[jimhawking]

If you've taken all the pre-reqs and finished with a 3.86, you do not need to waste time and money on a SMP or a post-bac. You could take some classes as a student-at-large, just to keep things fresh. Do take a diagnostic MCAT and see where you stand. Figure that you might need 2-6 months of prep before taking the real thing. It might be possible to take MCAT in late Spring and if you can manage 515 or better you should just go ahead and apply if you want to.... why did you have so many years of delay?

since it is difficult to answer that question of delay i want to do the smp. I did do medicl assistant and other volunteering but honestly i was afraid of the mcat. Oh well. I want to do what is the next best move. So you dont think i should do an smp?

 

[jimhawking]

There are many Post Bacc programs that offer linkage agreements with their medical schools. Most Post Baccs offer undergraduate courses for candidates that decide to take additional courses at the undergraduate level. There are other masters Post Baccs that last up to two years, many of which teach curricula that tailor towards a medical school candidate. These programs are essential to consider because many have linkage agreements that are predicated on a minimum MCAT score. Others do not have linkages that guarantee an interview but will accept candidates with lower MCAT scores if they completed a Post Bacc at their school and have shown interest in the program. There are many reasons why you should apply now and see if your candidacy is considered, but there are others that push one to enroll in a post bacc program to enhance their application and apply as a Post Bacc student who has access to the university advising and resources that are often necessary to apply to medical schools. The decision to enroll or not enroll in a Post Bacc program are very unique to the applicant, and cannot be predetermined off a general "rule of thumb."

That said, the reality is that regardless of what you've done since graduating, if you WANT to pursue medicine and practice as a physician, make this clear in your application.

Thank you. Appreciate it.

 

[jimhawking]

If you've taken all the pre-reqs and finished with a 3.86, you do not need to waste time and money on a SMP or a post-bac. You could take some classes as a student-at-large, just to keep things fresh. Do take a diagnostic MCAT and see where you stand. Figure that you might need 2-6 months of prep before taking the real thing. It might be possible to take MCAT in late Spring and if you can manage 515 or better you should just go ahead and apply if you want to.... why did you have so many years of delay?

The more i think about the question at the end the more i think i shiuld do the smp while applying. How can medical assistant and volunteering be shadowing be enough? In the gap years. I really wanted to be sure or thie career as well. Honestly what do you think i should do? I mainly want to go DO schools and have strong do and md letter as well as from profs

 

[AJS59]

The more i think about the question at the end the more i think i shiuld do the smp while applying. How can medical assistant and volunteering be shadowing be enough? In the gap years. I really wanted to be sure or thie career as well. Honestly what do you think i should do? I mainly want to go DO schools and have strong do and md letter as well as from profs

An SMP is a waste of time and money at your GPA level. At least being a medical assistant you can earn a little bit of money

 

[LizzyM]

Special masters programs are basically paying for a year of medical school style classes to show you have what it takes to do well in medical school. Do you want to bet $50,000 that you can out perform the average medical student?

Buy the Kaplan Books, or U-World, or Princeton Review or sign up for Jack Weston, or whatever the kids these days are doing and start doing some content review for the MCAT. (there is an entire sub-forum on MCAT prep). Take a practice test. Look at what you missed and what you got right. Formulate a plan to study for the MCAT while working in a job that is patient facing. In your spare time (haha) devote at least 2 hours per week to those in dire situations in your community by volunteering with a local community group.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN

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