Options besides Post-Bacc's or Masters programs

[Law2Med83]

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Hi there,

I posted this question in another thread, to which I cannot locate. LOL. Forgive me, I am a newbie.

Anyways...
Someone suggested that I should not take a chance in post-bacc programs. I am considering this, but also to keep my options open, am applying to bunch of programs.

But, I am having a hard time figuring out what to do in the year I have, since I will be applying to med school for Fall 2009. Someone suggested I take more undergrad classes as a continuing student (which I will be for the summer at Michigan State-->Biochem, Physc, and Stats). If I continue to take more upper level classes during the regular school year the same way, how does this appear to the Adcom's? Wouldn't going to Graduate school be more appealing?

I have a BS in Biology (3.3ish gpa) from 2005. I went to Law school for 1.5 years, and therefore haven't had any science classes since 2002-2005. I will be taking the MCAT's in July/August (never took them before).

I also need to build up my EC's, but IDK what to do as the area I live in offers me barely anything. It seems like all the EC's are geared towards undergrads. Suggestions?

I just don't want to appear as if I'm sitting home all day, not doing anything. I would like to make my time off as valuable as possible. Can someone give me suggestions on how I can do research on the side?

Again, I'm sorry if you have read my previous post somewhere else on here. 😱
Thanks in advance.

 

[mshheaddoc]

If you haven't had sciences in awhile, I might suggest holding off on registering for the MCAT until you see how you do on practice tests. Don't throw away $200 until you know if you are ready.

As for classes, most schools will want to see recent coursework if you are a non-trad switching gears unless you ace the MCAT. Maybe you will (some people are just awesome at standardized testing!) but I'm guessing if you want the bang for your buck and increase your chances, I'd do a one year SMP (special masters program) to boost your chances. Only what I would do. If you are geographically limited, I'd refresh myself on upper level sciences or retake the sciences if you feel you need it (plus if you apply to DO schools it will replace your older grades).

 

[helpfuldoc2b]

Hi there,

I posted this question in another thread, to which I cannot locate. LOL. Forgive me, I am a newbie.

Anyways...
Someone suggested that I should not take a chance in post-bacc programs. I am considering this, but also to keep my options open, am applying to bunch of programs.

But, I am having a hard time figuring out what to do in the year I have, since I will be applying to med school for Fall 2009. Someone suggested I take more undergrad classes as a continuing student (which I will be for the summer at Michigan State-->Biochem, Physc, and Stats). If I continue to take more upper level classes during the regular school year the same way, how does this appear to the Adcom's? Wouldn't going to Graduate school be more appealing?

I have a BS in Biology (3.3ish gpa) from 2005. I went to Law school for 1.5 years, and therefore haven't had any science classes since 2002-2005. I will be taking the MCAT's in July/August (never took them before).

I also need to build up my EC's, but IDK what to do as the area I live in offers me barely anything. It seems like all the EC's are geared towards undergrads. Suggestions?

I just don't want to appear as if I'm sitting home all day, not doing anything. I would like to make my time off as valuable as possible. Can someone give me suggestions on how I can do research on the side?

Again, I'm sorry if you have read my previous post somewhere else on here. 😱
Thanks in advance.

Curious, did you drop out of law school or are you deciding to finish off and apply after your JD? Also was wondering did you ever have desire for law or just jumped into it and realized it was the wrong move and same curiousity about the love for medicine was it something you always had wanted to do or something that just came to you?


About your post, I would try doing a masters program if you can afford it. Other than that just take time and kill the MCAT, if you dont differenciate between MD and DO in preference your odds for acceptance may drastically increase. It will be easier to advice you knowing your situation, are you working or 100% free, are you in school? Can you afford to just go full time and not work?

 

[Law2Med83]

I am no longer in law school.

I have actually always wanted to go into medicine, and the reason why I didn't is because I felt betrayed by the entire health care system when my grandmother died from cancer overseas.

There is a long, long, story behind that, and I will save you from the boredom .

But what happened to me is unusual, so to speak, because usually, a circumstance such as this would push a student further to want to go into medicine right? Not me. Not sure why. I just felt that at the point in my life back then, I was not prepared to deal with medical school. Maybe it was a good thing, I know for sure that if I continued, I might have bombed my MCAT's or worse, fail out of med school.

I was angry, and felt, what better way then to do law and get even by doing malpractice? Or, I thought with my science background, I could do patent law.

Boy, was I completely wrong. Although I enjoyed it the first year, the realization set in that I was going about this whole thing the wrong way. I knew what I needed to do was improve health care, be it here, or over seas. As soon as I walked past this hill, my will to pursue medicine again became overpowering. I do not think I ever had as much passion as I do right now.


In mid-May, my classes (as a continuing student) start at Michigan State, and I'm taking Biochem and Psychology, as I hear that it is recommended. There are no other upper level Bio classes offered, so I'm stuck with those for now.

Of course, my plans are to kick MCAT butt when I take it. Like I said before, I am so very motivated.

So again, IDK if I should:
1) do SMP, Master's in Biomedical Sciences, or Master's in Science, all of which would be geared towards students who would want to continue their education in medical school, etc....or
2) continue to take upper level classes in biology as a continuing education student at Michigan State to improve my undergrad GPA...or
3) apply as a regular graduate Master's program, and take traditional classes.

I know all of the above are weighted differently, and I don't know which would be to my best advantage. I have emailed different schools and have received minimal, ambiguous answers.


Ok, so before this starts sounding like a personal statement, I'll stop. So, thank you for those that answered, if you think of any other advice, let me know, please, I NEED IT!!!!

Again, what are some good examples of extra curric's? I can go shadow many doctors, not a problem, but what else can I do? I have looked at volunteermatch.com, and the last section written for my area was dated back to December! I tried looking to see if there is research opportunities at local hospitals and at Michigan State Med School, but nothing turned up in the search results. I'm not sure if I'm going about this the right way. Should I be directly contacting the school and ask for opportunities?

 

[gman33]

First, get copies of your transcripts and calculate your overall and BCPM gpas.

If you are in the 3.3 range as you state, this is a little low.
I would suggest taking a year of upper level UG courses. Cheaper than a SMP and not as "high risk". Check other threads about SMPs.
I'd only do a SMP after running out of UG coursework, if you still need a higher gpa.

Dropping out of JD will be a problem for some schools. I understand your reasoning and agree it's best to cut your losses if you know something is not right. Not everyone agrees with this and some places will hold this against you. Make sure you address it in your PS.

Get a volunteer position in a local hospital. You need at least 1 year of once a week volunteering for this to be significant. It shouldn't be too hard to find this. Just call every hospital and ask for the volunteer office. Most have one. This is important both for your app and for you. You need to figure out if you really want to be a doc before you head down this path.

 

[njbmd]

But, I am having a hard time figuring out what to do in the year I have, since I will be applying to med school for Fall 2009. Someone suggested I take more undergrad classes as a continuing student (which I will be for the summer at Michigan State-->Biochem, Physc, and Stats). If I continue to take more upper level classes during the regular school year the same way, how does this appear to the Adcom's? Wouldn't going to Graduate school be more appealing?

I have a BS in Biology (3.3ish gpa) from 2005. I went to Law school for 1.5 years, and therefore haven't had any science classes since 2002-2005. I will be taking the MCAT's in July/August (never took them before).

I also need to build up my EC's, but IDK what to do as the area I live in offers me barely anything. It seems like all the EC's are geared towards undergrads. Suggestions?

If you do not want to pursue a career in a particular field that requires a graduate degree, then don't enter a graduate program. A graduate degree is not going to enhance your chances of getting into medical school as graduate work (other than a SMP) is weighted little more than an extracurricular activity.

For most allopathic schools:
Your 3.3 uGPA in Bio is going to need some serious enhancement. This can be done by SMP (you need to complete the program and do well) or by postbacc work (no grade less than B+).

You next problem is that you have dropped out of law school. Couple this with your below average uGPA and you have an uphill course ahead of you in terms of being competitive for medical school. Even with a strong MCAT score (easier said than done), you will still be screened out of some medical schools and heavily scrutinized at others.

A SMP with linkage would be your best option but again, you need to do extremely well. If you are doing the post bacc route, you need to get that uGPA up into at least the average range (3.5-3.6) and needless to say, your MCAT has to be strong.

For osteopathic medical schools:
Your uGPA will be closer to their matriculant averge and it will go up with postbacc work. You still need a strong MCAT(nothing mediocre). You are less likely to be screened out by uGPA.

 

[Blade28]

I agree with the above advice by njbmd.

In addition, I'd leave the following tidbit out of your app completely:

I was angry, and felt, what better way then to do law and get even by doing malpractice?

Just my $0.02. 🙂

 

[Law2Med83]

Well thanks for the honest answers. I appreciate them.

and, LOL of course I would not put that piece of information in my application.
😀

 

[Law2Med83]

Can someone tell me if these two classes would be something I should consider taking?

Eukaryotic Cell Biology
Structure and function of nucleated cells. Emphasis on the molecular mechanisms that underlie cell processes.

Immunology
Structure and function of molecules involved in immune responses. Quantification of immune responses and cellular participants. Immunologic abnormalities. Immunotherapy. Experimental approaches to dissection of immune functions.

 

[helpfuldoc2b]

Can someone tell me if these two classes would be something I should consider taking?

Eukaryotic Cell Biology
Structure and function of nucleated cells. Emphasis on the molecular mechanisms that underlie cell processes.

Immunology
Structure and function of molecules involved in immune responses. Quantification of immune responses and cellular participants. Immunologic abnormalities. Immunotherapy. Experimental approaches to dissection of immune functions.

Immuno would be helpful, but I was wondering if there are classes available where you can take Physio, Biochem, Pharm, Histo. These classes will not only help you boost your GPA it will help you get a leg up during first year in med school and give you an idea of what courses you will be facing during you basic science years.

Good luck.

 

[Law2Med83]

Immuno would be helpful, but I was wondering if there are classes available where you can take Physio, Biochem, Pharm, Histo. These classes will not only help you boost your GPA it will help you get a leg up during first year in med school and give you an idea of what courses you will be facing during you basic science years.

Good luck.

Forgot to mention that in addition to those 2 classes, I will also be taking Biochem. I dropped the Psychology and Statistics (yea don't ask, someone mentioned this would help).

I took a graduate level Pharmacology class while undergrad and got a B+.
Unfortunately, MSU doesn't offer anatomy, physiology, or histology during the summer term.

I'm looking at the summer courses to see if there are any other classes and have emailed the health career adviser as well.