Part time, upper level science classes?

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2012er

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Hey guys,
Ive been lurking this site for a while now but never posted. Here's a little background on me:
Graduated from a above average OOS state school w/ a degree in Ex. Sci in May 2012
finished with a 3.2 cGPA and a 3.3sGPA with a HUGE upward trend(freshmen yr was bad, also took two pre reqs during that year)
I have shadowing/volunteering experience in almost every aspect of health care
I took the MCAT Sept 1st 2011 and got a 30L. 10s all around, bad writing section I know
My major prob is I have no one to write me an academic LOR, despite doing very well in their various classes, I was too quiet/shy/iuno and never asked. So i never ended up applying bc i knew it would be pointless. Eventually decided to pursue another one of my passions(health and fitness)
So I graduated and started working 2 days after walking across the stage
I'm currently working as a fitness professional, working with MDs, DOs, DCs as part of our training facility. I'm also developing corporate wellness programs and will have my own LLC pretty soon. I've been pretty successful in this short time and will only be going up.

Despite my situation I'm not sure this field is for me. I have decided to apply for the next cycle. I will be re-taking my MCAT and aiming for 34+ which I know is in my range(BSed my way through my last mcat prep). But I'm still stuck in the same situation and have no academic LORs. Here's my question, Would taking a semester of upper level science classes part time while working be okay so I could use them as academic references?
Not sure how adcoms will look at this (referring to MD programs)

One more question How strict are schools about their MCAT "expiration dates" Taking my test Sept 1st 2011, puts me almost exactly at the expiration line. Some schools say 3 years from the date of matriculation which would make my scores not valid for some schools while others say 3 years from the date of application, in which case I would be fine
Excuse my scrambled thoughts 😕
Any insight?
 
there's nothing wrong with taking extra upper division science classes part-time while working. actually I think this will be looked at favorably, but you should try to get some shadowing and clinical volunteering in during this time as well.
I think schools are pretty strict about their MCAT expiration dates (just based on what I've heard, no personal experience with this)
 
there's nothing wrong with taking extra upper division science classes part-time while working. actually I think this will be looked at favorably, but you should try to get some shadowing and clinical volunteering in during this time as well.
I think schools are pretty strict about their MCAT expiration dates (just based on what I've heard, no personal experience with this)

Alright thanks.I will actually be working on that as well starting within the next few days.

Any other opinions?
 
there's nothing wrong with taking extra upper division science classes part-time while working. actually I think this will be looked at favorably, but you should try to get some shadowing and clinical volunteering in during this time as well.
I think schools are pretty strict about their MCAT expiration dates (just based on what I've heard, no personal experience with this)

I agree. In fact I got my bachelors...well, a long time ago...and did p/t science courses. I bet knowing that you NEED letters might make it a little easier to push yourself out of your shell and talk to your professors.

Further, most schools expect you to be in some sort of academics the year before you start so you aren't out of the school groove, so to speak.
 
I wasnt accepted this year, and it was due to mainly my low gpa (3.0). I called the several schools that rejected me, and one of the reasons (besides the gpa), for not making the grade was my course load. Dental school is faster pace than UG. I guess they figured if I couldnt handle 6 credits, how the hell would I manage 22 credits
 
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