Physics grad looking for some advice

[SadPhysicist]

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Hey everyone,

I'm 23 and just graduated with a BS in physics but I have aspirations to become a DO. Everyone I spoke to as an undergrad tried to deter me from physics and suggested I major in something like bio or chem but I just enjoyed physics too much and now i'm a little lost.

So my issue is that my physics degree didn't require that I take chemistry (not even the general course) and instead allowed me to take an introductory bio class to fulfill my requirements. I wanted to take chemistry classes scattered throughout my undergrad but my major advisor strongly opposed that idea since I was taking multiple math and physics classes at the same time. Therefore, I currently hold a science degree but have only taken physics and math classes, leaving out all of the other med school prerequisites.

According to the AMCA SGPA calculator my cumulative AMCAS GPA is 3.368, BCPM GPA is 3.27, and AO GPA is 3.58
I know these are less than optimal but there is an upward trend from my sophomore to my senior year if that helps at all.

I took the GRE and performed fairly well but decided against applying to a masters program (was looking into medical physics) in the end to pursue this dream instead.

So I guess i'm just wondering what my next course of action could be in order to fulfill my prerequisites and take the MCAT.

I've looked at some post-bac programs but most of the ones in California require you to hold a non-science degree or have most of the prereqs completed in order to apply, they're also pricey but most allow you to get loans.

The state school I went to allows students to return for a second bachelors so I was thinking that maybe I can sign up for a bio degree then take the classes I need and not finish the program. It would be like the ala carte option but with financial help, or at least that's what I'm thinking.

I also considered taking the general chemistry classes (Gen Chem I and II) at my local CC and taking the others at a 4-year since I read that CC courses would be less than optimal and those chem classes are prereqs to many bio classes, but i'm not sure if this is a good idea.

I have done some physics related research at my school and have been involved in a couple of student organizations but I do not have very much community service apart from tutoring.

Any advice you can offer would be immensely appreciated

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Magus5454]

Start with general chemistry, that is a pre req to organic. Work on your ECs

Also be aware that AACOMAS doesn't count math in your science GPA

 

[Robin-jay]

Looks like you've invested in a very difficult major and have your set of accomplishments.

Now you need to shift gears, and tell yourself "ok, I want to go into medicine, lets focus ONLY on things that will get me there".

No more math or physics for you, take your pre-reqs, study for the MCAT, and only do ECs that will help you advance into medical school.

 

[DarklingThrush]

You're exactly right. Go back to your state school, declare Bio as your major, and register for your pre reqs. Get as many A's as possible, rock the MCAT and apply! As a fellow physics lover, congrats on your degree. My physics professor was always trying to get me to get a degree in physics and go to grad school... no way haha I can't imagine how difficult it would be. Physics I and II were enough for me!

Edit: avoid community college. Take all your courses at university. Can you take Gen Bio and Gen Chem together in the fall? Or take one in the summer?

 

[001002154]

Honestly, you’re in a really good place right now with (essentially) a clean slate regarding your science GPA. You’ve got potential to have a very competitive science GPA while boosting your already solid cumulative GPA. That + above average MCAT will get you some looks, but make sure you don’t limit yourself to staying in Cali.

 

[Lucky Day]

If it's financially plausible, do a post-bac. I just checked and it seems that you would be eligible at Columbia and Johns Hopkins, so I'm sure there are more. They'll have the infrastructure (curriculum, EC opportunities) and knowledge (nontrad experienced advisors) that will be able to directly address your scenario and groom you for the next steps.

Good luck!

 

[DarklingThrush]

If it's financially plausible, do a post-bac. I just checked and it seems that you would be eligible at Columbia and Johns Hopkins, so I'm sure there are more. They'll have the infrastructure (curriculum, EC opportunities) and knowledge (nontrad experienced advisors) that will be able to directly address your scenario and groom you for the next steps.

Good luck!

I vehemently disagree with this. Columbia's post bacc is notoriously deflated. If you do a search on here, most people have not so good things to say about Columbia in regards to their formal post bacc program. OP is not qualified for Hopkins either. With their sGPA and cGPA, they will not be accepted. The average GPA accepted to Hopkin's post bacc program is much much much higher. OP, an informal post bacc can be just as effective and structured. It is also far more cost effective. I was either accepted or went through interview processes for Bryn Mawr, Columbia, Hopkins and a few others and I 100% do not regret my decision to do an informal post bacc. I was very happy with the education, funding and help I received at my chosen university.

 

[Lucky Day]

I vehemently disagree with this. Columbia's post bacc is notoriously deflated. If you do a search on here, most people have not so good things to say about Columbia in regards to their formal post bacc program. OP is not qualified for Hopkins either. With their sGPA and cGPA, they will not be accepted. The average GPA accepted to Hopkin's post bacc program is much much much higher. OP, an informal post bacc can be just as effective and structured. It is also far more cost effective. I was either accepted or went through interview processes for Bryn Mawr, Columbia, Hopkins and a few others and I 100% do not regret my decision to do an informal post bacc. I was very happy with the education, funding and help I received at my chosen university.

Apologies, I didn't mean to suggest OP to attend the two examples I provided. I was just pointing out that it was easy for me to find programs for which the OP was eligible.

While I'm sure an informal post-bac is definitely more cost effective and can be just as structured in regards to classes, my point is that a post-bac would be the most complete and user friendly package. For example, I'm sure the medical program admission rates of post-bac programs are likely to be significantly better than those doing informal post-bac.

It's hard to know what kind of person is asking for advice and what will best suit their needs. In that case, a post-bac seems to be the most universal option.

 

[SadPhysicist]

Wow, thank you so much for all your feedback guys, I truly appreciate your advice and time.

So I will begin to look more closely at some post baccs in other states, the only reason I was limiting the search to cali was because of a job I landed but sacrifices must be made to reach my goal and I totally understand that. The price was also a major drawback since I was unsure if it would be a good option but I think its definitely worth a shot now since it would allow

I really like the idea of the second bachelors but one of the prerequisites is gen chem I. In fact, I just checked and chem is a prereq to almost every bio class in my state school, so i'll definitely take that in the summer, but i'll save up and take it at the university instead of CC and apply to the university for next spring since the deadline for this fall has already passed.

Is calling a local DO or clinic the best way to begin looking for shadowing opportunities? I spoke to a couple of representatives from Western U a couple of months ago in a career fair at my school and they encouraged me to email them in order to arrange a podiatry shadowing opportunity, should I contact them and ask about possible DO shadowing opportunities?

Thanks again!

 

[Lucky Day]

Wow, thank you so much for all your feedback guys, I truly appreciate your advice and time.

So I will begin to look more closely at some post baccs in other states, the only reason I was limiting the search to cali was because of a job I landed but sacrifices must be made to reach my goal and I totally understand that. The price was also a major drawback since I was unsure if it would be a good option but I think its definitely worth a shot now since it would allow

I really like the idea of the second bachelors but one of the prerequisites is gen chem I. In fact, I just checked and chem is a prereq to almost every bio class in my state school, so i'll definitely take that in the summer, but i'll save up and take it at the university instead of CC and apply to the university for next spring since the deadline for this fall has already passed.

Is calling a local DO or clinic the best way to begin looking for shadowing opportunities? I spoke to a couple of representatives from Western U a couple of months ago in a career fair at my school and they encouraged me to email them in order to arrange a podiatry shadowing opportunity, should I contact them and ask about possible DO shadowing opportunities?

Thanks again!

For DO, I actually emailed the AOA rep for my state and he hooked me up with someone really easily. For anyone else, cold calling/emailing is totally cool if you are polite and to the point. There will definitely be doctors happy to help. It MAY be a low yield method, but if you stick to it, someone will be willing to have you!

Good luck!

 

[SadPhysicist]

Oh, that's awesome! I didn't think of that, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[tluedeke]

Hey everyone,

I'm 23 and just graduated with a BS in physics but I have aspirations to become a DO. Everyone I spoke to as an undergrad tried to deter me from physics and suggested I major in something like bio or chem but I just enjoyed physics too much and now i'm a little lost.



Thank you so much in advance!

You're young, so the sky is the limit. Don't hesitate if you feel that is your calling. Go take inorganic chemistry, then organic chemistry/biochemistry. You *will* need them for the MCAT (and debatably afterward). And make sure your grades are top notch in those classes, as they'll be scrutinized. I was a physics undergraduate as well, and usually the biology area is going to be weak as well. You'll need to take A&P and Microbiology, and possibly a general biology as well. I found a medical terminology course to be useful as well, given that medicine is a jargon-heavy field.

Also, do *not* delay in getting clinical/volunteering experience. Do it now. Go get a CNA, RT, EMT, or similar certification and start getting hours. Shadow a DO if you can (and it might take time to find one, so don't delay). Getting 1000-2000 hours of clinical/work experience could be a big factor when you apply.

Also, start thinking about the MCAT. Buy a MCAT study guides and cross-link your coursework with the content expected in the MCAT. Don't just take classes and ignore the MCAT until you're done. Incorporate practice problems as you go along, and make sure you deeply understand them.

Finally, work on your memorization. Physics doesn't require much, but medicine does. Work on learning Anki or other software, and practice your memorization skills.

Just my $0.02

 

[chooks]

I have a similar physics background, and although you feel behind because you did not do a chem or bio major, IMHO a physics actually sets you apart from the Endless Hordes of pre-meds/bio/biochem majors when it comes to admissions time. The downside is that everyone thinks you want to go into Radiology for some reason (although my undergrad research was in nuclear astrophysics, so maybe that's why).

Post-baccs and roll-your-owns have been debatedly endlessly here. Suffice to say, find something that works for you (for me it was evening class for 2 years at a community college closely affiliated with the state med school and I ended up with numerous interviews). Don't forget to enjoy life along the way!

Good luck!