Planning my non trad journey. Non US BA, no volunteer!

[MamiMD]

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[baj6974]

Hi guys!
I've been lurking for a while and I thought that I would do my own thread for some guidance.

I am a 28 thumbdown) year old mother, currently finishing the last 5 classes in my undergrad BA at a foreign university (in the top 20 in the world). I am an American.
My grades are pretty good, roughly a 3.8 equivalent, although I don't have any science courses. My baby is still very young and nursing, and I am her primary care taker, so I am doing 4 classes this semester, and one class next semester (I am still overseas currently). I can't take any pre-reqs presently because none are offered near me. I am currently self learning Chem and physics so that when I start a lab course it will be familiar.

We are planning a move back to massachusetts where my family lives and I am a resident so I can have lots of support...and free babysitting of course!

What Im thinking:

Apply for Mount Holyoke Post-Bacc program for 2012 (hopefully get in ) (I guess I could also apply for the Harvard one, but that's probably a little harder)
Take Calculus, chem and bio over the summer at a CC.
Take upper level courses at Mount holyoke
Somehow fit in shadowing and volunteer experience (worried about this)
Take MCAT in 2013

I have ZERO volunteer/ clinical experience. Would it look terrible if I crammed it in over a year and a half?

Currently I am planning on applying to Umass med and Harvard (I know, I know, but I need to be local to my family in order for this to work). They both only ask for low pre reqs on their website. Am I correct in thinking that it would look better if I took upper levels?

If I don't get into the Mount Holyoke program, should I just take the pre-reqs at Umass Amherst? Can I just take the classes without being in a program or is this looked down upon. I think I can actually matriculate at a CC and take classes at a local 4 year...in that case, should I go for my science associates?

There is a PA program at Springfield College, that I'm thinking I will apply to as well. Will they know if I apply as a back up?

I have a definite disadvantage when I take the MCAT because I will not have completed a lot of science courses, will a structured study course like Kaplan fill in those gaps?

I have done a lot of self reflection and I know this is what I want. My husband, my family and I have talked about it and they are all on board. I know I can do this, but I know I have to show that to a medical school.

I have lived in several countries, I speak Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, I am an underrepresented minority...I'm hoping those things will work in my favor as well.

Thanks for reading

I'd take ALL the science courses that is recommended / required, for a BS Biology. I would personally stay away from a CC because I have heard and read that it is not as advanced as from a university , I could be wrong on that, but that is my gathering. Far as age, hell , I am 36 and my 1st yr in pre requisites. Volunteer or shadowing is a must! I am going for PA or DO myself, I don't have the $ or time for medschool, I have already decided and is a good back-up plan and that is , if for some reason I don't get accepted or do well on the MCAT, I can go the nursing route, get a BSN work for a year, w/ a BSN you can be a CRNA, work for a yr which is required to get your MSN, to become a NP, that way no MCAT, and maybe easier?

 

[pinkzebra]

hello and welcome!

i live in massachusetts and am in the process of studying for the MCAT, so i will try to help as best i can.

1. i do think it would be wise to take all of the pre-reqs before the MCAT. if you do want to go with a prep course, i would look at Princeton Review. i did some research before i signed up for my PR course, and although i think everyone is going to have a diff opinion on this, i found that many people preferred PR over Kap. so far the class is great. it is VERY helpful because they really tell you what is considered "over information" for the MCAT. they give you access to tons of online question banks and full length tests, track your progress electronically, and give you feedback. i do think, though, that having taken the pre-reqs already (even though it was several years ago now for me) is a HUGE help to the course. the background information really helps solidify a deep understanding of the material presented.

2. where in MA are you living? have you considered applying to Tufts and Bu as well? i live near Harvard, thereby convenient to all schools except UMASS since it is in worcester. you mentioned springfield, though, so are you out in western mass? if you want to apply to a PA program as a back up, have you also looked at MCPHS? here is a link to their program...they have two locations, one in boston and one in NH:

http://www.mcphs.edu/academics/programs/physician_assistant_studies/PA_24_Man/


3. the harvard extension school post-bacc program would be an EXCELLENT option for you. dont think it's harder...i know a lot of people who have successfully gone through it with fabulous experiences. they also write you a committee letter if you maintain a certain GPA, i believe. here is a link to it:

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/hcp/

you could always email the extension school and set up an appointment to speak with one of their advisors. they are very helpful. they also offer a lot of upper level science courses in addition to the pre-reqs.

4. i dont think clinical experience over 1.5 years is considered "cramming," by any means. i think you would be just fine.


please feel free to message me if you have any questions i can totally understand you wanting to be near your support system in MA.

 

[drlisa0318]

I'd take ALL the science courses that is recommended / required, for a BS Biology. I would personally stay away from a CC because I have heard and read that it is not as advanced as from a university , I could be wrong on that, but that is my gathering. Far as age, hell , I am 36 and my 1st yr in pre requisites. Volunteer or shadowing is a must! I am going for PA or DO myself, I don't have the $ or time for medschool, I have already decided and is a good back-up plan and that is , if for some reason I don't get accepted or do well on the MCAT, I can go the nursing route, get a BSN work for a year, w/ a BSN you can be a CRNA, work for a yr which is required to get your MSN, to become a NP, that way no MCAT, and maybe easier?

Just one point - you said you are going PA or DO because you don't have the money or time for med school. DO IS med school. Same amount of time. Same curriculum with the only difference being the addition of OMM. End result is that you're a physician able to do everything an MD does.

 

[furyhecla]

Hi all -

I am a non-trad applicant (I have a Ph.D., and I work as a professional wildlife research biologist... so I work 40+ hrs a week).

I know that shadowing is really important, but I can't get anyone to call or email me back! I"ve been trying to contact hospitals, dr. offices, and I've filled out applications, gotten TB screening renewed, letter of recs., etc. And the office managers don't respond. Just simply do not respond. I leave messages. When I actually get to talk to someone, they say that 'they are trying to find a doctor that is willing to have a shadow". ... and then they don't call back.

I have an opportunity to volunteer at a hospital (bringing water, fluffing pillows), which is fine, and I'll probably do this. But I'd rather get to witness more of the clinical work, etc.

Any suggestions? Am I approaching this the wrong way? This is really frustrating. I have even gotten recommendations from Drs. who used to live in my town (they've asked the office managers to help).

Thanks

 

[aSagacious]

I have an opportunity to volunteer at a hospital (bringing water, fluffing pillows), which is fine, and I'll probably do this. But I'd rather get to witness more of the clinical work, etc.

When you are face-to-face with a couple docs during one of your shifts, ask them for the opportunity. I find that it is much harder (though not impossible) for people to say no when you ask in person.