Please Help Me Get Into Med School

[meanderingfool]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm 25 years old and graduated from a no-name college with a BS in Biology 3 years ago with a 3.67 GPA and say a 3.6 in science. I got C's in Org1 and Biochem and haven't yet taken Org2. How big a problem is that? During the past 3 years I've bummed around, making a living playing cards, etc. I have no nice extracuriculars like volunteer work or research. What MCAT score do I need to get into a decent med school and is there enough time to prepare (I haven't studied ANY science in 3 years) to take the August test and have my applications in so I can start school next year? If not, what time table should I implement?
Thanks guys.

 

[meanderingfool]

bump

 

[Airzonk]

I'm 25 years old and graduated from a no-name college with a BS in Biology 3 years ago with a 3.67 GPA and say a 3.6 in science. I got C's in Org1 and Biochem and haven't yet taken Org2. How big a problem is that? During the past 3 years I've bummed around, making a living playing cards, etc. I have no nice extracuriculars like volunteer work or research. What MCAT score do I need to get into a decent med school and is there enough time to prepare (I haven't studied ANY science in 3 years) to take the August test and have my applications in so I can start school next year? If not, what time table should I implement?
Thanks guys.

Wow, tough questions. How do you graduate with a degree in Bio and never take Orgo 2 or its associated lab? If its really been three years since you have seen any science and have not taken Orgo 2 how do you expect to do well on the MCAT?

If you woke up one day and said I want to be a doctor and haven't really done anything towards that goal and have nothing to show an admissions committee you might want to start from the ground up. Take orgo 2 as it is a pre-med requirement. Start working/volunteering in labs and or healthcare field. Study for the MCAT. Hope/pray you do well. Retake if you don't. You have a good GPA. I don't know what else to say you have your work cut out for you.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I agree with airzonk. You need to show a commitment towards medicine and also that you know why you want to go into medicine. Your grades are good, most schools would require at ochem2 if not the associate lab as well. But check the schools you want to apply to.

Honestly, no offense but I have a few friends that did exactly what you did and it wasn't until they got some initiatitve and drove into things they were interested in did they feel productive. Find what your passion is and go for it. Try to get a lab job or soemthing of that nature if you want to try research, etc.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm 25 years old and graduated from a no-name college with a BS in Biology 3 years ago with a 3.67 GPA and say a 3.6 in science. I got C's in Org1 and Biochem and haven't yet taken Org2. How big a problem is that? During the past 3 years I've bummed around, making a living playing cards, etc. I have no nice extracuriculars like volunteer work or research. What MCAT score do I need to get into a decent med school and is there enough time to prepare (I haven't studied ANY science in 3 years) to take the August test and have my applications in so I can start school next year? If not, what time table should I implement?
Thanks guys.

I agree with the others in that I don't think you can realistically expect to start med school next year (Aug 2007). You can get there eventually, but it's going to involve buckling down and doing better than a C in orgo 2, studying and doing well on the MCAT, and doing some decent ECs. There is really no way you want to submit an AMCAS app without Orgo 2, an MCAT score or any substantial clinical ECs -- that's too many things for a school to gloss over and wait on. The smart move is to sit this current cycle out, get your premed stuff in order, and shoot for the subsequent cycle (2008). Good luck.

 

[meanderingfool]

Thanks for your answers.
Org2 wasn't required at my school for the BS. I wanted to get my apps in this year, because if not I'll be 27 when I start med school. It's only a 1 year difference, but it seems I'm already behind and don't want to stand out from the other med students. But if it it's too much to have my Org2, shadowing, and volunteer work at a hospital all pending when I submit my apps, maybe I should wait till next year. I've only taken the practice Verbal section and got a 10. I'm sure I'll bomb the other subjects as I probably forgot most of my science. How well do those MCAT courses work? Can they increase your score significantly or would I be better off studying on my own? How would adcoms react to the big 3 year gap in my resume? All I did was gamble during those years.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Thanks for your answers.
Org2 wasn't required at my school for the BS. I wanted to get my apps in this year, because if not I'll be 27 when I start med school. It's only a 1 year difference, but it seems I'm already behind and don't want to stand out from the other med students. But if it it's too much to have my Org2, shadowing, and volunteer work at a hospital all pending when I submit my apps, maybe I should wait till next year. I've only taken the practice Verbal section and got a 10. I'm sure I'll bomb the other subjects as I probably forgot most of my science. How well do those MCAT courses work? Can they increase your score significantly or would I be better off studying on my own? How would adcoms react to the big 3 year gap in my resume? All I did was gamble during those years.

If you haven't yet taken the MCAT, that could be another strike against you for applying this year (i.e. applying late.) I think this is just another reason to wait and get your house in order before you rush and apply this year.

I'm 31 (will be about 33 if I'm lucky enough to start Medical School in '07) so you have plenty of time.

Don't underestimate the MCAT -- plan on spending LOTS of time to prepare. AAMC says that they go through great pains to ensure that those that take MCAT prep. courses do not have an advantage over those that do not. That being said, if you are the type of person that is disciplined and is good at self-studying, you don't really need to take a prep. class, but if a classroom setting helps you to study regularly, then you might benefit from a prep. class.

Good Luck To You!

Jota

 

[Law2Doc]

Thanks for your answers.
Org2 wasn't required at my school for the BS. I wanted to get my apps in this year, because if not I'll be 27 when I start med school. It's only a 1 year difference, but it seems I'm already behind and don't want to stand out from the other med students. But if it it's too much to have my Org2, shadowing, and volunteer work at a hospital all pending when I submit my apps, maybe I should wait till next year. I've only taken the practice Verbal section and got a 10. I'm sure I'll bomb the other subjects as I probably forgot most of my science. How well do those MCAT courses work? Can they increase your score significantly or would I be better off studying on my own? How would adcoms react to the big 3 year gap in my resume? All I did was gamble during those years.

You are not behind at 27 -- many of the folks on the nontrad board are 30+. I personally thought the MCAT courses were a good idea, but I do better with structure (i.e. having a set schedule of things to get done by this or that date). I also felt that a course that gives multiple proctor administered full length tests provides you with the optimal chance to get used to the lengthy test, something few folks really manage on their own. (inevitably the phone rings, or you check email, or take a TV break etc.).

 

[mshheaddoc]

How would adcoms react to the big 3 year gap in my resume? All I did was gamble during those years.

That gap is going to really be a problem you need to address because it won't go over well stating you did nothing but gamble. Showing a commitment to medicine over the next two years, doing well on your MCAT will make a huge difference. Many of us are starting medical school later with no disadvantage. Use that to your advantage on the experiences you have witnessed, whether positive or negative. I won't be applying until I'm 28 ... not worried. And I'm even considering pushing it back another few years.

Take it one step at a time. Really explore why you want medicine, and how you can go about achieving your goal. Talk to some local medical school admission counselors about your situation to see what they think.

I think the hardest part will be explaining a 3 year gap with no schooling or no employment.

 

[Law2Doc]

That gap is going to really be a problem you need to address because it won't go over well stating you did nothing but gamble.

I actually think you can come across as an interesting candidate if you can claim you had a prior "career" as a "professional poker player" (or blackjack or whatever). It would make you unique, assuming you have the more traditional stats and ECs too. It's all in the packaging.

 

[chrisjohn]

To quote a favorite movie, "It's not the years, but the mileage."

Ageism blows.

Get a grip, once in medical school age is a non factor.

S***, there a 55 year old woman who matriculated last year at my MS. Granted she was the wife of a MD with tenure at the school. Remember admissions ain't fair, never have been, never will be.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I actually think you can come across as an interesting candidate if you can claim you had a prior "career" as a "professional poker player" (or blackjack or whatever). It would make you unique, assuming you have the more traditional stats and ECs too. It's all in the packaging.

You are right, I guess though I have never run into anyone like this so I'm biased in my opinion. I just have friends who have literally wasted their lives on gambling. To the OP, I apologize but I guess if you can spin it right it could be an interesting topic to discuss.

 

[Law2Doc]

You are right, I guess though I have never run into anyone like this so I'm biased in my opinion. I just have friends who have literally wasted their lives on gambling. To the OP, I apologize but I guess if you can spin it right it could be an interesting topic to discuss.

It's all in how is sold to the adcoms, and depends a lot on the OPs experience. Games of chance can involve significant use of math and statistical skills, keeping lots of info straight in your head, and suggest the ability to make quick calculated decisions based on processing of the available information, a skill that can theoretically be applied to patient care. Of course my suggestion won't work if you spent years getting drunk and throwing money away on slots. In that case you perhaps will want to spin your story as one of overcoming addiction.

 

[rgerwin]

My school only required Orgo1 for Bio majors, so you're not alone. Take the year. Study hard, get some clinical experience and apply early!

 

[Daddydoc]

It would definately be better to take at least one year and prepare yourself before applying. Make sure you do enough to show that you are committed to medicine. Good luck!