Possible to do DIY full time in one year?

[JD to MD]

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After some research, I would prefer the formal post-bacc programs (in the Philadelphia area, so Bryn Mawr or Thomas Jefferson are the full time options). However, I am concerned that my lack of shadowing/volunteering in healthcare experience will prevent me from being accepted for next summer/fall. Is it possible to complete a DIY program full time?


I thought about doing a class part time in the spring, so I reached out to a few universities in the area, but none of them seem to understand what I am trying to do and immediately refer me to their respective post-bacc program.

 

[esob]

I don't think it is possible to do it and make your application competitive. You need to ace your class plus rack up volunteer hrs, shadowing, etc. Plus, unless you are talking about doing something like an SMP, you are likely going to need courses for which you can't get into without a couple of semesters of prerequisities. For example, many schools require 2 semesters of Ochem, which first requires 2 semesters of Gen Chem. If you started in the summer that might be possible IF chem was the only thing you needed, but if you also need bio I and II to get to advanced bio hrs.

This means summer would be Bio I/II plus labs, along with chem I/II with labs, plus EC's, which is not really a viable idea. I think it would be possible to take this load and pass, but you need to get A's and that would be very tough.

 

[JD to MD]

I don't think it is possible to do it and make your application competitive. You need to ace your class plus rack up volunteer hrs, shadowing, etc. Plus, unless you are talking about doing something like an SMP, you are likely going to need courses for which you can't get into without a couple of semesters of prerequisities. For example, many schools require 2 semesters of Ochem, which first requires 2 semesters of Gen Chem. If you started in the summer that might be possible IF chem was the only thing you needed, but if you also need bio I and II to get to advanced bio hrs.

This means summer would be Bio I/II plus labs, along with chem I/II with labs, plus EC's, which is not really a viable idea. I think it would be possible to take this load and pass, but you need to get A's and that would be very tough.

This sounds like the same sort of load that would be in a formal post-bacc one year program starting in the summer. Would the DIY version somehow be more difficult? Or are you intending to say it would be difficult to do well in any version if I complete the pre-reqs over the course of one year (beginning in the summer)?

 

[esob]

This sounds like the same sort of load that would be in a formal post-bacc one year program starting in the summer. Would the DIY version somehow be more difficult? Or are you intending to say it would be difficult to do well in any version if I complete the pre-reqs over the course of one year (beginning in the summer)?

Like I said, you could pass, but to maintain EC's and get straight A's would be difficult, especially if you have any outside obligation (job/friends/family). For example, taking bio 1 + the lab along with chem 1 plus the lab during summer I semester (5 weeks) is going to be 8 hrs. For reference, 4 is considered full time for the 5 week semester so it is the equivalent of taking 24 hrs during the normal semester. If you follow the 3:1 rule for studying outside of class that is equivalent then to 96 hrs per week of time dedicated to school. Add in your 4-6 hrs for volunteering/shadowing etc and you are at 100+ hrs. This leaves you with approximately 9 hrs per day for everything else (sleep/laundry/personal hygiene/paying bills/etc). The average distribution for A's in science classes is between 10 - 20%, so figure you need to maintain that schedule and still maintain top performance. You also really need to learn the material because it will all show up on the MCAT. Add into that mix the fact that applications and secondaries are a full time job for a couple of months of the cycle.

So, is it possible? Yes. And if you are in a perfect position (financially independent, no outside responsibilities and a proven high achiever) then it might be worth the gamble. I think 18 months - 2 years is a much more reasonable approach. Even if you succeed on that timeline, you are likely going to be burned out, so you will go into med school already being crispy, which is a bad position to start from.

My suggestion is to take your time, enjoy the learning experience and start med school refreshed so that you can become the best physician you are capable of.

 

[Goro]

After some research, I would prefer the formal post-bacc programs (in the Philadelphia area, so Bryn Mawr or Thomas Jefferson are the full time options). However, I am concerned that my lack of shadowing/volunteering in healthcare experience will prevent me from being accepted for next summer/fall. Is it possible to complete a DIY program full time?


I thought about doing a class part time in the spring, so I reached out to a few universities in the area, but none of them seem to understand what I am trying to do and immediately refer me to their respective post-bacc program.

Med schools aren't going anywhere. Take your time and do this right.

 

[Cheenghee Koh]

I quit my full time job, and devoted 120% in taking all the pre-reqs in 1 year, from Gen Chem I to O Chem II. 41 semester credits (including 1 English class and 1 calculus class), straight As. I planned ahead to save enough money for all my tuition and life expenses. But I regret that I did not have chance to take biochem which helped tremendously in MCAT. Is it doable? Yes, it worked for me. But I am lucky that I am single and have a very good support system from my dear friends. I even had a few month of free housing during my exam prep. It took a lot of planning and support.

 

[katiemaude]

I did the DIY postbacc and it took me two years with volunteer hours and shadowing and the MCAT and then I still needed another year to recover and get my app ready. If you want to get it done quickly and can afford it, and you get accepted, I would have gone the Bryn Mawr route or any other program with that kind of reputation (there aren't many). It took me a lot longer to DIY but I also didn't go into debt. I would have been a doctor for three years now, however, with an attending's salary. :-/ But part of me questions if I was ready to go that hard that fast after being out of school for so long. You need to get As but the benefit of that program is the support, the guarantee that you will get into the classes, and the advisors.

 

[armynontrad]

Just share my timeline from Summer 2016 to May 2018:

I worked full-time, volunteering 100+ hrs, attending Army Reserve drills, finished all the prerequisites + ENG + Genetics + Biochem in last two years... GPA was 3.98.

And took MCAT this May. I was too rush and didn't get a good score.

I think getting ready and competitive is more important.