Post-bac class schedule conflicts with work

[Anothernontrad]

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Good afternoon, All,

First of all, I have been following the forums for some time now, and there is an amazing amount of insight here. I am non-traditional in many ways--I am 30, recently married, I work for a state revenue agency with good stability, a solid career path, and my bosses love me. I graduated with an MPA in 2012, UG major was international relations. UG GPA 3.93 and graduate GPA 3.92. I live in a mid size city where there is only one state university (which also happens to have a medical school as well).

I am considering taking pre-reqs while still working and supporting the wife, who is a graduate student right now. My problem is that the only university in the area does not offer chemistry in the evenings. I would have to leave my job right at the beginning of taking pre-reqs. While I recognize that leaving the State will be inevitable if I go down this route, it's a little early to do so without having taken any pre-reqs (we all walk the line between chasing our dreams and being careless, don't we?)

Chemistry I and II are offered at a local community college with a decent reputation in the area. Would it be against my best interests to take Chemistry I and II at the community college to avoid needing to leave my job so soon, since taking them at the state university is only possible during business hours?

Thanks for your help,
Another non trad

 

[amuseddoughnut]

You can't do a morning class ~8am and then head to work late 2 - 3 days a week?

 

[Anothernontrad]

Thank you for your input. I have considered this, and I suppose there are a couple of reservations about it. First, I am hesitant to tip off the employer to my intentions. Second, it would require me to use leave faster than it accrues (I accrue ~2 hours per week). I really don't want to jeopardize my employment situation if it turns out that I don't have the aptitude or interest for a career in medicine that I suspect that I do.

 

[amuseddoughnut]

I think starting at a community college with the lower level courses is a good idea, if it allows you more flexibility. You can always transfer to the university to take the upper levels (Orgo, Biochem) and show the admissions committee that you are serious later on, when you are better able to fully commit.

 

[DokterMom]

You've got a perfectly acceptable reason to start at a CC -- You're employed full-time, non-trad, have a family to support. Plus, your strong undergrad GPA will not lead someone to automatically suspect you 'chickened out' of taking university-level classes. Start with night classes, then if you can, add some needed pre-reqs at the university that are offered nights. In your particular situation, jeopardizing your career this early in the process would be borderline irresponsible.

 

[Anothernontrad]

Thank you for your response. I am thinking that this may be my best option at the moment, considering my circumstances.

 

[longhaul3]

Go for the CC. You are in a position where you have real-life things to worry about, and you will get the benefit of the doubt when the time comes to apply. As long as you do well on the MCAT, there will be no doubt about your academic chops. It sounds like you have a good understanding of the road ahead of you and a good perspective about your situation. Interestingly, compared to most other people who post with stories like yours, you probably have both a more tempered expectation of success and a better chance of succeeding given your GPA.

How much longer does your wife have as a student?

 

[Anothernontrad]

Thanks longhaul3. My wife is entering an alternative master's in education program this fall, which is 6 semesters, so 2-3 years until she graduates. There will likely be some overlap where we are both students and there may be a baby on the way in the coming years, which is even more the reason to make sure I don't jump ship on my current job until I am sure I am (we are) ready.

 

[longhaul3]

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