I just graduated college in May and am planning on taking general chem and physics this fall through a post-bacc program. I am also starting a medically related full time job in a few weeks which I am really looking forward to. Any hints on how to best balance a challenging course load and full-time work? Any success stories? Anyone think I'm nuts? I've heard from several people it's completely do-able, but any advice would be really appreciated!! Thanks and good luck to all!
post-bacc and work
- Thread starter peabody
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kawaiij
Congratulations on your decision to apply, thats really the hardest step in my opinion. I was/am kinda in the same boat. I graduated with a BA in psych, hadn't even considered a medical career. Then, I got really sick, was told I had this horrid cancer that would kill/maim me for life, then was told I had a second chance, that it was benign. It was a calling, I went back to school, did all my pre-reqs simultaneously, and continued to work at a demanding job as a counselor at a psychiatric institution for adolescents. Let me tell you it won't be easy, but living out the rest of your life wondering "what if I had gone to medical school" would be far worse. Make some good friends, it makes ranting and raving about how hard ochem is that much more fun. Keep everything in perspective, and remember your goal. Good luck. As for me, at the last minute I decided to apply last year, in november (what was I thinking!), but I did get waitlisted. So, there is still some hope for this year, but I'm really banking on next. Good luck!
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Hey Peabody-
I too am doing the work/post bac thing, and so far, so good. I work full time in a Radiation Oncology department in Boston, and am doing pre-reqs at Harvard Extension and Grad stuff at Tufts. Right now, I'm working about 45 hours/week, and once school starts again, I'll have two classes to contend with. It's not easy, and 4 hours of sleep is a luxury, but what I do at work is fascinating and such a great way to learn and it helped me realize that this is really what I want to do with my life. This is my second career so to speak, as I played baseball in college and pro, and left school without really thinking that medicine was going to be my calling. Then, the bug bit me, and here I am a couple of years after graduating, doing all the pre-reqs over again (my grades weren't so hot first time around), and trying to get by in the real world. But I think it's a great way to do things, because it gives you life experience, patient interaction, and the time constraints force you to be good at time management- I had my best semester of grades working full time with school, oddly enough. But think about it- this is how it will be once you're in med school, so why not get used to it now? It will take longer, since the most you ever want on your plate at once is probably three classes a semester, tops, but I think the pros far outweigh the cons of doing what I've done ad what you're thinking of doing. It may not be the easiest road, but it allows you to get to where you want to be in the end. Plus, think of all the cool things you can talk about at your interviews- it will definitely make you a well-rounded person, and that always a plus when it comes time to apply and do the interview thing. Whew! THat was long winded- but if there's any other questions/concerns, feel free to PM. Best of luck! Scooter
I too am doing the work/post bac thing, and so far, so good. I work full time in a Radiation Oncology department in Boston, and am doing pre-reqs at Harvard Extension and Grad stuff at Tufts. Right now, I'm working about 45 hours/week, and once school starts again, I'll have two classes to contend with. It's not easy, and 4 hours of sleep is a luxury, but what I do at work is fascinating and such a great way to learn and it helped me realize that this is really what I want to do with my life. This is my second career so to speak, as I played baseball in college and pro, and left school without really thinking that medicine was going to be my calling. Then, the bug bit me, and here I am a couple of years after graduating, doing all the pre-reqs over again (my grades weren't so hot first time around), and trying to get by in the real world. But I think it's a great way to do things, because it gives you life experience, patient interaction, and the time constraints force you to be good at time management- I had my best semester of grades working full time with school, oddly enough. But think about it- this is how it will be once you're in med school, so why not get used to it now? It will take longer, since the most you ever want on your plate at once is probably three classes a semester, tops, but I think the pros far outweigh the cons of doing what I've done ad what you're thinking of doing. It may not be the easiest road, but it allows you to get to where you want to be in the end. Plus, think of all the cool things you can talk about at your interviews- it will definitely make you a well-rounded person, and that always a plus when it comes time to apply and do the interview thing. Whew! THat was long winded- but if there's any other questions/concerns, feel free to PM. Best of luck! Scooter
Thanks guys for the encouragement! It really helps to hear how other people made this work.
Kawaii - I used to work at a residential treatment center for children and adolescents.... know how rough a job that can be! Best of luck for this year!!!
Kawaii - I used to work at a residential treatment center for children and adolescents.... know how rough a job that can be! Best of luck for this year!!!
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Scooter, your Mugatu quote is hilarious! 
