Post-bacc need advice

[Eta1466]

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So I graduated with a business degree with a 3.0 . I decided that I had spent a lot of time learning things that that I really had no interest in, so I go back to school and start on my prereqs. I have been doing an upward trend doing my post-bacc 2.5 (struggled going back to school) then 3.41 and I should make somewhere near a 3.5 this semester.

I am planing on taking 2 more semesters at least to help out with the GPA, but it seems that it is not possible to get that much higher.

I have not taken then MCAT yet, but through practices test I'm predicting somewhere right around 30 hopefully.

As far as EC go I was really involved with my fraternity in college (president, treasurer, house manager) and I was also president of the Interfraternal Council, and a couple of other random honor societies.

Research=nada

I have done anything as far a clinical hours are concerned. I am applying for scribe positions would that count towards this? Also was thinking about being an EMT but I am not sure which route to go or if there is another option that may be better. Advice on this?


I am wanting to go into primary care (I am self aware, not really cut out to be one of the big boys) specifically peds.

I don't really understand what the deal is with DO and specialtes.

Would it be better for me to go DO, or a Caribbean program?

I'm so confused, and scared that I may have dug myself a hole that leads to no job. Sorry for the lack of organization in this post.

 

[ppfizenm]

So I graduated with a business degree with a 3.0 . I decided that I had spent a lot of time learning things that that I really had no interest in, so I go back to school and start on my prereqs. I have been doing an upward trend doing my post-bacc 2.5 (struggled going back to school) then 3.41 and I should make somewhere near a 3.5 this semester.

I am planing on taking 2 more semesters at least to help out with the GPA, but it seems that it is not possible to get that much higher.

I have not taken then MCAT yet, but through practices test I'm predicting somewhere right around 30 hopefully.

As far as EC go I was really involved with my fraternity in college (president, treasurer, house manager) and I was also president of the Interfraternal Council, and a couple of other random honor societies.

Research=nada

I have done anything as far a clinical hours are concerned. I am applying for scribe positions would that count towards this? Also was thinking about being an EMT but I am not sure which route to go or if there is another option that may be better. Advice on this?


I am wanting to go into primary care (I am self aware, not really cut out to be one of the big boys) specifically peds.

I don't really understand what the deal is with DO and specialtes.

Would it be better for me to go DO, or a Caribbean program?

I'm so confused, and scared that I may have dug myself a hole that leads to no job. Sorry for the lack of organization in this post.

You need to make sure you pull up your GPA in the Pre-reqs (I'd say get as close to a 4.0 as possible the next two semesters), get shadowing experience (following some different doctors around to see what exactly it is that they do), get some volunteer work in as well, do well on the MCAT try for a 32+, and apply early, broadly, and realistically.

DO might actually be your best shot b/c you could retake some of the worst grades you received in undergrad and repair your GPA with their grade replacement policy.If you want to do primary care there is nothing wrong with going DO. Even if you decide later that you would rather specialize you can still do that with a DO it will just be a slightly harder.

I'd avoid going to the Caribbean altogether.

What is really going to hold you back is the 3.0. It is low for DO and really low for MD. I'd say it's do-able but will require a pretty hefty commitment.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Your post-bac performance is pretty poor which might not help you too much. You need straight A's for another year.

Concentrate on going DO and just retake science courses you did poorly in and get A's in them. I should move your sGPA to a more competitive range. Do this and get a 30+ MCAT with balanced sections and you will be fine as long as you get some clinical experience and such. Cause how do you know you want to even go into medicine or even explain why if you have never done so?

 

[RenQun]

Do this and get a 30+ MCAT with balanced sections and you will be fine as long as you get some clinical experience and such. Cause how do you know you want to even go into medicine or even explain why if you have never done so?

+1

While you're not exactly "digging a hole that leads to no job," you are working towards a goal without clearly defining why you want to go into medicine, much less why you want to be a physician. During your interview, you'll need to have a very strong answer to explain your switch from business to medicine. You may also need to answer why you want to be a physician and not a physician assistant, dentist, nurse, or tech...

My advice: Take the time to shadow a Pediatrician, and also take some time to look into other professions within medicine. With no research or clinical experience under your belt, you can only benefit and learn from your exposure to the field.

 

[ChalaHeadChala]

The grades should be your number 1 priority right now. Realistically, you need a 3.7+ in your post-bac and a 32+ on the MCAT to be a competitive applicant for MD. I was in a similar position and I am currently deciding between multiple MD schools. So MD is not out of the realm of possibility. While you are completing the rest of your sciences, do a little shadowing and volunteering, but if they impede your ability to get the grades, you need to drop them and take them back up when you finish. If you do these things, you should have a good shot at a DO program. Not sure the EMT thing is a good idea, unless you are going to use it, and unless you have the opportunity to use it in a unique environment like new Orleans for example. Spend your time volunteering and shadowing instead.

Remember, if you don't have the grades or the MCAT scores, the clinical stuff and volunteering won't matter. They are both very important, but the former comes before the latter. Good luck and apply broadly. Don't apply to any top tier schools.