Postbac + work

[wasvsdal]

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Hi,

I need some advice in regards to sustaining yourself while you are in a postbac. My undergrad GPA is 2.8 (UMCP with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance), and science GPA even lower. I have only taken about 7-9 science classes though. I am enrolling in another public University (UMBC) and planning on getting a Biology degree there. I figure this way Ill get a clean start in terms of GPA. I understand it may not have much of an effect in terms of my gpa as they calculate it but im sure itll still have some impact (if nothing else then psychological for me).

I need to be able to make ~2000 per month to be able to cover all my expenses (not incl tuition obv). What kinda jobs can I take on that'll get me this amount, and where I wouldn't have to work on weekdays in the day time so I can take classes then? Also preferably no more than 25-30 hours a week. And obv in a relevant field.

Thanks!!

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

Hi,

I need some advice in regards to sustaining yourself while you are in a postbac. My undergrad GPA is 2.8 (UMCP with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance), and science GPA even lower. I have only taken about 7-9 science classes though. I am enrolling in another public University (UMBC) and planning on getting a Biology degree there. I figure this way Ill get a clean start in terms of GPA. I understand it may not have much of an effect in terms of my gpa as they calculate it but im sure itll still have some impact (if nothing else then psychological for me).

I need to be able to make ~2000 per month to be able to cover all my expenses (not incl tuition obv). What kinda jobs can I take on that'll get me this amount, and where I wouldn't have to work on weekdays in the day time so I can take classes then? Also preferably no more than 25-30 hours a week. And obv in a relevant field.

Thanks!!

first, getting a second degree does not give you a "clean start." all of your undergrad/postbac classes will factor into your cumulative gpa.

second, a part-time job, no weekends, $2k+/month...not gonna come easy. especially with an unspectacular academic record in a floundering field during painful economic times. i really don't know if you will have much luck with these high standards.

also, you might want to worry less about money (i understand you want to cover some of your costs), and focus on doing well in the postbac--that's what they're for. i would say do everything you can to ensure that your classes are your top priority.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

$2000/month and not work mon-fri during days? good luck...

EDIT: that wasn't very helpful....you could try for evening shifts at a nursing home as a patient care attendant (~$15/hr)...thats what one of my friends does...but it will be exceedingly tough to do a full time job and do outstanding in academics (as you will have to do)

 

[ZigPig]

I don't know the skills that you have... but as a postbac, I worked as a HHA/caregiver doing 12 hour night shifts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

I was thinking about being a sleep tech (which would have been 7P-7A shifts) during the week, but it conflicted with my schedule.

Right now I am doing some tutoring in the evening hours.

Another idea would be to be a CNA in a hospital or in nursing homes during the night shift.

You would have to put in more than 30 hours with these jobs to get income you are looking for.

 

[aznb0y129]

To the OP, if you want to be making $2k a month without working more than 25-30 hours a week or daytime hours in a relevant field, I think you should consider teaching for a test prep company like Kaplan or Princeton Review. They usually have good hourly rates and flexible hours. Since you haven't taken your science classes yet, you probably can't teach MCAT but maybe you did well enough on your SATs in order to teach that.

I can't really think of anything else that might fit all of those criteria.

 

[wasvsdal]

Thanks for the responses fellas. Ill look into those options. I definitely have to work because how else does one pay their expenses. I guess Ill have to significantly reduce my expenses, and get em down to the bare minimum.

As far as getting this degree, it may not give me a clean start in terms of my application but I mean when schools look at this new transcript with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and like a GPA of 3.8, they'd have to be impressed. Right?

 

[richse]

Thanks for the responses fellas. Ill look into those options. I definitely have to work because how else does one pay their expenses. I guess Ill have to significantly reduce my expenses, and get em down to the bare minimum.

As far as getting this degree, it may not give me a clean start in terms of my application but I mean when schools look at this new transcript with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and like a GPA of 3.8, they'd have to be impressed. Right?

I'm not sure about impressed but it may help quite a bit. When the dean of UMMS came to speak to my post-bac class he told a story about a guy who had failed out of college after two years. Went to work for a while then decided to go back to college, repeated everything and finished with a competitive gpa (not counting the early bad grades). He said that person was graduating in the top of the medical school class that year. They gave him a shot with what I would guess was two years of very low gpa followed by four years of a great gpa. It's not the best path and there are no sure things but do your best and I think it coud help.

 

[parafilm]

^If you can do REALLY well on your post-bac, it'll help. But, it's still an uphill battle because your overall GPA will still be low.

I'm also going to do post-bac and work (I'll be supporting myself entirely) after I graduate. My GPA's >3.0 but not competitive. I lucked out because I've been working part time in biotech and I think they're going to keep me on after I graduate, while I do a post-bac. I'm taking night classes though, I can't imagine doing day classes and making the kind of money you're looking for. Maybe a really good bar tending job...

 

[wasvsdal]

2000 was to live decently. 1200 would be bare minimum.

450 for rent, 150 for parking + utilities, 400 for gas + food, 200 pocket change.

 

[Brent8927]

Thanks for the responses fellas. Ill look into those options. I definitely have to work because how else does one pay their expenses. I guess Ill have to significantly reduce my expenses, and get em down to the bare minimum.

As far as getting this degree, it may not give me a clean start in terms of my application but I mean when schools look at this new transcript with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and like a GPA of 3.8, they'd have to be impressed. Right?

I think your best bet would be to live mostly or completely off student loans. That will give you the time you need to focus on classes, and hopefully pick up some medically-related volunteer or research positions.

It does help to have an upward trend, so definetely get as strong of a GPA in your post bac program as you can. The closer to a 4.0, the better! And tear up the MCAT while you're at it--if you have a great GPA and a great MCAT, then schools hopefully won't be as concerned about your low undergrad GPA.

Good luck!

 

[wasvsdal]

My other option would be to save up money by working for a year and then enroll next August. Ill be nearing 24! and realistically if everything goes right, wont be in Med School until 26-27. I'd like to be independent...not sure if parents want to put up with me anymore.

ugh I wish i had studied! i cant even complain about anything or blame anything. had ****ing loans to cover the tuiton bills, father paid for housing for 2 years and let me live with them for other 2 years...paid for my car + food expenses. and yet i failed at life! lolll..slow maturation process i guess

 

[wasvsdal]

My plan involves going back and getting a B.S. in Biological Sciences, which is still considered undergrad. Just confused with this terminology here, postbac vs. undergrad. Sorry! or are u suggesting i apply to a postbac program such as Georgetown or VCU?

 

[tabishis]

Hi,

I need some advice in regards to sustaining yourself while you are in a postbac. My undergrad GPA is 2.8 (UMCP with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance), and science GPA even lower. I have only taken about 7-9 science classes though. I am enrolling in another public University (UMBC) and planning on getting a Biology degree there. I figure this way Ill get a clean start in terms of GPA. I understand it may not have much of an effect in terms of my gpa as they calculate it but im sure itll still have some impact (if nothing else then psychological for me).

I need to be able to make ~2000 per month to be able to cover all my expenses (not incl tuition obv). What kinda jobs can I take on that'll get me this amount, and where I wouldn't have to work on weekdays in the day time so I can take classes then? Also preferably no more than 25-30 hours a week. And obv in a relevant field.

Thanks!!

Work weekends as a waiter. I know waiters at Red lobster, Olive garden ad other busy restaurants make good tips. I was a waiter for 8 years in a small restaurant and made enough to cover tuition and living expenses. I didn't have a car and walked to work and took bus to school. Then in addition to that I worked nights(30 hours/week) so I could buy a car. Sounds tough, right? Anyone can do it.
OK! I didn't have option of taking out student loans and had no other aids available because I had just moved to US. If I had aids and loans available then I would've worked only 25 hours a week to have some extra money for unexpected expenses.

Hope this helps. My point is anything is possible. You just have to focus and dedicate yourself to it.
Personal Opinion: Do NOT work yourself to death with fulltime school. Take advantage of loans and just live a normal student life. I wish I could do it. All the best to you.

 

[Brent8927]

I see--you're a second-bac. You should quality for loans (at least in CA you would) though you might need to take out some private loans to cover the entire cost of attendance.

I think a dedicated post-bac program has a lot of strengths. Personally, I did much better in one because I do better when I'm in a class of highly intelligent/competative people (all pre-meds!) rather than other freshman/sophomores, which would have been the case if I stayed at my undergrad unviersity.

Post-bac programs also often have linkage programs, which allow you to skip the glide year.

I'm not sure what would be right for you--my recommendation would be to meet with the pre-med advisor at your university/previous university if possible.

As far as age goes, I'm 25 and just starting medical school. I knew a guy in his low 30's, so there are definitely some "older" people out there!

 

[wasvsdal]

Wendy Louglin...thats the pre-med advisor. I guess I should hit her up!