Postbacc Advice for Nontrad Elder in NYC

[alx_stn]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi there,

I recently made the pivot into healthcare — started working as a scribe six months ago and just got EMT certified. Hoping to land an ambulance job shortly.

I’m 33, live in NYC, and, duh, want to be a doctor. I’m a nontrad student — didn’t take any science courses in undergrad. But did all right (GPA 3.5 at UChicago). My question is this:

Because of my (relatively) advanced age, should I try for an excessively expensive post bacc (like at Columbia) where I can try for a linkage — and a shot at jumping straight into med school without waiting an extra year to start? Or should I do a much more reasonably priced post bacc (like at City College) and just suck it up, apply to med school normally, wait the extra year, and accept that I’m gonna be old by the time I’m a doctor no matter what? I guess the question boils down to which is more valuable ----> money or time? But perhaps there are other factors at play. Please enlighten me.

Either way, my plan would be to work as an EMT throughout the post bacc.

Thoughts, tips, reassurances, takedowns, advice! All is welcome.

Thanks,
Young at heart

 

[unc_jack_of_A]

Imo depends on your goals and finances,
Where does Columbia link to? Where do you want to go? The nice thing is NY has lots of state schools!

 

[HopefulApplicant667]

Also an older nontrad. First: Columbia's postbacc is notoriously the worst in the country, I would not even apply. Google "Columbia postbacc" and look at the threads from past students on reddit and SDN. If you can aim for Goucher or Bryn Mawr, those are the best with regard to linkage. Personally, as a similarly elder nontrad, I am aiming to link to Downstate or Rutgers (for that public, in-state tuition), but remain open to taking a glide year and saving up a little more cash. We're going to be old regardless; one extra year is not life changing IMO.

 

[Goro]

As they types of programs tend to be a dime-a-dozen, find one with the cheapest tuition and preferable, has MCAT prep as well.

Don't forget you'll need nonclinical volunteering as well.

Age is a number. We've matriculated students in their 40s and 50s. Our oldest was 53 and he's still in practice in his 70s!