Pre-Med Advice! Should I be looking for a Post-Bacc program?!

[Sparky219]

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Hello! Im here inquiring about what to do. I graduate in May with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the plan to start my pre requisites for medical school in the fall. I am well aware of the differences of nursing and medicine and I am not here to be discouraged, which is often the responses I get (I am not assuming this fourm will respond that way but I am just getting that out there). I am more certain about this decision than any other I have made. Anyway, as of now my plan is to take the Pre Requisites at the University I attend now, and then take the MCAT and apply.

The question is, should I be looking at some sort of Pre-Med Post Bacc program (if it even applies to me) or is it sufficient to take the classes I need and continue my plan. I am new to the idea of a Post Bacc Program and not even 100% sure of their purpose. I heard that these programs are sometimes for low GPA students so I will say my overall GPA for pre nursing and my BSN is a 3.4. The only reason it is a 3.4 is because I went through a phase before nursing when I was unsure of my goals. I recieved C's in things like sociology (should I retake?!) The plan as of now will have my Pre Requisites done by the end of 2016 and apply for 2017.

Also, I plan to work as an RN in a per diem position, and being able to keep my plan with the oppourtunity to work a little would be great. Sorry for the long post, but just trying to do the best thing. Thanks for any responses!🙂

 

[mavric1298]

Since you aren't doing extensive GPA repair, then I would say it's more up to you what you do. The only issue that is often a problem, is if you are taking classes as a post-bac classified student (once you complete you degree at your school you generally will be reclassified as a non-degree seeking post bac) that there are often registration restrictions and limitations. At UW for example, you can't register till the first day of class, which means good luck ever getting into any of the chem series, organic series, or phys classes. A structured post bacc program offers a framework and structure, but isn't necessarily required, or hugely beneficial if you just need a couple classes. Your GPA isn't terrible, and I'm sure you could bring it up a bit with your additional course load, so I would say look into your schools post bac registration, and make a decision from there

 

[DrMidlife]

I'm totally in favor of you working as an RN during prereqs.

Review the premed advising info at your school to see if any of your nursing coursework counts.

A 3.4 GPA is below MD average, but possibly ok for DO, so find out what a DO is and whether you want to pursue it. For DO, retakes forgive the old grade. For MD, retakes are just new classes averaged in.

A formal postbac is just one way to get prereqs done. You can add a 5th year to your BSN, maybe add a biochem minor or similar. You can take classes through extension or other non-matriculated statuses.

Watch your timeline. Your wording indicates trouble. You should plan to complete prereqs with a 3.7+ GPA in order to legitimize your academic credentials; slow down and regroup if you can't get A's in these hard classes. You can start MCAT prep towards the end of your prereqs, but you need to take the MCAT ahead of applying in early June, July at the latest. So a plan that has you finishing the prereqs after spring, and/or taking the MCAT after spring, is putting you at a disadvantage for the app year in progress. DO schools will tolerate a later app, but not by much.

In other words, if you finish prereqs April 2016 and take the MCAT April/May 2016, then you can apply June 2016 and possibly start med school August 2017. If you get your MCAT score after July 2016, you would be in a less than optimal situation for starting med school in 2017. Again, DO schools are tolerant of apps that are complete later in the summer.

Best of luck to you.

 

[DrMidlife]

At UW for example, you can't register till the first day of class, which means good luck ever getting into any of the chem series, organic series, or phys classes.

Except during summer, when you can register as if you are a regular student. It took me a summer of A's and then a fall of A's to get a winter "5th year postbac" admitted status at UW, but that was several years ago. Getting bio and biochem were much more difficult than chem or ochem.

 

[Sparky219]

I am confident in my science pre reqs. Im apologize about making it seem as though I do not plan to pass my science courses with greater that a 3.7 beacuse the plan is a 4.0!🙂

I wont finish pre reqs until summer of 2016 because it will take 4 semesters.

Also, I am very interested in Osteopathic Schools and holistic medicine. It seems schools like LECOM seem to have more forgiving application date.

In regard to how I am going about these pre reqs. In order to recieve financial aid I must have a Degree specified that I am trying to obtain on the financial aid records. Which I stated a chemistry degree which I would then pick my classes per semester that I need for Pre Reqs. None of my nursing classes transfer for any credit.

I believe at my university I will register as a Senior for next semester. I will look into that because a Senior will register in early April.


Thanks for the responses!!

 

[mavric1298]

Yeah, UW has open registration from non-degree seeking students during the summer doesn't it. All other times are department approval required, standby basis required I believe.

Point being, that may or may not be something to worry about. But yes, as drmidlife pointed out, sit down and get an accurate timeline together, and plan on it taking longer then you expect. There is no reason to rush a cycle only to not do well in classes, or not put your full effort and ability into the MCAT. I recently took it while going to school and working full time, and let me tell you, it SUCKED. I got a score I am happy with, but if it wasn't for the MCAT 15 change I would have taken the extra year and done only 1 of those things at a time, and probably would have got a couple points higher.

Also look into options of second degree/minors etc. Sometimes you can keep from having those restrictions if you continue down that path. - you beat me to this with you last post while I was writing. Sounds like a good plan, just get everything laid out and make sure there isn't any issues from the start

 

[Sparky219]

I have a plan for the upcoming semsters and soon I will have back up plans for those plans! I am fully aware that it may take longer than this plan I have laid out already! I will be setting up a meeting with an advisor to discuss my future. I was writing to get opinions on the post bacc or if i can just take the classes I need! Also, its good to hear from people who may have been through similar situations.

In regard to working I only plan to work a shift or two a week and as a PRN nurse I will only have to work a couple shifts a month at minimum. I will continue to live at home so a large income is not needed. Just money to pay for what I need all all the many many applications I will be submitting!

Thanks Mavric1298!

 

[mavric1298]

Your plan sounds fine and a formal post bacc doesn't sound required or nessesart as long as you keep your grades up and do well on the mcat. Upward trend in prerec classes will also help you so go crush those classes