Putting together 'the plan'

[Captain Fantastic]

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Hello. I’m a long-time lurker, first time poster. I'm just getting ready to start this pre-med business and trying to put together 'the plan'.

I’m 27, have a BS in Computer Science, cum laude & honors scholar; GPA 3.5, BCPM 3.2. Started a MS in Comp Sci at Washington University but abandoned it halfway through; GPA 4.0, 6 hours thesis research incomplete. (My wife was in medical school at the University of Missouri, 120 miles west of WashU. When baby #1 came something had to give and grad school halfway across the state was the proverbial low-man on the totem pole.)

So I see my low GPA and my leaving graduate school as the major hurdles I have to overcome at this point. The university where I live doesn't have a formal post-bacc program. They've welcomed me to come as a non-degree student and just knock out the pre-reqs, get a second bachelor’s, or enroll in a graduate program. They seem pretty willing to let me do whatever I want to do. And that's the question....what should I do?

I am thinking the best course of action would be to enroll as a graduate student in Computer Science. I'll get some more research experience (and I can direct my research toward medical/digital biology…maybe I’ll get lucky and can score a publication), but mostly I'll show that I can hack graduate school and demonstrate that leaving WashU was a matter of personal circumstance and not an academic plateau.

I have had some of the med-school pre-reqs, but that’s been 8-9 years ago (I started college as a Bio major before switching to Comp Sci). I’m thinking it would be best to repeat them. It’ll be good review for the MCAT, plus it will show that I can still master those basic sciences, too (and not just be good at computer stuff). I would balance the graduate and pre-req course work over a couple of years.

Does this sound like the best course of action? Any advice for a newbie?

 

[blee]

Hi there. I was also a CS major, but my GPA was far inferior to yours. In fact, your GPA really isn't that bad. Since it's been a few years, though, I think you've got the right idea with respect to school.

I don't know about other people, but I found that retaking the pre-reqs was the best way for me to prepare for the MCAT. Instead of compressing all of that knowledge into a Kaplan/TPR course, I was able to really absorb the information and think about the concepts -- both of which helped me last April. Furthermore, it's always a good idea to demonstrate that you are still capable of doing well in the basic sciences.

As for graduate school, I would only do it if you're truly interested in the work. Advanced science courses are good, of course, but you need to do exceptionally well, and I can never do anything well if my heart isn't in it. It's also a matter of timing; how soon do you want to apply? If you're willing to give it a couple of years, then grad school is fine; at the same time, don't fall into the trap of becoming a "professional student." Adcoms don't really like to see that.

I think you'll find that only you can answer these questions for yourself. Figure out what you really want, then come up with the best/most efficient way to get there. I didn't really have the money to return to school for more than a year full-time, so I opted to retake the pre-reqs. It had been some 8-9 years since I last saw the material, so I don't think that my grades were influenced much by prior knowledge. Still, I wish I had the resources to take some advanced courses or enroll in a master's program in the fall. That would really be helpful to me.

 

[SailCrazy]

A few thoughts in no particular order...

If you want to improve your GPA then you should do the non-degree or degree seeking undergrad classes. Graduate classes are included in a separate GPA.

If you are looking for financial aid you probably need to be degree seeking and at least 1/2 time.

I think med schools will, in general, ask "why did you do this / what did you learn from it?" If your goal is med school, will grad Computer Science classes fit into this plan well?

I retook my 2 semesters of gen chem and 1 semester of bio (in addition to taking organic, physics, phys & genetics for the first time) and was happy with that decision.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

I sat down with the pre-med advisor here. She realistically laid out my chances and pointed out where I need to focus on strengthening my application.

We worked on a preliminary plan that involves a second bachelors degree. Basically, I'm going to take/retake the pre-reqs the first year and toss on upper-level sciences the second. Best case scenario, getting all As, my GPA could go to 3.6/3.6 BCPM.

I've got an interview at the hospital on Monday for a part-time tech job. I've applied for the ER and the medicine floor. With any luck I'll get one of those jobs and start gaining some clinical experiences.

Anyway, that's how the plan is starting to shape up. To be honest, I'm nervous.

 

[jules0328]

If you arent against the DO philosophy, you should look into DO schools. I am 27, and married (no kids yet) but now the feeling of getting older and trying for medicine. Not an easy thing to achieve. I have had my struggles but I am still working through them. Dont give up and if I were you I would retake the pre reqs. Since they were taken 9 years ago, they most likely will want you to retake them. For your sake and the MCATs sake. Dont underestimate the MCATs, they are no joke. Study hard, you'll make it. Good luck!

 

[Captain Fantastic]

I'm definitely not against the DO philosphy, although I have only limited exposure to DOs. There were a couple of DOs working the ER during my rotations as an EMT-B student. My wife, who's an internal medicine MD, has only great things to say about the DOs she works with.

I'm not scared of the course work. The MCAT, on the other hand, has me pretty freaked out. Plus the whole leaving a successful career behind thing -- some people just dont understand ...

 

[markt]

Hello. I’m a long-time lurker, first time poster. I'm just getting ready to start this pre-med business and trying to put together 'the plan'.

I’m 27, have a BS in Computer Science, cum laude & honors scholar; GPA 3.5, BCPM 3.2. Started a MS in Comp Sci at Washington University but abandoned it halfway through; GPA 4.0, 6 hours thesis research incomplete. (My wife was in medical school at the University of Missouri, 120 miles west of WashU. When baby #1 came something had to give and grad school halfway across the state was the proverbial low-man on the totem pole.)

So I see my low GPA and my leaving graduate school as the major hurdles I have to overcome at this point. The university where I live doesn't have a formal post-bacc program. They've welcomed me to come as a non-degree student and just knock out the pre-reqs, get a second bachelor’s, or enroll in a graduate program. They seem pretty willing to let me do whatever I want to do. And that's the question....what should I do?

I am thinking the best course of action would be to enroll as a graduate student in Computer Science. I'll get some more research experience (and I can direct my research toward medical/digital biology…maybe I’ll get lucky and can score a publication), but mostly I'll show that I can hack graduate school and demonstrate that leaving WashU was a matter of personal circumstance and not an academic plateau.

I have had some of the med-school pre-reqs, but that’s been 8-9 years ago (I started college as a Bio major before switching to Comp Sci). I’m thinking it would be best to repeat them. It’ll be good review for the MCAT, plus it will show that I can still master those basic sciences, too (and not just be good at computer stuff). I would balance the graduate and pre-req course work over a couple of years.

Does this sound like the best course of action? Any advice for a newbie?

I also did a Master's degree in computer science, completing it in 2002. I've subsequently gone back as a Post Bacc. Undeclared (PBU) to do organic chemistry and some upper division biology classes. I think the PBU option is the same as your non-degree option. I'm really enjoying the classes; they were classes I always wanted to take, but never had the time.

My opinion is that, since you've decided to go to medical school, going back to computer science classes would be more of a distraction. To me it seems like you should concentrate your efforts on getting into medical school. I don't think that leaving graduate school should hurt you, as long as you explain it in your personal statement.

 

[JamieMac]

I'm definitely not against the DO philosphy, although I have only limited exposure to DOs. There were a couple of DOs working the ER during my rotations as an EMT-B student. My wife, who's an internal medicine MD, has only great things to say about the DOs she works with.

I'm not scared of the course work. The MCAT, on the other hand, has me pretty freaked out. Plus the whole leaving a successful career behind thing -- some people just dont understand ...

Hey Ed,
I'm in a similar situation, but coming from a business background. After meeting with my adviser, it has been determined that being a non-degree candidate is the best path for me. I'm planning to complete all of the core requirements that most schools have as well as cell bio, and genetics. Essentially, its a two year plan. At the ripe old age of 34, it is imperative that I don't take any longer than I have to in order to get there.

Another comment for you...I am also coming from a very successful stint in business, of which, I will likely be taking a pay cut to become a doc one day. I've been selling my soul for too many years for the money, and have decided to initiate my plan to do what I really want to do. Needless to say, there are some who really don't understand. "how can you leave this...walk away from that...you have so much" etc. What many of them fail to understand is that when you are a passionate person, and your heart is not into it, you become a slave to it. Ultimately, you begin to despise it (i do, anyway). Whatever you do, make sure that you really want to do it, and are not just seeking another achievement or accolade. Forgive me if this sounds rude, but you also want to be certain that you're not doing it as a result of your wife's occupation and a need to feel at the her 'level'. That being said, a very sincere best of luck to you! If it feels right, go for it. - by the way, I'm freaked out by the MCAT too. 😱

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Yeah, my plan is a two-year plan, too.

No offense taken regarding my motivation -- it's been asked before and I'm sure many ADCOMs will ask the same thing. I'm not going to blow smoke and say that my wife isn't an influence. Although, instead of it being about competition I see it as being about exposure to medicine. She introduced me to what being a physician is really about. I like to think of her as a mentor in this respect.