Question about timing, MCATs, beginning med school

[mdk2121]

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Hi All,

I'm a non-traditional premed student in that I graduated from undergrad in 2006 (studied biology and bioethics), earned an MPH and am now completing a Ph.D. in history. I've been completing my final premed requirements (organic chemistry and physics) and will be totally done with physics this coming summer.

I'm trying to figure out how best to think through timing for the MCAT, applications, etc. Since I'm not part of a post-bac program, I'm doing most of it on my own. It seems to me like the remaining key parts of my application include the following:

- Finish physics (which will happen by summer 2012)
- Potentially take biochemistry (not sure when)
- Take the MCAT (not sure when)
- Gain more shadowing/volunteer experience
- Apply to schools

I'm doing all of this while also finishing my Ph.D. and working, so it's a bit to juggle (I imagine others are in similar shows in terms of juggling families, careers, etc.)

Does anyone have any advice in terms of helping me think through my options in terms of dates to take the MCAT, dates for taking biochem (if it's a good idea in the first place) and dates to apply to med schools? I'm not totally clear regarding how decisions I make in terms of taking the MCAT and finishing biochem will influence when I would able to begin medical school. Ideally, I would be finished with my Ph.D. in the summer of 2013. Is it possible for me to begin med school that fall, or is it more realistic for me to consider beginning in 2014?

As an aside, my previous undergrad coursework (all completed between 2002-2006) includes calculus, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, genetics, immunology, vaccine development, biotechnology, and neuroscience, but no biochem yet!

Thanks for any help/advice!

 

[MedPR]

Hi All,

I'm a non-traditional premed student in that I graduated from undergrad in 2006 (studied biology and bioethics), earned an MPH and am now completing a Ph.D. in history. I've been completing my final premed requirements (organic chemistry and physics) and will be totally done with physics this coming summer.

I'm trying to figure out how best to think through timing for the MCAT, applications, etc. Since I'm not part of a post-bac program, I'm doing most of it on my own. It seems to me like the remaining key parts of my application include the following:

- Finish physics (which will happen by summer 2012)
- Potentially take biochemistry (not sure when)
- Take the MCAT (not sure when)
- Gain more shadowing/volunteer experience
- Apply to schools

I'm doing all of this while also finishing my Ph.D. and working, so it's a bit to juggle (I imagine others are in similar shows in terms of juggling families, careers, etc.)

Does anyone have any advice in terms of helping me think through my options in terms of dates to take the MCAT, dates for taking biochem (if it's a good idea in the first place) and dates to apply to med schools? I'm not totally clear regarding how decisions I make in terms of taking the MCAT and finishing biochem will influence when I would able to begin medical school. Ideally, I would be finished with my Ph.D. in the summer of 2013. Is it possible for me to begin med school that fall, or is it more realistic for me to consider beginning in 2014?

As an aside, my previous undergrad coursework (all completed between 2002-2006) includes calculus, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, genetics, immunology, vaccine development, biotechnology, and neuroscience, but no biochem yet!

Thanks for any help/advice!

Is completing your PhD your only time commitment? You'll need a decent chunk of free time to study successfully for the MCAT. If you want to start in the fall of 2013, you will need to apply in June.

Biochem might help on the MCAT, but I wouldn't delay starting med school just so you can take biochem for your MCAT. In other words, if you want to start medical school in 2013, but can't take biochem this spring, then don't worry about it and just take the MCAT without biochem.

 

[ChemMed]

Hi All,

I'm a non-traditional premed student in that I graduated from undergrad in 2006 (studied biology and bioethics), earned an MPH and am now completing a Ph.D. in history. I've been completing my final premed requirements (organic chemistry and physics) and will be totally done with physics this coming summer.

I'm trying to figure out how best to think through timing for the MCAT, applications, etc. Since I'm not part of a post-bac program, I'm doing most of it on my own. It seems to me like the remaining key parts of my application include the following:

- Finish physics (which will happen by summer 2012)
- Potentially take biochemistry (not sure when)
- Take the MCAT (not sure when)
- Gain more shadowing/volunteer experience
- Apply to schools

I'm doing all of this while also finishing my Ph.D. and working, so it's a bit to juggle (I imagine others are in similar shows in terms of juggling families, careers, etc.)

Does anyone have any advice in terms of helping me think through my options in terms of dates to take the MCAT, dates for taking biochem (if it's a good idea in the first place) and dates to apply to med schools? I'm not totally clear regarding how decisions I make in terms of taking the MCAT and finishing biochem will influence when I would able to begin medical school. Ideally, I would be finished with my Ph.D. in the summer of 2013. Is it possible for me to begin med school that fall, or is it more realistic for me to consider beginning in 2014?

As an aside, my previous undergrad coursework (all completed between 2002-2006) includes calculus, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, genetics, immunology, vaccine development, biotechnology, and neuroscience, but no biochem yet!

Thanks for any help/advice!

Your finishing a PhD, working and taking courses to get into med school. Your swamped or so it sounds. My biggest fear for you is that you might over extend yourself. I did when I was doing this. I also wasn't working while doing my PhD. When you are figuring out your application time don't forget about the time it will take to write your dissertation. If that is not a problem and you feel like you can push the 2013 start time then go for it.

If you need to give yourself and extra year to make sure that your application is as awesome as it can be then let yourself have that time and wait to start in 2014.

 

[startoverat40]

you don't need to have taken Biochem for the MCAT, and it's not required for most schools. for some schools it is recommended. Check the MSAR. if you've already taken upper-division courses like microbiology, genetics and neuroscience, then there's no reason to take biochem now. unless you need it so you can get an A and improve your GPA.

you can start doing your shadowing now, during weekends or any time you are free, in between your phd work.

if you will finish your phd by summer 2013, then you can start med school in the fall of same year. It's up to you if you feel up to it and don't need a break after your dissertation defense etc. Cause med school will be intense, so just up to you if you want to jump into it after finishing Phd.

If you want to start med school in 2013, you'd want to take the MCAT by April, and submit the AMCAS application in early June. But if you're only finishing Physics by the summer, then you might not be ready for the PS section. You can take a couple of AAMC tests to see how you do. if you think you're ready for it, then take it as soon as possible so you can submit your application early. If you feel like you're rushing it and you might not get your best score, then you can take it later in the summer. but the later your application is complete, the harder it is to get in, because of rolling admissions. it's not impossible, just a bit harder. if you have really good GPA and decent MCAT, then it might not be a big deal.

if you're not in a big hurry to start med school (and if you're in your late 20's you don't need to be in a big hurry) you could spend this year traveling and doing int'l medical volunteering, learning a language, doing some medical research, working to save up some money, take biochem if you want to, etc.... then apply next year.

good luck!