Question for all you post-bac gurus

[GatorPhD]

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I posted a similar thread in the nontrad forum, because I'm a nontrad applicant, but I really want to get your (post-bac genius) opinions.

If you're interested in a little more of the background on me, the post is here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=421681

This is me in a nutshell...I'm 24 and just finished a Ph.D. in Operations Research (a branch of Mathematics) at a large public research university. My grad GPA was 3.95. My undergraduate work was in Mathematics at the same school and my GPA was 3.95 as well. My UG science/math GPA was 4.0.

I work for the US Air Force but my obligation ends next May. I decided medicine is where I have to be, so I'm going for it. I'll be applying for the 2008-2009 cycle at a ton of post-bac programs.

The responders to my first post seem are positive about my med school chances, but first off I'm really interested in how I'll be judged from the post-bac adcoms since I have to get past them first.

I would really like to hear from you guys that were in formal post-bac programs on this. How many people in your class had Ph.D./J.D./grad degrees? Is my application going to be competitive at some of the better known programs (Goucher, Bryn Mawr, etc.)? I'd appreciate any insight you can offer.

Thank you sincerely,
GatorPhD

 

[yogreen]

hey, i think with your stats, you'll be one of the best applicants....you have nothing to worry about as long as you apply early...have you taken the MCAT already?

 

[GatorPhD]

hey, i think with your stats, you'll be one of the best applicants....you have nothing to worry about as long as you apply early...have you taken the MCAT already?

Thanks for the response. No, I haven't taken the MCAT yet. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear before. I haven't taken any of the premed pre-reqs. I'm going to be applying to a premed postbac not an SMP. Thanks again!

 

[Pemulis]

Your grades and experience are stellar--you'll do fine. I did the Goucher program, and I had a master's degree in comp sci before starting. I know they've taken people w/ JD's before, and career changers from the world of engineering and IT are pretty commonplace in the program.

Your main concern is demonstrating that you have a solid understanding of what medicine is like and a good reason for wanting to pursue it. So (if you haven't done so already), make sure you have some exposure to medicine (shadowing, volunteering, whatever). Write a good essay, and when the time comes, prep for your interview, because it's not just a formality. You actually have to show up (preferably in a suit and tie) and give coherent answers as to why you want to go into medicine and why you want to go to school at Goucher/Bryn Mawr/fill in the school name here. Not that it's a stress interview or anything, but you'd be surprised at how many people come to it in jeans and a t-shirt, and say they want to go to medical school because they love "House."

My guess is that you already know all of the above, so you'll likely get in somewhere good. Best of luck.