Question on retaking all pre-req courses

[HPPEPC]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to SDN and a recent open minded career changer (ish). I graduated from college and I majored in biology. Although I came out with a bio degree, I definitely did not do very well in my courses, a lot of Cs and B-. That being said, i worked for 2 years in business admin and I realized my passion is really in medicine. I suppose during undergrad I just saw myself doing so poorly in my classes that I gave up even before I fully considered my potential future.

My cGPA coming out of college was a 2.75 and I have not taken time to look at my sGPA yet, but I suspect it to be very similar.

Moving forward, I would like to know if I should retake all my pre reqs over again. This would include general bio, physics, math, chem (gen.ochem), english etc. If I do all my pre-reqs again and receive all As and perform well on my MCAT (510+), would this be a good sign to med school that I am capable of succeeding in medical school?

I am really short on usuable finance as I support my family and would honestly do my coursework at a community college. I am not looking for a formal post bac program is basically what I am saying. But, I am open to taking selective upper division courses at a state school to show I can perform well in upper division courses.

I would like your honest opinion. I can take criticism, and I definitely have a drive and passion for this. I've told some friends already and they heavily suggest I MUST do a formal post bac, but I wanted to hear other opinions.

Thank you for reading my situation.

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[SpoiledMilk]

I assume you graduated about 2 years ago?

If that is the case, then retaking all the pre-reqs at a CC will not impress MD Adcoms. If you were 10-15 years from your degree, then it wouldn't be an issue. In your position, taking upper levels at a university would be better.

However, with a 2.75, going the DIY route would mean taking a boatload of credits just to get to a competitive level and years to accomplish. Have you calculated how much credits you need to retake to pull up your current GPA to say >3.4?

Based on this, a formal SMP is what SDN generally recommends for a prospective candidate in your position. This is your best hope at this point if MD is what you are aiming for (for that matter DO also) and so you have to find the $$ to make it happen.

That being said, if you are not set on just MD and are open to DO, then figure out how many hours your need in the DIY to pull the 2.75 up to say >3.1. Then rock the MCAT and have the requisite ECs and DO is the way to go.

GL!

 

[HPPEPC]

Yes I graduated two years ago.

I have calculated that I would need approximately 90 semester units to reach a 3.0 and to reach a cGPA of 3.4. In terms of pre req courses that I would have to retake, the amount of units fulfilled would be about 50 units. That would leave me with 40 more units to work with upper division courses at a 4 year correct?

If I didn't do an SMP or a formal postbac, would this be enough? Of course this is given that I partake in my requirements to show I am passionate about the field. This being experience, extracurriculars, community service, shadowing, etc.

At this point in my life, i am still young and I do not mind taking 3-4 years to make this change. I messed up as an undergrad and I really want to focus on this path.

Do you have any further suggestions on how I should be moving forward? Do you suggest that I take for the time being any 100/200 level science courses to bump up my sGPA (currently at a 2.6)?

Thank you for answering my questions. I have so much to learn and to get on track with all this. It is a bit discouraging right now because I've heard so many people around me saying I have no chance. But, I just want guidance on what is best for me right now. Even if it does take 4 years.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

If time is not an issue and you are willing to take up to 4 years, that is very good because getting into medical school is a marathon and not a sprint.

SDN's mantra is that you should not redo any prereq courses that you received a C or better in a DIY postbac. The logic is that since you already have done it once, the expectation is that you receive an A on the retake. Normally, it is not worth the risk. But in your situation, it might be. But the caveat is that you must redo those prereqs at a 4 year institution and not a CC. (Again, SDN only recommends doing prereqs at a CC for those who graduated many many years before.)

However, since $$ is an issue with doing an SMP, then consider registering at a 4 year university for a second bachelors. Then you can have access to student loans and start doing up to 90 credits, mixing in prereqs, but most of those 90 credits must be in upper level science courses. While doing this, you must fortify your ECs with hours in active clinical volunteering with patient interactions, non-clinical volunteering, leadership positions, shadowing primary care physicians, and/or any other ECs that show your altruistic side. (Medicine is a service oriented profession after all.)

If you are able to do this and get your cgpa of 3.4 and a greater sGPA, then with a solid 510+ MCAT score and the ECs, then MD schools are a real possibility. (There are schools that will reward reinvention). DOs will be a definite possibility.

Calling @gonnif and @Goro for more expertise.

 

[Goro]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to SDN and a recent open minded career changer (ish). I graduated from college and I majored in biology. Although I came out with a bio degree, I definitely did not do very well in my courses, a lot of Cs and B-. That being said, i worked for 2 years in business admin and I realized my passion is really in medicine. I suppose during undergrad I just saw myself doing so poorly in my classes that I gave up even before I fully considered my potential future.

My cGPA coming out of college was a 2.75 and I have not taken time to look at my sGPA yet, but I suspect it to be very similar.

Moving forward, I would like to know if I should retake all my pre reqs over again. This would include general bio, physics, math, chem (gen.ochem), english etc. If I do all my pre-reqs again and receive all As and perform well on my MCAT (510+), would this be a good sign to med school that I am capable of succeeding in medical school?

I am really short on usuable finance as I support my family and would honestly do my coursework at a community college. I am not looking for a formal post bac program is basically what I am saying. But, I am open to taking selective upper division courses at a state school to show I can perform well in upper division courses.

I would like your honest opinion. I can take criticism, and I definitely have a drive and passion for this. I've told some friends already and they heavily suggest I MUST do a formal post bac, but I wanted to hear other opinions.

Thank you for reading my situation.

Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

It will be OK to do your post-bac work at a CC. The formal programs are more for career-switchers.

For MD schools that reward reinvention, a 513+ ios more in order. 510+ for your state MD school. 505+ for DO.

 

[HPPEPC]

Thank you for your suggestions and advice. It really helps me calm down with the overwhelming and windy advice I have been receiving everywhere.

None the less, i will be retaking all my pre reqs that I got a C to prepare properly for the MCAT. So, in that regard, it is necessary for me to do so. But I sense a strong correlation between taking upper division classes and success into medical school. I'll be sure to look into that.

Thank you two for helping me out. I really appreciate your time guiding me through the beginning process of reinventing myself.