I'm a non-trad student about ~8 years out of school and am planning to apply for MD/DO in the 2025-2026 cycle. My concern is that my pre-med journey will appear "rushed". My original undergrad major was computer science/math, so my only completed prereqs were from high school AP credits in math/english/gen chem/physics. I've been volunteering/shadowing for the past ~2 years, and am currently in my third semester of a DIY post-bacc while working full time.
Here are my stats/experiences:
My biggest concerns are a) Only 5 post-bacc courses (21 credits) at the time of application, which may not be sufficient academic standing given that my undergrad was 8 years ago b) No research experience.
Does this seem like enough to stand as a solid application in 2025-2026? Or would I be better off waiting to take the MCAT, and taking a few more upper-level science classes/perhaps getting some research experience and applying in 2026-2027?
Here are my stats/experiences:
- 3.5 cGPA from undergrad 7 years ago.
- Have completed three courses (bio 1/2, orgo 1) with A's so far in my post-bacc. Currently taking biochem and orgo 2.
- Have not taken MCAT yet, planning on taking it Feb/March 2025. Will be targeting at least 515.
- About 50 hours in-person shadowing (mostly in ERs), and ~40 hours virtual shadowing
- Volunteering:
- About ~350 hours non-clinical volunteering. This is split between 250 hours at a food bank and 100 hours in two separate mentorship programs. I also have volunteering leadership experience from my undergrad, but I haven't estimated how many hours that was (+ it was over 8 years ago, so not sure if it's worth including. The 300 hours I mentioned are all from the last two years)
- 150 hours volunteering in a hospital with patient care/assisting nurses
- 30 hours volunteering at events as an EMT
- Planning to start volunteering at hospice soon, and will likely have at least 50 hours before the application cycle. Altogether, expecting ~200-250 hours of clinical experience by the application cycle.
- + several thousand hours in my soon-to-be-previous career (engineering). I've been balancing volunteering/post-bacc with full time work.
- No research experience
My biggest concerns are a) Only 5 post-bacc courses (21 credits) at the time of application, which may not be sufficient academic standing given that my undergrad was 8 years ago b) No research experience.
Does this seem like enough to stand as a solid application in 2025-2026? Or would I be better off waiting to take the MCAT, and taking a few more upper-level science classes/perhaps getting some research experience and applying in 2026-2027?
