Realistic Advice Please

[genvieve]

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I have been browsing this forum for a while now. I decided instead of looking for posts similar to my situation, I should just post my own. So here it goes, all my dirty laundry for all to see.

I graduated with a BA in biology from UT Austin with a 2.4. (yuck..I know) It took me a loong time to finish (started in 1992) ...we all have our issues I won't bore with mine here. My first 39 hours went great ...3.9 before i took a nose dive. I stopped attedning classes w/o dropping them, etc. My academic record is a complete mess, I assure you. But I now have the maturity and drive to not allow life's upsets to get in the way. I can and have handled difficult coursework in the past and know that would not be a problem now.

I currently work as a research coordinator for a cardiology group. I have also worked in the past at The American Cancer Society as a cancer information specialist, at Planned Parenthood as a clinical assistant and as a medical assistant in a minor emergency center. For volunteer work, I have taught ESL, even though I don't speak Spanish (!) and was a mentor to a pregnant teen. I have written for AOL's cityguide and for a neighborood publication too. Just trying to give you an idea of my ECs.

So I would now like to go for it and try to go to med school. But I am perplexed on where to begin and even if it is realistic. I still lack the physics pre-req and have never taken the MCAT. I am intensely interested in public health and plan to volunteer in the summer of 07 in an overseas health clinic, but I know I need hard science course to boost my gpa and I could not even get into an MPH program at this time w/ my current grades. Also, I am 33, getting married next year and the clock is ticking for me to make some choices. What should be my plan of attack and is it possible?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. 🙂 Thanks!

 

[JO300]

In my opinion you have 2 option:
1- go to the Carib MD School.
2- go for MS in Biology or any science then apply to DO school.

I think if you finish MS with good GPA you will have good chance in DO more than MD.

I hope this will help you.

 

[psychedoc2b]

Hi,

I have known of others with a GPA as low as yours who have gotten into a MD school.

Plan: go to a post-bac program at a small liberal arts college and take physics and really hard science courses and English to prepare for the verbal on the MCAT.

If you can't get into the program because of your low GPA then take a class at the small liberal arts college as a non-degree grad.

The post-bac program will help you since the courses will be counted toward your undergrad GPA. If you have to take more than two years to raise your overall GPA and science GPA then do it.

Advice and my opinion:
Look into post-bac programs in Texas. OR Mills College in Oakland, CA. I'm partial to this program since I know several people who have gone through this program and ended up in med schools.

Informercial: Mills is a women's college but has men in its post-bac and grad courses. It has small class sizes 5-30 people max per class. The faculty, students, and advisors are all supportive of your interests. There are review sessions and one-on-one tutoring if needed. Mills is located on a beautiful campus in Oakland, CA, minutes away from Berkeley, CA. It has state-of-the -art facilities and a brand new biology building is being built. There are apartments on campus and of course dorms. Mills boasts a high acceptance rate into med school. It is known for its post-bac program.

Now, you should find a similar small liberal arts college in which you will excel. Big univ. will probably be too impersonal and unsupportive of your interests. I urge you to follow my advice because you should not waste anymore time taking courses in which you won't make excellent grades.

UT Austin is a mammoth univ. You probably were one of many students in your classes. I probably surmise that the classes you took were "weed-out" classes. A small liberal arts colllege does not "weed-out" their students. They try to do as much as possible to help you to succeed.

The other plan is to so a master's in anatomy at a med school with other med students. However, this plan is not as good as taking as many undergrad courses to raise your GPA.

Then, after you have raised your GPA to a respectable level, you should consider taking the MCAT and try to score in the high 30's to compensate for your earlier low GPA.

Since you are a Texas resident, you should try to remain a Texas state resident at all possible costs. There are many schools in Texas and there is a higher likliehood you will get into one of them. You can still remain a Texas resident if your family lives in Texas and still pay taxes in Texas etc. even though you may want to go away for a post-bac program in another state, such as Mills.

Thus, focus on getting into a post-bac program and if you have to take courses as a non-degree grad at the college which has the post-bac program to get into the post-bac program then do it.

Raise GPA to over a 3.5 in all areas. Aim for a 3.6 or above. Then, prepare for the MCAT and make the highest scores you can hopefully in the high 30's.

Your EC's should continue but at a minimum. Your first priority is to raise your GPA and take the prereq's for med school.

33 is not old. You still have time to change your course. I would take action now but contemplate thoroughly if you want to make the commitment. Becoming a physician is a a life-long endeavor. If you think you can't put in your best effort and the time, I would discourage you from even trying to become a physician.

Also, it will cost you much money to become a physician. You really have to discuss this with your future spouse and have him realize that you want to make this change and commitment to become a physician.

Lastly, GPA's are school dependent and don't mean much. The MCAT is the barometer which will make or break you. You should talk to your school advisor. If they aren't encouraging then don't be discouraged if you really want to become a physician.

Life is too short to worry whether or not you should have chosen the path to become a physician. I say just do it and see what happens if this is your decision.

Remain persistent. As I always say, if I can become a physician against all odds, you can do it too.

Best wishes!
psychedoc2b

 

[genvieve]

Thank you both for your replies. I appreciate it.

I am not really interested in Carribean schools b/c of the marriage factor...hard for future spouse to work there, etc. I am, however, interested in DO school. In fact it is my preference.

I went on the Mills College website today and I will look into it further. I have thought of trying to do the post-bacc work on my own at UT Dallas, but I would really prefer a formal program.

I am also interested in the MA progarm at Boston University and even possibly combining it with an MPH..they have a dual degree program. But again the trick is to get in in the first place. I thought about taking 2-3 semesters of hard science work, physics included and then applying there?

Regardless, it is just nice to get feedback and encouragement and to actually voice what I want to do.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

The one danger of moving (particularly to MA) is that you would not be considered in state anywhere (and as a CA resident, you would have a residency that could work against you). I would stay in TX. In my case, the best thing I could have done as a postbacc was move to Florida!

 

[psychedoc2b]

Thank you both for your replies. I appreciate it.

I am not really interested in Carribean schools b/c of the marriage factor...hard for future spouse to work there, etc. I am, however, interested in DO school. In fact it is my preference.

I went on the Mills College website today and I will look into it further. I have thought of trying to do the post-bacc work on my own at UT Dallas, but I would really prefer a formal program.

I am also interested in the MA progarm at Boston University and even possibly combining it with an MPH..they have a dual degree program. But again the trick is to get in in the first place. I thought about taking 2-3 semesters of hard science work, physics included and then applying there?

Regardless, it is just nice to get feedback and encouragement and to
actually voice what I want to do.

Hi again,

You need to raise your GPA. It's unfortunate but a high undergrad GPA is important for acceptance into med school whether it be D.O. or M.D.

I encourage you to do a post-bac first.

There are med school programs which allow you to combine a D.O or M.D. with an MPH.

"Dual Degree Program
The University of North Texas Health Science Center offers dual degree programs uniquely tailored to the educational needs of students who wish to integrate medical training with research or public health.

Since the dual-degree programs require the student to follow a separate curriculum in each of two schools, each school will have administrative authority over the student's degree program. Students in the dual program are often given preference for selecting clinical rotation sites.

For more information on the D.O./M.S. or D.O./Ph.D. programs, please contact the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Admissions Office at (817) 735-2560. Contact the School of Public Health Admissions Office at (817) 735-2401 for more information on the D.O./M.P.H. or cooperative M.P.H. programs."

I found you texas Christian univ with a post-bac program. Check it out!

I agree with the above poster to stay in texas if possible.

http://www.bio.tcu.edu/premed/premed.html

I like to give advertisement to Mills College but in this case you should think about giving texas chrisitian univ. a call.

I found you another post-bac program in texas and it is affiliated with the D.O. school in Fort Worth!

http://www.hsc.unt.edu/education/gsbs/disciplines.cfm#postbac

AND, finally LAMAR univ. in beaumont, Texas

"Program Name Lamar University
Institution Lamar University
Degree Type Non-degree; undergraduate; non-certificate-granting program
Undergraduate/
Graduate Graduate
Web Address http://www.lamar.edu


Address College of Arts and Sciences
P.O. Box 10058
Beaumont, TX 77710


Program Director's Information
Dr. James Westgate (409) 880-7972 [email protected] "

Final note: I looked at the post-bac program in Fort Worth and the requirements for acceptance don't fit your criteria and also you would have to take the MCAT for acceptance. Thus, I would not recommend it for you.

I think Lamar univ. or Texas christian univ. might be the best for you.

I hope this helps!


Best wishes,
psychedoc2b

 

[thirdunity]

The one danger of moving (particularly to MA) is that you would not be considered in state anywhere (and as a CA resident, you would have a residency that could work against you). I would stay in TX. In my case, the best thing I could have done as a postbacc was move to Florida!

Is this true about Cali? I am a Cali resident, with some stuff working against me (transfer from a junior college, couple of old Fs, though things are now spotless). And actually my first choice is DO.

 

[psychedoc2b]

Is this true about Cali? I am a Cali resident, with some stuff working against me (transfer from a junior college, couple of old Fs, though things are now spotless). And actually my first choice is DO.

Hi,

Please talk to your pre-med advisor.

I would look into Western Univ. of Health Sciences and Touro admissions criteria before jumping to conclusions.

I would also call their admissions office and set up an appointment with a admissions counselor to talk about your academic record/MCAT scores/ application.

I only encourage those who have applied several times as a CA resident and did not get admitted anywhere despite having a decent GPA and MCAT scores and reasonable hours of EC's to move out of CA.

hope this helps.

psychedoc2b

 

[genvieve]

Hmmm... Yes, I looked into the program at UNTHSC in FW a while ago and realized I would not get in.

Also, I am confused as to why I would not be considered in state if I were to move. After a year of residency, wouldn't I then be considered a resident of that state when applying to med school, say for the BU program?

I just breifly glance at the TCU program, but it does not look like a formal post-bacc. I will look further into it...

There is no way fiance would move to Beaumont Texas. 🙂 We are used to the big city! 🙂

I am surprised and grateful for all the help!

 

[cfdavid]

Hi there OP. I empathize with your situation. I'm gonna keep it short though. Here's my advise:

1) schedule a face to face appointment with any medical school in your state (or within a reasonable driving distance). simply tell them your story, and ask for advice on what they would recommend you do to become a competitive applicant. granted, much of this info is available to you, but get some face time. then follow up with an email/thank you etc.

that's first.

2) look into taking some upper level science courses at a nearby, commuter university (perhaps not a community college though). don't take any more courses than you can get A's in given your current schedul.e. (get A's, it's important). also, take any MCAT prereq's that you haven't taken. you'll need those anyway. get A's.

3) depending on your schedule, you may not be able to take an MCAT prep-course. I used Examkrakers material AND audioosmosis (their CD's). I found them to be great. when appropriate, start studying for the MCAT. give youself 6 months, since you may need to "brush up" to get yourself back into the ballgame. i wouldn't REtake any prerequisites unless you did terribly in them. (ie. don't retake for MCAT purposes, but you may wish to retake based on the effect those courses may have on your bio,chem, physics, math GPA that the med schools will look at). again, setting some meetings with admissions pepole will help guide your strategy.

4) since you're looking at DO, try to network a bit with some DO's. Try to shadow a few times. just ask them. it would be great to get a DO letter of recommendation for DO applications.

5) you CAN do this. just set SHORT term goals. otherwise, it'll seem crazy. lol

Also, I would take a good cell biology class. this will help you immensely for the MCAT and in general for future courses. it really helped me, and it was the first science course i had taken in 10 or 12 years.

Good luck. Did I say I'd keep it short???? lol

 

[psychedoc2b]

Hmmm... Yes, I looked into the program at UNTHSC in FW a while ago and realized I would not get in.

Also, I am confused as to why I would not be considered in state if I were to move. After a year of residency, wouldn't I then be considered a resident of that state when applying to med school, say for the BU program?

I just breifly glance at the TCU program, but it does not look like a formal post-bacc. I will look further into it...

There is no way fiance would move to Beaumont Texas. 🙂 We are used to the big city! 🙂

I am surprised and grateful for all the help!

Sorry!

I would do as CFDavid says in his posts.

You can only get state residency if you work and pay in-state taxes.

I don't know much about MA though.

Again, I would try to remain a Texas state resident.

MA has many private med schools but you will be competing with a large number of out-of-state residents who also want to get into these private med schools.

Does MA have a D.O. school?

In any case, I wish you the very best!
psychedoc2b

 

[cfdavid]

one other thing that i noticed in my own journey to med school (i'll be going somewhere this fall), is that it takes a paradigm shift to make this happen.

in other words, for me, it seemed like such a large undertaking at first. but that's because i thought of doing it while being too rigid in what i would be willing to change in my life.

it'll be tough to do this while NOT changing a few things in your schedule/lifestyle. but, it's an evolution in a way. however, if you're too rigid in what you'd be willing to change, you may have difficulties. it can make what you really need to do seem insurmountable give your current lifestyle/short term plans etc. (i.e. wedding).

i'm not saying to postpone the wedding. but, maybe a smaller wedding that will occupy less of your time/engery?? this is just an example. but, if you think you HAVE to have the wedding you've always imagined, you'll be saying to yourself "but, how the hell am i going to do well in my classes and start studying for the MCAT etc., while planning this big event and all the work that comes with it"........

again, just an example of the paradigm shift i eluded to. ONE solution would be to have a small, family wedding or something. but, you'll very likely have to make changes to what may be some very rigid ways of thinking. it's just part of the process.

also, if you need to lighten up on your hours in your job (something may have to give), yet you need all the income for your wedding (again, just an example) or for your mortage, you may consider downsizing. but, you will need to make changes to how you view things, and begin to prioritize AROUND getting into med school. versus trying to work getting into med school around all of your other priorities etc....

good luck. hope that helps a bit.

 

[genvieve]

Hi there OP. I empathize with your situation. I'm gonna keep it short though. Here's my advise:

1) schedule a face to face appointment with any medical school in your state (or within a reasonable driving distance). simply tell them your story, and ask for advice on what they would recommend you do to become a competitive applicant. granted, much of this info is available to you, but get some face time. then follow up with an email/thank you etc.

that's first.

2) look into taking some upper level science courses at a nearby, commuter university (perhaps not a community college though). don't take any more courses than you can get A's in given your current schedul.e. (get A's, it's important). also, take any MCAT prereq's that you haven't taken. you'll need those anyway. get A's.

3) depending on your schedule, you may not be able to take an MCAT prep-course. I used Examkrakers material AND audioosmosis (their CD's). I found them to be great. when appropriate, start studying for the MCAT. give youself 6 months, since you may need to "brush up" to get yourself back into the ballgame. i wouldn't REtake any prerequisites unless you did terribly in them. (ie. don't retake for MCAT purposes, but you may wish to retake based on the effect those courses may have on your bio,chem, physics, math GPA that the med schools will look at). again, setting some meetings with admissions pepole will help guide your strategy.

4) since you're looking at DO, try to network a bit with some DO's. Try to shadow a few times. just ask them. it would be great to get a DO letter of recommendation for DO applications.

5) you CAN do this. just set SHORT term goals. otherwise, it'll seem crazy. lol

Also, I would take a good cell biology class. this will help you immensely for the MCAT and in general for future courses. it really helped me, and it was the first science course i had taken in 10 or 12 years.

Good luck. Did I say I'd keep it short???? lol

O.K...I have seen it several times and I have tried to surmise what it means...what is "OP"? 😕

Anyway, down to business. To begin, thanks for the encouragement. It is wonderful to hear this is a realistic goal.

One of our newest cardiologists to join the group is a DO, youngish, friendly and approachable. I made a mental note of shadowing him the second I saw he was a DO.

I live in dallas, so I could mosey over to the DO school in FW and chat with some people as you advised. I have to get over the shame and embarrassment of my past. I feel like they will laugh in my face. But I can buck up and do it.UT Southwestern is close as well, but I have a feeling I would be wasting my time there. Tough school to get into.

BTW, the volunteer things I listed I do not currently participate in, so my schedule is not bad besides working full time, which many people do. One of my last semesters in school I went FT, worked FT and had a PT job on the weekends and trained for a marathon...so I always try to remember that when I think I am too busy.

I will most definitely take an MCAT prep course. Some of my prereq's I took in 1993, so I need the refresher big time.

So you think I can just take those upper division science courses independent of a formal post-bacc program? If so, how many hours or semesters do you think I should take, getting A's, to show I have made an academic turnaround? Getting my GPA to a 3.6 or something would take a loooong time. I graduated with 177 hours. And you don't think I need a masters of some sort before applying..just an improved record in the above mentioned classes? I would most likely go to UT Dallas or UT Arlington..four year university's.

I hate to gush and repeat myself. But thanks for taking your time to help me! Very helpful, indeed.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Also, I am confused as to why I would not be considered in state if I were to move. After a year of residency, wouldn't I then be considered a resident of that state when applying to med school, say for the BU program?

Hey, I'm not actually sure about DO schools, but I am learning this lesson about state residency with MD admissions the hard way this year.
So, in MA in particular, to be considered a state resident for tuition purposes (at UMASS), you have to reside in the state for five years, not while in school. Every state/school has their own criteria for what it requires to be considered a resident- so think about where you want to end up, and check out their requirements. At least in MD admissions, it plays a very large role -- and don't get stuck being stateless like me!

 

[genvieve]

one other thing that i noticed in my own journey to med school (i'll be going somewhere this fall), is that it takes a paradigm shift to make this happen.

in other words, for me, it seemed like such a large undertaking at first. but that's because i thought of doing it while being too rigid in what i would be willing to change in my life.

it'll be tough to do this while NOT changing a few things in your schedule/lifestyle. but, it's an evolution in a way. however, if you're too rigid in what you'd be willing to change, you may have difficulties. it can make what you really need to do seem insurmountable give your current lifestyle/short term plans etc. (i.e. wedding).

i'm not saying to postpone the wedding. but, maybe a smaller wedding that will occupy less of your time/engery?? this is just an example. but, if you think you HAVE to have the wedding you've always imagined, you'll be saying to yourself "but, how the hell am i going to do well in my classes and start studying for the MCAT etc., while planning this big event and all the work that comes with it"........

again, just an example of the paradigm shift i eluded to. ONE solution would be to have a small, family wedding or something. but, you'll very likely have to make changes to what may be some very rigid ways of thinking. it's just part of the process.

also, if you need to lighten up on your hours in your job (something may have to give), yet you need all the income for your wedding (again, just an example) or for your mortage, you may consider downsizing. but, you will need to make changes to how you view things, and begin to prioritize AROUND getting into med school. versus trying to work getting into med school around all of your other priorities etc....

good luck. hope that helps a bit.

Oh if you only knew what you were stirring up in me by this post. I agree 100%. I am very anti-the big wedding. I want to go away somewhere, not spend a gad of money and just not have it be a whole production. Future mother-in-law says otherwise. And yes, I am 33. She is a nice lady though and I hate to sqaush her big wedding dream. But you are right, that will be like a job in and of itself.

We went house hunting today too and so this is a very timely issue you wrote on. That may have to wait a bit.

And we have discussed my cutting back my work hours possibly.

I like what you said about taking it in little steps or otherwise it is too overwhelming and making your life work around the med school goal instead of vice versa.

Wonderful you are going in the fall!

And psyche2doc...I see now about the residency bit.

Do you guys have your stories posted somewhere on here? I love to read other people's journeys and see what they have achieved. Inspiring.

 

[genvieve]

Hey, I'm not actually sure about DO schools, but I am learning this lesson about state residency with MD admissions the hard way this year.
So, in MA in particular, to be considered a state resident for tuition purposes (at UMASS), you have to reside in the state for five years, not while in school. Every state/school has their own criteria for what it requires to be considered a resident- so think about where you want to end up, and check out their requirements. At least in MD admissions, it plays a very large role -- and don't get stuck being stateless like me!

Aha! I see now. Good to know, good to know. I so dreamed of leaving Dallas. 🙁

 

[cfdavid]

OP= origional poster. i know, i know, all these acronyms take some time...

Not all schools have formal, "official", pre-med oriented post-bacc programs. If you can find one, great. It wasn't available to me (sometimes they're just for minorities), so I just enrolled in some classes.

One of the benefits of you meeting face to face with a medical school (don't even bother with a pre-med advisor) admissions representative is that you will most likely be inspired with how forgiving, understanding, and positive they are with non-trads.

Also, they will advise you on a reasonable number of credit hours they'd like to see prior to application/enrollment (two very different things mind you, in terms of time frame). The general rule seems to be that they'd like to see up to 16 credit hours (with very good grades) if you really have a not so desireable academic history. Even if you have a good gpa etc., they still want to see recent coursework if you've been out of school for a while.

For me, I only applied to AMCAS (MD) and AACOMAS (DO) with TWO recent science courses on the "books". I've since completed 2 more, and this winter I'll be taking two others as well.

The point is that having only had 2 courses (though you can mention classes you're taking at any given point during secondary applications and also post-secondary updates etc.), was kind of minimal. So, for me, it was extra important to maintain a dialogue with schools to let them know "although not reflected in my AMCAS application, i just finished a 400 level human physiology course and earned an A" etc..
Again, you can mention this is secondary application statements and/or just emailing admissions offices on your own to advise them of recent updates.

So, there's no golden rule on this stuff, but many schools seem to have the stance that if you've been out for a while (like you), they may just look at the 16 most recent courses.

**One critical piece of advice. This is only my opinion. But, there's been a lot of discussion on course load in the past. However, as a non-trad you will most likely be able to defer to your busy, non-trad lifestyle to offset any lack of a huge courseload you may take on.

My experience is that they look at the numbers mostly. So, if you're torn between taking 2 classes, and if you can't guarantee an A in each (given your schedule etc.), then just take one, and get the A. Also, you may be limited on what night courses are even available (I ran into that).

But, you can always find at least one or two late afternoon, or night classes available each semester. Just make sure you get A's. You can always reference working full time, and/or limited availability of night classes as your reason for taking a light course load. But, in your case, you need to do very well in whatever you take.

Again, a strong cell bio class (200 or 300 level. mine was 200 cause that's all they offered)will really help kick you off in the right direction. (My last bio class was in like 1994, and trust me, there have been some advances since then! lol)

Also, I keep mentioning "upper level science courses". really, mostly 300 or 400 level courses. but 200 levels would be o.k. to if you need them as pre-req's for others etc.

Good luck.

 

[QofQuimica]

1) schedule a face to face appointment with any medical school in your state (or within a reasonable driving distance). simply tell them your story, and ask for advice on what they would recommend you do to become a competitive applicant. granted, much of this info is available to you, but get some face time. then follow up with an email/thank you etc.

I want to second this advice because it's so good. I actually met with THREE admissions directors before applying, and spoke to a fourth one by phone. In each case I got very useful advice and tips to strengthen my application. I think that these meetings played a huge part in making my application successful.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

Hey

First let me start out by saying I am not expert and neither are any of the people on this forum (but for the lurking admissions ppl). I will try and give you my opinion based on my personal research and plans to increase my own GPA (3.1). My goal in the USA has been DO schools and have tailored my plan toward them.

Ok. Lets start witht he truth, this will be very hard and my guess, a minimum of 2 years depending on what med pre reqs you already have. There are a couple of important factors.

1) DO schools replace and old grade with a new one which increases your GPA drastically (ie: got a D in physics, took it again got a A then its counted as an A).

2) I saw a few people saying take "REALLY HARD SCIENCE CLASSES". That is pointless. After talking to numerous admissions people at DO schools they told me (as i considered the same thing) to simply take the pre reqs and do well. If your fighting to bring a weak GPA up taking classes where you have decreased chance of success is counterintuitive. I know some people will tell you the school will look at them as a positive thing, you went to the "hard classes". However, you take an advanced cell bio and get another D or C and youve done nothing to help yourself but waste money.

3) Consider where you are going to take your classes. Many people will tell you not to take CC classes. If your plan is DO school (which it appears to be) then you are better off taking CC classes. Do not do a post ba if yu have the option to take CC classes. Why? Well, CC classes are often smaller size and therefore more time with the teacher. I also find that they have much more interest in you as a student. There is usually more help avaliable. The classes are as good as those found in University and in fact are transferrable.

DO schools do not care if you have gotten your pre reqs from a CC. All they care about is that you did get your pre reqs. and did well in them. From my perspective (and i have 2 univ. degress and am doing all the pre reqs at a CC) , you simply have a better chance of success at the CC for good grades based on what i said in the preceding paragraph.

4) Make sure you go have a meeting with an Admissions office at a local medical school and spill your guts there. I cant say anyting about pre-med advisors as i have no experience with them. SDN's general take is that they are a crap shoot and you dont know what your getting. However, med admissions people know exactly what they want and that is what you need. I would set up meetings will all of the admissions ppl local to you.

5) Start looking at your life and deciding how important medicine is then prioritize accordingly. Sounds hard and it is. Maybe it would be best for you to start off taking one CC class, ease into it and then add more in a semester as you move on. One thing that helps alot of people is success. If you take one class and ace it wit an A then that confidence boost will help with the next one. Be realistic with yourself.

Anyway, again let me say there are no hard and fast rules and noone herecan give you the best answers, just their experiences.

Hope this helps.

 

[njbmd]

I have been browsing this forum for a while now. I decided instead of looking for posts similar to my situation, I should just post my own. So here it goes, all my dirty laundry for all to see.

I graduated with a BA in biology from UT Austin with a 2.4. (yuck..I know) It took me a loong time to finish (started in 1992) ...we all have our issues I won't bore with mine here. My first 39 hours went great ...3.9 before i took a nose dive. I stopped attedning classes w/o dropping them, etc. My academic record is a complete mess, I assure you. But I now have the maturity and drive to not allow life's upsets to get in the way. I can and have handled difficult coursework in the past and know that would not be a problem now.

I currently work as a research coordinator for a cardiology group. I have also worked in the past at The American Cancer Society as a cancer information specialist, at Planned Parenthood as a clinical assistant and as a medical assistant in a minor emergency center. For volunteer work, I have taught ESL, even though I don't speak Spanish (!) and was a mentor to a pregnant teen. I have written for AOL's cityguide and for a neighborood publication too. Just trying to give you an idea of my ECs.

So I would now like to go for it and try to go to med school. But I am perplexed on where to begin and even if it is realistic. I still lack the physics pre-req and have never taken the MCAT. I am intensely interested in public health and plan to volunteer in the summer of 07 in an overseas health clinic, but I know I need hard science course to boost my gpa and I could not even get into an MPH program at this time w/ my current grades. Also, I am 33, getting married next year and the clock is ticking for me to make some choices. What should be my plan of attack and is it possible?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. 🙂 Thanks!

Hi there,
You have your volunteer stuff done so now you can concentrate on your academics. What else do you need to complete the pre-med coursework? You will need to take those courses and probably re-take any courses that you did not do well in since it has been some time since your original coursework. It is going to take more than a few As to dig out of your 2.4 hole but it can be done. You should start with your re-takes and then move to the things that you have not taken.

Another strategy is for you to get a Master's of Public Health with a concentration in International Health Affairs and take some of the pre-med stuff that you need at the same time. You can kill two birds with one stone with this kind of a program and have something useful to work on during your glide year (after you have taken MCAT and while you are waiting for interviews).

njbmd 🙂

 

[cfdavid]

I'd agree with what Mike McKennon said about "hard" courses.
Again, it's simply getting A's that will be important.

However, I'm not sure I'd spend the time REtaking prereq's, UNLESS you didn't do so hot the first time around. But, if you did well (More A's than B's), you'll be forced to take some 300 and 400 level courses. Yes, since your focus needs to be on getting very good grades, it would be wise not to take crazy tough courses.

It's completely reasonable and very possible for you to get into med school in 2 years. So, just take it one step/class/MCAT at a time. lol Good luck.

 

[hyperbaric]

Hey


1) DO schools replace and old grade with a new one which increases your GPA drastically (ie: got a D in physics, took it again got a A then its counted as an A).

This is not true everywhere. Be certain to check each school for their policy.

As for UNTHSC-TCOM, don't be afraid to visit the campus. Get in touch with admissions and tell them you want to shadow a student. Everyone is VERY friendly and visitors are common. Even spouses show up to check out classes.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

Really?

My impression when i talked to the local DO schools was that this was the AACOMAS general policy. That being said, all grades are submitted so a school sees your old grade. However, the GPA and Sci GPA are ONLY calculated with the new grade by AACOMS

 

[hyperbaric]

Really?

My impression when i talked to the local DO schools was that this was the AACOMAS general policy. That being said, all grades are submitted so a school sees your old grade. However, the GPA and Sci GPA are ONLY calculated with the new grade by AACOMS

UNTHSC-TCOM uses TMDSAS. I can't speak for any of the other DO schools.

 

[genvieve]

Really?

My impression when i talked to the local DO schools was that this was the AACOMAS general policy. That being said, all grades are submitted so a school sees your old grade. However, the GPA and Sci GPA are ONLY calculated with the new grade by AACOMS

This is good news. HOWEVER...on one of the courses I failed for not going to, I then retook the next semester and I had not addressed any of the original issues that caused me to fail in the first place, just went right back for more..stupidly. And I received a C. So on that of courses (it was Organic) should I retake it a third time? EEK. I did ok in the lab...B. Or should I let that lie and just keep on keeping on with other upper division courses -w/A's of course?

 

[genvieve]

Please see next post.

 

[genvieve]

One more question.

I originally took my first general bio and chemistry at a community college with A's. UT would not accept them as on par with their courses and I had to repeat them when i transferred. I then recieved a C and a B. So then would the C & B be the grade used to calculate my GPA and Sci GPA for DO school? I guess I am asking if it is the highest grade received or the latest garde received on repeat course?

Thanks and sorry for the type-o's on me previous post. My mind gets going and my hands can't keep up!

 

[genvieve]

Hi there,
You have your volunteer stuff done so now you can concentrate on your academics. What else do you need to complete the pre-med coursework? You will need to take those courses and probably re-take any courses that you did not do well in since it has been some time since your original coursework. It is going to take more than a few As to dig out of your 2.4 hole but it can be done. You should start with your re-takes and then move to the things that you have not taken.

Another strategy is for you to get a Master's of Public Health with a concentration in International Health Affairs and take some of the pre-med stuff that you need at the same time. You can kill two birds with one stone with this kind of a program and have something useful to work on during your glide year (after you have taken MCAT and while you are waiting for interviews).

njbmd 🙂

At this point, I only technically lack physics and either stats or calculus. I took pre-cal with an A, but it was quite a while ago. I would prefer to take stats and from what I have read this is an acceptable alternative to calculus. But I do have some courses I should probably re-take as well.

I am seriously considering what you suggested as far as the MPH, concentrating in international health and taking my pre-med courses too. I would like to obtain an MPH at some point regardless and it seems like a good way to fill that glide year as you said. I need to take some courses and do well before I even apply for an MPH anyway and these can be my pre-med courses. I need stats to apply for MPH as well.

Thank you. 🙂

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

Hey,
Sorry to jump in, but some aspects of my situation are similar to the OP's. I'm also looking at taking post-bac classes after being out of school for some time. I've noticed that some of you have advised only retaking prereqs that you've previously bombed. Here's my question. Do you think it's a wise idea to just jump right in to Gen Chem II and Physics II after being out of school for a while? I did well in the 1st half (Chem I and Physics I) of these series and I hate to retake them. Sorry if this is off topic, I'm just wondering if selectively choosing which prereqs to retake should even be an option for those of us who haven't been in school for a few years.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

I did Chem II four years after Chem I, with no real difficulty. Flip through a text book and see if you remember any of it... Plus I found that with an MCAT prep course, I was able to get back what I didnt relearn in Chem II what I needed for the MCAT.

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

I did Chem II four years after Chem I, with no real difficulty. Flip through a text book and see if you remember any of it... Plus I found that with an MCAT prep course, I was able to get back what I didnt relearn in Chem II what I needed for the MCAT.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll just taking the second parts of the Chem and Physics series. It's encouraging to see there are others who have successfully done the same thing.