Request for guidance regarding path I should take

[Kafman44]

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Hi! I'm a 24 year old who just recently decided to pursue a career in medicine. I graduated from Tufts University with a degree in international relations and commissioned as an officer in the military (reservist). I'm now working in Afghanistan as a contractor for at least a year, and hope to rack up over a thousand hours volunteering at the hospital here in my spare time.

I finished college with a 3.59. My SAT score is 740M, 690V. My GRE score is 760M, 650V. My long-term goal is to do something like Doctors Without Borders one day. Do I have a shot at the most competitive programs? Should I retake the GRE, or is at least one of my current scores good enough for programs like Goucher? Also, is there anything I should do over the next year besides volunteering that would increase my chances? I wouldn't be applying until next year. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

Sure, you absolutely have a shot. Apply early in the cycle if you can and spend some time on your essay... the ad coms will like your story. In your essay, be SURE to talk about personal support systems and how you will make the cultural and academic transition back to being a full time student in the US. This is what they will be most concerned about with someone coming back from a situation like yours in the middle east.

I think focusing on your family foundation, reacclimitization and doing some volunteering is ok for you this year... maybe take a few classes to dip your toe back in the academic waters and get that transition started.

You may need to retake your GRE anyways, depending on how old it is. The scores are only good for a few years for most programs. Individual program websites will let you know how long their scores are good for, but most are about 3 years. They will also give you averages. With your GPA and experience, I think as long as your GRE scores are in the general range of their average, you'll be fine.

PA programs would really like your experience as well, once you have done their pre-reqs. Maybe not on your radar, but I'm just sayin'. I have a friend who went into PA school after beginning his career as a soldier and he just loves his career.

Best of luck!