Returning to school after work...

[dean11]

---

Members do not see this ad.

OK, here's my situation; 24 yrs old, graduated from purdue in Chem Engineering w/ 3.3 GPA and considering returning to school, finish bio classes, take MCAT (some volunteering work) and apply to med school.

So I figure I'll be about 26 or 27 by the time I apply and start studying. I would appreciate any feedback on my chances of admissions, as well as any advice on things I should do during my one year back at school (retaking some classes to raise my GPA, some MCAT classes...)?

Your feedback is much appreciated!

 

[Neuronix]

I think the op will get a better response in pre-allo. So, I moved this over from pre-MD/PhD.

 

[SpiritiualDuck]

3.3 in chemical engineering is a strong GPA. So, I'm guessing you've had general and organic chemistry? Have you had biochem? It's not a requirement, but I've heard it helps.

You've had physics, I'm assuming? What are your grades in the core sciences? 3.3 is that your overall GPA?

The thing about a postback GPA is that it's listed seperately on AMCAS and if you do well you'll have a new lease. And a 3.3 is within a standard diviation of the average accepted medical student. I think 3.4 or 3.5 is the average for allopathic and 3.3 places you on target for osteopathic. So, for every 3.7 there is a 3.3 getting in somewhere.

From the limited info you've given, you're in good shape. Volunteer at a place you'll enjoy. You don't have to push patients around a hospital. Volunteer at a cancer community center, hospice care, AIDS outreach programs, do a pastoral care training program so that you can visit patients at a hospital, shadow a doctor, or better yet get a paid position somewhere.

People will debate about how many credits are good for a postback to achieve. Some people do the basics and take the MCAT. Others say you need 30 credits or more. Some say less. I think you just need to take the necessary classes to meet requirements and if your overall GPA is still low take a few more upper level classes.

Go to the nontraditional forum too and read what they're doing.
Good luck

 

[dean11]

Thanks a lot for your reply. 3.3 is my overall GPA, my science GPA is 3.5 and I can probably raise it up to 3.8 after doing bio (all I have left) and retaking some classes (phys 2 and org 2). I have not taken biochem but physchem, not sure if that one helps...
Do you think retaking the basic classes to raise my GPA is better than taking some upper level classes (such as biochem)??

 

[LaurieB]

Hi Dean11! I basically did what you're talking about doing. I have a B.S. ChemE, a 3.4 GPA, and worked as a programmer after college. I'll be 27 when I start med school.

A year ago, I quit my job and came back to school to do my prereqs. I took the year off because I really wanted to get a solid Biology foundation. I've heard that a good post-bac GPA can really help you out, but I also have heard that life experiences really carry the day for non-trads like us. From my experience so far, it seems like some schools will care more about grades than others so it may depend on whether you want to go to a top school or if you'd be happy at a middle tier school.

If you want, I'll keep you posted on my progress since we're in such similar circumstances. Send me a PM if you're interested.

 

[Ms. Dawson DO]

I think it all depends on how far you are from having taken those basic courses when you start the postbacc work. Since you say you are 24....it doesn't seem TOO far. Alot of post-bacc programs will not let you retake basic courses if you have graduated with a science degree and/or within the last 4-5 years. I would suggest taking higher level science courses since your GPA isn't that bad at all. (assuming you have taken or will be finishing all the prereqs)

 

[Sophie]

I second Ms. Dawson's advice. It would make a lot more sense to take some upper-division science courses than to retake lower-division ones, and I think it'd be looked upon more favorably by adcoms.

I'm in a semi-similar situation as well. I'm 23 and am going back to school full-time in a couple weeks. I haven't taken the majority of my prereqs, so that's what I'll be doing for the next year. Someone mentioned that postbacc GPA is separate from undergrad GPA, which is great, but it's also combined with your undergrad GPA. So do well in postbacc and you'll be able to both raise your undergrad GPA, and have a very nice postbacc GPA.

What I'm doing for the next year is volunteering at a hospital 4 hours/week, volunteering at a therapeutic center for handicapped people roughly 3 hours/week, taking a full-load of classes (it's important to prove you can still do well in a demanding academic environment), working part-time, and taking an MCAT prep course next summer.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[missbonnie]

hey, i'm sorta in the same boat. graduated in '99, have a 3.4 overall. I'll be 27 when i start med school(applying now).

i didnt go back to take any courses cuz I was a biochem major and pretty much took all the upper level bio courses already. from what i've read about you, i would suggest taking biochem and/or molecular bio if you want recent grades. I took the mcat in '02 and did well, so I don't think not having recent coursework will look bad.

I'm applying now so I can definately let you know how things are going etc. I'm one of the new writers in the med school diary so you can read about it there.

Good luck!

bonnie

 

[KirsteenB]

Hi there,

One school that you might consider looking at when you go to apply is UNC-Chapel Hill. I spoke to their Admissions Office a few months ago, when I was compiling my application list and they actually stated that they have a bias towards students who have been out of school for at least a year, doing other things. (I suppose that translates to out-of-school life experience.)

Cheers,
Kirsteen