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[jupiter20878]

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Hi y'all,

I have been lurking on this and similar websites ( old premeds/ mommd) for a long time. I've just finished my Bsc in Business with 3.1 GPA.I know the GPA is low but I found it considerably difficult to work + family + evening school. I'm 38 and thinking of postbac. Should I give up my dream, because of low undergrad GPA + age? I know everybody has a real positive attitude, but seriously how realistic am I being? I have volunteer experience from ages back, but nothing recent. I'm truly lost? 😕

I'd like to hear how you did it? or are doing it.

Many thanks for your time.

 

[blee]

Do not let age stop you. Every medical school I visited during interview season had students in their 30s, at least one mentioned a student in her 40s, and there was one with a first-year who was 50.

I don't blame you for feeling tired! You had to juggle a lot to get your degree, and you shouldn't be ashamed of your GPA. However, your post-bacc GPA should be significantly higher if you want to maximize your chances of getting into med school. If you decide to continue, I would suggest you simplify your life somewhat to concentrate on school. You can't get rid of your family 😉 but you can, and probably should, cut back on your work schedule. It is laudable to handle a job, your kids, and your classes, but adcoms will not be particularly impressed with this if you have a lackluster transcript to show for it. You will also need as much time as you can spare to prepare for the MCAT, and few people have the energy to come home from a 9-5 job to study for a difficult test like that while also holding down the domestic front.

I'm going to be 29 this December, and I'll be starting med school this fall. I'm married with an infant daughter. I have a much lower undergrad GPA than yours, but I quit my job to become a full-time post-bacc student for a year. After taking the MCAT and taking my finals, I got a low paying job in a clinical setting while applying to med schools. It's worked for me. 🙂

As far as being realistic goes, I admit to being somewhat pessimistic about my chances as my first day of post-bacc class was about to begin. All I could do, though, was to keep my head down and work as hard as I possibly could, and focus on my goals. You can do it, but it will take sacrifice. Good luck!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

you will also be advantaged because you did work, have a family, and went to school which many many students cannot do. i think it is harder to get a 3.3 while working forty hours and raising kids than not working and getting a 4.0

 

[ShyRem]

I'll be starting in August at the age of 39. Yup. 39. Went back to school to start over and get my BS (it's a long story) at the age of 34, and got a dual chem/math degree. It can certainly be done - I also have a husband, two children, two dogs, and a house. Definitely possible. I looked at it this way - if I don't try, *I*'m the one saying no. I wasn't willing to look in the mirror and tell myself I wasn't worth my best shot.

 

[blee]

you will also be advantaged because you did work, have a family, and went to school which many many students cannot do. i think it is harder to get a 3.3 while working forty hours and raising kids than not working and getting a 4.0

True as this may be, adcoms may not see it the same way.

 

[jupiter20878]

Thank you all for your insight. I'm evaluating going to school full time in Sept. for post - bac and if not that then atleast reduce my hours.

Good luck to you all. 👍

Jupiter