Second thoughts before I take out loans

[urnextshrink]

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I'm about to take out 20k+ in private loans to finish up these pre-reqs. I'm married and if all goes well will have three kids by early July, so if this whole doctor thing doesn't work out those loans will be a huge mistake.

I always assumed if I do really well in my post-bacc classes and study for the MCAT hardcore my past grades couldn't be that big of a deal, but before this loan goes through I'd like to verify that with all of you guys.

My undergrad overall GPA is a 3.36

For science classes I have one withdrawal (bio) and and one 4-credit D (chem), both from my Freshman Year. If med schools look at math I got a C in a math class my Junior year. The sciences were taken in '01.

This past semester, as a post-bacc, I got a 1 credit A for chem 1 lab and a 3 credit B in chem lecture. Obviously that's not cool, so I'm quitting my job and doing 8 credits a semester to really take my time and do it right (hence the loans). I will have 28 more science credits to my name when I take the MCAT and apply for med schools. If the vast majority of those remaining credits are A's and I'm able to go 30+ on the MCAT will I be in good shape?

If it makes a difference, I really, really want to go to my state med school, which gives preference to in-state student for admission.

 

[CurrySpice]

8 credits a semester? That's not even close to full-time!

It does NOT look good if you have to slow down the courseload so much just to do well. Med school is very fast paced.

 

[urnextshrink]

I guess I don't feel like I need to worry about that too much. I'm an adult student with a family, right now I have two jobs, and when I drop my full-time job at the end of the summer I will only have one job (30-40 hours a week at a really easy job, but adcoms won't know that).

So on paper I'll just look like a guy who took 8 science credits a semester while working 30+ hours a week and raising my family.

 

[Eik Ooc]

1. Do you have an IRA? You can take a loan or withdrawal from your IRA without penalty if it is to pay for education expenses.

2. Why private loans? Did you submit a FAFSA at your school? It takes just a day or two to process.

 

[urnextshrink]

I put this over at what are my chances, sorry to double post, I wanted to get non-trads perspective...

The private loan was a last option. I did FAFSA and got some money but can't use it because I'm non-degree seeking. I also tried to go degree seeking at two local 4 year institutions and that didn't work. I don't have an IRA.

 

[urnextshrink]

One thing I didn't include is that I have an 86 hour masters degree in theology with a 3.97 gpa (what a difference studying makes ).

I didnt mention it because I thought no med schools care, but doing some more research it seems osteopathic med schools would care. That could be huge for me, would they count that?