Start Post-Bacc...Now or Later?

[A People Person Doctor]

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Hi Everyone! I've been reading through this forum pretty frequently over the past few weeks and thought it was time for me to get some feedback!

Graduated last year w with cumGPA 3.58 and am currently working at a health nonprofit. I took Gen Chem 1&2, Bio 1 my first year of college and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1&2 my last year of school.

I have a great deal community service/volunteering experience during college and enjoy working with my patients at my current job. I have experience with public health research, health surveying, and clinical trials from my internships (but not sure if this is related medically?)

I have been researching post-bacc programs and would like to attend while working full-time. I plan on taking some advanced science courses in addition to the rest of my pre-reqs. Due to my financial situation, I am unable to take out significant loans for expensive post-bacc programs. I understand completing post-bac while working is hard but have gotten this far and am ready to work my butt off!

Here are my options:
A. Continue volunteering and saving up funds to begin post-bac in 2016 and work on finding evening research assistant job, shadowing opportunities
B. Apply to begin post-bacc this fall and begin shadowing, working as research assistant (in addition to my current job) over the summer

Thanks! Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

I liked everything that I read in your post OP, you seem like a highly determined individual with a deep passion for serving your community. I think your best option is A, continue volunteering and saving money to start your pre req classes ASAP, you have a nice GPA, work hard to maintain it. There are DO and Podiatry progams that you should definitely research and shadow in order to attain a better grasp of what they do in a daily basis. You should consider that MD programs are incredibly competative and will require you to raise your GPA and recieve a stellar MCAT. Investigate and research is the name of the game at this stage, find where your passions truly lie while shadowing and maintain your momentum and determination. You are making a great decision and its time to make strides towards bettering your future and those around you. Best of luck OP if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask me.

 

[Cawolf]

Sorry, your post is hard to follow.

You are asking if you should start this year or next? I don't think anyone but you can decide that.

 

[blackeyedsusans]

Go with plan A.

I jumped into a post-bacc before getting my volunteer/shadowing/non-work EC opportunities configured and it was a huge mistake. Basically, got halfway through, latent personal issues cropped up, started to fixate on the non-academic areas my application was missing and freaked. Blessing in disguise, perhaps, but painful nonetheless.

My primary interest lies in OMM so I'll be applying only DO when the day comes (cheers for grade replacement), but for the short term, I've shot myself in the foot a bit, so to speak. Make sure you're in a stable place financially, mentally, and logistically before jumping in-- get in at the right point in your life and it'll go so much smoother. I certainly wish I had.

 

[futuremdforme]

Your public health experience sounds awesome. I have a friend with a similar background studying at a very good school right now. The advantage of the slower plan is that it shows that this isn't a whim, that you have seriously considered why you want to be a doctor vs working in public health, etc. IMO I would probably not take the advanced science classes unless you have a weak sGPA. If you can do well on the pre-reqs and ace the MCAT, it could save you time/money with less risk.

Also you have probably read up on this on the boards, but everyone says to avoid Berkeley extension online. In person seems to be good though.

 

[A People Person Doctor]

Thank you everyone for the advice!! Much appreciated! I've decided it's best for me to start in the Spring!

 

[A People Person Doctor]

Unless you have some specific reason to rush, plan A sounds reasonable

Right! I'm not in a rush so I think waiting until the spring will be best. Definitely will have to look more into the conference.