Structured programs with Fall start?

[upendo]

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Hello new friends! I'm currently in Tanzania as a Peace Corps volunteer and had a sudden rekindling of my desire to be a doctor after the billionth time looking someone totally desperate in the eye and saying "Sorry, I'm not a doctor."

Anyway, here's my situation...

I really want a structured program with a solid reputation. Obviously getting in is tough, but I've got pretty solid stats and I'm guessing the Peace Corps gig won't hurt my chances.

But here's the problem. I'm not leaving Tanzania till August 2012. Most of the highly regarded structured post-baccs seem to start in June or May. I communicated a bit with Johns Hopkins and it seems I could start there in September 2012 (assuming I could get in, which is obviously not easy). I've heard mostly bad things about that program on here but it doesn't look so awful to me... sure, gigantic classes with neurotic undergrads are probably kinda lame, but they seem to balance it with individual attention/advising and a few specific classes for the post-baccs.

Anyway, my internet here isn't fast enough/existent enough to do a solid search of any other programs so I'm not really sure what other options I have. Are there other good/reputable programs with Fall start options?

I know I could just come home and/or stick around Africa for a few more months and then start a program in summer, but I'd really rather not waste any more time now that I've finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Kaustikos]

My advice follows -

Here's what's available

Notice that there are online SMPs available if you do need/have to get your courses taken care of that way. There are also programs that actually start in August, so you'd have that in your favor (Indiana starts in late August). The only problem at the moment is that you don't have an MCAT/GRE score which is required for a lot of these programs before you are considered for acceptance. So, you do have some things you need to put together before considering these programs -
MCAT/GRE scores
pre-req/science GPA

The latter is in order to consider just what type of SMP/post-bacc you really need. If you have a 3.6 in the biological sciences, then that can help. I just need more information before giving the best response.

 

[upendo]

Thanks for the reply!! My degree was Environmental Studies, which involved some science but mostly I focused on policy.

So, I don't think SMPs apply for me...pretty sure I need a straight-up post-bacc with prereqs and all. Still have zero physics and two semesters of chem left... should also probably redo the chem I've done since I don't remember any of it at all, even though my grades weren't bad. I need some serious refreshing on pretty much everything since I took most of my basic science courses freshman/sophomore year before changing my mind about premed and deciding to major in political tree-hugging.