Support accountability Partners for Non-traditional Premed Students

[PunkmedGirl]

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...most likely. I don't think I will have enough time to study for september MCAT after taking the PANCRE (aka PA board exam).

That's nice. So you are applying to PA school and med school??

 

[Mudfever]

Hey all, glad to see others pursuing their dreams. Here is a brief overview.

Age: 27

Education: B.S. in Marketing - Louisiana Tech University

Employment: International Sales - Family Owned Import/Export Business (3-yrs)

Volunteering: Blood Gas and ECG Technician covering Level 1 Trauma Center ED, all units, and all floors and clinics (Not really volunteering, as I am a paid employee) (1-yr).

In Process: 49 Hrs into my second B.S. in Biochemistry (Grad. May 2009). Applying this summer for 2009 Matriculation. Take MCAT May 31st.

 

[Nerve]

I know I'm probably younger than most here but as I've been holding a full-time job during most of my college career I don't fit in with the more traditional college-med school-then work crowd.

That's cool... This forum was originally designed so us Nontrads could support each other when one of us needs a pick-me-up.
Bottom line is- Earth needs more committed physicians. Welcome young one.

 

[rogue0722]

That's cool... This forum was originally designed so us Nontrads could support each other when one of us needs a pick-me-up.
Bottom line is- Earth needs more committed physicians. Welcome young one.

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to the journey (even though I know its going to be a long one) and the positive vibes here are always nice.

 

[avpu]

Anyone in the San Diego Area???

 

[beephlatPT]

AGE: 30

Currently: Physical therapist x 8 years, part time musician (piano/keyboards)
Location: WA
Progress: Taking Organic, Biochem, Cell Bio over next 3-4 quarters, taking MCAT next May/June, applying for 2010.

 

[princekc]

That's nice. So you are applying to PA school and med school??

No, I just graduated from PA sch (on May 17th, 2008).

 

[princekc]

AGE: 30

Currently: Physical therapist x 8 years, part time musician (piano/keyboards)
Location: WA
Progress: Taking Organic, Biochem, Cell Bio over next 3-4 quarters, taking MCAT next May/June, applying for 2010.

I maybe applying for 2010 cycle as well.

 

[Archer]

My goals for this summer are to
- maintain daily physical activity and healthy food prep time
- transition from the Northwest to Los Angeles
- attend my school's anatomy intensive and figure out workable study schedule and techniques
- do well enough in the class to work as anatomy TA for fall term.
- call my wife each day and call one of our kids each day

Anyone else?

 

[Nerve]

Anyone in the San Diego Area???

San Diego = Great Burritos!
I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I can't wait to get back there as a civilian. Seriously, I lose sleep over thinking about it and would LOVE to go to UCSD.
PM me if you want to talk military/california/premed stuff.

 

[Kateb4]

You might also want to consider enlisting non-trads who successfully made it into med-school. Someone who has already walked the path you're on and has endured the doubts of those around them would likely be a valuable mentor. I suspect that many such non-trads would be willing to be involved in such a capacity.

I'd love to join in! I'm starting this fall at 30 and with three kids!

Also, if any other non-trad med students wanted to do the same thing during med school that would be great!

 

[MSDOMD]

This is my first post and sure seems like the best place for me to start. I started my BS out of high school FT but over the years, things changed which forced me to sidetrack school. I have been working in the financial industry for the past 6 years and it has taken 9 years to finally finish my undergrad. I plan on applying this year for admission into the fall 2009 semester. If this goes as planned, I'll be 27 turning 28 during my first year. I feel like I need all the support that I can get.

 

[Nerve]

In Process: 49 Hrs into my second B.S. in Biochemistry (Grad. May 2009). Applying this summer for 2009 Matriculation. Take MCAT May 31st.

Hi Mud.

How much do you think finishing your second degree will help with you app? Most post bacs don't finish the degree, they just knock out the required courses and be done with it? I was hoping you could shed some insight on the value of a second degree..
--Nerve

 

[Empi]

I would love to be included in such an endeavor.

I am an extreme non traditional student.

I am switching majore from Biology to Professional Studies with Biology, Health Science and Psychology minors.

I am taking an extra year to graduate in order to be able to harmonize my future schedule with my youngest daughter. I have been a SAHM all of my adult life and have thoroughly enjoyed going back to school.

I have a pretty good, but not stellar GPA (almost 3.7, 35ish science and math.) I'm going to start doing research this summer. I am also volunteering in the OR of my local hospital. This volunteering experience has been beneficial because I not only get to see the inner workings of a hospital setting, I get to see the vaious personalities and pecking orders in this environment.

I also have EC experiences volunteering in various capacities in my church and being involved in my children's schools. I have also been involved in lobbying efforts to achieve (or block,) legislation on the state and local level.

This fall, I will be taking Physics 🙂eek:😕) and Cell Physiology along with Alternative and Complementary Medicine and the Psychology of Learning.

The Cell Phys. is considered writing intensive because, according to students who have been there, the lab writeups are very intense.

After that, the only challenging class I *must* take will be Physics 2 and Organic lab. I want to take Immunology, Human Genetics, Virology, and Pahophysioloy.

 

[MacMD1334]

Hi!
Great thread idea and concept!

Age: 29
Education: High School diploma, some college at a music conservatory out of high school, nothing transferable, EMT-B certification, AHA BLS instructor certification.
Employment: Been an EMT-Basic for 5 years and have spent the last four working the street in a municipal 911 system. Before that... music school dropout, endless retail jobs, moved around a little, discovered medicine and will never look back.
Progress: My wife is getting her B.A. in English in December '08, she will begin working full-time and I will start school and take care of our 6 mo. old daughter in January '09. I'll be pursuing my B.S. in Biology, Biomedical concentration and I plan to complete it in 2.5 years by taking full summer course loads. I'll also be taking advantage of the great research, clinical, and volunteer opportunities available at my school.
Goals: 4.0 GPA and 45 on the MCAT off of course! 😀 Dreaming long-term, I'd love to go to Johns Hopkins or whatever school I discover is best for me as I continue my research. I realize that many medical school students change their intended specialty during their third or fourth years but my primary interest is in becoming a board certified emergency physician.

Chat with me on AIM! Please! Screen name is: MacMD1334

 

[labgirl]

Age: 29
Education: AAS in Med Lab Tech at CC in 2000; BS in Clinical Lab Science from Univ of Cincinnati (online) in 2006
Employment: Lab Manager at county hospital for past 3 yrs; lab tech for 6 yrs prior at same hospital; moonlighted to help out another nearby county hospital for a year b/c they were short-handed; also am an authorized retailer of satellite dishes with one employee, and have a home bakery for wedding and special occasion cakes.
Volunteering: I serve on a curriculum advisory committee for one CC for their MLT program, and on a committee for continuing education for another CC MLT program. Does this count? Also I am going to contact a local hospice and volunteer for them.
In Process: Have OChem 1&2, and Bio 1&2 left which I am taking next fall/spring; will be taking MCAT in spring 09 and applying in summer 09. Need to get started on hospice volunteering, and do some physician shadowing.
Other: Married and have an 8 year-old; EC's:Golden Key Honor Society, and pre-med club (hope to get more volunteer activities through this club next year)

 

[irishgurl]

Hey guys, I am also a nontrad but I didn't see any predents on this thread. Anybody else applying to dental school? I could use some nontrad support too! I am 38 years old. Been working as an RN since graduating 4 years ago. (Not my first choice of profession but did it for more reasons of necessity having spent the better of my years being a single mom) Have been working towards this career change for some time now. I will finally be applying for entry 2010! Don't talk about it at all except for to my very close family and friends because everybody thinks I'm either crazy or stupid. I got sick of the negativity, so just stopped talking about it. Anybody else have this problem?

 

[knowthyself]

Age: 32
Acads: Born and brought up in India, I have a Bachelors degree(Zoology major) and a Masters in Computer Science.
I think I have covered a few pre-reqs during my Bachelors; waiting for my credential evaluation report.
POA: Volunteering at a hospital and shadowing a Doctor are 1st on the list.
I am planning to take rest of the pre-reqs at a local Community College. After a year or so, I intend to start preparing for MCAT.
Where am I?: @ this point I am not sure if I am going right, I am almost lost,dont have all the info & my husband has 0(nada) confidence in me! Its interesting how you start judging yourself in a similar way 'others'(imp. ppl in your life) judge you! I have just started and there is a long way to go! 🙂

 

[commymommy]

I'm late chiming in here!

Age: 38 (well...I'll be 38 in just a few days. Oh, the agony!)
Education: BA Psych/German 1994, post-bacc completed in Biology 1999, MS Mol Bio 2001
Employment: Lab Manager in Chem lab, Taught Intro Bio Lab courses for 3 years
Volunteering: Pregnant with Cancer Network

In Process: I'm in the process of putting together a plan for myself....Right now I'm looking seriously at the pros and cons of PA vs MD. I'm trying to decide whether or not to take more classes for review and for my own self-confidence or simply to study for (and sit) the MCAT. It's a lot to think about. I'm working on a timeline and organizing myself right now.

Other: For this summer, my goal is to walk every day for at least an hour and to spend time enjoying my children while I get in better shape and figure out the next few years.

 

[JuniperB]

This track is challenging...to say the least, moral support would be wonderful!

Age: 33
Education: I am currently working on my undergraduate degree in Hum Dev or philosophy???? I'm not sure yet.
Employment: UC Davis Administration & Massage Therapy
Volunteering: Hospice
In Process: Was Pre-RN, but been scoring supper high in sciences and Profs are all suggesting I not waste it in nursing. I am ~3rd year in college in the junior college level, looking to transfer post premed prereqs. Been studying massage and rehab for most of my life and this ball is rolling really quickly now. It has been recommended I go into PM&R by a number of DOs. Love working with people. Want to do research in soft tissue treatments in mainstream medicine.

Thanks for posting this!!

 

[Nerve]

Don't talk about it at all except for to my very close family and friends because everybody thinks I'm either crazy or stupid. I got sick of the negativity, so just stopped talking about it. Anybody else have this problem?

Yeah, I can relate. I'm still in the military so, when I talk about pre-med/ getting out of the military/ wanting to become a doctor they look at me like I'm too good for them. I get the same weird looks when I read neuro books and have text books mailed to me. I don't let it phase me though. You shouldn't either. This is going to be a life changing process and at the end of it all, we'll be doctors of medicine. If that's not motivation enough then the next ten years is gonna suck for both of us. I can't wait to see how I do in my BCPM classes! It's been eight years!

 

[irishgurl]

Yeah, I can relate. I'm still in the military so, when I talk about pre-med/ getting out of the military/ wanting to become a doctor they look at me like I'm too good for them. I get the same weird looks when I read neuro books and have text books mailed to me. I don't let it phase me though. You shouldn't either.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who reads text books just "for fun" especially at work! I think that the people who look down on it the most are just jelous because they would never attempt to do anything like this themself. They would rather stay in their miserable "comfort zones" rather than stir things up and do something that makes them happy! I wish you the best of luck on your journey to med school! 🙂

 

[Phoenix.]

Happy to join this group and offer whatever advice/help/support I can!

Age: 33
Education: B.A. in Comparative Literature (no undergrad science courses), a J.D., then years later did all of my science pre-reqs as a post-bac in one summer and one academic year
Employment: Attorney (for 8 years)
Volunteering: Triage & phlebotomy at a free health clinic, clinical research and volunteering at a local ER
In Process: It's almost three years to the day from when I decided I would switch from law to medicine (although it could have been done in two I suppose), and I'll be starting at my dream medical school this July! In hindsight, the years flew. And they were WELL worth it!

Good luck, guys! Non-Trads, HO!
(Embarrassing allusion to the Thundercats - forgive me 😳 ).

 

[aiLoveJuh]

Age: 20
Education: Beginning Bachelors
Employment: Customer Consultant for utility company in a call center.
Volunteering: Looking for things here and there but haven't participated in anything so far.
In Process: Currently enrolling

I may not be in my late 20's but I need some support also. Just like all of you I don't have much. I consider my self non-trad because I have a 5 month old daughter.
🙂
If any one wants to talk feel free to PM me, I enjoy speaking with individuals who have the same goals as I do.

Thanks!

 

[darmalee]

Age: 23
Education: 79 credits total, from four different schools, three of which are online...can anyone say GoArmyEd?? 🙂
Employment: US Army Air Defense Artillery
Volunteering: Some little things here and there through Army programs, but nothing serious, and certainly nothing medical
In Process: I won't even be getting out until after my current deployment, so I won't be able to go back to "real" school until Fall 09.

I have one big question that I think I know the answer to, but am hoping for a different answer. 🙂 I have a ton of credits, but since it's taken me the past six years to figure out what I really want to do, it's almost all Liberal Arts related. The only science credits I have are whatever I would get from a 5 on my AP Chem exam 6 years ago and one semester of Physics. If Calc is a requirement, the only credits of that sort I have are from a 4 on my AP from the same time frame. So I have a lot of work to do when it comes to sciences. Since it's been so long since I took science classes, I did want to kind of ease my way in, but I also do not want to delay the process any more than I have to. So, my question is, if I really do buckle down and get serious with the sciences, I will probably still not finish all the pre-reqs in that first year. Would it be a waste of time for me to apply without finishing my pre-reqs first?

I think this is an awesome forum, and greatly welcome any tips and support. I know I have a long way to go, but it's always nice to know I'm not the only one. 🙂

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Age: 23
Education: 79 credits total, from four different schools, three of which are online...can anyone say GoArmyEd?? 🙂
Employment: US Army Air Defense Artillery
Volunteering: Some little things here and there through Army programs, but nothing serious, and certainly nothing medical
In Process: I won't even be getting out until after my current deployment, so I won't be able to go back to "real" school until Fall 09.

I have one big question that I think I know the answer to, but am hoping for a different answer. 🙂 I have a ton of credits, but since it's taken me the past six years to figure out what I really want to do, it's almost all Liberal Arts related. The only science credits I have are whatever I would get from a 5 on my AP Chem exam 6 years ago and one semester of Physics. If Calc is a requirement, the only credits of that sort I have are from a 4 on my AP from the same time frame. So I have a lot of work to do when it comes to sciences. Since it's been so long since I took science classes, I did want to kind of ease my way in, but I also do not want to delay the process any more than I have to. So, my question is, if I really do buckle down and get serious with the sciences, I will probably still not finish all the pre-reqs in that first year. Would it be a waste of time for me to apply without finishing my pre-reqs first?

I think this is an awesome forum, and greatly welcome any tips and support. I know I have a long way to go, but it's always nice to know I'm not the only one. 🙂

Yes, you can apply without finishing up all your pre-reqs they just need to be completed by matriculate to med school. Good Luck😀😀

 

[Law2Doc]

Yes, you can apply without finishing up all your pre-reqs they just need to be completed by matriculate to med school. Good Luck😀😀

But bear in mind that all of the prereqs are fair game for the MCAT, so it usually pays to have them substantially finished before tackling that.

 

[darmalee]

But bear in mind that all of the prereqs are fair game for the MCAT, so it usually pays to have them substantially finished before tackling that.

Yeah, I do admit I'm kind of nervous about that. I've already got MCAT study books, so I can start at least brushing up on what I have already learned. Thanks for the info though guys. It's good to hear. 🙂

 

[2ndchance2dream]

Hello everyone,

I have an idea that I think may benefit all serious non-traditional medical school applicants here regardless where you are in the journey to becoming an MD. As a non-traditional premed it sometimes seems like the entire world is against what you want to do. Everyone in my family thinks I'm crazy to give up a lucrative financial career to enter the world of medicine. I'm looking to form a group of non-trads who are in their late 20's, 30's and even 40's to go along with me on the journey. Having an accountability partner along the way can help and motivate us to pursue our dreams. If anyone is interested in this or thinks it is a good idea then respond either here or privately. It is so easy to put our dreams on the back burner of life and not engage and take action in making our dreams a reality.

Ken

Hi, I found this site only a few days ago.. what a relief it is to know that i'm not the only one decided to go on this long journey... I am 34 yrs old, everyone I know thinks I am crazy to go into medicine. I will be starting post-bac at rutgers U (new brunswick) this fall.. and applied for volunteer opportunity at local hospital.. I have zero medical/health related experience, and I will have to take all the pre-req classes as my degree in undergrad was poli sci and history (completely different)... Maybe it's just me, but it is really tough when everyone I know thinks I am crazy to embark on a totally new career when I am 34...... Like you suggested, I think it would be wonderful if I could get and give support accountability partner now to med school to residency to attending years...

 

[NTF]

Age: 35
Education: Biology
Employment: 10 years biomedical research, 1 year public school teacher, 1 year nurse's aide at a cancer hospital
Volunteering: 2 years inpatient pediatric unit, 1 year cancer hospital, 50+ hours physician shadowing, 1 year volunteer psychology researcher, 3 years tutoring in public schools.
In Process: Currently working on secondary apps for 2009 matriculation

Me in a nutshell:
Tanked undergrad. Left w/o graduating. Slowly finished my undergrad degree over many years. (from start to finish took me 16 years, I did alot of traveling and worked alot of fun part-time jobs while doing research). Just graduated in Dec of 2007. 4.0 GPA in the last two years of part-time coursework at respected university. Final AMCAS GPA 3.35, BCPM 3.5, MCAT 34R (VR 11, PS 11, BS 12, R).
Married with the best wife a guy could ask for - completely supportive and understanding of the huge debt, no money for ~10year thing.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

But bear in mind that all of the prereqs are fair game for the MCAT, so it usually pays to have them substantially finished before tackling that.

I agree.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Hi, I found this site only a few days ago.. what a relief it is to know that i'm not the only one decided to go on this long journey... I am 34 yrs old, everyone I know thinks I am crazy to go into medicine. I will be starting post-bac at rutgers U (new brunswick) this fall.. and applied for volunteer opportunity at local hospital.. I have zero medical/health related experience, and I will have to take all the pre-req classes as my degree in undergrad was poli sci and history (completely different)... Maybe it's just me, but it is really tough when everyone I know thinks I am crazy to embark on a totally new career when I am 34...... Like you suggested, I think it would be wonderful if I could get and give support accountability partner now to med school to residency to attending years...

Welcome. I agree its always nice to have some for of support in your corner against all of the negativity.

 

[darmalee]

I agree.

OK, so let's say I have one year of Bio w/lab, one year of Organic Chem w/lab , and one semester of Physics w/lab at a BARE minimum. I won't know for sure if I have to do more Inorganic Chem and Calculus until I find out how my APs count, if at all, but if I get a year's worth of credit in each of those, that's where I stand for bare minimums. I feel like I would probably be able to cram all of that into a year along with my other major requirements. Are there other classes that I would benefit from taking to prep for the MCAT? I know I HAVE to find a way to recover what I've forgotten over the years from the Calc and Chem classes I did take a million years ago, but would I just be foolish to try to take any more on top of the rest? I was originally planning on getting a BS in Psychology, but after looking over the credits I already have I realize I'm much closer to a degree in Sociology than in Psychology, so I will likely change over to Sociology since I'm closer to that degree, and I was planning on minoring in it anyway. So, I won't actually have to do as much degree oriented work as I had originally planned, and will actually be able to devote most of my efforts to getting my pre-meds out of the way. So, I know this is pretty rambling, but I think this is actually me thinking out loud (well sort of...haha) and I welcome any input. I know everyone does school differently, but a completely un-doable plan is usually pretty easy to spot. For those of you who have taken, or are taking these classes, what do you think? It's been a while since I took real classes, but I'm a good student when I put my mind to it. Any tips?

Sorry for the rambling free-association

Oh, and I also wanted to reiterate that I am HOPING to at least attempt the MCATs in the spring of that first year, and apply that summer...impossible? Or just tempting fate?

 

[annbow]

Great Post...I'm in!

Age: 31 years old
Education: Psychology, B.S.
Employment: Currently a Senior Claims Examiner for a large insurance company - yeah, I'm the person who won't pay your claim 🙂 Have worked in insurance for about 5 years and before that was in retail management.
Volunteering: I do things here and there through our church (help with the medical clinic for the homeless, meals on wheels, etc.) but looking for other opportunities.
In Process: Well, after the birth of my son in March I decided it was time to chase my dreams - I'd never want him to just settle for less than he was capable of and figure that I have to take my own advice. I'll be returning to school full time this fall. I've got some GPA damage control to do and will dedicate the next 4 years of my life to school to that and taking the prereqs. Thankfully I have a very loving and supportive husband who is on board with my decision and the sacrifices that entails.

I'm just beginning the process and looking at things as starting fresh (I don't have any of the prereqs - except for about 8 hours in Biology/Zoology). It'll be a long, difficult road for me so the more that are there to encourage the better 🙂

Take care and best of luck to all!!!

 

[pdlaw2000]

Ok, Count me in, a good support system is vital to any long term endeavor.

Age: 37

Education: HS, Marine Corps, Community College, 4 year College, and then Law School. My undergrad is a true "you want fries with that" degree.

Employment: Solo Practicing Attorney Criminal Defense/Bankruptcy for 8 years, going on 9 with offices in Michigan and Florida.

Volunteering: Set up once a week with a pediatric surgeon, once at local clinic, and one day a week at the VA.

In process: starting Post Bac work in fall, planning on taking 3 classes first semester, then 4 or 5 in winter/spring, and so on until complete.

I have a very supportive and excited spouse, I have a 2 and 3 year old both boys, the 3 year old wants to go to class with me, he likes going to court with me (BK's only) My mother is in denial about the whole thing, and my dad says it is the 2nd smartest decision I made. I already started studying for the MCAT the same way I studied for 2 bar exams, CD's in the car, flash card frenzy with the wife, and practice tests once a week.

 

[MissIrish]

...

 

[montessori2md]

I start school in less than a month, would be happy to help anyone if I can.

Will try to remember to come back and post once I'm actually in it up to my eyeballs too.

Oh yeah, info:

29yo
occupation: soon to be former teacher
from OH currently in VA
parent of 1
did pretty well on mcat and gpa, so might not be the best person to ask "what if my gpa is x?" questions.
also was a liberal arts major, so all my science courses were recent, which helped a lot for mcat.

 

[LonghornMD]

I have been lurking most of the time and haven't posted much because there is more for me to read and learn about than post and advise people about.

Anyway, here's my info.

Age: 39
Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Employment: Full-Time Student at this point. Formally, Automotive Engineer and Real Estate Investor
Volunteering: Volunteer Firefighter/EMT (Previously, a Treasurer of Board of Directors for Local Volunteer Fire Department), Big Brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, Need to find more opportunities to volunteer
In Process: Going back to school full time starting this fall semester for GPA damage control. Will take 4 years total due to my low GPA. Plan to obtain B.S. Degree in Nutritional Science.

Good luck to all of us non-trads!!

 

[razortoy]

Been a lurker for a few months since I first started considering going back to med school - this thread and Longhorn in particular convinced me to sign up.

Age: 36
Education: part of a CS degree, linguistic cert from DLI/FLC (military experience out of high school)
Employment: Software QA
Volunteering: building care packages for homeless in LA through church
In Process: Going back to school to get a degree. Sadly, I think i would have to throw myself over a bridge if it were in CS - so I will probably be set back a year. I have about a year left, but really it will probably be 2 when i pick my new major.

back into lurker mode.

 

[snulma1]

Age: 29 years old
Education: BS in Emergency Health Services from Univ. of MD Baltimore Co.
Employment: Spent the last 6 years working as a critical care flight paramedic for a major trauma center in MD and for a hospital in NY.
Volunteering: Have over 10 years as a volunteer EMT and Paramedic. Provided care during many natural and man-made disasters. Delivered humanitarian aid to the republic of Belarus (area hard hit by Chernobyl).
In Process: Have taken both semesters of Gen chem and bio with labs and first semester of physics and lab currently with a 3.83 GPA. Will be a TA for a 750 student biology class. And will be a mentor for disadvantaged youth in NYC this year.

I am making up for terrible performance as an undergrad (2.5 gpa) so I know my road is rough, but its great that there are others out there!

 

[JessicaMorsell]

I'm in!

24 y/o new mommy living in Baltimore. I'm a student of Bio/Anthropology trying to get in to University of Maryland SOM. Who's with me?

 

[michelle9510]

28 year old mother of 4 year old twin boys. will graduate with an RN diploma in June 2009. The plan is to get my BSN (and take some bio and chemistry classes) and take my GRE and MCAT. the GRE is just a backup in case I don't do well on my MCAT. GPA 3.8 overall so far. It's nice to have some other non-traditional students for support.

 

[anavistas]

Hi,

I'm a non_trad ,international student right now working on my master's and hope to be able to apply next summer,hope the best for all of us......

 

[Mightyhealthy]

27yrs old... Already finished with 20 premed credits. Looking to go into physical therapy, but thinking about med school also.

Great to have this thread

 

[WaiWahine]

Age: 36
Education: last year of really long BSc Biology (first two years were in the late 90's)
Employment: EMT-P for 12 years, Coordinated & teach ACLS at the college, paramedic on ambulance (911) and in ER at tertiary care hospital
Volunteer: have been volunteering since 13 years old (even won a citizenship award), currently with youth at risk
No MCAT written
Applied to matriculate in 2009. Have had 2 interviews, one acceptance (so far!).
My first two years of university (back in the day) did not go that well. Those suboptimal marks are haunting me today - despite all of my other experiences and education.

I'd like to quickly address the conversation about EMT's if I may...

I did do very well in "paramedic school" which was definitely above high school education, and much more difficult than university - and this is why...

The didactic portion was 0830-1730hr M-F, with studying most of the rest of the hours. The practical portions included OR time where I was able to refine my RSI skills (intubation and all it's associated stuff), L & D where I got to catch 10 babies and that was amazing as I soon thereafter helped deliver on a surprised mom's living room floor, ER rotations where triage, histories, and exams were refined, and 3 ambulance rotations to fine tune those critical thinking and decision making skills. There were no holidays because if we were not in class, we were on practicum. This was two years straight. During that time I worked as an EMT-B with a 911 service. That's after the Emergency Medical Responder training followed by EMT-B training. It's intense and will be very beneficial to my medical education. It's a great way to be introduced to the medical field. Working as a paramedic will truly refine your ability to think on your feet, make life/death decisions almost unconsciously and to absolutely value your patients, your colleagues and your own health, lol. 👍

Great thread, thank-you so much for starting it!

Have a wonderful day everyone 🙂

 

[Ivory12]

Age: 25
Education: A bit over halfway through a meandering undergrad journey. (B.A. Integrative Physiology)
Employment: Took about two years off from school to work in the corporate world. Currently a part-time retail gig while I'm going to school part-time.
Volunteering: Currently about 8-10 hrs. per week at a free clinic, doing mostly pharmacy stuff (organizing the stock room, filling out applications for patient assistant programs, etc.) so far.
The Plan: Will go back to school full-time spring semester. As a younger individual, I didn't take school seriously at all and have some serious ground to make up so I plan on making academic performance the top priority; hopefully working very little, if at all. I'll also be looking for any sort of clinical experience I can get - whether it be shadowing, part-time job, volunteering, etc. Realistically, I'll be looking to matriculate in 2011, but that could be pushed back if I need some post-bacc work to be a compelling applicant ... and that's fine. I'm quite certain that this is something which will make full use of my capabilities and will leave me happy and fulfilled, so however long it takes to get there is fine.

Threads like these are great, they really do give me a lift/kick in the seat of the pants/nudge in the right direction. In the novel Vision Quest, Louden Swain says something like, "I needed constant reminders that it could be done."

 

[A1cfox21]

Count me in!!!

Age: 27 years old
Education: AAS Weather Technology (USAF) working on Health Sciences, B.S., University of Central Florida
Employment: P&C, Life/Health Insurance Sales Rep for a Large Brand... also a TSgt in the Air National Guard after 6 years in the Active side
Volunteering: I've done a bunch of misc type volunteering while in the USAF but none since... Too busy.😱
In Process: My current degree is geared towards allied health careers but adding a couple of classes finishes all my premed classes as well. I'm roughly 21 classes short of graduating. I work fulltime now, am married, have 3 kids, and am a weekend warrior. So I've been maintaining a 3/4 time in school with online health classes and other requirements. Thinking of jumping into prereqs in the spring. I started at USF Summer of 06 fulltime once I left the USAF and it was a DISASTER!!! I failed Chem I and Physics I. financial hardships and work requirements lead to that. I was hoping to finish in a couple of years that way but it seems like I'm doomed to continue on a part time basis for the length.

I almost gave up just recently. I was considering getting a Liberal studies BS and forgetting about school FOREVER. But I still have that gut feeling inside that tells me to press on. I think I need to get some volunteering/clinical time in for more exposure. That might help solidify what I really want.

Good luck to all!! I hope we can help eachother get through this crazy mess we've gotten ourselves into. 😳

 

[ayushman80]

Age: 32
Acads: Born and brought up in India, I have a Bachelors degree(Zoology major) and a Masters in Computer Science.
I think I have covered a few pre-reqs during my Bachelors; waiting for my credential evaluation report.
POA: Volunteering at a hospital and shadowing a Doctor are 1st on the list.
I am planning to take rest of the pre-reqs at a local Community College. After a year or so, I intend to start preparing for MCAT.
Where am I?: @ this point I am not sure if I am going right, I am almost lost,dont have all the info & my husband has 0(nada) confidence in me! Its interesting how you start judging yourself in a similar way 'others'(imp. ppl in your life) judge you! I have just started and there is a long way to go! 🙂

It is difficult to transition without complete support from the spouse. However, my experience (i'm indian) has been that once you start doing well your spouse will come around and see things for the better.

 

[ayushman80]

Age: 29
Education: BS computer engineering (2001), Military Education (2001-2006)
Employment: Nuclear/Computer engineer for navy, officer on a submarine.
Volunteer: a project going on in India, physician shadowing, extracurriculars while I was in the military, genetics research etc...
Plan: Gave interviews and now I'm anxiously waiting for the decision.
I love the nontrad students section of this forum. Everyone is so supportive.

 

[sitthakim]

Age: 24
Education: In Progress: B.A. in Archaeology (May 09) & BHS in Asian Studies (August or December 09, depending on how things work out)
Employment: Student twice over. I also work with a company that hosts foreign diplomats in the states, and babysit my school's computer lab 😉
Volunteering: Blood bank for a year and a half, hospital for one summer. Currently shadowing a totally awesome doc and figuring out how add more volunteer hours in to my already busy schedule.
In Process: Finishing 2 degrees at different schools, getting the rest of my premed classes done, studying for the MCAT (yes i am THAT nerd who got a study guide prior to taking any classes so I could follow along), figuring out how to explain my rather messy journey to two bachelor's degrees to adcoms.