Switch to Premed Mid-College

[sutures]

Hey,

I'm new to these forums and pre-med, so I was wondering if I could ask for some advice/opinions.

I'm a rising junior studying business at a pretty well-known university, and I've recently decided to pursue medicine/health care. I haven't been motivated by finance or accounting that is typical from my school, and have a mediocre gpa (3.3) I'm probably going to major in healthcare management. The unfortunate thing is that I will be only starting to take my pre-med science courses now, so I'd have to consider a fifth year of undergrad. I've already shadowed a doctor, read up extensively about the entire process of going through med school/residency, volunteered at my local hospital and I can honestly say I really like this track!

I suppose my questions are:

• would a fifth year look bad if it was meant to complete pre-med course requirements?
• could an amazing second half of college make up for a mediocre first half (assuming overall gpa is above ~3.6)?
• if I only pursue research in healthcare management (and not biomed, chem, etc.), is that going to be a problem?
• am I overlooking any other potential roadblocks?

Thanks!

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[QuizzicalApe]

As a general rule, people tend not to look down on taking the extra time to make sure you're a competitive applicant, especially if it hadn't been your plan the whole time.

Upward trend good, downward trend bad.

And, the only time your major could potentially be a problem is if you're getting training in some other field of providing healthcare (nursing), which makes people wonder why you're learning to be a nurse and trying to be a doctor simultaneously.

 

[Blonde Redhead]

1. Probably not. I would explain it, along with the change of heart.
2. Maybe. No offense but don't expect miracles. Just because you're doing something you like and see a future in doesn't mean the classes will be easier. You'll also be loading up on science courses which may be more demanding than what you are used to.
3. I think research in any field is supposed to be positive...but I have no idea what you would research in healthcare management so I'm hesitant on that one.
4. Make sure you have some leadership experiences and figure out when you need/want to take the mcat.

 

[surftheiop]

Here is my experience as someone who became pre-med summer before junior year and is applying to med-schools with the "typical" time line (already have 3 interviews!).

When I decided to become premed about 1.5 years ago my GPA was less than 3.4 after Sophomore year and I had no relevant volunteering/research/etc.

I immediately started networking with any MD I happened to know and started scheduling as many shadowing opportunities as possible. One of the MD's put in a good word for me to help me get an awesome volunteer position at a children's hospital. Another offered to let me proof-read manuscripts before publication so I could become more familiar with the process. Basically whenever somebody offered something, I took them up on their offer.

Going back to school I started taking the pre-med prereqs I hadn't already taken before (biology, organic, advanced bio elective) and pretty easily made A's in all of them (its shocking what having some career direction can do!).

I studied for the MCAT during my Christmas break and took it early in spring semester so I wouldn't have to worry about school and MCAT at same time, also allowed me to apply as early as I wanted to.

I managed to pull off A's in my engineering classes as well and by the end of junior year I had taken my 3.3ish GPA up to over 3.6. During the school year I kept in contact with the MD's I had shadowed and one of them helped me to get a clinical research position for this past summer.


So for pre-meds who are "late in the game" here are my suggestions

I) Quality not quantity. This applies to both EC's and taking classes. Take less credits if it means you can make A's in all of them. Don't join every EC, look for ones that you really, really would enjoy and therefore excel at.

II) Talk to every MD you have meet in a non-medical setting. Whether it is family friends, parent of kid you new in middle school, people at church, etc. just start emailing them asking if they would be willing to share their thoughts about a career in medicine. These people will be able to get your foot in the door to research/volunteer opportunities not otherwise available.

III) Be extremely nice and thankful to anyone you meet (professors/TAs/secretaries/hospital admins/etc), no matter how frustrated they might make you. (this is just my general life theory, regardless of the situation)

IV) Don't ever turn down an offer of an MD who is trying to help you out in some way, even if at the time it doesn't make sense to you.

 

[barcoderider]

I started pre-med at the start of my junior year too. It took me an extra summer and semester to graduate and complete everything.


-5th year is fine. Not a problem at all.

-Make sure you ace all those pre-med courses. Honestly to deal with that 3.3 you need to make 4.0 from here on out, and that will still put you at (only) 3.65, which is about average for a medical school applicant. You will need to rock the MCAT to make up for this.

-Doesn't matter what sort of research you do. Just do something and try to do it for a long time and really get involved

 

[OtoHNS]

You can do it, but you will really need to do well in your premed science classes and on the MCAT. Be honest with yourself though. Those business classes that you averaged a 3.3 are a lot easier to make A's than premed weed-out classes.
Another option would be to finish out your business degree (in healthcare mgmt or whatever) and bust your ass to make as close to a 4.0 the rest of the way as possible. Then, do a premed post-bacc program when you can really focus on the science classes for a year.
It's at least something to consider.
Also, a 3.6 gpa with a nice upward trend in your grades through college looks a lot better than a 3.6 where you started making A's and dropped off junior/senior year.

 

[sutures]

thanks guys. i'll see how this next semester goes...