Taking a nontraditional path...

[LupaCupcake]

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The long term members of this board may remember me. For those that don't ....quick recap 🙂 I have a bachelors (3.8), major in psychology with a minor in biology. I am an Army Vet and I currently work at an inpatient behavioral health facility as the Patient Advocate. I work fulltime and I have a family I take care of since I am now the breadwinner. I am a proud Mommy 🙂.

I have to keep delaying going back to school to finish up my prereqs because of timing with my work schedule, family and finances. Going from the military life to civilian broke the bank account and completely destroyed everything I had in savings. I currently have $3.00 in savings, that is not a typo, it is not three hundred, it is three dollars lol.

I am sick of having to delay classes, I was so hyped to do summer term except that is once again a big fat NO because they are offering the classes I need during the daytime when I am working.

So I just decided about five minutes ago that I am sick of trying to follow the "traditional path". I will never get to medical school at this rate, I am about to be 30 years old and I still need all of my chemistry and physics plus calculus (I know its not needed, but some want it so I am getting it).

This is my decision.....I pray it does not shoot me in the foot. Term after summer, if I cannot take the classes in person due to timing then I will take them online. Before you tell me how bad online classes are, I am fully aware of the risk I am taking. I am going to take them in person when I can and if they have hybrid courses I will be all over it, but if I can only do it online then so be it. I would rather do all of my prereqs and be prepared to back up why I had to do some of them online instead of just going another route and saying this dream isn't feasible. I am not saying all of my science courses will be online, I am stating that some of them will be out of necessity.

I like to think that being a Vet sets me apart from other applicants and I also like to think that my work history will help (Psychiatric Technician promoted to Patient Advocate). My dream is to be a Psychiatrist if you didn't guess that based upon the field I work in.

 

[Rocketdog]

Being a Vet sets you apart from other (non Veterans) and alongside other Veterans. I'm ex US Army and a non-trad! Were in the same boat! I have little savings also....but not married and no children. Just as medical school is a marathon, we should look at our journey as non trads in the same light....slow and steady! We'll get there.

I had to make a VERY difficult decision earlier this year to leave my 150K a year job and enroll full time at a university to complete my pre reqs. Being a non trad broke college student is foreign to me and it's hard to check my bank account and see next to nothing. I'm used to spending as I please. A whole new world is waiting in medicine and I'm excited to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Sometimes we need to approach a problem from a different perspective. I'm taking out loans and attacking my education full time. I know it's not feasible for everyone (I'm single w/ no kids) but there may be more than one (or two) approaches for you in your journey.

30 years old?......awesome!.....I'm 45 and still have three years before I can apply to med school. I'm still going for it....

Good luck......

 

[Quik]

I would caution how you perceive 'setting yourself apart' from other applicants based on a few experiences. Yes, serving in the military does illustrate a highly sought trait of commitment to service, but realize many competing applicants have illustrated this in the same or different ways. I'm not trying to pick your statement apart, but claiming that you're set apart from other applicants implies a sense of entitlement based on a former experience, rather than explaining why that is relevant to medicine and how it shaped you and that desire to become a physician.

My point and purpose here isn't to demean your experiences or say that they aren't as significant as you think they are, but rather give you a dose of reality that truly setting yourself apart from the caliber of competition in the applicant pool is more difficult than it seems. I would begin to think of and articulate those experiences as the drivers and motivators for why you want to be, and why you think you are suitable to become a physician.

About your scheduling conflicts, you should be eligible for about $10k in loans, that should be enough for tuition for an academic year of course depending where you're going to school. Get a part-time job elsewhere if you can't convince your Psych clinic to provide the flexibility you need. Don't rule out CC's especially for the 100 level stuff, there are a lot of mixed opinions on CC classes here on SDN, but the anecdotes of successful non-trads with CC credits in their post-bacc supports their efficacy.

 

[theseeker4]

The long term members of this board may remember me. For those that don't ....quick recap 🙂 I have a bachelors (3.8), major in psychology with a minor in biology. I am an Army Vet and I currently work at an inpatient behavioral health facility as the Patient Advocate. I work fulltime and I have a family I take care of since I am now the breadwinner. I am a proud Mommy 🙂.

I have to keep delaying going back to school to finish up my prereqs because of timing with my work schedule, family and finances. Going from the military life to civilian broke the bank account and completely destroyed everything I had in savings. I currently have $3.00 in savings, that is not a typo, it is not three hundred, it is three dollars lol.

I am sick of having to delay classes, I was so hyped to do summer term except that is once again a big fat NO because they are offering the classes I need during the daytime when I am working.

So I just decided about five minutes ago that I am sick of trying to follow the "traditional path". I will never get to medical school at this rate, I am about to be 30 years old and I still need all of my chemistry and physics plus calculus (I know its not needed, but some want it so I am getting it).

This is my decision.....I pray it does not shoot me in the foot. Term after summer, if I cannot take the classes in person due to timing then I will take them online. Before you tell me how bad online classes are, I am fully aware of the risk I am taking. I am going to take them in person when I can and if they have hybrid courses I will be all over it, but if I can only do it online then so be it. I would rather do all of my prereqs and be prepared to back up why I had to do some of them online instead of just going another route and saying this dream isn't feasible. I am not saying all of my science courses will be online, I am stating that some of them will be out of necessity.

I like to think that being a Vet sets me apart from other applicants and I also like to think that my work history will help (Psychiatric Technician promoted to Patient Advocate). My dream is to be a Psychiatrist if you didn't guess that based upon the field I work in.

Check with potential medical schools as to whether they will even be accepted. Taking them online is more of a waste of time and money if no schools will even accept them at all than waiting until you are able to take them in person would be. Just make sure what you want to do will be acceptable to schools, rather than pushing ahead and hoping it will be.

 

[DocWinter]

Are you asking for advice? Not seeing a question or opening to insert affirmation/information about your plan..

 

[LupaCupcake]

@ quik. I wish I had some special entitlement that guaranteed acceptance (hehe) I believe that each med student needs to find what sets them apart and use it as best they can. For me, it has to be my military experience and job experience.

It would not be possible for the clinic to give me super flexible hours. I am the only person that does my job, only one Patient Advocate for the entire facility. I cannot quit and rely on school loans. I can do that when I get to medical school, but I can't take on that much debt right now in order to pay for bills, groceries etc etc... maybe if I was single with no kids, but that is not my situation so my job has to stay as it is.

I am really hoping they offer hybrid courses in fall because I was told on the phone by a few schools after explaining my situation that as long as I had labs in person and proctored exams, it would be okay. Not all schools are so understanding which I do understand.

 

[Mad Jack]

The long term members of this board may remember me. For those that don't ....quick recap 🙂 I have a bachelors (3.8), major in psychology with a minor in biology. I am an Army Vet and I currently work at an inpatient behavioral health facility as the Patient Advocate. I work fulltime and I have a family I take care of since I am now the breadwinner. I am a proud Mommy 🙂.

I have to keep delaying going back to school to finish up my prereqs because of timing with my work schedule, family and finances. Going from the military life to civilian broke the bank account and completely destroyed everything I had in savings. I currently have $3.00 in savings, that is not a typo, it is not three hundred, it is three dollars lol.

I am sick of having to delay classes, I was so hyped to do summer term except that is once again a big fat NO because they are offering the classes I need during the daytime when I am working.

So I just decided about five minutes ago that I am sick of trying to follow the "traditional path". I will never get to medical school at this rate, I am about to be 30 years old and I still need all of my chemistry and physics plus calculus (I know its not needed, but some want it so I am getting it).

This is my decision.....I pray it does not shoot me in the foot. Term after summer, if I cannot take the classes in person due to timing then I will take them online. Before you tell me how bad online classes are, I am fully aware of the risk I am taking. I am going to take them in person when I can and if they have hybrid courses I will be all over it, but if I can only do it online then so be it. I would rather do all of my prereqs and be prepared to back up why I had to do some of them online instead of just going another route and saying this dream isn't feasible. I am not saying all of my science courses will be online, I am stating that some of them will be out of necessity.

I like to think that being a Vet sets me apart from other applicants and I also like to think that my work history will help (Psychiatric Technician promoted to Patient Advocate). My dream is to be a Psychiatrist if you didn't guess that based upon the field I work in.

UNECOM offers online science courses that are accepted at a number of medical schools. I wouldn't just go with any random online science courses, pick ones that are known to be accepted at some allo or osteo programs.

 

[Elizabethx89]

.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I really don't understand how people, aside from those with spouses making enough to support them while they go to school, manage to fit work, extracurriculars, and classes into their schedules. I'm in a (kinda) similar situation. My class schedule is disqualifying me from most jobs. People tell me things like, "Look into working the front desk at a doctor's office. It will look great on your med school apps!" What doctor's office that closes at 5 p.m. has any use for someone who is in class until 3 p.m. and whose schedule changes every few months? I just don't know how to make it work. I can't help that the vast majority of college classes are scheduled during business hours. I can't even get the $7.25/hour jobs on campus because even they want people who can work shifts like 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. I get it, but I don't. They have to know what "student" means.

I can't say whether what you're doing is a wise decision or not, but if it weren't for the lab requirement at most med schools, I would be looking into online courses as well.

What I did was a combo of a job at my school and student loans. I did this at a CC, which is the only type of higher ed I've seen to always find ways to accommodate older students. My way worked out because I got in. Most 4 year institutions don't work with my plan. They are not normally made for non-traditional students.

 

[Quik]

see below....

 

[Quik]

@ quik. I wish I had some special entitlement that guaranteed acceptance (hehe) I believe that each med student needs to find what sets them apart and use it as best they can. For me, it has to be my military experience and job experience.

We all do hun 😉 Frame your experience right, and it certainly can. I overheard a great conversation the other day amongst a few med-students who were on the interview panel for the admissions process who were advising a pre-med on their application, framing yourself as different as you can from every other applicant, and play that card best you can. I think you have it figured out.

Here's my situation for comparative purposes, I hope it helps. I'm taking 11 credits (at a CC) over three courses held only two days per week. On Tuesday, I'm in class from 8am-10pm with a few breaks in between, Thursday is lighter with only three lectures. On Monday, Friday, Sunday, I work at a coffee shop and make a wage of 8.75/hour 20 hrs/week, though with tips I actually make around $15/hour. I shadow an Orthopedic Surgeon on Wednesdays and volunteer at a community health clinic on Saturday. I also run a small business that is busier in the summer, but I currently spend a few hours each week managing current contracts. I pretty much dumped the efforts of trying to expand my business because it's highly variable and the workload is unpredictable. While the pay for the work is fantastic, the variability is threatening; if I were to bring in a few projects during a mid-term or final week, I would be crushed.

While this is fine for now, I plan on dropping the coffee shop work in the fall while taking O-chem, biochem, and another upper division bio course in order to accelerate my pre-req completion and focus more on the rigorous courses. The point I'm trying to make here, is that any job that allows for the flexibility of your changing schedule is a good job. While a job in health care does help, your current job doesn't have to be related in the least, so long as it's providing the means to the end. That is all that matters.[/QUOTE]

 

[Goro]

First, many thanks for your service to our country. Doesn't the GI Bill do anything anymore?

AdComs do have a soft spot for veterans.

Perhap it might be more worthwhile to work and save up enough money to go to school full/part time, and them know off the pre-reqs.

@ quik. I wish I had some special entitlement that guaranteed acceptance (hehe) I believe that each med student needs to find what sets them apart and use it as best they can. For me, it has to be my military experience and job experience.

It would not be possible for the clinic to give me super flexible hours. I am the only person that does my job, only one Patient Advocate for the entire facility. I cannot quit and rely on school loans. I can do that when I get to medical school, but I can't take on that much debt right now in order to pay for bills, groceries etc etc... maybe if I was single with no kids, but that is not my situation so my job has to stay as it is.

I am really hoping they offer hybrid courses in fall because I was told on the phone by a few schools after explaining my situation that as long as I had labs in person and proctored exams, it would be okay. Not all schools are so understanding which I do understand.

 

[LupaCupcake]

Gi bill paid for my bachelors Goro 🙂 It doesn't last forever though, I wish I could keep on using it for everything including med school! That would be amazing! We can dream...I don't make enough money to save cash like that Goro. $15 a hour isn't terrible, but I am supporting 3 people on that.

My boss is rather amazing in how understanding she is about things dealing with my family because she has a family of her own and has to balance career/family so she understands how hard it can be to throw in school with that mix. If I can find hybrid courses with just the labs in person and the lab is just a few hours a week....I think I have a chance to persuade her into letting me taking those hours off during the daytime as long as I make them back up so I wouldn't be able to take lunch breaks or I would need to stay at work late sometimes to make up those hours, but worst case she tells me no. I think she may work with me as long as I promise to ensure 40 hours a week and I can't be here too late (shift differential would pay me more if I was here late and we can't do that with our department budget). I know it is not something she will okay for 3 days a week , but if it is one day a week or maybe two.....I gotta try to persuade her.

 

[rgerber85]

🙂

I knew of an army vet... (don't know him personally)... cGPA < 2.3 from uGrad. Bounced back after volunteering at a hospice and did a post-bacc. Banged out close to a 3.8 I believe it was. His personal statement (which I was able to review) was incredible. Blew me away...

He's now a resident somewhere nice.

Good luck 🙂

 

[LupaCupcake]

Thank you rgerber. That is inspiring. My undergrad GPA is a 3.8 so I am starting out better than he was so I have no excuse!

 

[rgerber85]

Thank you rgerber. That is inspiring. My undergrad GPA is a 3.8 so I am starting out better than he was so I have no excuse!

I know people with 3.8's... 30-35 MCATs... published... research experience... rejected all around.

I know people with low GPA's... average MCAT... some research... some clinical... get interviews + acceptance. 🙂

I feel like it depends who reads your application & interviews you.

 

[NCOldie]

If you are in or around the Triangle, there are plenty of fully online or hybrid courses to fulfill the prerequisite requirements. You should be fine. 🙂

 

[Indianarn]

The long term members of this board may remember me. For those that don't ....quick recap 🙂 I have a bachelors (3.8), major in psychology with a minor in biology. I am an Army Vet and I currently work at an inpatient behavioral health facility as the Patient Advocate. I work fulltime and I have a family I take care of since I am now the breadwinner. I am a proud Mommy 🙂.

I have to keep delaying going back to school to finish up my prereqs because of timing with my work schedule, family and finances. Going from the military life to civilian broke the bank account and completely destroyed everything I had in savings. I currently have $3.00 in savings, that is not a typo, it is not three hundred, it is three dollars lol.

I am sick of having to delay classes, I was so hyped to do summer term except that is once again a big fat NO because they are offering the classes I need during the daytime when I am working.

So I just decided about five minutes ago that I am sick of trying to follow the "traditional path". I will never get to medical school at this rate, I am about to be 30 years old and I still need all of my chemistry and physics plus calculus (I know its not needed, but some want it so I am getting it).

This is my decision.....I pray it does not shoot me in the foot. Term after summer, if I cannot take the classes in person due to timing then I will take them online. Before you tell me how bad online classes are, I am fully aware of the risk I am taking. I am going to take them in person when I can and if they have hybrid courses I will be all over it, but if I can only do it online then so be it. I would rather do all of my prereqs and be prepared to back up why I had to do some of them online instead of just going another route and saying this dream isn't feasible. I am not saying all of my science courses will be online, I am stating that some of them will be out of necessity.

I like to think that being a Vet sets me apart from other applicants and I also like to think that my work history will help (Psychiatric Technician promoted to Patient Advocate). My dream is to be a Psychiatrist if you didn't guess that based upon the field I work in.

Proud of you that you made this decision. I am a non-trad, but not military (wish I was) and just got in to an Osteopathic Med School. I will be starting this year. When taking the online classes make sure they are not science classes. Make sure you keep your grades up. You can do it, good luck,

 

[NontradCA]

I would caution how you perceive 'setting yourself apart' from other applicants based on a few experiences. Yes, serving in the military does illustrate a highly sought trait of commitment to service, but realize many competing applicants have illustrated this in the same or different ways. I'm not trying to pick your statement apart, but claiming that you're set apart from other applicants implies a sense of entitlement based on a former experience, rather than explaining why that is relevant to medicine and how it shaped you and that desire to become a physician.

My point and purpose here isn't to demean your experiences or say that they aren't as significant as you think they are, but rather give you a dose of reality that truly setting yourself apart from the caliber of competition in the applicant pool is more difficult than it seems. I would begin to think of and articulate those experiences as the drivers and motivators for why you want to be, and why you think you are suitable to become a physician.

About your scheduling conflicts, you should be eligible for about $10k in loans, that should be enough for tuition for an academic year of course depending where you're going to school. Get a part-time job elsewhere if you can't convince your Psych clinic to provide the flexibility you need. Don't rule out CC's especially for the 100 level stuff, there are a lot of mixed opinions on CC classes here on SDN, but the anecdotes of successful non-trads with CC credits in their post-bacc supports their efficacy.

Not for nothing but as far as life experience, and community service you'd be hard pressed to find other applicants that have as good an EC as military service. Some schools/areas will care more than others, namely California, Texas, NY and the Midwest. Id say that if a veteran has average matriculant stats they're going to get a lot of interviews.

I want veterans to feel entitled, as most of the premed population is. However, due to indoctrination, experience,and culture most veterans are humbled.

OP when choosing schools Id look at some of the benefits of being a veteran in those states and specific schools. Some schools have veteran specific scholarships. And Ohio, for instance, gives IS tuition to veterans who are OOS.

 

[LupaCupcake]

@NontradCA, I think it goes against basic principles of the military for a Vet to feel entitled. The essential duty of a soldier is to fight and protect others, to put themselves into potential jeopardy for the benefit of others. A soldier should never be cocky or arrogant, we are supposed to protect and serve. I would gladly be a physician one day that volunteers for assignments downrange if the military is still in that position or a physician that works for DOD (department of defense) at stateside locations or bases overseas such as the huge military hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. Anyways, don't get me going on a military tangent lol.....I could talk your ear off!

Veteran specific scholarships sounds nice!

ANYWAYS....I had good news I wanted to share on this thread! I just sat down with my boss and had a nice convo about my future and my job here. She stated, and I quote, "I am committed to your growth". In fall term, she has agreed to sit down with me and my potential schedule and work out times with me. She cannot allow me to leave for a half day or something like that, but she said if I have labs during the week she will work with me in that I can schedule my break times to accommodate going to labs or classes as long as I am not taking out too many hours a week! This is going to help me so much and Im so glad I asked her if we could make this work! I still have to do most of my classes during the evening and probably some hybrids, but having a few hours during the daytime is so helpful. Major kudo points to my boss today!

 

[yossarian444]

I'm not sure if all patient advocate jobs are created equal, but in many ED's we have 24/7/365 patient advocate coverage dedicated for the ED. It sounds like you enjoy your current job, but perhaps if the hours just won't work, you could look into applying for an evening/night patient advocate job at a local trauma center.