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- Pre-Medical
Sorry for the lengthy post, my questions are at the end if you want to skip ahead. Right now I have some general questions that are not really school specific (will wait for an MCAT score for that).
I have followed SDN for awhile now and tried to soak everything in, now I am hoping to get some advice.
I am currently in my mid 30s and I completed my bachelors about 8 years ago in aviation management. Since then I have been doing various jobs unrelated to healthcare. Last year, after much contemplation, I decided to pursue medicine.
Since then, I have started doing prerequisites (plus other recommended courses) and volunteering. I will be taking the MCAT early next year, as I still need to take OCHEM II and Biochem.
Residency: Arizona (past 5 years), prior to that Illinois for previous 30 years
ORM
Undergraduate: 3.61 cGPA, 3.57 sGPA
Postbac: 4.0 cGPA, 4.0 sGPA
Cumulative: 3.71 cGPA, 3.94 sGPA
MCAT: aiming for January test date
Attending a large state university
I only took 1 intro biology class (B) and 1 math class (A) during undergrad.
I have been a full time postbac student, and took/taking the following classes:
Summer 17: 11 credits. Introduction to chemistry + lab, general chemistry I + lab, introduction to psychology.
Fall 17: 15 credits. General chemistry II + lab, biology I + lab, physics I + lab, statistics.
Spring 17: 16 credits. Organic chemistry I + lab, biology II + lab, physics II + lab, anatomy and physiology I + lab.
Summer 18: 11 credits. cell biology, genetics, Organic chemistry II + lab (starts next week)
Fall 18(expected): 14 credits. Anatomy and physiology II + lab, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry + lab.
The courses I took in summer 17 were all online, at a community college, during the summer. I went for the trifecta of potential red flags for classes. All other classes were in person at a 4 year university.
Extracurriculars:
I am veteran, got out in 2006.
Volunteering began last year when I decided I wanted to pursue medicine.
Clinical: volunteer at an ER – 200 hours
Non clinical: habitat for humanity team leader – 200 hours
Research: None
Shadowing: none yet, but plans set for fall
The bad:
About 8 years ago I got a DUI, which I plead guilty to and completed all requirements / probation and it no longer appears on my ‘record’ – though everything can be still be found, and I have a unique name. I will obviously fully report everything regarding this transgression. I have not had any further legal issues, and rarely drink anymore. I have contacted many state licensing boards and they say it shouldn’t be an issue, although things could change.
Questions:
I have used MSAR, and will contact some schools further, especially once I take the MCAT.
How imperative would it be to retake General Chemistry I in person? My dream reach school would be Mayo. I know many schools don’t allow online classes, but are exceptions made for a single class, when every subsequent class was in person?
How detrimental would the DUI be, and is there anything I can do to mitigate the response?
SIU is my alma mater, and Illinois is where I spent most of my life. I also know SIU only accepts instate students, but does anyone know if they ever make exceptions for strong ties?
I have followed SDN for awhile now and tried to soak everything in, now I am hoping to get some advice.
I am currently in my mid 30s and I completed my bachelors about 8 years ago in aviation management. Since then I have been doing various jobs unrelated to healthcare. Last year, after much contemplation, I decided to pursue medicine.
Since then, I have started doing prerequisites (plus other recommended courses) and volunteering. I will be taking the MCAT early next year, as I still need to take OCHEM II and Biochem.
Residency: Arizona (past 5 years), prior to that Illinois for previous 30 years
ORM
Undergraduate: 3.61 cGPA, 3.57 sGPA
Postbac: 4.0 cGPA, 4.0 sGPA
Cumulative: 3.71 cGPA, 3.94 sGPA
MCAT: aiming for January test date
Attending a large state university
I only took 1 intro biology class (B) and 1 math class (A) during undergrad.
I have been a full time postbac student, and took/taking the following classes:
Summer 17: 11 credits. Introduction to chemistry + lab, general chemistry I + lab, introduction to psychology.
Fall 17: 15 credits. General chemistry II + lab, biology I + lab, physics I + lab, statistics.
Spring 17: 16 credits. Organic chemistry I + lab, biology II + lab, physics II + lab, anatomy and physiology I + lab.
Summer 18: 11 credits. cell biology, genetics, Organic chemistry II + lab (starts next week)
Fall 18(expected): 14 credits. Anatomy and physiology II + lab, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry + lab.
The courses I took in summer 17 were all online, at a community college, during the summer. I went for the trifecta of potential red flags for classes. All other classes were in person at a 4 year university.
Extracurriculars:
I am veteran, got out in 2006.
Volunteering began last year when I decided I wanted to pursue medicine.
Clinical: volunteer at an ER – 200 hours
Non clinical: habitat for humanity team leader – 200 hours
Research: None
Shadowing: none yet, but plans set for fall
The bad:
About 8 years ago I got a DUI, which I plead guilty to and completed all requirements / probation and it no longer appears on my ‘record’ – though everything can be still be found, and I have a unique name. I will obviously fully report everything regarding this transgression. I have not had any further legal issues, and rarely drink anymore. I have contacted many state licensing boards and they say it shouldn’t be an issue, although things could change.
Questions:
I have used MSAR, and will contact some schools further, especially once I take the MCAT.
How imperative would it be to retake General Chemistry I in person? My dream reach school would be Mayo. I know many schools don’t allow online classes, but are exceptions made for a single class, when every subsequent class was in person?
How detrimental would the DUI be, and is there anything I can do to mitigate the response?
SIU is my alma mater, and Illinois is where I spent most of my life. I also know SIU only accepts instate students, but does anyone know if they ever make exceptions for strong ties?
