What are my chances?

[dradams]

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I would like some opinions on my chances of getting into a med school and also any suggestions as to which schools I should apply.

I'm 32 years old (almost 33) and have been a high school AP Biology teacher and an adjunct instructor in Biology at a nearby community college for the past 5 years. I have two undergrad degrees, the first in Business from the University of Florida (not a very good GPA) and the second in Biology from Florida Atlantic University (graduated with Honors). I also have a Masters in Biology from Columbia University.

Overall undergrad GPA 3.0
Science GPA 3.84
Graduate GPA 3.0
Extensive research experience and teaching experience.

I'm planning on taking the MCAT in April and applying for the 2005 entering class.

Thanks for the help.

 

[acab]

I think you have a decent chance if you score 30 or higher on MCAT. Life experience counts a lot. As for the schools, state schools are always a good bet. Don't worry about your chances now, just concentrate on getting a good MCAT.

Good luck....

 

[dradams]

Thanks. I am going to apply to the state schools. I'm a Florida resident.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Tezzie]

As the other poster said. A 30+ MCAT in your case will make sure you get a few acceptances. Your work experience is nice. Have you done any shadowing/community service yet?

 

[....]

I dunno.....i dont think at a FL school.....3.0 isnt going to cut it........high science GPA or not. I dont think a school would be willing to bring its GPA down that much even if theylike you and you have a good story....

 

[pops]

Clearly getting a good MCAT should be your first objective. Consider a prep class and consider both MD and DO when you apply. Good luck!

 

[CJLaw]

I'm not an admissions expert as I have yet to apply. However, I have talked to many members of adcoms in my state. I think as long as you don't totally blow the MCAT (meaning below a 28 for MD schools), you'll be an excellent candidate. I think you'll need to shadow a physician or two to get the MD recommendation, but don't listen to other posters who will tell you that you need volunteering/community service and research. Your life and work experience trumps anything that most of the pre-meds on this board have accomplished.

As far as DO (since I noticed you posted over there as well), as long as you don't get below a 25 on the MCAT, you're a shoein. You're a candidate that DO adcoms salavate over.

 

[dradams]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have some volunteer hours at a hospital and I am planning on shadowing some docs.

Thanks again.

 

[bjolly]

you sound like a good candidate to me, as long as you can do well on the MCAT. The overall undergrad gpa of 3.0 is on the low side, but it sounds like there was a marked improvement from your first undergrad career to your second one, which should help a lot. The 3.8 science gpa is great & should help you a lot too. Good luck!

 

[meanderson]

Unless he destroys the mcat(36+), I don't think his chances at the florida allopathic schools are that good. I think he is an excellent candidate for most osteopathic schools though

 

[dradams]

Thanks for the honest feedback. I am definitely applying to DO schools also, since I have a very good shot of getting into those schools.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Originally posted by meanderson
Unless he destroys the mcat(36+), I don't think his chances at the florida allopathic schools are that good. I think he is an excellent candidate for most osteopathic schools though

I disagree. Granted, I'm not on an admissions committee, but I was accepted to my state school with a 3.1 overall GPA and a decent MCAT. Not stellar, but I was happy with it. I only had 2 years of post-grad experience to work with. The OP has tons of unusual experience and that can really, really work in his favor. I have a lot of former teachers in my class, and they're all doing fine. I think he's an excellent candidate for his allopathic state schools. Just be sure you can answer the infamous "Why medicine? Why a career change?" question.

Best of luck to you!

 

[sistahnik]

i think that he should apply to the state school along with other schools. all the talk about them not accepting him b/c of his gpa is speculation, totally. who knows they may enjoy him at the interview sooo much that they may overlook whatever downfall (according to other applicants) that exists. AS WE HAVE SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN, NUMBERS ARE NOT THE ONLY PART OF THE PERSON!!!!

 

[dradams]

Thanks for the great feedback Sweet Tea and sistahnik. That's very encouraging. Do you really have several former teachers in your med school class Sweet Tea?

 

[Megalofyia]

I remember in highschool two of my teachers left the school to go to medical school.

 

[futuredrswife]

i would definitely include fsu on my application as they might be more willing to overlook numbers.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Originally posted by dradams
Thanks for the great feedback Sweet Tea and sistahnik. That's very encouraging. Do you really have several former teachers in your med school class Sweet Tea?

Yup. Out of a class of 72, we have a 2 former HS math teachers, a former spanish teacher, and a former biology/chemistry teacher. 2 people taught through AmeriCorps, and the others just taught. Its definetly possible. 🙂

 

[pathdr2b]

Teaching (high school chemistry and middle school physical science)was also one of my many previous careers. I LOVED teaching but the bureaucracy was too much to deal with🙁

 

[dradams]

Wow! I really didn't realize there were that many former teachers going to med school. That is really encouraging. Thanks for all the great feedback.

 

[dradams]

Thanks futuredrswife, I am definitely going to include FSU in my apps along with the other 2 state schools. I agree they may not just look at the numbers.

 

[Jillianrae]

I LOVED teaching but the bureaucracy was too much to deal with

and you're going into medicine? The bureaucracy is just as bad if not worse in the medicine.

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by Jillianrae
and you're going into medicine? The bureaucracy is just as bad if not worse in the medicine.

Absolutely!!

As a person that has been doing research in a academic/govenrment environment off and on for the past 18 years, I certainily understand this. But professors have a lot of automy in organizing their courses that the public school system doesn't allow. For example, I frequently used my college chemistry book to teach high school students but was discouraged in this.

I also think the amount of bureaucracy you deal with depends on the speciality. I have no plans to pursue a career in patient care which is where the overwhelming majority of bureaucracy exists. This is something premeds should certainily consider BEFORE pursue medicine as a career.

 

[dradams]

Thanks for all the honest feedback from everyone. The majority of the feedback is very encouraging.