- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Messages
- 35
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GPA = 3.71
BCP = 3.67
Science = 3.62
DAT = 20AA/19TS/22PAT
80 hours of shadowing.
Undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences, 2004 (I know... I getting am old).
For the most part, been working full time as a carpenter since college.
Submitted application summer 2010: 7 schools, 3 interviews, 0 acceptances. I asked two of the schools I interviewed at for feedback, and both mentioned the age of my coursework as something to improve.
In response, I enrolled in a post-bacc evening science program starting fall 2011, taking two classes per semester while still working. 4.0 gpa in upper division biology courses so far.
Submitted second application summer 2011: 6 schools, 1 interview, 0 acceptances. Unfortunately, even though I started taking the evening classes, this application is very similar to last year's. Nothing on my transcript changed until my two most recent classes showed up after academic update in January.
Looking for opinions on what I should do now!
Both of my advisors at my current program are telling me to take a year off from applying, so as to really dramatically improve my application. Both of them have told me to keep my DAT scores, and not mess with them by trying to retake.
Three options I am considering:
1) Continue taking evening post-bacc courses. If I get enough credits, I will be eligible for a committee letter, which I think would be very helpful because my current LORs were written by professors I had around 10 years ago! The downside is that I've taken the equivalent courses during undergrad for almost everything this program offers. It's really sort of a dead end.
2) Find an evening graduate science program in my area. This has proven very difficult to find! The best I have found so far is online master's programs, but I am reluctant to take that route.
3) Quit my job and move to a new city to do a special master's program. This is a bit daunting because I've realized I'm getting less mobile as I get older; my fiancee and I are currently planning our wedding. I do realize, however, that this phenomenon is only going to get worse as I age, and if this is the smartest route, I should bite the bullet and do it sooner rather than later.
Should I wait another year before reapplying? Which of the three options is best? What other options are out there that I haven't thought of?
No need for overly optimistic encouragement; I would most appreciate honest responses. Thanks so much for any input, and good luck to everybody!
BCP = 3.67
Science = 3.62
DAT = 20AA/19TS/22PAT
80 hours of shadowing.
Undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences, 2004 (I know... I getting am old).
For the most part, been working full time as a carpenter since college.
Submitted application summer 2010: 7 schools, 3 interviews, 0 acceptances. I asked two of the schools I interviewed at for feedback, and both mentioned the age of my coursework as something to improve.
In response, I enrolled in a post-bacc evening science program starting fall 2011, taking two classes per semester while still working. 4.0 gpa in upper division biology courses so far.
Submitted second application summer 2011: 6 schools, 1 interview, 0 acceptances. Unfortunately, even though I started taking the evening classes, this application is very similar to last year's. Nothing on my transcript changed until my two most recent classes showed up after academic update in January.
Looking for opinions on what I should do now!
Both of my advisors at my current program are telling me to take a year off from applying, so as to really dramatically improve my application. Both of them have told me to keep my DAT scores, and not mess with them by trying to retake.
Three options I am considering:
1) Continue taking evening post-bacc courses. If I get enough credits, I will be eligible for a committee letter, which I think would be very helpful because my current LORs were written by professors I had around 10 years ago! The downside is that I've taken the equivalent courses during undergrad for almost everything this program offers. It's really sort of a dead end.
2) Find an evening graduate science program in my area. This has proven very difficult to find! The best I have found so far is online master's programs, but I am reluctant to take that route.
3) Quit my job and move to a new city to do a special master's program. This is a bit daunting because I've realized I'm getting less mobile as I get older; my fiancee and I are currently planning our wedding. I do realize, however, that this phenomenon is only going to get worse as I age, and if this is the smartest route, I should bite the bullet and do it sooner rather than later.
Should I wait another year before reapplying? Which of the three options is best? What other options are out there that I haven't thought of?
No need for overly optimistic encouragement; I would most appreciate honest responses. Thanks so much for any input, and good luck to everybody!