which schools, if any, are likely to be interested in non-trads

[liv2givnbnmd]

---

Members do not see this ad.

k

 

[ntmed]

I have been researching med schools and am wondering if any schools are more interested in non-traditional students than others.

I applied, and got accepted at age 38. Yes, there are some schools that seem to embrace nontraditional's more than others. This includes GW, Albany, EVMC, Drexel (Hahnemann), and I'm sure many others. But I wouldn't worry to much about this. Just make sure you apply early (as close to June 1st as possible), and to a large number of schools.

Mike

 

[Law2Doc]

I have been researching med schools and am wondering if any schools are more interested in non-traditional students than others. I have been given the advice and impression that, indeed, some med schools like students with diverse backgrounds (and some don't!). Here's my situation:

25 years old, taking pre-reqs for med school, plan to be done May 2007
Graduated 2003 w/ BS in Economics (3.548 GPA--hope to improve w/ science GPA)

Thus far in life I have worked as an analyst for an engineering firm, been a manager at a four star restaurant (I mention this because of the similar difficult, exhausting hours and clientelle as that of a physician), and so on. I also spent much of my time as an undergrad teaching snowboarding (very fun and rewarding!).

In high school it was always my plan to do a pre-med focused curriculum and try to get into med school...........but once I set out on my own I decided to take time for a few adventures first. Now here I am, excited to be back where I began. I want to make wise choices about which schools I apply to and how I go about the next year of preparation. Any advice? I have spoken with doctors, who are very supportive, but to hear from fellow students would also be helpful. Sorry about the length.

Do a search -- there were at least three threads on this same question in the last year -- one fairly recently. Bottom line is that ALL schools are amenable to nontrads with good credentials. And none will consider you particularly on the old end of the spectrum at 25 -- virtually all med schools these days have students older than 30. Your best bet is to apply broadly, not target some schools that are supposedly more "nontrad friendly".

 

[vtucci]

You need to add Loyola and Creighton-- they both look favorably on it. I am at USF and 1/4 of my class is over 25. Check the AAMC and look at the average age. If it is 24 or higher, then they have a lot of older students.

 

[liv2givnbnmd]

Thanks to all for the info. I'm definitely going to be applying far and wide..............that includes the caribbean.

We'll see what fate the MCAT holds for me. I've heard that some students with pretty much perfect stats don't even get offers. It would be nice if there were some rhyme or reason to the admissions process. Oh well! I'll pack my swimsuit now.

 

[chrisjohn]

With that undergrad GPA, knock a 30 MCAT out and wait for the acceptances to come rolling in.

Matriculating ain't hard if you haven't screwed your UG GPA.

Ahh if I only knew then what I know now.

Keep it in perspective. The harder you work for something the sweeter it is. 85 days until orientation!!!

 

[liv2givnbnmd]

Thanks for the boost! They say it is all about the attitude, and it feels good to work hard at something. Congratulations on your success!

 

[burntcrispy]

I agree: Keep up that GPA and score well on the MCAT and you won't have much of a problem getting into any school. Mid-late 20s is almost not considered non-trad anymore. In my class there are LOTS of people who began who were 25-29 at the time.

 

[liv2givnbnmd]

I agree: Keep up that GPA and score well on the MCAT and you won't have much of a problem getting into any school. Mid-late 20s is almost not considered non-trad anymore. In my class there are LOTS of people who began who were 25-29 at the time.

Hey, speaking of GPA. What do you (all) think about a grading scale of A,B,C,D.... At my undergrad institution we were graded with A,A-,B+,B- and so on. I feel it is more appropriate to grade students via the latter. However, my current school does the A,B,C thing. I don't see it as an accurate representation, especially if a student scores, say, an 89% in a class and someone else an 80%........both still walk out with a B. Does anyone know if med schools or AMCAS take this into account?

 

[medworm]

liv2givnbnmd, based on your profile you wouldn't be considered nontrad. Just apply to schools where you'd actually like to attend.

 

[burntcrispy]

Hey, speaking of GPA. What do you (all) think about a grading scale of A,B,C,D.... At my undergrad institution we were graded with A,A-,B+,B- and so on. I feel it is more appropriate to grade students via the latter. However, my current school does the A,B,C thing. I don't see it as an accurate representation, especially if a student scores, say, an 89% in a class and someone else an 80%........both still walk out with a B. Does anyone know if med schools or AMCAS take this into account?

I posted something about this somewhere else before but I'll recap. When I applied 4 years ago (about to graduate medschool next month) I seem to remember that the online app did not let you put in your pluses and minuses (ex B+=B, A-=A, etc). The GPA that the school calculates based on these pluses and minuses may very well differ from the one that AMCAS or whatever gives you.

You may want to ask others who've applied more recently about this to clarify. I'm inTX and we've got our own online app just for the Tx schools and also have to do the AMCAS one for the out of state so I don't remember the specifics of them because it all runs together now.

Best advice for you: Try your hardest to make ALL A's in the sciences. That's what I did when I went back for the prerecs and I think it helped me out ALOT because my GPA was weaker than what you've got but I had no problems getting interviews at almost everywhere I applied.

Good luck, you're definately on the right track.

 

[liv2givnbnmd]

liv2givnbnmd, based on your profile you wouldn't be considered nontrad. Just apply to schools where you'd actually like to attend.

I guess I'm not very non-trad, hmmmm. I just FEEL like I am a lot older/different than the students applying right out of college.

Age is only a number I suppose.

 

[medworm]

I guess I'm not very non-trad, hmmmm. I just FEEL like I am a lot older/different than the students applying right out of college.

Age is only a number I suppose.

My thoughts exactly when they card me for buying alcohol. 😀

 

[pingouin]

My thoughts exactly when they card me for buying alcohol. 😀

A girl in my physics class told me she thought I was the same age as her. Which would be 21.

She was off by 10 years, but I now have a new best friend! 😀

 

[liv2givnbnmd]

A girl in my physics class told me she thought I was the same age as her. Which would be 21.

She was off by 10 years, but I now have a new best friend! 😀

I remember thinking something along those lines as an 18 yr. old freshman........when a 28 yr. old grad student in my German class asked me out. 😛

I thought he was early twenties, at the most.

 

[QofQuimica]

A girl in my physics class told me she thought I was the same age as her. Which would be 21.

She was off by 10 years, but I now have a new best friend! 😀

I got that, too. After my graduation, I walked into my parents' hotel still wearing my doctoral regalia. So the hotel manager is congratulating me on earning my bachelor's, which he guessed I was getting b/c he thought I was 21. I told him I was indeed 21, 10 years ago. 😀

 

[pingouin]

I got that, too. After my graduation, I walked into my parents' hotel still wearing my doctoral regalia. So the hotel manager is congratulating me on earning my bachelor's, which he guessed I was getting b/c he thought I was 21. I told him I was indeed 21, 10 years ago. 😀

I also got carded on my 31st birthday. I said "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!"