Would taking 10 years to get a bachelors degree work against me in my application?

[deleted879494]

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Bottom line:

I'm 26 and will finally be graduating next year with my BA. I also haven't achieved anything in the meantime except going to 3 different colleges, tried probably 6 different programs, and racked up probably 200+ credits.

Okay, but I'm a non-trad though. I'm not in a rush.

I aim to get into med school hopefully by 32.

In the meantime, over the next 5 years I plan to actually build a resume. Hold down a job. Build up my application on the side with volunteering, shadowing, etc.

Also, I won't even bother applying to med school unless my MCAT is very high. I have extremely high standards as that is one area I believe I can and must excel in. So consider my future MCAT to be extremely high if and when I apply.

I am aiming for DO school.

My weakest part is that I've spent my 20s accomplishing nothing and taking forever to finish college which is why I'm non-trad.

Will this make it extremely hard for me?

Will admissions committees throw out my application when they find out I've spent so long doing nothing? Surely they'll be expecting more accomplishments from non-trads.

But I nonetheless still plan to get 5 years of experience in healthcare and volunteering under my belt before I apply, along with an excellent MCAT.

Should I even be worried about this? Or can I just put it behind me and chug along?

 

[deleted480308]

To what end are you “building your resume”?

Do you want to be a doctor or something else?

 

[deleted879494]

To what end are you “building your resume”?

Do you want to be a doctor or something else?

I will be focusing on strictly becoming a doctor.

 

[deleted480308]

I will be focusing on strictly becoming a doctor.

Then don’t build a resume, build an application which shouldn’t take 10yrs (or the additional 5....that was phrased weird)

How many more credits for a bachelor, what’s your gpa, how many more prereq credits do you need?

 

[deleted879494]

Then don’t build a resume, build an application which shouldn’t take 10yrs (or the additional 5....that was phrased weird)

How many more credits for a bachelor, what’s your gpa, how many more prereq credits do you need?

GPA is 3.3 now. Have another ~30 credits for my BA. I'll still need to do some prereqs. I'll do those post-bac.

Eventually I'll have an enormous amount of credits. But I need to in order to get my GPA as high as possible.

As far as the resume. I need to work. Also need a plan B. So I'll be building one either way.

The 10 years is counting the entire span of my undergrad career from the age of 18. Well, maybe it'll be 9 years if I finish next year.

The 5 years is in addition to the 9.

The 5 is for post-grad getting into med school. I'm very conservative in my estimate since I'm starting from a very low position and am going the non-trad route.

 

[deleted480308]

GPA is 3.3 now. Have another ~30 credits for my BA. I'll still need to do some prereqs. I'll do those post-bac.

Eventually I'll have an enormous amount of credits. But I need to in order to get my GPA as high as possible.

As far as the resume. I need to work. Also need a plan B. So I'll be building one either way.

The 10 years is counting the entire span of my undergrad career from the age of 18. Well, maybe it'll be 9 years if I finish next year.

The 5 years is in addition to the 9.

The 5 is for post-grad getting into med school. I'm very conservative in my estimate since I'm starting from a very low position and am going the non-trad route.

Can you not get your prereqs as the completion of a bachelors? Remember the type of bachelors doesn’t matter

 

[deleted879494]

Can you not get your prereqs as the completion of a bachelors? Remember the type of bachelors doesn’t matter

It's a non-science BA. I have some pre-reqs. But by the time I'm ready to apply they might be over a decade old and could be expired in the application process. Also, I would rather just put them off since I'm focused on earning my degree right now. I would prefer to do pre-med coursework later.

 

[Lucky Day]

If you're serious and you have good explanation as to why you want become a doctor, you can be ready to apply within 2-3 years. Planning for anything beyond that is creating an artificial time barrier. More towards your question, if you take too long because you're hyper focused on that super high MCAT score, this will likely be evident and not be attractive. Programs want to see you stress tested so they know you can handle their program.

Here's a more boiled down version: You should have great rationale for anything you do going forward. Wanting to build your resume and get a super high MCAT score is not a great rationale. Those things will come automatically if you work hard.

 

[virtussis]

Here's my two cents... For someone who is now "dedicated" to getting into medical school, your OP is certainly telling me the opposite. There are many of my accepted classmates that are undergoing a change in career to get into medical school, and the common theme between them was a robust plan starting day 1. Finishing an arts degree that you have had difficulty finishing in the past however many years prior (which you claim would not help you get into medical school anyway), does not seem like a sound, dedicated plan. If you really do want to complete a bachelor of science, or something more science based, then I would talk to your academic adviser sooner rather than later, and switch your major to something more scientific and start working on that now (I don't recommend this). I would recommend finishing your major, taking the pre-reqs needed to do well on the MCAT/meet admissions requirements (and doing very well on these things), ensuring you have a strong application (ECs, LORs) and applying after that. Taking a long time to matriculate will not look bad, messing around for 5-7 years without fully dedicating yourself to the process will.

This post reads more like someone who thinks he would maybe like to be a doctor someday, instead of someone who has to be a doctor over anything else in the world, and that alone is a red flag.

 

[Goro]

Bottom line:

I'm 26 and will finally be graduating next year with my BA. I also haven't achieved anything in the meantime except going to 3 different colleges, tried probably 6 different programs, and racked up probably 200+ credits.

Okay, but I'm a non-trad though. I'm not in a rush.

I aim to get into med school hopefully by 32.

In the meantime, over the next 5 years I plan to actually build a resume. Hold down a job. Build up my application on the side with volunteering, shadowing, etc.

Also, I won't even bother applying to med school unless my MCAT is very high. I have extremely high standards as that is one area I believe I can and must excel in. So consider my future MCAT to be extremely high if and when I apply.

I am aiming for DO school.

My weakest part is that I've spent my 20s accomplishing nothing and taking forever to finish college which is why I'm non-trad.

Will this make it extremely hard for me?

Will admissions committees throw out my application when they find out I've spent so long doing nothing? Surely they'll be expecting more accomplishments from non-trads.

But I nonetheless still plan to get 5 years of experience in healthcare and volunteering under my belt before I apply, along with an excellent MCAT.

Should I even be worried about this? Or can I just put it behind me and chug along?

I need a see a pattern of academic excellence (and all the other ECs). The path you've been on paints a picture of "professional student"

You can make yourself a good candidate for medical school in a 2-3 year time line.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

To be honest, it doesn't really seem like you want to be a doctor. Why the heck are you putting off applying to med school for that long? You don't need 5 years to build up an application. The huge red flag for me was when you stated that you're going to get a job for those 5 years and build up an application on the SIDE. Obviously med school isn't your first priority, at least right now. You also stated that if your MCAT isn't extremely high you aren't going to even bother applying for med school (excuse me, what!?). Are you absolutely suuuuuure you want to go to med school?

 

[premedbrah]

Bro...

3.3 GPA + 2 years of pre-reqs MAX w/ volunteering and shadowing is all you need (plus a good MCAT). You'll be set up pretty well for at LEAST a mid-tear D.O. and a low to mid tier M.D. You're lucky you figured it out now and get to start with a 3.3, some of us other non-trads aint so lucky! (<3.0 gpa)

 

[gyngyn]

It's a non-science BA. I have some pre-reqs. But by the time I'm ready to apply they might be over a decade old and could be expired in the application process. Also, I would rather just put them off since I'm focused on earning my degree right now. I would prefer to do pre-med coursework later.

Gpa's don't expire (at the large majority of schools) the way MCAT scores do.

 

[Goro]

Don't listen to anyone. If you want to apply after 5 years, then apply after 5. Till then work and build your resume and take only the pre-reqs and don't do major in science. Follow your heart! 1/100 people will give you right advice here. Rest of 99 don't even have their own things together and advising to others.

Some of us work on med school Adcoms.

EDIT: re bolded...says the current podiatric student who is wants to apply to pharm school yet planning on taking the MCAT, because he wants to go to med school...or so you have posted.

 

[Immunodeficient]

Some of us work on med school Adcoms.

EDIT: re bolded...says the current podiatric student who is wants to apply to pharm school yet planning on taking the MCAT, because he wants to go to med school...or so you have posted.

that's a mic drop if I've ever seen one!

 

[deleted879494]

This post reads more like someone who thinks he would maybe like to be a doctor someday, instead of someone who has to be a doctor over anything else in the world, and that alone is a red flag.

True.

 

[deleted879494]

To be honest, it doesn't really seem like you want to be a doctor. Why the heck are you putting off applying to med school for that long?... Are you absolutely suuuuuure you want to go to med school?

I have to think strategically.

Let me add that those numbers are CONSERVATIVE estimates.

Depending on my hustle, which I cannot PLAN as it will come impromptu, that time could be 2 years.

This is just a rough blueprint that allows for all contingencies.

In fact, I disagree with how you characterize it as not being dedicated. I think it's quite the opposite. Most people who are "dedicated" in the sense you are implying -- those all-or-nothing hustlers mostly in trad programs -- wind up dropping out. Their plan is rigid and not robust. One crack at it all falls apart.

My plan allows for complete and utter dedication. I can keep going and going and going until I get in. Maybe I'll be 40. Well, that's some 20 years almost trying to get into med school. That's dedication. Dedication that a flexible plan allows.

As far as the MCAT test score. That is where I can be strong. I didn't imply that I'll give up if my score is low the first time.

 

[deleted879494]

1. Finishing an arts degree that you have had difficulty finishing in the past however many years prior (which you claim would not help you get into medical school anyway), does not seem like a sound, dedicated plan.

No. I was in college for a long time. I was in 3 different programs including engineering and computer science. Those were dropped out of.

My BA major and minor are only 2 years long and I didn't interrupt that.

My major IS definitely better pre-med prep. Besides the soft skills I'm gaining, I'm getting a high GPA.

Science major is pointless for me. It's basic. I only need to know year 1 and 2 level science which I've already taken some of. That stuff just requires consistent memorization and practice, which can mostly be done with self-study.

 

[deleted879494]

Bro...

Thanks brah. Lol.

 

[virtussis]

In fact, I disagree with how you characterize it as not being dedicated. I think it's quite the opposite. Most people who are "dedicated" in the sense you are implying -- those all-or-nothing hustlers mostly in trad programs -- wind up dropping out. Their plan is rigid and not robust. One crack at it all falls apart.

No, they don't, they end up being doctors. You can't half ass this. Being a non-trad is very much a "show me don't tell me" business.

If your plan does work, and someday you are sitting for an interview, you will need to formulate answers to many of the same questions being posted in this thread that are better than the ones you are giving now. Even the student interviewers would eviscerate you to the point where they would be unsure of whether to take you to the staff interviewers, or the cadaver lab.

 

[001002154]

No. I was in college for a long time. I was in 3 different programs including engineering and computer science. Those were dropped out of.

My BA major and minor are only 2 years long and I didn't interrupt that.

My major IS definitely better pre-med prep. Besides the soft skills I'm gaining, I'm getting a high GPA.

Science major is pointless for me. It's basic. I only need to know year 1 and 2 level science which I've already taken some of. That stuff just requires consistent memorization and practice, which can mostly be done with self-study.

Many schools require some upper level sciences, as well. Just something to think about.

 

[Immunodeficient]

Just a thought (I'm a current MS2, in my 30's, and quite non-traditional)... have you thought that you will not have 5+ years to study for and achieve competitive national board scores (NBME Step 1 and 2)? Most schools give you a couple months, after 2 years of rapid and intensive education in everything medicine. Your board scores will matter a great deal more than your MCAT in the long run, a poor score may in fact limit what residencies you can even apply to.

And I know people with very nice MCAT scores, very nice GPA's... and no med school acceptances. (they are career students)

 

[Goro]

Just a thought (I'm a current MS2, in my 30's, and quite non-traditional)... have you thought that you will not have 5+ years to study for and achieve competitive national board scores (NBME Step 1 and 2)? Most schools give you a couple months, after 2 years of rapid and intensive education in everything medicine. Your board scores will matter a great deal more than your MCAT in the long run, a poor score may in fact limit what residencies you can even apply to.

And I know people with very nice MCAT scores, very nice GPA's... and no med school acceptances. (they are career students)

OP, this sums it up quite nicely. You need to demonstrate that you can handle the rigors of medical school. There is a risk that a decelerated approach to reinventing yourself can make people question whether or not you can handle emd school.

I once interviewed a person who took only 1 class a semester for post-bac. We did not accept him.

 

[Robin-jay]

OP, this sums it up quite nicely. You need to demonstrate that you can handle the rigors of medical school. There is a risk that a decelerated approach to reinventing yourself can make people question whether or not you can handle emd school.

I once interviewed a person who took only 1 class a semester for post-bac. We did not accept him.

But he got an interview, so doesn't mean it was just mostly his interview that was not acceptable rather than his coursework patterns?

 

[Goro]

But he got an interview, so doesn't mean it was just mostly his interview that was not acceptable rather than his coursework patterns?

No...with this particular person, it was the concern that they didn't display enough evidence that they could handle med school. Remember, my school (and a number of other DO schools) do not pre-screen. The wily old Admissions dean has different priorities than the Faculty, alas.

 

[Robin-jay]

No...with this particular person, it was the concern that they didn't display enough evidence that they could handle med school. Remember, my school (and a number of other DO schools) do not pre-screen. The wily old Admissions dean has different priorities than the Faculty, alas.

You can earn an interview without showing that you could "academically" handle the work?

Isn't that almost false hope for the applicant?

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

I have to think strategically.

Let me add that those numbers are CONSERVATIVE estimates.

Depending on my hustle, which I cannot PLAN as it will come impromptu, that time could be 2 years.

This is just a rough blueprint that allows for all contingencies.

In fact, I disagree with how you characterize it as not being dedicated. I think it's quite the opposite. Most people who are "dedicated" in the sense you are implying -- those all-or-nothing hustlers mostly in trad programs -- wind up dropping out. Their plan is rigid and not robust. One crack at it all falls apart.

My plan allows for complete and utter dedication. I can keep going and going and going until I get in. Maybe I'll be 40. Well, that's some 20 years almost trying to get into med school. That's dedication. Dedication that a flexible plan allows.

As far as the MCAT test score. That is where I can be strong. I didn't imply that I'll give up if my score is low the first time.

I have to think strategically.

Let me add that those numbers are CONSERVATIVE estimates.

Depending on my hustle, which I cannot PLAN as it will come impromptu, that time could be 2 years.

This is just a rough blueprint that allows for all contingencies.

In fact, I disagree with how you characterize it as not being dedicated. I think it's quite the opposite. Most people who are "dedicated" in the sense you are implying -- those all-or-nothing hustlers mostly in trad programs -- wind up dropping out. Their plan is rigid and not robust. One crack at it all falls apart.

My plan allows for complete and utter dedication. I can keep going and going and going until I get in. Maybe I'll be 40. Well, that's some 20 years almost trying to get into med school. That's dedication. Dedication that a flexible plan allows.

As far as the MCAT test score. That is where I can be strong. I didn't imply that I'll give up if my score is low the first time.

Look OP, I'm not saying that I think that you have to rush the process to be "dedicated". I think that you should apply when you feel that you are extremely prepared. I, however, still don't think that the time you set for yourself should be that long. If you need that amount of time to feel prepared, how are you gonna handle med school.
P.S. This is not an attack.

 

[deleted879494]

No, they don't, they end up being doctors. You can't half ass this. Being a non-trad is very much a "show me don't tell me" business.

The fact is that traditional pre-med has a high dropout rate. A non-trad need not dropout. I don't consider dropping out to be dedication.

 

[deleted879494]

Just a thought (I'm a current MS2, in my 30's, and quite non-traditional)... And I know people with very nice MCAT scores, very nice GPA's... and no med school acceptances. (they are career students)

Good point. That's kind of what I'm worried about.

 

[deleted879494]

OP, this sums it up quite nicely. You need to demonstrate that you can handle the rigors of medical school. There is a risk that a decelerated approach to reinventing yourself can make people question whether or not you can handle emd school.

I once interviewed a person who took only 1 class a semester for post-bac. We did not accept him.

I think this definitely answers it. Thank you.

 

[hall1ms1b]

Hello all. I am a recently returned student and I am also in a similar situation. I did not finish UG 10+ years ago. Currently, I am in a jr. college taking the required pre-req's, which total 7 classes, in order to transfer to a state univ. Now at 88 credits, I am technically a junior; however, I would start university as a junior transfer student. I believe all the classes I take during the 4 semesters at the state univ will be lumped up as one senior year. I am asking if this will also look bad because technically my senior year will be 4 semesters/two years.
(8/2019-->6/2021)

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Hello all. I am a recently returned student and I am also in a similar situation. I did not finish UG 10+ years ago. Currently, I am in a jr. college taking the required pre-req's, which total 7 classes, in order to transfer to a state univ. Now at 88 credits, I am technically a junior; however, I would start university as a junior transfer student. I believe all the classes I take during the 4 semesters at the state univ will be lumped up as one senior year. I am asking if this will also look bad because technically my senior year will be 4 semesters/two years.
(8/2019-->6/2021)

I had 211 credits before my post-bacc. So my senior year was as much as a full bachelors degree. You’re fine.

 

[Magus5454]

I had 211 credits before my post-bacc. So my senior year was as much as a full bachelors degree. You’re fine.

I graduated with 195 and over a period of about 12 years