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I wanted to just stick with DO schools but people keep telling me since I'm an URM, I should still try for MD schools. So I guess I'll be doing both.
What is URM??
I wanted to just stick with DO schools but people keep telling me since I'm an URM, I should still try for MD schools. So I guess I'll be doing both.
I'm a software engineer and worked for 8 years before starting my postbacc last Fall. Even then I've been working part-time all year because once I finally make it into medical school, it's going to be a miserable decade of studying and working for below minimum wage. This is my only chance to earn/save money for a long while.Hey everyone! Does anybody have any ideas or tips on how to pay for school as a post-bacc? How are you guys doing it without taking any loans? Once you get your first degree it is hard to get any aid besides loans in texas. I still haven't paid off my loans from my previous degree.
Hey I'm still working part time so I am going to be on a payment plan and using tuition assistance, but honestly if I didn't have that I would go back as a 2nd degree student and qualify for aid that way , just taking the classes I need. Only thing with that is you are obligated to follow rules about prerequisites or term limitsHey everyone! Does anybody have any ideas or tips on how to pay for school as a post-bacc? How are you guys doing it without taking any loans? Once you get your first degree it is hard to get any aid besides loans in texas. I still haven't paid off my loans from my previous degree.
Hi everyone, been having some thoughts lately. I'm questioning my plan of action for medical school. I was hoping for any kind of advice and am open to everything. My GPA is 2.8x and am struggling with determining a goal after graduating. I was a chemistry major and then switched to pharmaceutical sciences (instead of p chem + lab, we take med chem + pharmacology) to take extra classes and boost my GPA if, theoretically, I kill these remaining classes. It would raise my GPA to a 3.2x. I'm having doubts now because I work full-time night shifts and I often feel burned out to do anything. I'm living in northeast Ohio and found a post-bacc program at NEOMED that's partnered with Cleveland State University. Essentially, you apply to the program, take classes full-time at CSU while maintaining a GPA of 3.4 and must receive at least a 500 on the MCAT. After the 2 years, you will be automatically enrolled into NEOMED's medical school. I've been thinking about this program a lot and wanted to get other's opinions on it. I would much rather do this than finish the rest of my degree in 2 years, possibly struggle with my stats, landing interviews, and save myself from rejections. If I could start my GPA repair earlier, I'm more in favor of that and if can have a guaranteed spot into medical school, I'd be in love with that. I'm still fairly young but don't want to start medical school at 29. I'd like to start between 25 and 27, this way I finish medical school between 29 and 31 and residency by 33 and 35 (rough estimates of course).
What's your opinion on this?
1. Finish the degree I'm in, graduate in 2 years, and hope for the best?
2. Find a degree plan that'll allow me to graduate next year and apply to this program?
3. Some other magical, unicorn plan?
I'll take any/all judgments/insults/feedback necessary. I'll need everything you got. You guys are my motivation. I love reading about the success stories in this thread.
Thank you so much.
Post Baccalaureate/M.D. | NEOMED - College of Medicine
What an inspiring thread! Thanks to all who post here. Seeking a little advice from my fellow non-trads
Female/ORM, Texas resident
Undergrad: 2012, BA Biology, 3.29 cGPA/2.96 sGPA
Grad: 2015, MHA, 4.0 GPA
Solid ECs/clinical shadowing/no research
Been working in a major academic medical center in Patient Experience/hospital management since graduation.
Obviously I'll need to rock the MCAT (admittedly, no guarantees for future performance). Any suggestions on a target GPA to shoot for through a DIY postbacc? All my prereqs were finished in undergrad, so I'm free as a bird to take anything I need to. I know Texas resident + low stats may hurt, but I'm patient in however long this may take to become a solid competitive applicant.
Thanks to all of you for some great, inspiring reads and advice-giving!
What an inspiring thread! Thanks to all who post here. Seeking a little advice from my fellow non-trads
Female/ORM, Texas resident
Undergrad: 2012, BA Biology, 3.29 cGPA/2.96 sGPA
Grad: 2015, MHA, 4.0 GPA
Solid ECs/clinical shadowing/no research
Been working in a major academic medical center in Patient Experience/hospital management since graduation.
Obviously I'll need to rock the MCAT (admittedly, no guarantees for future performance). Any suggestions on a target GPA to shoot for through a DIY postbacc? All my prereqs were finished in undergrad, so I'm free as a bird to take anything I need to. I know Texas resident + low stats may hurt, but I'm patient in however long this may take to become a solid competitive applicant.
Thanks to all of you for some great, inspiring reads and advice-giving!
@SkiBum8 @parslea
Thank you both. Aceing a couple of science classes to bring my sGPA up as high as possible seems the way to go. Hoping the MHA will help, but I'm not holding out TOO much hope there. Would ya'lls (can you tell I'm from Texas?) advice stay the same even knowing how much Texas schools like their high stats?
Hi everyone!
I am currently a "sophomore" in college, preparing to transfer out of a community college.
Long story short, I attended a public university out of high school, but due to many factors in my life, messed up terribly my complete first year and ended up with a 0.622 GPA after enrolling into 27 units.
I was working full time for a few years and returned to school through a community college. Early on, I took a couple of science prereqs (General Chem and Bio), was not ready to transition back into school, and ended with C's in both. So, I tried selling myself on the idea of nursing and I ended up completing all of the prerequisites, ending up first in my class in all of them. I obviously know that the prereqs to get into Medical School are extremely difficult, but the nursing prereqs were just too easy for me, that I don't feel accomplished. I guess this gave me a bit of hope to pursue the path to becoming a DO. I've been wanting to be an ObGyn since I was in high school (I was an AP/Honors student), but having a child at such a young age completely discouraged me from even wanting to try. I just got all of my acceptance letters into all the nursing programs I applied to and regret to admit that I had no sense of excitement when receiving them.
Right now, I have a 3.67 GPA. I attempted averaging out both GPA's and figured in the case that I miraculously earn A's in the rest of the prereqs, I may end up with a cumulative GPA of 3.3. Is this even an acceptable GPA to get into a DO program?
Thanks in advance!
If you're willing to put in 2+ years of extremely hard work in taking all the prereqs, retaking any prereqs that you already have a C- or below in, and gaining significant clinical experience, clinical and non-clinical volunteer hours in, then it is not too late. People commonly say that it is a marathon, not a sprint. I recommend gaining at least 50+ hours clinical experience first in a variety of settings to make sure you really want to commit years of your life to achieving a shot at admission into medical school. I would use the search function to find DrMidLife's posts about coming back from a very low GPA and to gain a sense of the kind of commitment it takes to get to med school from where you are at. If you want to do something clinical that is less insanely difficult to get to, there are also a number of alternatives you can consider: DPM, RN, ARNP, nurse anesthetist, PA, optometry, etc. Just listing them in case you are not aware of all of those professions.So this is going to be a long story but bear with me folks, for I desperately need your help. A long time ago I was in high school and considered an advanced student. Due to modern television and film, I thought this meant I was a genius and didn't have to study anything ever. I graduated with solid grades, and in my first semester at college got destroyed by chem 1 and managed to scrape out a C. The next semester I took Chem 2 saw it was going to be another C and withdrew from it early. Discouraged that I probably wouldn't be accepted by any med school based on the C's, I switched to an English degree and the law school route and decided I would underachieve my way through life ( no offense anyone just not my first option). I wanted to be a doctor in the first place since basically every family member I have has developed cancer in some form, including my fiancée, and I want to help people that feel my pain and theirs. Fast forward two years, I am about to graduate in like 10 days with a 3.1in english but another cancer diagnosis in my uncle has given me a light bulb moment that nothing in life is easy and I need to suck it up and try again for med school. With the ugly history in chemistry and the flip flop degree change, is it too late?
Well thank you for being candid, I believe I can do the aforementioned things. Would it be better to re take the pre reqs before or after the associates degree? Not sure if it would be viewed differently if I put off graduating for a while to do them before moving on.If you're willing to put in 2+ years of extremely hard work in taking all the prereqs, retaking any prereqs that you already have a C- or below in, and gaining significant clinical experience, clinical and non-clinical volunteer hours in, then it is not too late. People commonly say that it is a marathon, not a sprint. I recommend gaining at least 50+ hours clinical experience first in a variety of settings to make sure you really want to commit years of your life to achieving a shot at admission into medical school. I would use the search function to find DrMidLife's posts about coming back from a very low GPA and to gain a sense of the kind of commitment it takes to get to med school from where you are at. If you want to do something clinical that is less insanely difficult to get to, there are also a number of alternatives you can consider: DPM, RN, ARNP, nurse anesthetist, PA, optometry, etc. Just listing them in case you are not aware of all of those professions.
A friend of mine just invited me to his graduation ceremony. He's officially going to become a doctor. Sigh...I am happy for him. I am. I want to make haste but I can't. I have to make sure I kill it in my post-bac and Mcat. In 2 yrs l will land an acceptance and post it here.
I don't think the order is particularly important. As long as you have all the prereqs and a degree at application time, should be looked at the same, just to my knowledge anyway. Perhaps there would be some benefit to taking upper level courses most proximal to your application to demonstrate that you are ready now, but with good grades in prereqs and the last couple years of your bachelor's degree, that is probably not important.Well thank you for being candid, I believe I can do the aforementioned things. Would it be better to re take the pre reqs before or after the associates degree? Not sure if it would be viewed differently if I put off graduating for a while to do them before moving on.
Hey guys need help and guidance. Gonna give brief history and let me know what you think my options are.
Beginning: Overall GPA Below 2.0
Went to a NY private school on the Island and basically had a horrible career. I couldn't stay for entire lecture and studying was not an option without having painful migraines. I was able to pass my regular course with Average grades ranging from C's to A's but was not able to pass my main science courses, just Bio 1 and Chem 1. During the end of my first semester as a freshman found that the daily migraines were due to a macro adenoma in my pituitary gland. Became very depressed on the low possibility of a chance at medical school and my condition also gained 60 pounds in the process.
Middle: Overall 3.0 GPA
Advised by student dean to take a year off for surgery, but decided to start over at local community college with only a few credits transferring. Bio and Chem were still difficult to and medical condition was still an issue. Was able to graduate with a B average and things started looking up with medical issues subdued with great medication treatment plan.
Present: Overall 3.0 GPA
Having one lapse in health insurance coverage resulted in severe migraines and irregular symptoms caused one horrible semester at Stony Brook. Then enrolled in Stony Brook's Health Science Program. Decided to the Healthcare Informatics concentration. I have recently been accepted to a masters in healthcare informatics program, but still want to do medicine.
The Issue:
I still have about 8 pre requisite courses left to take and want to begin doing post bacc 1 or 2 courses at a time while working full time. I wouldn't begin until after I graduate from the masters program.
What do you think my chances are with A's and B's in the remaining courses. I have no MCAT score yet and ecc's include:
Oncology Volunteer
Work at a Northwell health facility
Will begin Shadowing my PCP
Please help me finding a starting point also any and all suggestions on studying habit changes and any aspect of this journey is much appreciated. Thank you in advance to all suggestions
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Hey Bado,
So your not off by much. 3.0 is not bad just keep going.
I would say shoot for All A's don't say B's. B's are always the backup plan.
I started a blog last year that features tips and advice for studying skills and I continually update it with new tips. I also recently have a coauthor who was recently accepted into medical school! She will also be contributing tips and advice as well. Here is a post of very basic study tips I have used to help me go from a 2.1 GPA to getting 4.0 in my last 2 years. How to Study. (The Basics)
I will be posting very soon more specific study tips for the pre-requisite courses. But bottom line really is that you have to reevaluate how you study constantly. Also not all the same techniques work for each class.
Best,
Cristina
Supermommd.org
Hello fellow non-trads!
Officially joining this thread as a "freshman"-ish but I messed up my first time in college, I started 15 credits in beginner cosmetology courses after high school in 2010 and due to my own stupidity got an FX grade for all of them because I stopped showing up, I was depressed and pregnant at 18.
Now at 26 I will be starting college as a freshman in the fall if all goes as planned.
I have taken 9 credits (Engl and EMT-b), got a 4.0 and brought my GPA from a 0.0 to about a ~1.5. I know this is still really really low
My plan as of now is to maintain an A in all classes taken from here on out and to possibly use Texas Fresh start in 2020 since I took the cosmetology courses in Spring 2010.
Hope to keep myself accountable since it's up here on the interwebz and to update in the future
I have a 2.95 cGPA right now with just 2 semesters left to go. If I finish strong my cGPA may raise to about 3.10. I believe the only thing that I have done right is my sGPA 3.7. Everything seems to be riding on my MCAT now.
I just hate my cGPA. 11 year ago I stopped showing up to college and took 5 F's.
If your going into this as a Freshman and have only 15 credits you will be just fine! You have plenty of time to fix your grades. It's when you have a ton of credits that it makes it really hard to fix your GPA. For instance i went in with a 2.11 GPA with 112 credits. about 60+ credits later and sitting at a 2.65 only a 0.54 difference.
Just keep pushing along you will get to your goal. Remember B's are only Plan B. Stick with Plan A and get all A's.
Best of Luck,
Cristina
Supermommd.org
That was a long time ago. I graduated with a 3.8 sGPA and a 3.2 cGPA after a few roadbumps. I held up my app to do the Texas academic Fresh Start at the 2016 mark (bad grades) which was a pain in the butt, but my verified TMDSAS cGPA raised to about 3.78. Did 507 on the MCAT. I applied a little late-ish to the Texas schools got accepted to TCOM.
I only filled out one oos secondary because I wanted to stay in TX.
Yeehaw
I might add that when I joined this site in 2011 I posted a WAMC in phe-pharm forums, because I was thinking medical school was just a pipe dream. I thought pharmacy school was a reach when I left the Army to start school.
I just spoke with an advisor who told me that Texas Fresh Start is only applicable to people who do not take any college courses for 10 years.
My understanding was that Fresh Start removes every credit that's over 10 years old; independently of any educational hiatus.
This topic always creates confusion when I bring it up with advisors.
Who's right?
That would make zero sense for FS to only apply to students who haven't taken classes for ten years.
Also I recall reading of someone who did their Bachelor's and then enrolled in one class under fresh start at a new institution and they got into medical school.
Perhaps that adviser doesn't know what they are talking about. I have experienced confusion with advisors as well, I would try and find someone who possibly has experience handling FS previously...
Many of the enrollment people interpret it that way, but you can look it up yourself and play lawyer while you research the Texas Bill online. It IS confusing and be prepared to be told no by enrollment offices, but it's a Texas Bill. I was told no a few times after speaking with several people in the same office and they eventually did it my way, despite telling me that's not how it worked. Well, like I said, it was a pain in the butt and took careful timing.I just spoke with an advisor who told me that Texas Fresh Start is only applicable to people who do not take any college courses for 10 years.
My understanding was that Fresh Start removes every credit that's over 10 years old; independently of any educational hiatus.
This topic always creates confusion when I bring it up with advisors.
Who's right?
Does anyone know where I can find out what the thresholds are for being pre-screened for DO schools. They don't seem to have that readily available anywhere on their website, which would make sense... why risk losing a primary applicant fee right? Any help would be really appreciated. I just came across this forum and I'll certainly continue looking on my own and updating here if I find anything out!
I just thought I'd share my good news today, (cumulative 3.01 atm, but may drop after this semester). I got into my 1st pick master's program at DMU, studying biomedical sciences. I'm hoping to do really well there, kill the MCAT next year and get into medical school! Very Excited!
Say I have 136 hours accumulated with a 2.55 GPA. How much would 60 more hours of a 3.9 GPA (196 total hours) bring my gpa up?
I wish someone made a weighted gpa calculator online...hm...
You can the full story from early in this thread, but in short, I went to undergrad straight from high school and didn't take it seriously at all, and I accumulated a lot of F's. I then joined the mil, then later decided to pursue medical school, and started chipping away at my undergrad. I got basically straight A's for about 90 credit hours to finish my degree. But the damage had been done, and my AMCAS GPA was only about 2.9/3.1. I didn't destroy the MCAT but I did pretty average.
Just some quick back of the envelope math, adding 60 units of As to your GPA would get you to 2.88, and of course, that is assuming you get 100% As, which isn't always realistic. At 2.88, it is going to be extremely hard for you to get past screens, especially at MD schools and upper tier DO. Most that I was able to find data on when I applied screened at 3.0 or 3.2. I think you should either think about taking more units, which obviously has diminishing returns, or look into a special masters program during your app year, especially the ones at DO schools. When you apply, focus heavily on DO, your MD state school if it is extra receptive to in state applicants. The path is not impossible, but make sure that you absolutely do get As in your classes, do well on the MCAT, and the usual apply early+have a good personal statement+prewrite secondaries.Ah, a place to call home in SDN. You guys continuously inspire me with your stories! I've been a long-time lurker, but it's finally time to come into the light (of your computer screen, hehe). I'm going to try to keep my story short, but would appreciate any advice:
26 y/o who graduated with cGPA 2.6, sGPA 2.0 under a science degree with 238 units. As many of you have described your transcripts, mine is also full of red flags: F's, repeats, withdraws, and gaps in my undergrad career. My longest absence from school was 1 year, before I headed back to complete my degree. During that time, I did research. In the darkest of times, my project was truly the only thing that kept me focused on becoming a physician. Came back to finish undergrad and got some recognition from our med school for my research. At this time, was diagnosed with a medical condition, which explained many of my earlier academic struggles. But by then, I was starting my last year of undergrad. So after 8 years of on-again, off-again schooling, I graduated. Really wish I could say there was an upward trend, but I was burnt out.
I have strong ECs, clinical experience, and LORs. Open to DO/MD. Currently work in the ED. Planning to do a DIY post-bacc (~60 units upper-division science coursework) starting this summer. I've figured out better study habits, and I know I can push out a strong MCAT and strong upward trend now that I've had this year to myself.
I'm wondering, what should I plan for? Ideally, would like to apply June 2018 if everything works out, but I understand it's a marathon, and not a race, and am perfectly fine doing two years of post-bacc work. I'm also afraid of getting screened out by my GPA, so I guess I would have to apply to schools that stress holistic app reviews if I'm set on June 2018, and hope the strong upward trend and MCAT score is what they appreciate? I ask because I love my job, but need to decide now whether to stay or leave. If I can push a June 2018 app cycle, then I will leave it to focus full-time on post-bacc work and the MCAT. If I need to think about two years of post-bacc, then I will have to figure out how to work on weekends, and adjust my coursework from there.
Again, totally fine with going slow and steady until I'm at my best to apply. Thanks guys! Really happy to have found this thread.
Just wanted to thank everyone for the support all around.
I am currently a senior at Northwestern, set to graduate in a month, and have done terribly throughout my undergrad career. I will not blame depression or health issues because both for me could have been entirely preventable. I do not want to find excuses for my poor performance, as it is entirely unjustified.
My cGPA is a 2.3 (yes, you read that right) and my science GPA is a 2.1. I have not taken the MCAT ever.
Although I am majoring in Biological Sciences, I had no intention of going to any professional school until recently, and foolishly aimed for the bare minimum to graduate. After experiencing my first shade of difficulty freshman year, I was resigned to having average to low grades, and believed my grades could not be changed. I gave up before even trying, and I beat myself up over it constantly. There is little to no upward trend in my grades.
I know many of you will question my motivation and work ethic. I question it myself as well, but I want advice and possibly a general path to follow for the coming years that I know will be difficult.
A post-bacc is in my future, but I do not know which type to apply to.
Do I take all pre-med requirements again, or just upper-level courses? I cannot apply to any structured post-baccs due to the low GPA, so do I just ask any school whether I can take classes there? What about SMPs, which many require an MCAT score for?
I understand that obviously a future medicine in my current situation is unrealistic. What I am asking is, what should I do to change that?