- Joined
- Nov 5, 2010
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My question is quite strange and thus I don't really know where to post it. First a little background
School: I am pushing 30 and so am closing in on the cut off age for active military duty in many of the branches. I have a BS in Biology (GPA 2.7), an MBA in Healthservice Admin. (GPA 3.3), and am currently in my final semester of a 4 year postbacc (GPA 3.5). Note I am not entirely certain what my cumulative sGPA is because I have MCBP classes from 4 different schools and have had classes on quarters, trimesters, and semesters systems but it should be approximately 2.6, rather dismal. The last time I took the MCAT was about 3 years ago so this is the last year for my scores before I have to retake them (highest was a 29R most recent was a 28R). Numbers wise I'm not looking too hot I know.
EC: I have experience working in a hospital as a transporter but it is very long ago (2007) and only lasted 3 months. Since 2007 I have always had work except for one semester (gotta pay the bills and what not). I was able to volunteer for 1 month at a hospital (was shooing for the whole summer but personal reasons forced me to leave way early). I have no shadowing experience but have some recent research experience.
Needless to say this last application cycle I have yet to hear any really good news. Still hoping for an interview but as it is almost February I'm not holding my breath. I now have two options and must choose one.
Option 1:
Currently I have a guaranteed position in the MBBS program at Fudan University in China as kind of a back up. Problem is I haven't really heard many good things about the Chinese medical education system and am also wary of the difficulties coming back into the states to practice. To top it off the program is 6 years no assurance of residency or ability to pass the USMLE. This opportunity doesn't last as I am also told that there is a maximum cut off age here which is supposedly 30.
Option 2:
Now the alternative is to enlist or commission as an active duty officer in one of the military branches for a minimum of 4 years (medical officer is preferable). If possible I would entertain the thought of taking classes while active, ideally simple MCBP classes for the sGPA. Obviously I would have to retake the MCATs at the end and then reapply and again hope. Here I would be giving up a guaranteed medical education for the hopes of a better one. Again like I stated earlier there is a cut off age here to, it differs by branch, but the median is 30.
I've sunk so much time into this path and feel that running away from medicine is akin to giving up, which is not in my nature. I've already set up an appointment with an AF recruiter and will definitely ask about the ability to take one or two classes per semester while active. Maybe you guys have some insight or know something that I don't about the MBBS program and nontraditional applicants. Thanks in advance.
School: I am pushing 30 and so am closing in on the cut off age for active military duty in many of the branches. I have a BS in Biology (GPA 2.7), an MBA in Healthservice Admin. (GPA 3.3), and am currently in my final semester of a 4 year postbacc (GPA 3.5). Note I am not entirely certain what my cumulative sGPA is because I have MCBP classes from 4 different schools and have had classes on quarters, trimesters, and semesters systems but it should be approximately 2.6, rather dismal. The last time I took the MCAT was about 3 years ago so this is the last year for my scores before I have to retake them (highest was a 29R most recent was a 28R). Numbers wise I'm not looking too hot I know.
EC: I have experience working in a hospital as a transporter but it is very long ago (2007) and only lasted 3 months. Since 2007 I have always had work except for one semester (gotta pay the bills and what not). I was able to volunteer for 1 month at a hospital (was shooing for the whole summer but personal reasons forced me to leave way early). I have no shadowing experience but have some recent research experience.
Needless to say this last application cycle I have yet to hear any really good news. Still hoping for an interview but as it is almost February I'm not holding my breath. I now have two options and must choose one.
Option 1:
Currently I have a guaranteed position in the MBBS program at Fudan University in China as kind of a back up. Problem is I haven't really heard many good things about the Chinese medical education system and am also wary of the difficulties coming back into the states to practice. To top it off the program is 6 years no assurance of residency or ability to pass the USMLE. This opportunity doesn't last as I am also told that there is a maximum cut off age here which is supposedly 30.
Option 2:
Now the alternative is to enlist or commission as an active duty officer in one of the military branches for a minimum of 4 years (medical officer is preferable). If possible I would entertain the thought of taking classes while active, ideally simple MCBP classes for the sGPA. Obviously I would have to retake the MCATs at the end and then reapply and again hope. Here I would be giving up a guaranteed medical education for the hopes of a better one. Again like I stated earlier there is a cut off age here to, it differs by branch, but the median is 30.
I've sunk so much time into this path and feel that running away from medicine is akin to giving up, which is not in my nature. I've already set up an appointment with an AF recruiter and will definitely ask about the ability to take one or two classes per semester while active. Maybe you guys have some insight or know something that I don't about the MBBS program and nontraditional applicants. Thanks in advance.
