Non-Trad roll call

[emtbrady]

1) emtbrady is my screenname
2) Will apply in 2017
I am 34 years old, married, 4 kids. Kicked around applying to medical school for over a decade. Have lots of clinical experience (ICU tech, EMT), but ended up going into business. Just graduated with my MBA last year - I work at a hospital as a Senior Analyst. Will start working on pre-reqs this year (the ones I haven't already done). Facing very steep uphill battle to get in - will probably go DO. Not sure my wife is supportive - I make good money, have a family, but I am in the wrong career. Want to be an ER Physician or Pediatrician. Hoping to find others that are as old as me that will tell me I am not insanely crazy!!

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[velodork]

1) emtbrady is my screenname
2) Will apply in 2017
I am 34 years old, married, 4 kids. Kicked around applying to medical school for over a decade. Have lots of clinical experience (ICU tech, EMT), but ended up going into business. Just graduated with my MBA last year - I work at a hospital as a Senior Analyst. Will start working on pre-reqs this year (the ones I haven't already done). Facing very steep uphill battle to get in - will probably go DO. Not sure my wife is supportive - I make good money, have a family, but I am in the wrong career. Want to be an ER Physician or Pediatrician. Hoping to find others that are as old as me that will tell me I am not insanely crazy!!

Awesome! My best advice would be to take it slow until you are certain you have the support of your wife. IMO Medical school is not worth potentially damaging a family dynamic over, especially with kids in the picture.

 

[SunnyCCM]

Have to agree. Be grateful for what you have. There are some who have sacrificed relationships/potential family to get to the medical "dream career" and look back wondering what if... And some that push thru only for devastating consequences down the road of painful results, alimony, support payments ect.... Think this one thru my friend. If being a physician is truly your passion and family support is there then go for it!

 

[jl80]

jl80

Applying this year (next cycle)...just anxiously waiting for my MCAT score to come back in 17 days. I'm not counting or anything...

I'm 34, married, and a proud mother of a 10 year old. I have a BS in psychology, completed in 2002, with (naive) intentions to go into psychiatry. However life happened, I got married and I chose to be a stay at home mommy for a while. I ended up going into accounting after escaping a toxic marriage, met my (now) husband in corporate America and quit my office job to start a small business with him. Long story short, we sold the business due to his health, and I decided to pursue my dreams and go to medical school with my husband's full support. I have been a patient care tech in an ED for the past 2 1/2 years, while doing a DIY post-bac. I'm SO excited that the application process is finally in my near future!

 

[Jeremy2019]

Jeremy2019
Married, mother of 4, 36 yrs old. Have graduate work in unrelated sciences decided to pursue medicine about a year an half ago with full support of hubby and family. I am almost done with prerequisites, retook MCAT this month and waiting to get results in about three weeks. I will be applying this cycle. GPA 3.7, sGPA4.0, last MCAT 25, URM-AA.

 

[D4C]

Non trads are the best. There's too much of the straight to medical school from college without having had any significant life experience. You guys bring a lot to the table and I hope you all succeed in your adventures in medicine.

 

[GoPens]

-GoPens (but seriously, go Pens!)

-Hoping to apply in 2017 or 2018 depending on how class scheduling works out

-Currently working full-time in public health as an emergency planner/infectious disease epidemiologist with an MPH. Was pre-med for a bit in college so have half my pre-reqs done. Just started my remaining pre-reqs, and am super excited! I opted for the public health route for a while, and while I'm very passionate about public health, I'd love the opportunity to further public health from the role of a physician. 25 currently and will be about 30 by matriculation if all goes according to plan.

It's really cool to see such a wide range of backgrounds on here. Good luck to all!

 

[Family practice PA]

I'm 35 YO, family practice physician assistant, practicing just over 2 years.

I just took the MCATs and got a 34. I was a nuclear medicine tech for 5 years before that, and graduated with an art degree in 2002. My undergrad GPA wasn't impressive (3.29), but my GPA for prereqs for nuc med (A&P, physics), nuc med, and master's GPA were much better (3.8, 3.92, 3.88 respectively). I will be applying in June.

I'm not sure how my grades will be interpreted. It seems like my most recent degree (PA) has more relevance than the chemistry that I took in 1998, but who knows. I wonder if med schools will allow for some flexibility in prerequisites, as I have not taken biochemistry, molecular biology, or genetics, but I have a lot of clinical experience. Does anyone have any advice?

Are there any other PAs out there applying to medical school?

 

[Bucopharynx]

Fairly straight up:

-Who you are (screenname)

-How long till you apply

-Anything else you wish to share




And go:

-Bucopharynx

-Shipping out for US Army Reserve BCT and advanced training as a Combat Medic later this year, taking the MCAT after AIT and applying to med sch in about two years, all things being equal.

- A licensed blood banker, graduated college spring 2014, my current civilian job is in transfusion medicine in a large hospital.

Nice to meet everyone.

 

[Bucopharynx]

Embarking on my GPA redemption tomorrow and I'm excited!
I'm following DrMidlife's low GPA guide. I'm only taking Cell Biology (4 credits) while working 2 transporter jobs (prn)
I dropped the ER tech position (full-time) don't want to jeopardize my success
I plan on killing this class and taking CHEM II Lab and Physics II in the summer.

oh and won't be on sdn for a good while. No distractions as from tomorrow.

Hey whats the DrMidlife's low GPA guide? How can i access it?Im also really interested in following the guide.

Thanks.

 

[Kvasir]

One thing to look into is the Army having a PA program as well, if you decide down that route. I seem to recall they had some sort of program for recruiting in-ranks for it if that's an interest too.

That said, good luck with the medic route! My BCT was full of medics, and I've been to San Antonio a few times and really liked Ft. Sam Houston etc when I saw it. Things could change but if you stick it out down the line...well..as I said, always have a soft spot for vets/military non-trads.

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

-Bucopharynx

-Shipping out for US Army Reserve BCT and advanced training as a Combat Medic later this year, taking the MCAT after AIT and applying to med sch in about two years, all things being equal.

- A licensed blood banker, graduated college spring 2014, my current civilian job is in transfusion medicine in a large hospital.

Nice to meet everyone.

Best of luck to you friend

 

[Ol'Lady]

Ol'Lady

30-something year old Med Tech that works at a reference lab.

And I think shadowing is weird for non-trads. I know it's a good idea and all

 

[velodork]

Ol'Lady

30-something year old Med Tech that works at a reference lab.

And I think shadowing is weird for non-trads. I know it's a good idea and all

I tend to agree, but I also have a semi-clinical hospital job. I may or may not have time to shadow a bit before I apply (just to say I did) but if I don't I feel like all of the other Healthcare experience will suffice.

 

[teambert]

We'll see.

 

[QuentinT88]

Father of two, married, applied this year after three years of finishing pre-reqs one class at a time. LizzyM of 70.

Applied 10 places, 4 interviews. Haven't heard back from two, expecting to any time now, the other two are scheduled in Feb and March.

I'm taking my last pre-req now, physics II, and I really don't like it. I don't like it, being at a school where I feel old, and I'm burned out on taking pre-reqs in general. I'm so so so done with this.

Hoping to go into the military to help finance this adventure.

I hear you on that. Good luck this cycle

 

[biologiayespanol]

Hello all!
Spanish major, that turned pre-med late in the game.
Applying to a graduate Spanish program right now.
Hopefully applying to med school in 2016.
Si, se puede!!

 

[Bucopharynx]

I always thought the term "combat medic" was strange. Are you a combat medic before you serve in combat?

You are actually very correct. We tend to use 'Combat medic' very loosely.

The actual MOS is Healthcare Specialist. Immediately after training we are just Medics, most of us work at military hospitals and the VA, only those lucky (on not) enough to get on line become combat medics.

 

[Bucopharynx]

I know, I'm just teasing. I spent a decent amount of time as a medic "on the line" as they say and really enjoyed it. Be safe and smart in San Antonio, many careers have been ended there before they've even started.

Haha!... You got me sir!!..Nice.

Thanks, ill try to be at my best behavior.

 

[NonTradJp]

NonTradJp

Hello all, I'm 32 and a Father of two and Husband of one. Nice to meet you.

 

[Darth Doc]

One thing to look into is the Army having a PA program as well, if you decide down that route. I seem to recall they had some sort of program for recruiting in-ranks for it if that's an interest too.

He's reserve. There's not a lot of money for schools right now. We're being told that "with the current command climate" that even required schools for enlisted to become NCOs are hard to come by in the National Guard. The Army does have a PA program, but it's always been hard to get into, even before the lack of money for reserve/guard schools. That being said, I do know someone who is in her second year there now from the Guard.

The military also has USUHS, an HPSP scholarship program, and other money to pay for medical school through the National Guard. There's more money available for medical school than PA school.

 

[wannaBMdee]

Hi ALL- I'm wannaBMdee... brand spanking new to SDN.

I turn 30 this year and my goal is to start med school in 2017 when I'm 32. I guess that means I'll be 36 when I graduate and facing 40 when I finish residency. YIKES! But, better late than never!

I currently work in business consulting and I'm doing an evening post-bacc program at Berkeley. It's good to meet you all!

 

[C.S. Peirce]

Hello

C.S. Peirce

Applied 2014-2015...will matriculate in the fall of 2015 (age 30)

Soon to be married to a wonderful person who (unfortunately) goes to school two time zones away. Former military officer. Enjoys running long distances.

 

[NonTrad16]

-NonTrad16
-Summer 2015
-BS/MS in Engineering, some years working in a non-clinical lab, some publications from my UG and grad school, and mainly hoping schools appreciate the rigor and 'non-grad' status to offset my c/sGPA's (between 3.4-3.5 depending on how you calculate it, wish the >3.9x graduate GPA would count too!). I'm currently working, volunteering, taking prerequisites, and about to start a Princeton Review course for MCAT preparation. Planning to take the MCAT in May, applying to MD and some DO programs.

Watching the anxiety on these boards the past few months has made me fearful for next year.

 

[medic86]

I know, I'm just teasing. I spent a decent amount of time as a medic "on the line" as they say and really enjoyed it. Be safe and smart in San Antonio, many careers have been ended there before they've even started.

.

I was never a line medic, so I'd never call myself a combat medic.

 

[mommy2three]

Not all of us who still hang out here (albeit very quietly with Pom poms in hand) are still in the process of applying

Back to my corner with my icu book

 

[sedgeshaveedges]

.

 

[banana_phone]

Hi everyone!

Gribear
24 years old, graduated college with a BS in Education. Now doing a DIY post-bacc at the University of Minnesota
Will be applying in 2016, for matriculation Fall 2017! So excited/nervous/anxious/can't wait for the process

 

[aspiringXdoc]

Hi guys,

AspiringXdoc
29 years old married to the most beautiful woman in the world and father to a one year old adorable boy.
Currently working as a Data Analyst
B.A. in Public Administration
2.789 GPA (aiming for all A's on prereq courses)
Will start DIY prereqs this summer
Will apply in 2017

 

[Polkadotfan]

mrsS
Young, but mom to one!
Hoping to shove the rest of my pre-reqs in next 3 semesters, take MCAT next year and apply then.
2 yrs CC online
now 2.5 at a University.

 

[Deja_Entendu]

-Who you are: Deja_Entendu, RN in an ICU, just beginning my pre-med journey.

-How long till you apply: If all goes according to plan, I will be applying in June 2018.

 

[shannonigans]

• shannonigans
• Applying during the 2016/2017 cycle (hoping to matriculate Fall 2017)
• Currently knocking out science pre-reqs (1 semester down, 4 more to go), but will probably do a Masters program while applying to medical schools
• About Me: Graduated with a BA with Honors in Humanities (I wrote my senior dissertation on Marilyn Monroe on Pop Art) and spent about 5 years flopping around trying different things including cosmetology (I can do hairz! legally!), public relations, and digital marketing. I currently own my own digital marketing company and Tweet to pay the bills while completing the pre-reqs I need to take the MCAT. I'm also trying to figure out how to squeeze in shadowing/volunteering/research into my schedule and what should take priority!
• I'm currently interested in PM&R and my goal is to attend med school in DC.

(and i really like scruffy dogs)

 

[CajunMedic]

CajunMedic
Halfway through OMS-1
37 years old. I was in EMS for 12 years, everything from a Dispatcher to Paramedic Field Supervisor. Married to another Medic with an 18 year old daughter, 2 dogs, and 3 cats!
Planning on a career in EM and EMS medical direction.

Welcome to everyone, good luck, and hang on for the ride-it's quicker than you think!

(I really should be studying neurophysiology right now...)

 

[Komorebi2]

I love this thread already! Hi everyone! So nice to meet you.

Komorebi2

Applying this year! Yikes! So nervous.

Artist and public health worker.

I am really looking forward to this cycle!

 

[lunalight]

Luna

MS2

31 y/o successful GPA reform case, worked as a medical assistant for 6 yrs before med school. Currently having a major insomnia relapse due to an upcoming pharm exam. (Oh, and step in < 2 mo )

 

[Doug Underhill]

I'm Doug

Ph.D student in a biology-related field who will be defending this year from a top school

Applying this year

3.7 in undergrad, ****ty graduate GPA of 3.4, 37 MCAT.

 

[glepurple]

28 year old returning to finish undergrad

Plan on applying in 3 years

 

[Love4many]

25 yrs old BA Chem EVMS post bacc 2017 AMCAS applicant feel old

 

[Ulgarmoose]

Ulgarmoose

23

Graduated undergraduate winter of 2013. Started a small online business completely unrelated to science. Spent the last year or so traveling and figuring out what I want to do with my career. Living in France and studying for the MCAT currently. Applying this cycle!

 

[rikudo]

Rikudo

Applied this year. Accepted to my top choice.

31 y/o. Former Army medical officer and Army medic. Got out two years ago to complete my prereqs at CC. Still have enough GI Bill to cover 2/3 of the cost. Feeling a little old and late to the game but still super excited to begin the path I dreamed about since childhood. Much love to all the other non-trads!

 

[Komorebi2]

Rikudo

Applied this year. Accepted to my top choice.

31 y/o. Former Army medical officer and Army medic. Got out two years ago to complete my prereqs at CC. Still have enough GI Bill to cover 2/3 of the cost. Feeling a little old and late to the game but still super excited to begin the path I dreamed about since childhood. Much love to all the other non-trads!

Thank you for your service!

I notice your location is the PNW (sorry to be a creep!)...are you starting at UW or OHSU this fall by any chance? I am a non-trad (25 y/o) Washingtonian hoping for a UW or OHSU acceptance this upcoming cycle! Would love to get your thoughts on either program if you were accepted/plan on attending. Please let me know if I may PM you.

 

[rikudo]

Thank you for your service!

I notice your location is the PNW (sorry to be a creep!)...are you starting at UW or OHSU this fall by any chance? I am a non-trad (25 y/o) Washingtonian hoping for a UW or OHSU acceptance this upcoming cycle! Would love to get your thoughts on either program if you were accepted/plan on attending. Please let me know if I may PM you.

PM away, I'm happy to help. Attending UW this year.

 

[Queenofspades]

Queenofspades

Accepted at SFSU Cohort 10!

Still waiting to hear from LMU and Mills Post Bacc programs as I type....class of 2017. Got rejected by Scripps, like the majority of the applicants.

45 yo female, single, Bryn Mawr undergrad, transferred to Barnard and graduated cum laude. Upon graduation I worked in CBO's in NYC doing anti-violence work (DV, Bias-crime including HIV related, and as a street outreach worker doing HIV/AIDS education and Harm Reduction (needle exchange/cleaning works, etc.) on the streets of NYC early 1990's. After burnout at age 23 from HIV/AIDS' direct impact on my clients, co-workers and friends I went into the film world to recover and reconsider!

I am currently a VFX Supervisor working in the wild world of film/tv/commercials for over 20 years. Now I'm redirecting back into medicine. I've been trying to do classes on the side and have succeeded in finishing pre-calculus and biology 101/102 with 4.0 but it is almost an impossible task to consider continuing this way and working full-time, so I'm ready to jump in with both feet. I figure premed/med hours are nothing compared to my VFX work (13 day base and it goes up from there, outside usually in every kind of weather, with heavy gear and more to wrangle). Also the ability to stay in the same place most of the time and to focus on something over an extended period seems like a vacation to me after traveling for work sometimes for years on end, constantly switching teams, projects, etc. I'll be able to sleep in my own bed regularly! Seriously, after my life so far it seems enormously cushy to imagine going back to school. I'm no stranger to hard work, constant learning and intense focus.

I am very excited to make the transition, biting my nails waiting for the responses.

 

[aphios5]

I remember navigating these discussion forums 7 years ago and thinking to myself "how in the hell am I going to get all of this done?" I started medical school at 30 years old and tomorrow is Match Day. It can be done, just find *your* way. Keep going!

 

[efex101]

Attending
Prior Army non trad went to Mayo now a Hospitalist IM trained

 

[rmeha005]

I'm Rahwa
26 (will be 27 in a couple of days)

On May 2014 I received my MS in Clinical Mental health therapy but still can't find a job in the field....but by the Grace of God I am employed!!!!currently working with Alumni Affairs at an institution.

After years of regretting of not attempting med school I will finally begin the journey this summer by starting the process of taking my prerequisites. Hope to take the MCAT Aug 2016 for 2017 admission.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mysterygoat]

Hello! MysteryGoat here!

Applying 2017 (hopefully)/2018 (probably)

26 years old. Actor/Singer... back in school finishing Chemistry degree.
Very excited (and nervous) to begin this process!

 

[PointLizz]

Hello new here. Not sure when I'd apply to graduate schools/medical school since I haven't been yet accepted to the university I applied at (due to a lack of funds to pay the app fee which I will have in the coming days) But I'm hanging out here on the forums to read all the interesting topics.

29 year old homemaker/ mother.

 

[Karabo]

applying 2016

Was a dance major in college because I didn't want to regret not trying to make dance work. I quickly realized that I missed the intellectual stimulation of science, so I started taking anatomy and physiology and entry level sciences "for fun." I enjoyed theses classes way more than my dance ones (I'm a nerd)! After volunteering in hospitals and shadowing, I knew medicine was something I wanted to do. Now, I'm doing health related work with the peace corps and will apply for med school when I return.

 

[eablackwell]

-eablackwell

-currently an MS4, next step, Vandy for residency

-entered med school in 2011 @ age 28 after some serious grade repair (originally <3.0 science and 3.1 overall) and CC night classes while working as a high school science teacher full time. Luckily got in first year applying. Had two kids during med school, currently age 2 yrs & 2 months (born on the same day 2 yrs apart, actually). Just matched my first choice and after a heart attack SOAP for a preliminary position, am happily headed off to residency.