How does my timeline/education reflect my chances?

[Philer]

Hi everybody,

Here is a quick breakdown of my situation. I'm 22 years old and I just graduated from William Paterson University in NJ with a bachelors in finance. My Finance GPA was 3.331, my overall GPA was 3.294, and my science GPA was 3.336, but I only took the following:

3.000 B+ 200640 - MATH 140 QUANTITATIVE MATH I
4.000 B 200710 - BIO 120 HUMAN BIOLOGY
4.000 A- 200910 - ENV 110 ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION

When I graduated I went to work for two companies, I left one because I hated all the cold calling and didn't feel like I was advancing. So I got offered another job from a company in NY and they put me to work for them basically doing the same thing, except I had to study for licenses. I passed my Life, Accident & Health Insurance license in three weeks and then started to going to work and studying for my series 7 and 66. After the first week I knew that the job wasn't for me. I am seriously considering medical school. I applied to HUNTER NY's post-baccalaureate program as well as to Montclair University and Rutgers. The post-bacc program is two years and more expensive than Montclair. I was also told that it will be quicker if I go to Montclair, approximately a year a half to take my pre-medical science courses (bio, chem, physics) and that this might be the best route since what I have heard is that science GPA and MCAT scores are the most important criteria for medical school admission. I was accepted into Montclair for the Spring 2010 semester and am waiting to hear back from Hunter. I am planning on taking 12 credits a semester, summer included if they offer the courses I need, and in the meantime I can volunteer at a local hospital to gain some experience. After taking my pre-med science classes and gaining the hospital experience, assuming I am still interested in the medical field after gaining this exposure, I would then take the MCAT and apply to UMDNJ and other schools in the area. I live in Fort Lee, NJ and I'm aware of how competitive schools are in the tri-state area. If I am not accepted into a school within driving distance, I know there may always be a chance to gain acceptance in the Caribbean medical schools. Given my age, my education, and my outline geared towards medical school, can anyone comment on how successful I may be upon gaining admission into medical school? Also, I live at home and do not have to pay for rent/food/etc. I have plenty of time to study and put in the work at school. How realistic are my expectations for getting into medical school if I follow the plan I have laid out for myself? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Philip

[CaribMD]

Welcome

I'm 22 years old and I just graduated from William Paterson University in NJ with a bachelors in finance. My Finance GPA was 3.331, my overall GPA was 3.294, and my science GPA was 3.336, but I only took the following:

Your 22 so your very young.

I applied to HUNTER NY's post-baccalaureate program as well as to Montclair University and Rutgers. The post-bacc program is two years and more expensive than Montclair. I was also told that it will be quicker if I go to Montclair, approximately a year a half to take my pre-medical science courses (bio, chem, physics) and that this might be the best route since what I have heard is that science GPA and MCAT scores are the most important criteria for medical school admission. I was accepted into Montclair for the Spring 2010 semester and am waiting to hear back from Hunter.

I really think Montclair is fine. Name dropping to the ADCOMs is nice but unnecessary at this level, since you have below undergrad GPA and doing a Post Bac I think your post bac grades are more important then which school.

Time? The average age of medical students is over 22 now, in fact many are 25 to 30 so your fine there and in the average.
Really take your time, no time line thinking, just do very well and yo will succeed.

good Luck.

[Philer]

Thank you for prompt response. Do you see any disadvantage in taking the pre-med classes at Montclair individually as opposed to enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program?

[CaribMD]

Thank you for prompt response. Do you see any disadvantage in taking the pre-med classes at Montclair individually as opposed to enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program?

At this time if you can get mostly A's in the prereqs then I can see you getting to 3.5 but a post Bac is an Ace for med school since these are designed to get you accepted. ( the programs designed for such not all are)

So this is a toss up in a way.

If you cannnot raise the undergrad to the over 3.4 ( I think you will ) then MD will very hard and DO will be fine.

BTW undergrad GPA do the AMCAS gpa calculation, ignore the school gpa and take all the grades ever earned and add together ( retakes include the first and second grade) then that will be your average for applying.

Good Luck

[Philer]

I recently went to several hospitals in the area to apply for volunteer positions in person, however it's been a few weeks now and only one has replied. The position described was for consoling families in the waiting room, which isn't exactly the hands on experience I think I should be investing my time into. Any other suggestions? I have considered getting training to become an EMT and have been frantically searching for other opportunities, Where else should I consider looking?