Career change... opinions anyone?

[jpagtalunan]

I've technically (no pun intended) been a software engineer for the past 10 years. During which, I've gone back to school to finish my B.S. in computer engineering and finished with a 3.55 GPA. In those 10 years, I've worked full-time and have consulted for various pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Recently, I've gone through a lot of thinking and want to drop my life, my 6 figure salary, and pursue medicine. I've saved enough to last me a little while to cover expenses and school, but I need to go back and do pre-requisites, then take the MCAT.

I was looking at local state schools, but I'm worried about cost. I'm wondering if it would appear negatively on my record if I took the lower division biological science and chemistry courses at a local community college to save on cost while I live off of my savings.

I'm sure there are few out there who've asked similar questions, but I'm looking for a personalized answer :). Also, what do you think my chances would be for either an M.D. or D.O. school in the U.S. after completing my pre-requisites (assuming I get all A's), and assuming a 30 on the MCATs given my background? I will also be volunteering at a local hospital soon while I go back to school.

Thanks so much....

[CopDoc]

Hi
Well, I am living your life. I am older, have two sons and a 6 figure career. However, my dream was to always be a doctor. So, I went back to school and just graduated Magnum Cum Laude with my ** in Biology/Biochemistry with a 3.82 overall, 3.75 Science GPA. I took the MCAT and got a 24 and now am going to AUC in the Fall. Was it easy...heck no. But worth it...you bet. I am going to kick butt in med school and get my dream. I am nervous/anxious/excited about leaving my paycheck and all that I know, but what fun is living if you only do what's safe. Life is all about taking chances and risks. I know in the long run I will be glad I did it. PM if you need anything else. Take care.

[swimchick]

I've technically (no pun intended) been a software engineer for the past 10 years. During which, I've gone back to school to finish my B.S. in computer engineering and finished with a 3.55 GPA. In those 10 years, I've worked full-time and have consulted for various pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Recently, I've gone through a lot of thinking and want to drop my life, my 6 figure salary, and pursue medicine. I've saved enough to last me a little while to cover expenses and school, but I need to go back and do pre-requisites, then take the MCAT.

I was looking at local state schools, but I'm worried about cost. I'm wondering if it would appear negatively on my record if I took the lower division biological science and chemistry courses at a local community college to save on cost while I live off of my savings.

I'm sure there are few out there who've asked similar questions, but I'm looking for a personalized answer :). Also, what do you think my chances would be for either an M.D. or D.O. school in the U.S. after completing my pre-requisites (assuming I get all A's), and assuming a 30 on the MCATs given my background? I will also be volunteering at a local hospital soon while I go back to school.

Thanks so much....

Here is an article regarding taking pre-med requirements while attending community college: Community College and Professional School Admissions|Student Doctor Network (http://www.studentdoctor.net/2009/04/community-college-and-professional-school-admissions/). Many people in my family have changed careers or started their degree programs late in life so I know how difficult it can be, especially with the finances. However, have you considered a post-baccalaureate program (there are quite a few out there for people who are career changers)?

The post-baccs are pricey, but it can be worth it. You'll get your basic pre-reqs as well as upper division biology courses (which are very important), MCAT preparation and your letters of rec. Some schools also have guaranteed admission to their medical school if you maintain a certain GPA and MCAT score.

However, if that's not an option, going to a community college should be alright. You'll just have to aim for that 30 on your MCAT. Also, I had a friend who attended a community college and was able to get into Columbia SOM :)

From my own experience on the interview trail, it seems to me that med schools (especially DO schools) value non-traditional applicants. I came across quite a few career changers at my DO interviews. I think if you do well in your classes and score a 30 on your MCAT you'll certainly be on track to get into a US program. Obviously, there is so much more that schools look at...but your background looks good so far :)

Also...definitely take advantage of CopDoc's offer of advice...she's awesome and has great insight into career changing :)

[msincan]

I am in a similar situation. I graduated from medical school 10 years ago and I have been working in the field of medical informatics as an academician during that time. Recently there have been developments in my home country and my career plan had to change. After studying for 6-7 months while working full time at the same time I took our local USMLE type exam here in my country and I was accepted to a quite good Ob-Gyn residency. I know it is going to be hard for me but I feel much better now. You can e-mail me for personal Qs as well.

[jpagtalunan]

Thanks for your replies. I did look into some post-bacc programs in my area that say they will help you "beef up" your profile for med school, however, the programs I saw (UCSF, SFSU, and UC Berkeley) all actually require you to have already taken the MCAT in order to do the post-bacc program... backwards thinking maybe??!!?

I want to do my pre-reqs at the local state university, but of course, my savings will only last me so long to live on hah. My road to med school is a terminal one - I can't afford to fail!!! Of course, while I apply to schools, I will still be volunteering and can still consult in my industry to help slow the burn. Have I ever lit money on fire? Well, I'm about to find out what it looks like haha

[swimchick]

Thanks for your replies. I did look into some post-bacc programs in my area that say they will help you "beef up" your profile for med school, however, the programs I saw (UCSF, SFSU, and UC Berkeley) all actually require you to have already taken the MCAT in order to do the post-bacc program... backwards thinking maybe??!!?

I want to do my pre-reqs at the local state university, but of course, my savings will only last me so long to live on hah. My road to med school is a terminal one - I can't afford to fail!!! Of course, while I apply to schools, I will still be volunteering and can still consult in my industry to help slow the burn. Have I ever lit money on fire? Well, I'm about to find out what it looks like haha

Yeah...the UC post-baccs are more geared toward minority and disadvantaged students who had difficulty getting into med school. The programs I would recommend for your case are mostly on the East Coast...and that sounds like it's not an option for you.

It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this and you know what you're getting into! I wish you all the best :)

[MBAtoMD]

Yeah...the UC post-baccs are more geared toward minority and disadvantaged students who had difficulty getting into med school. The programs I would recommend for your case are mostly on the East Coast...and that sounds like it's not an option for you.



I am in a similar situation and considering my options to get my prereq's. What programs would you recommend for the post bac?

[swimchick]

I am in a similar situation and considering my options to get my prereq's. What programs would you recommend for the post bac?

This site lists all the post-bacc programs in the country: Postbaccalaureate Premedical Programs - Search (http://services.aamc.org/postbac/).

Some of the programs have linkage with their affiliated medical school and others are only for disadvantaged minority students. I would place more emphasis on programs that have some sort of linkage with a medical school. I've heard good things about the program at CUNY Hunter.

Hope this helps you a bit with your search!

[jpagtalunan]

Ok, well, I met with a community college counselor and everything is waitlisted. It's just a California problem. I don't think I'll be able to get into any community colleges here. I'm now looking at post-bacc programs. I'll have to get student loans for those though. First, I have to sell my Range Rover hahah. Anyone know of any good programs? Someone said east coast? I saw NYU, Harvard, Columbia, etc... but, how hard is it to get into these programs? It almost looks just as hard as medical school itself.

[swimchick]

Some post-bacc programs are indeed very difficult to get in to.

The link I gave in my previous post will direct you to an AAMC site that lists just about every post-bacc program in the US. In addition, the post-baccalaureate forum on the Student Doctor Network lists pros/cons for many of the PB programs.

The deadline for fall admission to mos programs has already passed, but I believe there are a couple of programs that have spring entrance dates.

[jpagtalunan]

For one of the post-bacc's I'm applying to, they only want a 500 word statement about why you chose medicine. Is there anyone credible out there that can take a quick look at my draft and give me some insight? I'd rather not post it here though that's for sure. Someone send me an e-mail!

[tegraphile]

Where in California?

I was in the same boat (for a shorter period of time). I spend a year in the engineering field before deciding on medicine. I was able to take intro level courses at a local community college (Hartnell College in Salinas, CA) in Ochem, Eng, and Bio before applying. It took me a year to complete my courses, 3 months to study for the MCAT, and then apply.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

[verizon]

What a great thread - I just subscribed to it.

It's reassuring to see that I'm not alone in the way I feel about pursuing my "dream" of becoming a physician. Unfortunately, I dont have the grades that many of you seem to have.

I completed my undergraduate studies in 1997 from a large private university. I took 2-3 basic science courses, but did quite poorly in them, given my lack of focus on what it takes to gain medical school admission. After academic probation (<2.0), I enjoyed several semesters of 3.0+, but overall, I graduated with a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Given few career choices out of college, I (like many other lost souls), decided to apply to law school. I managed to do well on the LSAT and that helped me gain admission to a private second-tier law school. I graduated law school in 2001 with a 3.4 gpa and have had varied experiences thereafter in private law firms. I am presently in a mid sized firm in Florida and will likely make partner this fall. I am more than comfortable / stable with salary and other aspects of my life, but still yearn to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I am 34 years old now, and while I am concerned that I will be in school / training for the next 10+ years, I have settled with that reality.

In light of rising school admissions (particularly because of the poor economy), I am quite certain my application will be less than competitive. I have 2+ years of coursework to make up, too. I would love to gain admission to a post-bacc, but I am not sure I would even qualify for one. I could always take courses at community/local 4-year colleges and study for the MCAT from that point.

I suppose my biggest fear is to leave partnership at the firm to pursue academic studies, with little to no certainty that I'll even gain medical school admission.

Any advice is truly appreciated.

Thank you

[lalulla]

you need to make some reseach,, good luck!!

[NCldy2000]

I personally am going the community college route after working retail for 4 years and thought that I should still go while I have my mind on medical school route. Community college is a lot cheaper and you could volunteer at a hospital to get a good LOR. Good luck to all of you.

[MedMan87]

What a great thread - I just subscribed to it.

It's reassuring to see that I'm not alone in the way I feel about pursuing my "dream" of becoming a physician. Unfortunately, I dont have the grades that many of you seem to have.

I completed my undergraduate studies in 1997 from a large private university. I took 2-3 basic science courses, but did quite poorly in them, given my lack of focus on what it takes to gain medical school admission. After academic probation (<2.0), I enjoyed several semesters of 3.0+, but overall, I graduated with a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Given few career choices out of college, I (like many other lost souls), decided to apply to law school. I managed to do well on the LSAT and that helped me gain admission to a private second-tier law school. I graduated law school in 2001 with a 3.4 gpa and have had varied experiences thereafter in private law firms. I am presently in a mid sized firm in Florida and will likely make partner this fall. I am more than comfortable / stable with salary and other aspects of my life, but still yearn to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I am 34 years old now, and while I am concerned that I will be in school / training for the next 10+ years, I have settled with that reality.

In light of rising school admissions (particularly because of the poor economy), I am quite certain my application will be less than competitive. I have 2+ years of coursework to make up, too. I would love to gain admission to a post-bacc, but I am not sure I would even qualify for one. I could always take courses at community/local 4-year colleges and study for the MCAT from that point.

I suppose my biggest fear is to leave partnership at the firm to pursue academic studies, with little to no certainty that I'll even gain medical school admission.

Any advice is truly appreciated.

Thank you

Hey verizon, don't give up on your dream. If you read these forums you'll see that if anything admissions are going down as many loan companies are moving away from funding IMG students. So if anything if you have the credit rating/funds to fund your education, your life is a little easier.

If i were you, I'd try to take the pre-reqs at a PT community college, caribbean schools look upon them equally for the most part and continue to work at your law firm...I'm assuming it's pretty lucrative so don't give it up...then take a month or so off to study for the MCATS and give it a shot, you'll get in somewhere even if it isn't the big 4.

I'm still pretty young myself, 22 and after having a not so great undergrad career spent 1.5 years working, really with a BSc degree all i could get was a CSR position and let me tell you, the idea of working that job for the rest of my life renewed my passion for medicine. Gluck!

[verizon]

thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond to me. your input is very motivational, and its nice to hear that its "never too late" to pursue my dream.

can anyone here point me in the right direction as to the classes i would need to take at community college or otherwise?

thanks,

[swimchick]

Seeing as you graduated more than 10 years ago and only took a 2-3 basic science courses, it would behoove you to essentially start from scratch. These days, you'll need the following: 1 full year of intro bio + lab, 1 full year of intro chem + lab, 1 full year of organic chem + lab, 1 full year of physics + lab as well as a full year of english comp, and at least a semester of calc and/or statistics. You'll also need one or two advanced science classes (i.e. genetics, biochem, physiology) If you've already taken english and math, you might be able to get away with not taking the courses again. It would be best to contact some of the top 4 Carib schools and see what they say.

If you have no health care experience, you'll also want to see about shadowing physicians and/or volunteering in a clinical setting.