Non-traditional PreMed

[drumstick]

Hi,

I'm a "non-tradition" premed student.
I have a master's degree in computer science and have been working as a software engineer for 6+ years and thinking of getting ready for a medical school.

I just want an objective opinion of my chances of getting into an "average" state medical school.

Here are my stats:

-B.S. in Computer Science with overall GPA of 3.5 and Major GPA of 3.78

-Accepted to top 5 computer science/engineering graduate program in the US

-Master's degree in computer science with GPA of 3.45
( Yes, I did slack off =( )

-Been working 6 years as software developer

-5+ years of leadership experience as an instructor in martial arts

-Taking premed science courses at a community college with 100%+ confidence of GPA 4.0 at the completion of courses

Personally, from my research, I do not think I would have much problem of getting into an "average" state medical school given if I do get 3.8+ GPA and MCAT score 30-"ish"

I'm actually completing my first biology course during this summer at a community college and just wanted an honest opinion whether or not I am wasting my time or not.

Thanks.

[Tipton]

Taking Premeds at a Comm College? Why not take a post-bac course at one of the State schools which also has a Med School? Not sure how wise it would be to take your relatively strong academic background and add community college course work on top of that...

[jameslynton]

Originally Posted by drumstick

I'm actually completing my first biology course during this summer at a community college and just wanted an honest opinion whether or not I am wasting my time or not.

Thanks.

You are not wasting your time. I know of several people who got in the CC route. Your undergrad stats and pre-req's will be all they look at along with MCAT and essay. Do lots of MCAT practice tests - also do the Examkracker verbal (lots) it will help on the overall MCAT!

[Chopdoc]

Sound like a decent candidate to me. I would have done grad school, but hey, that's me.

I did nursing, then med school, then took 8 years off as an IT executive, now I am back to medicine. So I understand the importance that comp sci and/or IT experience can carry if you use it right.


My advice to you is to get involved in Informatics, especially Clinical Informatics!

Growing field without a real defined education track yet. At least get yourself read up on the issues. It can be a positive aspect to your education to apply your comp sci background. It could also help you look even more like a good candidate. It could be a component of your practice later as well.

IDEAS:
Join an informatics society. Now.(cheap for a student membership)
Start participating in an Open Source EMR project. Now. (free, of course)
Get this stuff on yout CVA ...... NOW!

When you sit down to interview the guy before you had a masters in Microbiology and the guy after you was a research assistant at Johns Hopkins.

You need to turn your comp sci skills into the equivalent. And you can, for sure.

When those guys interview the doc interviewing them is impressed because that guy knows things he does not and he put interest and effort into getting that knowledge and expertise beyond mere pre-med courses.

It will be no different for you if you sit down and have relevant comp sci experience under your belt. You will be the expert with experience beyond mere pre-med.

I am too new, so I can't link to the Open Source EMR projects I am talking about or to the Informatics societies, but I am sure you can use Google.

Trust me, this can be a big help for you. Doctors that really know computers, databases, EMR, coding, administration...etc, etc are needed and valuable.

It's helping me.