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+--- Thread: What should I do? (/Thread-What-should-I-do--35046)
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What should I do? - anewmanx - 06-10-2020
I have a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty in Religion (4.0 gpa) already, and I’m at a bit of a crossroads as to what to do next. I’m wondering if there is really any point in getting any other degrees to highlight skills I’ve acquired over the years to differentiate me when I apply to graduate programs. Specifically, there is a large chance I will take the prerequisites for medical school and apply sometime in the next three years before I turn 40-41. I need something to help me stand out from the crowd of young applicants with extracurricular activities, community service, etc. countless shadowing hours, etc. I’ve been too busy raising a family to do any of that.
How hard is it to get a degree in some field of computer science via testing / proficiency? Many moons ago I programmed in Java, C , ASM, Perl, JavaScript, Dhtml, CSS, SQL, etc. I also designed analog and digital circuitry and programmed pic microcontrollers. Most of this was freelance or as a hobby, I never got any industry certs, etc. but I am intimately familiar with computers down to the microchip level of how they function as a collection of circuits to the greater picture of how object oriented programming produces our modern operating systems.
I also have a number of credits through clep/straighterline/aleks/coopersmith that aren’t serving much purpose as they have been collected for the possibility of becoming a nurse practitioner (why not hedge my bets if I can’t handle medical school was my thought.) some of these I’m still completing, but the list will include [aleks] intro to statistics, precalculus, [coopersmith] human growth and development, abnormal psychology, [straighterline] college algebra, business statistics, anatomy & physiology 1 & 2 w/lab, microbiology w/lab, chemistry 1 w/lab. I also may end up with pathophysiology, nutrition, and pharmacology via ra credit. What could I turn all this into?
I have about 15.5 graduate credits (3.83 gpa) from a brief stint in seminary as well, Greek, theology, etc. I was tempted to use those for a 30 credit masters at Liberty just to show some sort of completion. The three year mdiv wasn’t for me. It would cost around $2k to finish an ma in biblical exposition. Pretty cheap.
Any advice is appreciated.
RE: What should I do? - Ideas - 06-10-2020
Another degree doesn't make sense compared to volunteer work, shadowing, certain clubs that are well-respected because they help people develop professional skills, etc.
The only reason to do more classes is to raise your GPA if you need to. For many people, science prereqs are harder than their past classes, so their GPA is lower (especially OChem).
I would suggest getting CNA certification and then volunteering or working as one. But you can also volunteer or work without.
RE: What should I do? - anewmanx - 06-10-2020
(06-10-2020, 12:20 AM)Ideas Wrote: Another degree doesn't make sense compared to volunteer work, shadowing, certain clubs that are well-respected because they help people develop professional skills, etc.
The only reason to do more classes is to raise your GPA if you need to. For many people, science prereqs are harder than their past classes, so their GPA is lower (especially OChem).
I would suggest getting CNA certification and then volunteering or working as one. But you can also volunteer or work without.
That’s one of the problems really. I’m a physically disabled vet, no way I could handle cna work. Otherwise I had considered that.
RE: What should I do? - ss20ts - 06-10-2020
How is a degree in IT related to med school? Do you have ALL of the science and math to get into a med school program? Grades? Since you're a physically disabled vet, can you physically do med school and all that it entails? I don't ask to be snarky. Have you looked into med school and asked about shadowing some students to see if you can handle the physical demands of the program? Most people I know who aren't disabled in anyway couldn't handle the demands. My cousin who's been an RN for decades just completed her bachelor's degree in nursing and said it was the hardest thing she's ever done. She has been an ICU RN for over a decade. Before that she was a cardiac care RN for about a decade.
If you're going to take classes, take them in something that will make a difference for med school such as more bio or chem or stats. The longer you're out of the academic world, the harder it is to jump back in. Keep taking courses until you apply to med school. Keep the brain fresh.
RE: What should I do? - anewmanx - 06-10-2020
(06-10-2020, 01:41 PM)ss20ts Wrote: How is a degree in IT related to med school? Do you have ALL of the science and math to get into a med school program? Grades? Since you're a physically disabled vet, can you physically do med school and all that it entails? I don't ask to be snarky. Have you looked into med school and asked about shadowing some students to see if you can handle the physical demands of the program? Most people I know who aren't disabled in anyway couldn't handle the demands. My cousin who's been an RN for decades just completed her bachelor's degree in nursing and said it was the hardest thing she's ever done. She has been an ICU RN for over a decade. Before that she was a cardiac care RN for about a decade.Indeed I could. I just have a lifting restriction for one of my arms. Nothing that would interfere with residency. The academic aspect is no concern; I wouldn’t find that too difficult.
If you're going to take classes, take them in something that will make a difference for med school such as more bio or chem or stats. The longer you're out of the academic world, the harder it is to jump back in. Keep taking courses until you apply to med school. Keep the brain fresh.
I have studied most of the prerequisites extensively but have not taken them at a regionally accredited institution (I’ve just done clep/straighterline), so if I decide to follow this path I’ll have to take them all. I may start in September when I qualify for in state tuition. I was just trying to find something else to get under the belt between now and September.
RE: What should I do? - dfrecore - 06-10-2020
I would DEFINITELY NOT get another degree. There is zero point. Instead, I would get those RA sciences with labs with the highest possible grades.
Then, I think what makes you stand out is that you're a disabled vet and NOT a young 20-something fresh out of college. Someone with a lot of life experience, a family, good grades - I think all of that is a plus, not a minus in terms of being someone they would select.
RE: What should I do? - anewmanx - 06-10-2020
(06-10-2020, 03:38 PM)dfrecore Wrote: I would DEFINITELY NOT get another degree. There is zero point. Instead, I would get those RA sciences with labs with the highest possible grades.
Then, I think what makes you stand out is that you're a disabled vet and NOT a young 20-something fresh out of college. Someone with a lot of life experience, a family, good grades - I think all of that is a plus, not a minus in terms of being someone they would select.
Thanks for the tip. I guess I have little to lose trying then.
RE: What should I do? - Ideas - 06-10-2020
I think that you would not be competitive unless you had some kind of patient experience such as being a medical scribe. You can read more on the Student Doctor forums. They are big on patient experience.
RE: What should I do? - anewmanx - 06-10-2020
(06-10-2020, 06:08 PM)Ideas Wrote: I think that you would not be competitive unless you had some kind of patient experience such as being a medical scribe. You can read more on the Student Doctor forums. They are big on patient experience.
That is what worries me. I was a caretaker for my own critically ill child for 4 years though. Since there’s no way I could handle med school for the next 2 years minimum (have a newborn coming in July), I’ve though about using what’s left of my gi bill to do an absn and get some rn experience under my belt. Maybe just say screw it all and go np from here, but I find the idea of being a mid-level provider unsatisfying. I am the kind of person who constantly wants to know "why?" And an np doesn’t get the same level of medical education; not nearly.
RE: What should I do? - bjcheung77 - 06-10-2020
You may want to consider other alternatives just in case Medical School doesn't cut it for you, keep your options available. It's a long and tough road ahead for you, persistence will pay off with a few obstacles in the way, as you have children or toddlers under the age of 6. You will have a heck of a time getting things done, especially school work. The main thing that will distract you are your kids, time management is key...
Having said that, you may also consider online options for your pre-med courses, you really need to decide if you want butt-in-seat or online, there are many colleges and universities that offer a pre-med track. Search this board or Student Doctors for those options, it's been mentioned here before:
Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-MSK9-s-Medical-School-Thread-Guide?pid=305656#pid305656
Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Biology-BS-from-Excelsior?pid=305104#pid305104
Here are two threads you may want to view while you're at it:
Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Short-Hiatus-to-Long-Sabbatical-Advice-for-Pre-Health-Fields?pid=308865#pid308865
Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Caribbean-Immigration-Med-School-Discount-Secrets-Shhh?pid=310384#pid310384
Now here is the kicker, each person has their own idea on how to proceed, advice is to be read and understood but it is up to you to take it - most of the time, I read the forums with a backup plan or two/three. Some advice I've read on Student Doctors are not helpful at all. There are numerous people looking into medical school and it's very competitive, I've seen people who complete an MD but don't get residency, then go back to Nursing hoping to be an NP. Lastly, this is my advice to you.
1) You have a degree, skip the thought of having a second degree unless all the courses you take will get you the prerequisites for medical school completed. Example, a BS in Human Biology at Logan University, it'll hit all the requirements for Medical School.
2) Get all your pre-med requirements completed is your main goal right now, this requirement actually will also satisfy other pre-professional programs such as the ones I mentioned in my threads above.
3) Decide on what specialty you want to get into, such as Family Medicine, Immunology, Oncology, Pathology, whatever it may be and also see what schools you are interested in. Check and see what graduates say about the program and their requisites.
4) Have a backup plan, so if Med School won't work, maybe something along the same lines, DVM, NP, PA, ND, PharmD, PsyD, etc, other allied-health professional that have different responsibilities but similarly work in a clinic or hospital setting.