Medical school

[cookderosa]

I'll graduate with BS from TESC in Jan/11. GPA, if all is maintained, should be above 3.6/3.7 I have 1 chem w/lab and A&P, w/lab taken preTESC. I was hoping to use my BS degree and the few applicable hard science credits, along with a year of post-BS study from a local public college to finish up three more semesters of Chem, Bio and physics, assuming my GPA in those areas can be kept up. I know what I need fairly well; two org. chem, 1 reg. chem, 1 bio (all w/labs) and two physics. I'll do one of the physics from TESC.
I will def check out the NE university. I prefer online, but know that the chems/bios need labs.
Med school is a distant dream..I started out for it, realized it might be over my head, but now that I'm finishing up, at least want that shot at it. I'm a EMT and I just like this field.

Thanks for that info. Best of luck..keep us updated.

Jack

UNE is online. And welcome to my obsession.
UNE is the only RA med school in the country offering prereqs online.
The down side, no physics.

UNE does some hands on labs, and some virtual. It depends on the class. The Gen bios 1 and 2 are virtual using sim software. I opted not to do them and stick with my Gen bio classes at Ocean County College - simply because I kinda like the hands on stuff. Price for price, they are about the same.

Online sciences are a lot more money than your local community college. A LOT more. For tuition/fees/lab/books/software/etc expect to budget $1500 per online science class (either school). Of course, at a local cc, you can take them for under $500 generally, so you have to think about the added cost and the potential for creating a problem for your application.

*you may want to consider taking biochem when you do orgo 2. Some schools require it.

When I started thinking about med school, I did what any online nerd does, I started researching to death. I (stupidly) found a pre-med forum. In a nutshell, they basically said "If you have EVER taken an online class in ANYTHING forget it.
" So, I (stupidly) thought I'd continue on my original destination of midwifery without trying.

When I started shadowing a midwife practice, she confided in me about how her hands are tied by the license board and she answers to the doctor. She even lost a baby because she wanted the mom to have a c-section and the doctor said no. She went to the doctor's HOUSE stood next to his bed and begged him to come in. He said no. This was her overseeing physician. Her hands were tied. This midwife, who now does not have hospital privileges so she can't deliver babies, was under his supervision. His word was final. Her entire life's work, her practice, depends on her ability to secure another physician who can "get" her hospital privilege. ..... so that's when I realized I needed to look at being a doctor again. I need to be the one (for me) making the decisions, and (for them) who employs and trusts midwives to deliver babies safely.
So, I found another pre-med forum. It's made up of non-traditional students. Ditto what I found on the first forum! :ack: I was very discouraged.

Then it hit me, a brilliant freakin idea. Why not actually contact the med schools and ask point blank about online sciences? I contacted UNE (the school with the science classes) and asked them point blank- and they told me that in no way does method of delivery have anything to do with the application process. ***ooooooo that's good!!!!

So, then, I went to AACOMAS (google it) and started filling out my transcript. This is the process of where you actually get a GPA and enter EVERY class you have ever taken into their data base. Guess what's NOT on the application?
come on, guess???

DING DING DING. Method of delivery. So, you guys know that often a transcript has no identification of "online" anywhere. At that point, I decided to stick with my community college (I know for sure it doesn't say online) and go through the rest of the premed series. When I finish in the spring, I'm enrolling at UNE for the remaining premeds and I'll study for the MCAT this time next year. My online learning won't be obvious, but I won't lie either. If someone pays attention, they'll figure it out. If they ask, I'll say yes. BUT, if I make it all the way to the interview stage where someone ACTUALLY ASKS, then clearly it WAS sufficient. Clearly it DID prepare me, and clearly I WAS able to rock out a good MCAT score. So, if those are the measures THEY have determined to evaluate us all by, and if by THEIR standards I make it to the interview process, then what's the problem and what's the difference?

Like you, I know that those upcoming classes are hard, and I might not make it. I know that. If I end up with a few "C" grades, I'll seriously consider either a re-take or if I end up in utter confusion over the subjects, I may change my mind and decide that it's too hard. BUT, I'm not there yet. Neither are you. So far, it's not too hard. So far, I'm pulling excellent grades. So, that's it. Keep going until you can't!

EMT to doctor is a popular move, it will look good on your application. If you don't work as an EMT now, or are thinking about quitting, consider earning at least ~1000 hours first. That's a good number to shoot for, there is a section for patient care hours.

Lastly, I'm applying only to DO schools. (of course to UNE). I'm applying to 27 of them I have decided not to apply to MD schools because: 1) I like the philosophy and 2) online degree from TESC likely more accepted by DO. That said, it may still be a brick wall getting into DO school, but I doubt it. I have met people who have online undergrad degrees and went to med school. I think that a good MCAT score and a good GPA will get me an interview or two. Is online learning sufficient preparation for med school? We shall find out.

EDIT: regarding premed forums. They're "premeds!!" A premed is (shocker!) NOT a med student anywhere! They are just some student with an opinion. I don't know why it took me so long to consider the source. lol One thing I have learned on IC, is that even people who you THINK might know something, generally don't. And it's ALWAYS best to find out for yourself.