Another question, related to my previous post (sorry, my thoughts have been a bit discombobulated lately).
One thing I’d love to see on this site is a “blow-by-blow” difference in the way medical school admissions view a non-trad candidate versus a trad. That is, I’m have a difficult time determining exactly what the differences are in the treatment (both positive and negative) between a trad and non-trad. Granted, it may be that the admissions experts providing feedback have already provided sufficient information in responses, in which case I do apologize.
Here’s my speculation/hunches, for what it worth (bursts out laughing):
> MCAT scores
Age doesn’t matter, scores are scores. A 38 will trump a 32, regardless of who/what/how old you are.
> Recent grades
Ditto. Sucking now speaks for itself…
> Extracurriculars
I’m guessing much the same. Volunteering, shadowing, etc, show that one is interested (albeit perhaps cynically). Would an older non-trad career changer be viewed negatively if they did what a trad did, and started volunteering prior to admission?
> Career
This is where I’m not as sure. What if somebody has had a demonstrably successful career in engineering, law, or any number of marginally peripherally related fields? Seems like that should be appreciated, but is it?? What and how do medical schools evaluate career-changing non-trads in terms of their previous careers? Or is it simply ignored in lieu of more typical “trad” criteria?
> Old (not great) grades
Probably not an uncommon question, but what about grades from antediluvian times that are not flattering. How are these weighed, and is it advisable to retake such courses or not? What about a few crappy historic grades, but then a few courses like organic chemistry or biochemistry with smoking grades?
> Interviews/intangibles
Depending upon the age and experience of the medical school admittance personnel, I’m speculating that motivations for taking a serious career/financial risk might be viewed positively. But is there still a “number-of-work-years-lef t” differential bias (or other biases) imposed upon non-trads?
Sorry about the blow-hard length of this, but any feedback/thoughts/specula tion/criticism/slander/pe rsonal attacks are highly welcome. OK, maybe a bit less on the last few, but c’est la vie. 