Hello, everyone!
I am a new member and I would like to introduce myself. I am a 32 years old unmarried male, and no children at the moment. I am a certified math teacher who recently quitted teaching to pursue my long-term goal, medicine. I was a math major in college years ago and did poorly due to lack of guidance and motivation. However, med school was always in the back of my mind. As a lost college boy, I was believed that it was impossible for me to become a doc. After college, I started teaching, which I enjoy for a while. However, After 7 years, I realized that this wasn’t my calling. After becoming my mom’s primary care provider, after she failed sick, made me really reconsider medicine.
To get to the point, my undergrad gpa is pretty bad (2.6) after taking all those computer science, engineering and math classes (don’t know what I was think, lol). However, my post undergrad life is totally the opposite. I did a MS in math, (was paid for) where I earned a 3.8 GPA. Afterward, I took the following pre-med courses, Chem 2, Bio I & 2, Org I & 2, micro, anat, where I earned mostly A’s, and maybe 1 B. I took those courses at a community college, due to my work schedule. But, I did take the mcat and did poorly, 20N. With that score, I didn’t even bother apply to US school. I instead applied a Carib School, which I got accepted into. At the same time, I failed like I was rushing because I thought I was getting too old. Coming across this site promptly made realize otherwise. Also, seeing all those US MD/DO schools opening, make me decide to reassess my decision. I, however, concern about the possibility of getting delayed for two years if I decide to stay in the US.
Now, let’s say that I am convinced that I should stay. The following will be my outline plan, as I am looking for some constructive criticisms, advices and suggestions from my fellow OPMers. For this fall term, I will attend the local university, where I will be taking Biochem, Genetics, re-take physics one and maybe physio, hope those courses will help for the mcat. I will then take the whole spring term, while taking physics 2, to study for the MCAT. I will then be taking the mcat on april 2011 in order to apply to the 2012 cycle. Does this sound reasonable? Do you guys think that would be enough time to study and get a 30+ to make up for my poor undergrad GPA? I am also looking for some suggestions for improving Verbal, since I have a long way to go before the test, my weakest area. Critical thinking is another flaw that I have. How do I improve it? English is also not my first language. Although I feel like I don’t have problems comprehend the passages, when it comes time to answer those questions, I always find myself having difficulties choosing the right answer.
Oh wait! I am also a URM… don’t know if it would make any diff.
Sorry for such a long post. Please help!
Thanks!
Hello, and welcome to OPM! I hope that you find some help here, or at least some encouragement. I know that I have.
I don’t know if I can answer your specific questions (in fact, I’m pretty sure I can’t), but one thing I know you can do is to search the forums for people who have been in similar situations, and see what different advice/comments that they’ve gotten. That could give you some guidance while you wait for people to reply to your own post.
With regards to your MCAT studying questions (and improving your verbal score) – there is a specific MCAT forum; you may find some help there.
Second, I would recommend you peruse some of the diaries. There are some people on there who have really turned things around, from having very low GPAs and MCAT scores, and made it into medical school (and done extremely well!). You may find inspiration and encouragement there as well.
Another thing – I don’t know how much research you’ve done about the Caribbean schools, but one issue with going to one of them is that it’s MUCH harder to “match” for your residency, especially if you want to go into a more competitive field. I don’t know what field you were interested in either, but I thought I would just throw that out there as something to consider.
Best of luck to you! Keep posting about your progress. 
Thanks! I’ll keep those advices in mind. As far fields of interest, which I heard can quickly change once in Med School, go as follow Anest>ER>IM(Gastro) .
Bizi-DOC- 2b
Welcome to old premed. Since, i am now taking my pre requisite classes and donot have any experience with MCAT material. i can only speak of what have heard from others who prepared for the MCAT. The examcrakers MCAT verbal material seems to be a favorit. Also, you can look into an MCAT preparation course such as Kaplan or Princeston review.