I know there are a bunch of posts about starting over but I wanted to start one since this will be a big change for me.
So, currently I am a 29 Indian male that works full time as an IT Analyst for the Department of Defense. I was born in the US so I want to stay here for school.
At first I went to school to do Biomedical Engineering but I changed my degree after my first year of college and after my third year, I went to start my Pharm.D. This was definitely not my idea but my parents…so of course my grades were not that spectacular and I ended up being acadmemically dismissed and was diagnosed with depression at the same time (due to not wanting to be a pharmacist).
Anyways, I started undergrad again at The University of Memphis and always had medical school in the back of my mind. I ended up receiving a BBA in both Management Information Systems and Accountancy and I graduate cum laude (the past grades dropped my GPA). I then attended Johns Hopkins for my Masters in Security Informatics.
I graduated in May 2012 and started my full time job at the US Navy. I also teach at a local university and I am working on trying to get an ER Scribe position at the local hospital.
Well, I owe two more years to the DoD since they paid for my Masters - so my anticipated start date will hopefully be Fall 2015. At that time I will be about 31 or 32.
Am I going down a path that will end in disaster?? I did talk to the pre-med advisor at Hopkins and he said that the biggest issue will be me leaving and being academically dismissed from Pharmacy School.
This is something that I have wanted to do and even used to read Principles of Internal Medicine growing up - yea I was a nerd.
I will be retaking my science classes starting this summer and I am hoping I could get suggestions for some upper-level courses that would be good?
Vilas
Hi Vilas. Welcome to the group.
As someone who will be starting medical school this fall and spent the past few years taking pre-reqs at night after a full day of work, this path is not easy. But don’t worry about that. Stay focused, put in the work, and you’ll be in medical school before you know it.
I think the first thing you need to do is reaffirm your commitment to be a doctor. I would suggest volunteering at the local hospital and shadowing a physician. I think the ER scribe position will be good for you. If you have time, I would try to fit in more volunteering. As much clinical exposure as you could fit into your schedule. Once you immerse yourself in a clinical environment I think you’ll gain the confidence to say “Yes, this is for me” or “No, this is not for me”. I believe this step is the most important since it’ll keep you energized on your path.
Please don’t take this the wrong way but don’t mention your parents again. You’re 29 and this is your life and your career moving forward. I’m sure they meant well but I’d also like to believe they want you to be a strong independent person who can make their own decisions. Keep the past the past.
Are you going down a path that will end in disaster? Only if you let it. Instead of worrying about that, decide on a plan. For instance, what science courses do you plan on taking? At a minimum you need Bio 1 & 2, Chem I & II, Orgo I & II, and Physics I & II. Do you need to retake all of these courses or have you taken some of them before? Are you located in an area where there are post bacc programs nearby? Can you talk to an admission committee at a nearby medical school about your past academics and see how it would affect acceptance?
syr_eng2md,
I wanted to tell you thank you on your response. I also agree with that comment about my parents - it is something I inadvertantly bring up and don’t realize it sometimes.
I was a Biology and Chemistry minor but I have not taken science classes in about 10 years, so I am going to retake all my classes. A Post-Bacc unfortunately is not an option since I have to kepe my full-time job and the one offered here is a day program.
I will definitely meet with an admission committee and see what they say. I have talked to some DO schools and they gave me pointers on how to get in.
Did you volunteer and take classes and work at the same time?
Vilas - Hey, I used to read Dorland’s Medical Dictionary, so I got you covered in the nerd department!
Licia
Hi Vilas,
You’re welcome. Yes, I took classes, worked, and volunteered at the same time. It was a bit crazy for awhile and I adjusted as necessary.
Kate-
Ok maybe you do have me beat on that. Why did you pick WVSOM?
syr_eng2md -
Thanks again for the advice. Unfortunately I work at the major hospital in town and they will not let me volunteer if I work there - some new rule they had. I have talking to a few physicians in the area and they are going to try to get me into volunteer for some clinical research. And luckily, now with the Federal government furlough I get a day off a week so I can study 
(got to look at the positives right??)