<p>Right now I am almost finished with sophmore year just finishing up some advanced math. I have been working for a small engineering company on and off for a couple years. My father got me in touch with the company when he was contracting out for them. Anyways, they love me, i have alot of contacts and i have a very high paying job lined up right out of school when i get my degree. but i dont see myself in the engineering field my whole life.</p>
<p>I have always enjoyed sciences and human biology and am pretty sure I want to be in the medical field. It really does suit me best. Basically my plan is to continue my degree in EE maintaining as high a gpa as i can and upon graduation go to work for acouple of years at this company while obtaining the necessary classes Ochem etc. while stockpiling money. and eventually going to med school when im ready. I know this is a very daunting task but this is what my question is.. Anyone with similar experience or even someone with any knowledge have an opinion on my current strategy??? Thanks</p>
<p>Your plan could work, but there are a few major caveats…</p>
<p>1) You need to have medically-related ECs. These are critical for all potential applicants. You will need to do physician shadowing plus hospital volunteering in college. You will need to continue with the hospital/medical volunteering even while working as engineer. Especially while working as an engineer. (To show continuing interest to the field of medicine.) </p>
<p>2) The MCAT exam is changing its content starting in 2015. (It will include stats, genetics, biochem, cellular and molecular bio as well the current science requirements. Plus there will be a new section on human behavior–covering sociology, psychology and ethics.) Because of this change, starting for Class of 2016, medical schools will have different entrance requirements than they do currently. Make sure you are familiar with/able to meet the new list of admission requirements.</p>
<p>3) Pre-reqs have “freshness dates”. Many medical schools will not accept pre-reqs that were taken more than 7 years prior to matriculation. You will need to either apply within that time-frame or take coursework over prior to your application.</p>
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<p>That said, if your GPA/MCAT are within the norm and you do all of the above, plus you apply carefully to schools which are more accepting of non-traditional students (or perhaps if your grades/ MCAT warrants it to the few programs that offer MS[engineering]/MD degrees), then your chances are as good as anyone’s.</p>