<p>All right, I have always wanted to be a doctor since I was 8 years old. I actually want to be a neurologist. But the problem i have is unusual, I graduated highschool, with a 4.0 GPA ,ACT score of 26, Salutatorian of my class. I graduated in 2001 and started to attend University but then my father left my mom and me with the mortgage, bills, everything. So i had to stop college and work to pay the bills. Since then i could no longer afford the house so we sold it but then my mother had a stroke, so i then had to help her with her medical bills. Then last year when i finished paying those off she had another stroke but thank God she is ok but her insurance covered the costs. I still want to be a doctor so badly because i know its my calling but I'm now 27. My question is how can i get into a b.s/m.d program, because i know they are highly selective, prefer in state students and those fresh out of high school. I want to become a doctor as fast as possible and i'm already older than most med students. If there is any way you guys can help me it would be so appreciated. I have talked to alot of colleges and schools that offer these programs but they just say " apply and wait to see ". If there is any way to help me on any info to becoming a doctor and not going 4 years of college , then 4 years of medical school. Or any suggestions on what route or school i should take would be great also. I know most will say go to college then medical school but i just know somehow it would be better to attend a B.S/M.D program, just a feeling. Please if anyone can help me-a parent, student , college, or even a doctor. I really need some help because i have tried on my own but no school wants to help me with info, they just say it is possible certain schools might accept me but doesn't elaborate on which one, or helpme in anyway. Thank you.</p>
<p>I would also ask this question on the Student Doctor Network website forum…specifically in the Non-Traditional Students Forum.</p>
<p>[Student</a> Doctor Network Forums](<a href=“Nontraditional Students | Student Doctor Network”>Nontraditional Students | Student Doctor Network)</p>
<p>A BS/MD program may be the most efficient road to an MD, but I would not hang all my hopes on it. Your GPA is great, but ACT of 26 is not spectacular. You can also get a BS degree and then apply to Med school. </p>
<p>So now it is April and you can’t apply this year for a BS/MD program…You can use this year to prepare. Things to do:</p>
<p>1) Work and Save money for college tuition.</p>
<p>2) Volunteer in a medical setting to show your interest in medicine. You may find you don’t like working with people or you might find you love it.</p>
<p>3)I would choose one university with a BS/MD program and contact them. Find out if they would consider a person like you. If they would, what types of things would make you a strong candidate? What would they be looking for as extra curricular activities? Would you be allowed to take the ACT again at this point? Would you be allowed to transfer any of your previous credits (if you have any)?</p>
<p>4) Also prepare yourself for not getting into a BS/MD program. What about just going back to college? You might think about two cases: </p>
<p>A) I end up getting into medschool. You need to look at the pre-requisites for med school and make sure you take them (Calc, Physics, Chem, Organic Chem, etc.) </p>
<p>B) I end up not getting into medschool. You need to consider what you want to major in that might be useful if you are not in medschool. What other kind of career (be it in health care or not) can you get a job with? In any case med school isn’t as interested in what you major in as in your GPA and that you have the pre-requisites and a good MCAT score.</p>
<p>From reading Student Doctor Network, med schools are all about the GPA, the volunteering and the MCAT. So when you go back to college make sure you set yourself up for success. Don’t work 40 hours/week and take 5 classes. Don’t take too many lab sciences at once. If you have to choose between a slower pace and better grades, for med school it is all about the better grades. Yes, we know you want to be a doctor now, but if you don’t have a good GPA you won’t even get in.</p>
<p>Agree, your ACT of 26, plus the fact that you last took math/science in 2001, means you are not the strongest candidate for medical school. You definitely need to go back to college and play catch up.</p>
<p>What about being a Physician Assistant? I understand it’s about a 2 year post-bachelor program, as opposed to 4 years of medical school plus residencies etc.</p>
<p>I would think you would need to at least take some of the required courses for admissions to these programs (whether it’s bs/med school, PA or nursing or whatever) and show that you can do well on them NOW. Ten years ago is a LONG time.</p>
<p>PA programs are highly competitive as well…and the student first needs a bachelors degree. In addition to gain entrance into many PA programs you need to show some “experience” in something related to the medical field (DD most likely will follow this path…she got her EMT license and worked as an EMT which she will continue when she gets out of the Peace Corps). </p>
<p>Why not go and discuss this with an admissions person at a program within your state? One would think they would talk to you about what you need to do pursue this route. There ARE doctors out there who went a “non-traditional” route.</p>
<p>27 is not too “old” to follow your dreams! Go for it! The previous posters are correct that it is too late this year to apply for a BS/MD program for next fall. It is not, however, too late to take (or retake) some of the math and science or gen ed requirements at a community college OR to apply to schools with rolling admission for the Fall. If you want to wait until next year to apply for a program, look for some that have great advising for returning or nontraditional students. Also, are there constraints still due to your mom’s health. Though she seems better now, are you needing to stay local or can you put in place supports for her should you be out of the area? Best of luck and keep us posted!!</p>
<p>I have a friend who became a pediatrician at the age of 45. You can do it. And you don’t have to go to some fancy program. A kid I know is doing his med school in St. Louis after graduating from our local state u. I don’t think that St. Louis cared much about his ACT or SAT scores. </p>
<p>Just get yourself in <em>somewhere</em> to start, and go to college for a BS in a pre-med field, whether or not it’s a BS/MD program. Many people who go into the medical field do NOT start in a BS/MD program. </p>
<p>And, please tell them your story as you did to us. You have been a stand-up kid/grownup! Colleges would much rather have someone like you as a student than someone who has not proven themselves to be responsible as you have.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>