<p>Little bit about myself
. Graduated from a vocational high school in 2009, worked for a year and joined the Air Force. I dont have my high school grades on me, but I do know I was top 5% of my class. Ive been in the Air Force for over 3 years and am thinking about a change of life. I recently got divorced, which has caused me to reflect on my goals and dreams. Ive been mostly unsatisfied with my job (not mentally simulating, desk job 7:30-4:30) I feel like I am spinning my wheels and wasting my time, I want to make a difference in peoples lives. I have been taking college classes, and have 60/64 credits for an Associates in Information Management through the Community College of the Air Force while maintaining a 3.8 GPA.</p>
<p>Im turning 23 in a few months and have been revisiting my high school desires. I am eligible to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill for school, which is great, and am considering putting in my package to separate next year during one of the voluntary programs.
Ive always been fascinated by the medical field, and am considering majoring in Biochemistry/Bioengineering with a long term goal of becoming an Anesthesiologist. Ive spoken to Anesthesiologists in the Air Force (ridiculous program to get accepted into, Ive looked), Ive grown up around doctors my whole life, practically half of one side of my family are ophthalmologists, I know helping people is what I want to do in life.</p>
<p>I am speaking to a military career/education advisor Tuesday about my options. Below is a list of schools Ive compiled. Is there anything I should know about the schools (acceptance rate into med school, etc)?
FYI I am a resident of Massachusett.</p>
<p>Boston University
UMass Amherst
University of Pennsylvania
Washington University St. Luis
Cornell
Dartmouth
Baylor University
George Washington University
Georgetown</p>
<p>Ill apply to Harvard, and Duke just to see. But for a BS Im not too worried about Ivy League schools.</p>
<p>The thing is you’ll be considered a transfer student. Most of the top schools have ridiculously low transfer acceptance percentage. You may want to investigate transfer acceptance rates and apply to schools that accept more.</p>
<p>Transfer credits don’t necessarly matter to much to me, most of the courses were done online, apply to the military, and didn’t cost me anything.</p>
<p>In a sence I’d be starting fresh</p>
<p>Doesn’t matter that you feel that you’re starting over.</p>
<p>Schools will KNOW that you have those credits, therefore you’ll be a transfer student…regardless. </p>
<p>And med schools will also include those grades in your GPA…no matter what. </p>
<p>In no sense will you be “starting fresh.”</p>
<p>A few things:
First, when I was in the USAF many years ago, there were some issues about transferring credits from CCAF to most four year colleges. May be different now(I certainly hope it is) but you’ll need to check that out with the schools at which you submit applications.
Second, you’ll be in the seemingly contradictory position of having all your grades at CCAF count for medical school application while at the same time being able to use very few of the course credits as a transfer. You have mentioned that you want to major in Biochem or Bioengineering. While you don’t list the courses you’ve taken at CCAF, I’d bet very very few would count towards your major. But you mention that you expect to start from scratch, so probably not a problem.
Third: I’d recommend that you finish at CCAF and get your AA before your discharge. While not a big plus, finishing that degree with such a high GPA will be a plus in your eventual medical school application.
Fourth: Have you taken the SAT? If so, what were your scores? I ask because that’s one competitive list of schools you’ve got; don’t know much about UMass-Amherst for a state resident, but all the others range from competitive to competitive++. Take a look at your HS grades(they’ll still be considered) and your SATs and plan accordingly.<br>
Fifth: Both Biochem and Bioengineering are very very tough majors. Medical schools don’t give points(at least not many) for toughness of major, so keep that in mind. Most bioengineering programs are brutal in terms of work required and grades given. Again, not saying don’t do it, but if you do, be aware of the possible ramifications.
Sixth: If this is what you want to do, you’ll need to get started very, very quickly. The UG application cycle is starting, so you need to get moving on this if you are applying for fall 2014.
Seventh: This can be done. My spouse went to med school with a person who did the enlisted AF/college/med school route exactly the way you are planning. And when I was in the AF I met several AF physicians who had started as enlisted, got their GI bill money, and ended up in college and medical school. So I’d encourage you to go for it, as it is doable.
Finally, when the time comes(need your UG first) don’t forget USUHS or the military health professions scholarships.
Best wishes.</p>