<p>My D1 is a non-trad. (She has a physics & math degree and decided only right before graduation she wanted to try for med school. 3 years later–she’s now a first year med student.)</p>
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<li>It doesn’t matter where you take your remaining credits so long as they’re from an accredited and recognized US college. It would be better to take them at a more recognized school–state flagship vs. unknown directional state U–if possible.</li>
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<p>If you have the required 2 semesters of freshman bio plus 2 semesters of labs–that’s all you need to apply at MOST schools. (Individual school have differing requirements so you’ll need to check specific requirements at the schools you’re most interested, esp ALL your in-state options.)</p>
<p>If you’ve only taken 1 semester of freshman bio, you need to complete the sequence. You MUST have 2 semesters of general bio. You MUST have 2 semesters of lab credits in addition to the lecture classes. D1 found A&P helpful, but it’s not a pre-req at most schools.</p>
<p>Don’t take online courses. They have a poor reputation with med schools, even if offered thru a reputable university. You cannot fulfill lab requirements via an online class.</p>
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<li>You can certainly try to get a lab job with a uni. These jobs are in high demand, though, and it may be difficult to find one. Consider taking a IT position–you’d still get the tuition remission. (Be aware that tuition remission employee benefits don’t kick in until AFTER you’ve worked 1 full calendar year at most schools.)</li>
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<p>It doesn’t really matter where you work in terms of its influence on med school admissions. Among D1’s med school classmates are waitpersons, community college tutors, wilderness guides/ski instructors, high school teachers, Best Buy salespersons, truck drivers…Med schools understand you need an income to keep body and soul together.</p>
<p>Be thoughtful in relocating. Since you will become an in-state resident for wherever you move to, take a look at the med schools in your potential new home. California is a bad place to be if want to apply in-state (too many applicants, not enough slots); Texas is a good place to be if you want to apply in state (several strong in-state options to choose from). Other states fall in-between. </p>
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<li>Do NOT attempt the MCAT until you’ve completed the minimum required courses. The MCAT isn’t at all like the SAT/ACT. MCAT requires extensive specific knowledge of the course material. I’d also strongly suggest you take a MCAT prep course before you attempt the MCAT.</li>
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<p>While med schools will allow you to apply and interview with required coursework pending, 12 credits is too many. Med schools want to see your grades for critical required classes, esp. 2 completed semesters of OChem.</p>
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<li>LORs from an employer won’t be looked at. Period. Med schools have specific requirements about who LORs must come from. Generally at least 2 of your 3 LORS must come from your science profs.</li>
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<p>If your UG offers a committee letter, then you ought to contact the pre-health advising office and see what you need to do to get current with them. Generally most schools will work with alums for up to 5 years after graduation.</p>
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<p>Other advice–if you haven’t started doing medically related volunteer work or have not participated in community service before now–get started ASAP. Both of those are critical, esp for non-trads.</p>
<p>And still more advice: the MCAT is changing format starting Jan 2015. The new exam will include more science/math materials (biochem, stats, cellular & molecular bio, genetics) and will have an additional humanities section (psych, soc, ethics, possibly some anthro and philosophy). Because of this entrance requirements for med school are changing. Be sure you check and double check each med school you’re interested in for what courses they require. Some schools have already announced new admission pre-reqs.)</p>