UMPI Collecting credits before applying?

[allvia]

If you want to go to med school, I wouldn't suggest an online program. You're going to need in person science courses. Definitely check out what the schools you're interested in apply to for med school require.

History here has shown that it isn't so much an issue with being online, but make sure you have certain requirements traditional graded courses (online or in-person) vs alternative credits. There have been a number of individuals here who went on to medical school with a bachelor obtained through the methods/schools discussed here. However, the most detailed journey on getting there is this thread here... https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...read-Guide

[adrianeraldo]

Addendum


Budget: I have a max of $15K saved up.  I'd like to go the cheapest route possible, but will consider spending more for easy and fast.  

Commitments: My family. I'm semi-retired.

Dedicated time to study: 3 hours in the morning, 3 hours at night, 6 days a week.

Timeline: I'm aiming at 12 months max.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: my own pocket...

[ss20ts]

If you want to go to med school, I wouldn't suggest an online program. You're going to need in person science courses. Definitely check out what the schools you're interested in apply to for med school require.

History here has shown that it isn't so much an issue with being online, but make sure you have certain requirements traditional graded courses (online or in-person) vs alternative credits. There have been a number of individuals here who went on to medical school with a bachelor obtained through the methods/schools discussed here. However, the most detailed journey on getting there is this thread here... https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...read-Guide

Isn't the OP in Canada?

[bjcheung77]

@adrianeraldo, you have enough of a budget to get your undergrad and enough to do a proper year of "hard sciences". Then you're out of budget for medical school, you'll have to go through a loan process for Canada. You can always use the Canadian Lifelong Learning Benefit, but that's only up to 10K, payable in 10 years. You really need to budget yourself and also look at back up options as I mentioned earlier. More details on your plans to get there, much better outcome or ways to get this done...

[MSK9]

Addendum


Budget: I have a max of $15K saved up.  I'd like to go the cheapest route possible, but will consider spending more for easy and fast.  

Commitments: My family. I'm semi-retired.

Dedicated time to study: 3 hours in the morning, 3 hours at night, 6 days a week.

Timeline: I'm aiming at 12 months max.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: my own pocket...

Med skool is a long road with no shortcuts. I used Doane's program for many of my prerequisites post-bacc. That said, it really is helpful to have certain courses in person, especially especially chemistry, considering a significant portion of med skool "basic" sciences is rooted in biochemistry.

If you're set on Canadian schools, start building your CV if you haven't yet. Canadian schools are statistically harder to get into than US schools due to how few there are. Many Canadian students come to US or Caribbean schools because of that. I've met many Canadians throughout my time at St. G. One of my close friends from school is from Toronto.

I see you're a family man - that is great. Just make sure you prepare them (and yourself) for what this path entails. It's a huge commitment with a huge price tag. Please consider (for their sake and your own) carefully.

[Duneranger]

As someone who works in the realm, I would REALLY reconsider med school at 54. It is a 200-250k (Caribbean/US...Canada a bit cheaper) investment and realistically you wouldn't get done with residency till 60. Then you have 5-6 years of actual practice. You will spend your entire paycheck on loans. Med school is pretty ageist so I would be surprised if you got an admission to be honest. Even if you killed it with GPA/MCAT scores.

The oldest resident I have known was early 40s (started med school mid late 30s) and he was really questioning his decision at that time.

In-person for pre-reqs is HIGHLY preferred...

[ss20ts]

As someone who works in the realm, I would REALLY reconsider med school at 54. It is a 200-250k (Caribbean/US...Canada a bit cheaper) investment and realistically you wouldn't get done with residency till 60. Then you have 5-6 years of actual practice. You will spend your entire paycheck on loans. Med school is pretty ageist so I would be surprised if you got an admission to be honest. Even if you killed it with GPA/MCAT scores.

The oldest resident I have known was early 40s (started med school mid late 30s) and he was really questioning his decision at that time.

In-person for pre-reqs is HIGHLY preferred...

I'm 48 and I can't even imagine beginning med school at my age. I couldn't keep up with the hours required for studying and then internships and residency.....kill me now! It's one thing to go without sleep for a day or 2 in your 20's. In your 40's it's a whole different world.

[Duneranger]

As someone who works in the realm, I would REALLY reconsider med school at 54. It is a 200-250k (Caribbean/US...Canada a bit cheaper) investment and realistically you wouldn't get done with residency till 60. Then you have 5-6 years of actual practice. You will spend your entire paycheck on loans. Med school is pretty ageist so I would be surprised if you got an admission to be honest. Even if you killed it with GPA/MCAT scores.

The oldest resident I have known was early 40s (started med school mid late 30s) and he was really questioning his decision at that time.

In-person for pre-reqs is HIGHLY preferred...

I'm 48 and I can't even imagine beginning med school at my age. I couldn't keep up with the hours required for studying and then internships and residency.....kill me now! It's one thing to go without sleep for a day or 2 in your 20's. In your 40's it's a whole different world.

Honestly the amount of info and knowledge required is like drinking through a fire hose constantly. 12-16 hour days studying 6 days a week. Its insane. Then the dreaded 2 years of clinicals after board exams. Half the residents I knew who were in their 20s or early 30s were semi-regretting the decision but too deep in to give up.

At 54 with a family? If a person has the neuroplasticity at that point in life I would be surprised. But even if they did overcome that, I am sure they would be looking at their family excommunicating them.

My brother became a CRNA (nurse anesthesia). It was a doctoral program with most students in their mid 20s to mid 30s. 5 divorces by the end.

[Jonathan Whatley]

The realistic pre-medical student also has to be ready to make several intercity moves, with limited choice in what city will have a spot for them each time. And for Canadian applicants, these are often international moves.

• Moving to a med school that admits you for the two preclinical years.
  
• Often, moving for the start of year 3 because clinical rotations are in a different city not commutable from the med school city.
  
• Sometimes, moving additional times within years 3 and 4 because clinical rotations are all over the map.
  
• Moving to a postgraduate training site that admits you.
  
• Often, moving one or more times during postgraduate training (e.g., preliminary internship in city A, complete residency in city B, complete subspecialty fellowship in city C).
  

[Duneranger]

The realistic pre-medical student also has to be ready to make several intercity moves, with limited choice in what city will have a spot for them each time. And for Canadian applicants, these are often international moves.

• Moving to a med school that admits you for the two preclinical years.
  
• Often, moving for the start of year 3 because clinical rotations are in a different city not commutable from the med school city.
  
• Sometimes, moving additional times within years 3 and 4 because clinical rotations are all over the map.
  
• Moving to a postgraduate training site that admits you.
  
• Often, moving one or more times during postgraduate training (e.g., preliminary internship in city A, complete residency in city B, complete subspecialty fellowship in city C).
  

Yup, I had to move across the country for my medical program. You go where you get accepted and your life is on pause for years. Rotations are often hours away or in different states as you said. Residency will likely be in another state. Its a young person game.

At 54 I just can't see the benefit in this and I am all for getting degrees as a perosnal goal.