Calliefornia

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read/reply to this post.

I am currently a senior at CSU long beach and will be completing my degree in music performance as a cellist. Last year I had decided to reach for my dream and transfer to Boston University as a double major in Music and Neuroscience, my two absolute passions in life. Unfortunately, family issues and finances forced me to transfer back to CSU long beach.

I did not want to give up my medical passion to become a neurosurgeon. I am currently working as an intern at a hospital but am STUCK. Of course I thought I can just complete my premed classes at CSU long beach but they are forcing me to graduate due to "budget cuts" since I transferred and have been there 2-3 years and I have 120% credits.

So I now have to graduate next spring with just my music degree and I will be 20 at the time. I've done hours of research into post bac premed, but would love some advice.

1. Considering this situation, is post bac pre-med the way to go?
2. Do they require the GRE? I have not taken it yet.
3. I know prestige is normally good, but there are many "prestigious schools out there with lame advisors for premed." School recommendations from experience?
4. Will my age (20) and only one yr intern experience look elementary compared to others?

just fyi, I have only taken chem 1 and bio 1. Also, my gpa is 3.95.

ADVICE on anything in this post would be very appreciated.

WayOutWestMom

1) I don't see any other option for you. However, you don't need to do a formal post-bacc program. Since you've already completed some of your med school pre-reqs, you can enroll in the rest of your required coursework as non-degree seeking student at any 4 year college. Or you can enroll in a formal post-bacc for career changers. Getting into med school is never a "sure thing" no matter what the post-bacc program director will tell you (especially in CA!). Please don't go into debt for post-bacc!

2) Most career changer post-baccs so not require a GRE.

3) AMCAS has a searchable database of post-bacc programs here:

https://services.aamc.org/postbac/

No recommendations. Sorry.

4) Your age may be an issue for med school admission, but since you'll be a year or more older by the time you complete the rest of your pre-reqs that should take care of itself. Your lack of physician shadowing, community service and research experience will be a bigger issue.

~~~~~

And a word---you are a world away from choosing a medical specialty. Please don't fixate on neurosurgery. Concentrate on the first step--that is completing your pre-reqs and strengthening your CV so you can get accepted into med school.