u/Rich_Recording_5212

Hi everyone!

I’m 34and, after 10 years working in public health and humanitarian programs, I’ve decided to pursue medicine. This fall I’ll be start taking my prerequisites at a community college, with the goal of taking the MCAT in 2028.

I work full-time for my county government, so my study schedule is mostly weekends and weekday evenings (6–10 PM). I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who took a similar nontraditional path.

A few questions:

1. Which prerequisite courses do you recommend prioritizing or taking together?
2. Is taking biochemistry at a community college sufficient, or would taking an upper-level university biochemistry course strengthen my medical school application?
3. If you worked full-time while completing prerequisites, what study strategies helped you earn strong grades?
4. Looking back, what’s something you wish you had known before starting MCAT preparation?
5. Ikeep hearing that I need straight A’s to be competitive. How true is that? If I earn a few B’s, how much will it realistically affect my chances?

Any advice, study plans, or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!