Please comment, losing hope...

[ElenaV]

Here's my story in short, hopefully. Back in 2000 I came to the US from Russia to go to college. Before that I studied here for a year as an exchange student, I got an English language scholarship. In Russia I went to a private Physical/Mathematical Sciences school for 11 years and graduated with honors. College in the US started out smooth, I made A's and B's, and a couple of C's (in classes such as US government, hehe). I met my husband and the father of our children then. After we got engaged something strange started happening to him (mentally). No one knew what was wrong. This is when my whole world started falling apart...multiple emergency room visits, psychiatrists, medications... I could not go to class, but I couldn't drop because I had to maintain 12 hours of enrollment to keep my visa status. Over a year went by and he finally got stable, turned out he has a bi-polar I disorder. During this time my grades plummeted, I have F's, D's, e.t.c. My 3.8 GPA turned into 1.5. This past summer I started taking classes again hoping to enter a Clinical Laboratory Science program. I've retaken a few classes that I got an F in before and a couple more, all science. So far I have 15 credit hours under my belt with a 4.0 GPA (Chemistry II, Ochem I, Biology and Trig). As of now my GPA is 2.24. I want to go to medical school. I have to take a few more prerequisites for Clinical Lab Science and then 54 program credit hours before I get my bachelor's. I'm figuring I'd have to keep making straight A's for the remainder of my undergrad studies to get my GPA to just 3.0 My science GPA will be higher. I'm assuming that even if I have a chance, it will not be in MD? Or do I have a chance at all? I am aiming at at least a 32 on MCAT. Please share your thoughts. I don't know if this makes a difference, but my IQ is 139, lol.

[kavorca]

I wouldn't lose hope. A good use of your personal statement would be to explain all that.

[ElenaV]

Oh, and I started volunteering at the local hospital (ER). And I always go to my husband's appointments with a list in hand. His new psychiatrist even thought I was a med. student going to specialize in psychiatry. I know all the meds, symptoms, triggers, e.t.c.

[Lovemybabies]

I'm sorry you had to endure that.. I have no idea about your chances at anything.. but I always have believed that if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to get it. I also believe that everything happens for a reason.. so regardless of what happens.. it will all work itself out in the end.. Best of luck with everything!

[bannie22]

it will be tough with a 2.24. good luck.

[MilkmanAl]

I'm gonna move this to the WAMC section. You'll get more detailed responses there. The regulars are all over it.

[bunnity]

There are GPA calculators online if you want to get a better estimate of where you will stand by the time you graduate. Best of luck.

[ElenaV]

Where's WAMC?

[ElenaV]

As I read more and more posts on here I'm starting to realize that I have 0 chance Only if I could sit down with a person and explain to them what happened. I mean, people on here are wondering what their chances are with 3.8 GPA and 32 and up MCAT...Just did the GPA predictor or whatever, and I'll have to take 238 credit hours all with a 4.0 just to raise mine to 3.5. Ugh...I'm making the highest grades in all of my classes, even higher than the pre-med students who are going to marticulate next year.

[Stratego]

A good option for you would be to consider DO medical schools which are more forgiving of past academic blemishes. Their application service only includes the most recent retake grade, so if you repeat those classes that you did poorly in, taking the same or more credit hours, the first grade will not be included in the application GPA calculation. Median GPA for acceptees to DO schools is 3.45, and MCAT is 26.5.

[J DUB]

Originally Posted by Stratego

A good option for you would be to consider DO medical schools which are more forgiving of past academic blemishes. Their application service only includes the most recent retake grade, so if you repeat those classes that you did poorly in, taking the same or more credit hours, the first grade will not be included in the application GPA calculation. Median GPA for acceptees to DO schools is 3.45, and MCAT is 26.5.

My thoughts exactly!!

[bannie22]

yes, DO is really the only way to go, or carribeans, i really dunt see 2.2 getting into MD schools.

[bainrd]

Originally Posted by ElenaV

As I read more and more posts on here I'm starting to realize that I have 0 chance Only if I could sit down with a person and explain to them what happened. I mean, people on here are wondering what their chances are with 3.8 GPA and 32 and up MCAT...Just did the GPA predictor or whatever, and I'll have to take 238 credit hours all with a 4.0 just to raise mine to 3.5. Ugh...I'm making the highest grades in all of my classes, even higher than the pre-med students who are going to marticulate next year.

You obviously have what it takes to get good scores in difficult classes, given your scores when you are able to focus. Doing very well on the MCAT will help demonstrate that also. I would definitely apply DO because while their entrance requirements are a little lower, more importantly they are accessible to less traditional students. They want someone who can relate to people and has life experiences. Who you are is important to them, once they are convinced you can handle the curriculum. Keep taking your pre-reqs, working on your extracurriculars, and develop relationships for LORs. Some schools have a GPA "cutoff" of 2.5. With the upward trend in your grades and a passionate personal statement, I think your story and experiences tell the rest. Good luck to you!

[lkorovin]

Лена, уныние это грех.

If you don't see a future for yourself outside of medicine, then your future must be in medicine. A good MCAT and an informative personal statement will help you. Maybe try getting a letter of recommendation from your husband's psychiatrist...

[ElenaV]

Originally Posted by bannie22

yes, DO is really the only way to go, or carribeans, i really dunt see 2.2 getting into MD schools.

2.2 is the GPA I have right now. I have 2.5 years until I get my bac degree. I did some calculations and would only have 3.0 upon graduation GIVEN that I make all A's. I am making plans on discussing my situation with the university I went to. Turns out there are some things that could be done besides having to retake all of those classes (I really don't see myself retaking "swim for fit." which I have an F in)

Thank you everyone. The letter from my husband's psychiatrist is a great idea! For the person who typed in Russian, spasibo, are we considered "underepresented", lol?

[lkorovin]

Don't know, would be convenient though. Even though Russians may very well actually be an "overrepresented minority"...

[LateBl00meR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA

"So you're telling me there's a chance"

[dingyibvs]

If you can get it up to a 3.0, I think you'll have a good shot. No school has a cutoff above 3.0, and with a good PS, you at least have a chance to explain your situation. BTW, are you applying as an international?

[ElenaV]

Originally Posted by dingyibvs

If you can get it up to a 3.0, I think you'll have a good shot. No school has a cutoff above 3.0, and with a good PS, you at least have a chance to explain your situation. BTW, are you applying as an international?

No, I'm a citizen of the US now. PS=personal statement?

[ElenaV]

Originally Posted by LateBl00meR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA

"So you're telling me there's a chance"

Ok, thank you.

[voitokas]

Originally Posted by bainrd

You obviously have what it takes to get good scores in difficult classes, given your scores when you are able to focus. Doing very well on the MCAT will help demonstrate that also. I would definitely apply DO because while their entrance requirements are a little lower, more importantly they are accessible to less traditional students. They want someone who can relate to people and has life experiences. Who you are is important to them, once they are convinced you can handle the curriculum. Keep taking your pre-reqs, working on your extracurriculars, and develop relationships for LORs. Some schools have a GPA "cutoff" of 2.5. With the upward trend in your grades and a passionate personal statement, I think your story and experiences tell the rest. Good luck to you!

I think that's true. Also, you might consider applying as "disadvantaged" on your AMCAS/AACOMAS. You certainly fit the category, and theoretically schools are supposed to review your whole file as opposed to just screening by numbers... I think you have a very good chance. Good luck!

[dingyibvs]

Originally Posted by ElenaV

No, I'm a citizen of the US now. PS=personal statement?

Yes, PS = personal statement. Being an U.S. citizen should help as well, and as someone else suggested, apply as "disadvantaged"(not to be confused with underrepresented tho!). You'll definitely have a shot if you get your desired MCAT score and have the supporting EC's!

[ElenaV]

What exactly is considered "disadvantaged"? I'm sorry, I am new to this.

[dingyibvs]

Originally Posted by ElenaV

What exactly is considered "disadvantaged"? I'm sorry, I am new to this.

A good example would be having serious personal problems, such as having a parent or in your case, a spouse falling very ill and you have to shoulder two people's burden by yourself. Or maybe you grew up in the ghetto and never had educational opportunities, or you could be a single parent for a long time. Basically anything that puts you in a severe disadvantage compared to other applicants.