@hushcom Thank you very much for taking the time to do this for us!
I wanted to ask you a couple of questions regarding distance learning courses and your general opinion of my particular situation -- I'll be as brief as possible.
I was born 3 1/2 months premature, and wasn't expected to live. I spent a good portion of my first months in an incubator, and as a result or the early birth, my respiratory system was not up to par until I was about 12. I frequented the hospital for checkups for the majority of my childhood, but still managed to do very well in school. I came from Puerto Rico to attend college in the continental US, and English is my second language. I have since become fluent in English, French and studied ancient Greek. The language barrier and the fact that I was here alone initially posed a bit of an issue for me, and I struggled a bit as a result. Then, I lost my grandmother -- who was a big part of raising me, moreso a mother figure, as my mother worked. I graduated from George Washington University with a c2.88 in Biological Anthropology, and with a 2.41 sGPA -- although I have very few classes that count toward my sGPA, so this will undoubtedly change. I have since graduated with a 3.7 from the top forensic science school in the US with a Master of Science in Forensic Science. I completed an internship with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner here in CT, which initially prompted my love and admiration for the medical field, and then during a shadowing opportunity I had with St. Vincent's hospital in Bridgeport, CT, I fell in love with the patient interaction aspect and overall holistic approach that DO's partake in. I have since been accepted to a post-bacc program, but have the option of completing the majority of my required science prereqs via the University of New England's Health Sciences Distance Learning Program for non traditional students. I work 40+ hours a week as a resident services coordinator for property that provides low income housing for financially disadvantaged and handicapped residents, and I LOVE the ability I have to interact with people; I cannot give up this position. I will take advantage of the grade replacement that is permitted, I will become a DO, and I plan on doing what I must to make that happen, but I wanted to know, what are your thoughts specifically of distance learning classes, and what do you feel I should do to get myself where I need to be? What would you need to see to feel comfortable with me as an applicant? MCAT score wise, course selection (if you feel I should go beyond prereqs) etc.
Thank you again, very much for your time! This is invaluable for me!
Best,
Karla Rivera
I honestly didn't even consider adding allopathic schools. I didn't feel like I could realistically compete GPA wise given that they don't permit grade replacement, which is really the only way I feel that I can feasibly turn my ship around in the near future. Do you feel that there is a particular reason why I could be accepted by an Allopathic program? Or are you saying that casting a wider net would be more beneficial to my situation?
