message to those who feel like giving up...

[Jalopycat]

Hey everyone. I wanted to give some encouragement to those that may have less than steller grades and mcat.

I've secretly wanted to be a doctor my whole life but never thought I was smart enough. I'm 31 now and have been a social worker for 6 years. During this time, I made the decision to try to get into medical school. This involved me taking all my science classes at night while juggling a stressful full time job and another part time job(no choice there). As a result, my grades aren't as good as some (3.2) and I had to take the mcat 3 times to just get a measly 24. I went ahead and applied to my state school..I just want to be a doctor, I don't get too caught up with the whole "top 20" thing. My state school is just fine. I was granted an interview for the very last day of interviews. I had a really good interview, but we were all told there were virtually no acceptance slots left, so I was not too surprised when I got a waitlisted letter from them a few weeks later. Basically I was relieved I was not rejected because there were lots of people with 4.0's and much high mcats that did get the rejection letter. Well, this morning, I got a call from the school telling me I was in! I couldn't believe it and even asked if it was a prank call. I truly was not expecting to hear something this soon and had decided to spend my summer studying for the August mcat. So, now I don't have to. I guess what I'm trying to say is that people do get off the waitlists and people who have less than perfect grades do get into medical school. So, if you really want to be a doctor, don't give up!

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[SeeGulz]

It must feel awesome. Congrats!!!

 

[imtiaz]

Congratulations! I'm waitlisted at one school and your post has given me hope!

 

[praying4MD]

CONGRATULATIONS! Another old timer SDNer gets in! You're story is inspirational and I am happy for you. Have fun celebrating!

 

[Sm00th13]

Pretty cool that you hung in till the end. We
need to hear more "never say die" stories. Good luck in Med school Jalopycat. Meow Mix

 

[Ciardeme]

Congrats Jalopycat. I am in a similar situation, but i am about to concede. I was supposed to take the April MCAT, but i am just not ready. (It will be my fourth attempt.) A good friend of mine was killed last month and i haven't been able to get myself together. Although it has always been my goal to attend med school, it just doesn't seem real important at the moment. One question, what do you think got you the interview?

 

[vixen]

congrats!!! go celebrate!! and thanks for sharing your story!!

 

[daisygirl]

Congrats Jalopycat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mpp]

Congratulations...

 

[lumanyika]

cheers jelopycat!! .just two days ago I was thinking whether going through all this Sh** was worth it for medical school.......now I know why I'm still climbing that hill.

"Never sleep because the enemy breathes"--sizzla

 

[oldman]

great story.

you don't have to be smart to be a doctor, just dedicated.

 

[Ibis]

Congrats Jalopy!!!! You'll make a fine physician. :wink:

 

[LizardKing]

Great story. It's stories like these that give me some faith into this whole process again.

 

[SMW]

Wow!! Congrats!!! Way to have confidence in yourself!!!! You only applied to one school? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> It's like winning the lottery!!!

 

[megkudos]

Congratualations on your acceptance You must be thrilled

 

[souljah1]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by oldman:
•great story.

you don't have to be smart to be a doctor, just dedicated.•••••Perhaps I am interpreting this post a bit strangely, but I would bet that jalopy is very smart. Working two jobs and going to night classes isn't easy. Doing all that and getting a 30something on your mcat and a 3.7+ is incredibly difficult. I think it takes both intelligence and dedication.

I'm not saying that you are implying that jalopy isn't smart but only dedicated, but your wording can be interpreted that way.

Jalopy..My greatest congratulations to you. What a great achievement! Your post is why I really love to check out what is going on in the SDN forums. I really appreciate your story. I wish you the best.

 

[8deuce]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!

KNOWING THAT YOU ARE AN OLDER NON-TRAD MAKES IT EVEN BETTER.
I'M THE SAME AGE AND I SOMETIMES QUESTION MYSELF.
NOW I TRULY HAVE MORE HOPE!

 

[Sam]

Hello Jalopycat. Recently, I lost interest in applying to medical school because the application process was so daunting, and I felt so insecure about going up against 4.0 GPA and 35 MCAT students. But your inspirational story has encouraged me to keep trying. Thank you, and congratulations on your success!

 

[otter]

CONGRATULATIONS!! I've worked in the mental health field and I know how tough being a social worker is. I think your social work background will make you a terrific doctor. You deserve it! I'm so happy for you, and I love your story!!!

 

[KrazyKid]

To add the others " CONGRATS!! YO"
you have inspired me among others!

 

[inanna]

woooooooohooooooooo!!!!

Thanks for sharing your story; it gives me much-needed hope! Have a great summer knowing that You're Going To Be A Doctor -- hooray for Dr. JalopyCat

 

[PelicanMan]

good job now go kick ass in med school

 

[Trek]

Congrats, jalopy. Nice to hear about your great news. --Trek

 

[Wendy926]

Congrats Jalopy!!! You're a great inspiration! Thanks for sharing your story!

 

[kylie]

That is really wonderful. I do not know you, but I am proud of you, and would be honored to call such a dedicated man a colleague of mine one day.

 

[Future_Doc]

Congrats! Seems like our population of career-changing, successful applicants is growing.

 

[hannacanna]

wonderful inspiration--congratulations! when you get in class with those people with higher gpa and mcat, remember that you WORKED SO HARD to sit there with them. YOU DESERVE everything you've achieved. You are as qualified and smart and able as they are. All your hard work has paid off; relax and enjoy!

 

[rockaway]

congratulations to you!
and also, thank you..I really needed to hear this story..enjoy the feeling..good luck

 

[driven]

This is great.. By the way, do you mind telling me what State School? I am taking the MCAT's in April and am so scared and not sure if I do as high as some of our peers here at SDN. But your story is a definite motivation.

 

[barb]

Congratulations Jalopycat!!!
I am so happy for you! It took me so many years to get to the point where I was ready to apply and then last year I applied to 40 schools, and didn't get a single interview. This is my second year applying and it has been so frustrating, but your story is helping me keep my hope alive. I haven't gotten accepted anywhere yet, but I'm still waiting to hear from a few schools. Hopefully, in a few weeks I will be able to share my own story of hope.

 

[Optimistic]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Jalopycat:
•Hey everyone. I wanted to give some encouragement to those that may have less than steller grades and mcat.

I've secretly wanted to be a doctor my whole life but never thought I was smart enough. I'm 31 now and have been a social worker for 6 years. During this time, I made the decision to try to get into medical school. This involved me taking all my science classes at night while juggling a stressful full time job and another part time job(no choice there). As a result, my grades aren't as good as some (3.2) and I had to take the mcat 3 times to just get a measly 24. I went ahead and applied to my state school..I just want to be a doctor, I don't get too caught up with the whole "top 20" thing. My state school is just fine. I was granted an interview for the very last day of interviews. I had a really good interview, but we were all told there were virtually no acceptance slots left, so I was not too surprised when I got a waitlisted letter from them a few weeks later. Basically I was relieved I was not rejected because there were lots of people with 4.0's and much high mcats that did get the rejection letter. Well, this morning, I got a call from the school telling me I was in! I couldn't believe it and even asked if it was a prank call. I truly was not expecting to hear something this soon and had decided to spend my summer studying for the August mcat. So, now I don't have to. I guess what I'm trying to say is that people do get off the waitlists and people who have less than perfect grades do get into medical school. So, if you really want to be a doctor, don't give up! •••••Thats great,..Congratulations!