- Joined
- Feb 7, 2010
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Pre-Medical
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hello,
I've been reading these forums for a while now, and I felt it was finally time to make my own post. I am currently a Chemistry major at Oregon State University and will be graduating in June. I started out at school pretty strong (as a Biochemistry/Biophysics student in the Honors College), but after studying abroad for during my Sophomore year have been plagued with illness that has really affected my grades (initially, a temporary autoimmune disorder from being on antibiotics for a large portion of my time abroad; then, after gaining a LOT of weight while being sick for a year or so, a "pseudotumor" or vast increase in spinal fluid pressure causing intense migraines and, initially, vision issues). This year, most of my medical problems have subsided except that I am still getting pretty frequent migraines. I am trying to cope as best I can with my medical issues. In addition, after being sick for so long, I've found that I am struggling to build my basic study skills, ability to retain science information, and motivation back up. In any case, my desire to become a doctor hasn't changed. While I have considered alternatives to this profession, such as being a physician assistant or becoming a nurse practitioner, I really want to be a doctor above anything else.
One of my biggest issues is that I have had several retaken classes (some that I completely failed, others where I was below a C). I would have liked to just take a year out of school, but I have military insurance through my grandfather (legal guardian) and would have lost it if I wasn't a full time student (insurance is not something you want to lose when you are already having health issues). I know that the applications for MD schools don't replace the grade for classes that you retake. Instead, from what I've read, they count both the initial course and the retaken course as if they were two separate courses. However, I've heard that the applications for DO schools will replace the grade (what if the class was retaken more than once; ie. initial class plus two retakes?). If this is correct, my current GPA looks much better for DO schools than for MD schools. I am assuming that the average GPA/MCAT statistics shown for DO schools utilize the DO calculations while the MD statistics use the MD calculations.
MD application stats - cumGPA: 3.18; sciGPA: 2.62 (or 2.78 if my ecology/biology/study abroad courses from Ecuador are considered as science)
DO application stats - cumGPA: 3.46; sciGPA: 3.05 (or 3.17 ")
If I am right about how DO scores are calculated, then I think my DO stats actually aren't that bad (certainly more competitive than my MD stats). For this term and the next (until I graduate), I am going to try really hard to at very least not make these scores worse. It is hard to say how it will go since my migraine cycles are pretty unpredictable, but I am trying very hard to push through (also, as I've been losing weight, the frequency of the extremely severe ones has been decreasing; I am trying to continue improving my lifestyle and losing excess weight to improve my health).
After I graduate, here is my plan of action for the next year or two:
I am going to get trained and start working as a CNA after graduation. Over the summer, I am probably going to take 15 credits (9 lecture, 6 lab) of Anatomy & Physiology. During the remainder of the following year 2010-2011, I will probably take 4-8 credits per term of classes such as Microbiology, the lab to match my organic chemistry classes (didn't even realize there was a lab section when I first took organic chem), Psychology (basic and developmental), and other courses that fall within the science catagory (and also, conveniently, in the pre-reqs for PA and MSN programs) such as Epidemiology, Immunology, Bacteriology, etc.
I am currently leaning towards applying Summer/Fall 2011 (or 2012) since that will give me extra time to study for the MCAT, get my health completely in order, and take a few extra classes to raise my GPA. Speaking of which, if I do this as a non-degree student, these credits will still count towards my undergrad GPA, right? If I need to, I guess I could get readmitted to the University as a 2nd degree seeking student, but I don't plan on staying that long. Non-degree students at OSU can currently enroll in up to 8 credits each term (except summer when credits are unlimited).
Also, how useful will my employment as a CNA be (experiencing direct patient care). I know PA schools love to see this patient care experience and generally even make it a requirement. However, I'm uncertain how important this would be to medical schools. Please let me know your opinions on this.
Also, when are the application time frames for MD vs. DO? I am under the impression that MD is generally from June 1 - October 15. DO schools, it seems, has a much later time frame starting from May - January (does this mean you can apply as late as January to attend school the next fall, or is this system for applying a year and a half ahead?). If applying as late as January means you can attend the next fall session at DO schools, then I may be able to apply for these schools right at the beginning of 2011 and potentially attend fall of 2011 (or apply and attend in 2012, but the general idea is that I'd have more time to prepare than for MD schools, right?). Please let me know if my time frame is correct and what your recommendations would be for my situation.
Overall, I am curious about my chances of getting into a medical school. I am pretty much willing to do whatever it takes. I've even considered the extra long route of getting an accelerated BSN, attending PA school (Master's Degree), and then heading to medical school later on. I would greatly appreciate comments and suggestions. I am currently looking at the current schools as potential options for MD and DO. Let me know what you think. I appreciate any input. Thanks. 🙂
MD Schools: OHSU (IS), PR-San Juan Bautista (OOS), Morehouse (OOS), North Dokota (OOS)
DO Schools: WesternU NW Track (new school opening near me in 2011; don't know how acceptance will be), CCOM (OOS), LECOM (OOS), DMU-COM (OOS)
I am also curious about whether OOS residents are generally held to a higher standard than the average GPA/MCAT scores. In other words, do they allow in-staters to be accepted with 3.3 GPAs while they want OOS students to have GPAs of 3.7 (to average out to 3.5, etc.). I know most schools show preference to IS students with regards to how many are accepted. Are there any schools that accept higher numbers of OOS students while adhering to a relatively lower GPA/MCAT scores than average for acceptance? I don't yet know how my MCAT will go (which is why I'd like plenty of time to prepare), but I generally have always done pretty well on standardized tests.
As for paying for school, I'm not totally sure yet. Fortunately, I had scholarships for all of my undergraduate studies (thank You so much Ford Family for not dropping me when my grades went bad from illness!!!). So, I don't have any debt accumulated so far. I have enough saved up to take care of at least my summer classes and a term or two of 4-8 credits after that. For medical school, though, I'm not sure. I have already been in undergrad for 5 years including summers, so I think my federal aid might be used up (they only offer so many terms worth, right?). I may be able to get two years of $15,000/year for graduate school from the Ford Family Foundation, but it will be really competitive since I will be going against other Ford Scholars.
I have also considered the HPSP military scholarship. I actually love the idea of being in the military (my grandpa, legal guardian, was in until retiring). However, since I've had so many health issues, I'm not sure they would accept me. Besides the recent stuff (and still being on Diamox for the increased spinal fluid pressure), I was once diagnosed as being "insulin resistant" when I was 15-16. I actually think it was a misdiagnosis, though, since I have never had high blood sugar whenever I've tested it since then. I think that was right around the time that some "statistics" showed that about 75% of Americans were potentially some degree of "insulin resistant" and how diagnosing it early could prevent future health issues, so I think that is why I was tested. My results came back high based on eating a very high sugar meal vs. the amount of sugar in my blood at a certain time after eating and I was prescribed a low dose of Metformin. I don't remember how long I took it, but I don't think it was very long since I tested my blood sugar often after that and never really noticed any problems. If anyone here has any experience with health issues and the military, please let me know if you think that route may be possible. I know I initially was disqualified from the ROTC program because of this "insulin resistance" and was told I wouldn't be able to get a waiver (but a few months later got a welcome letter and orientation information for OSU ROTC students, though this may have been some kind of mistake; I had FORD by this time, though, so I called and told them I wouldn't be attending). Since I won't be applying for medical schools for a while, I have time to get my weight down further and get my health in order (from what I've heard, you don't have to apply for HPSP as soon as you enter medical school, you can wait until the 2nd year). I've been told that the military may consider recent good health (for a year or so) as overruling some prior health problems.
List Of Questions from above:
1: How do multiple retakes of a single class get calculated by the DO application? Viewed by a MD/DO school?
2: As my stats stand now, what would be my chances of getting into MD or DO schools?
3: Will taking non-degree post-bacc credits count towards my undergrad Cum/sci GPA for MD/DO schools? How do schools view this?
4: Does having work experience as a CNA help my application for MD/DO schools?
5: Would attending Fall 2012 would require a Summer/Fall 2011 application for MD schools, but a January 2012 application for DO schools?
6: How viable an option would attending PA then MD/DO, accelerated BSN then MD/DO, or accelerated BSN then PA then MD/DO be?
7: Do the schools mentioned above seem like they would be a good fit for my stats? Any suggestions? Any schools friendly to OOS students?
8: How do OOS applicants stats compare to those of IS applicants? Are the average GPA/MCAT requirements higher?
9: Chances of getting a military (probably army) HPSP scholarship? Chances considering my health issues/history?
Extra: What is the best way to approach professors about recommendations? There are a few professors who know me pretty well. Unfortunately, three of the best candidates (who knew me pretty well and liked me) saw me have a total emotional breakdown in the lab when my health was still very poor and my grades were crashing down around me. Is it still a good idea to ask for references or will they always see me as someone who is weak and broke down when the going got tough (I'm pretty sure they saw my illness and understood, but I still feel like it is going to leave a negative impression anyhow)? I am going to have another lab class with them spring term, so now is the time for me to figure out what to do in that regard.
I know this has been an extraordinarily long post, and I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to read it and respond. I have tried to glean as much info as I can from the forums already, but I'd really like information based on my specific case. Thank you. 🙂
I've been reading these forums for a while now, and I felt it was finally time to make my own post. I am currently a Chemistry major at Oregon State University and will be graduating in June. I started out at school pretty strong (as a Biochemistry/Biophysics student in the Honors College), but after studying abroad for during my Sophomore year have been plagued with illness that has really affected my grades (initially, a temporary autoimmune disorder from being on antibiotics for a large portion of my time abroad; then, after gaining a LOT of weight while being sick for a year or so, a "pseudotumor" or vast increase in spinal fluid pressure causing intense migraines and, initially, vision issues). This year, most of my medical problems have subsided except that I am still getting pretty frequent migraines. I am trying to cope as best I can with my medical issues. In addition, after being sick for so long, I've found that I am struggling to build my basic study skills, ability to retain science information, and motivation back up. In any case, my desire to become a doctor hasn't changed. While I have considered alternatives to this profession, such as being a physician assistant or becoming a nurse practitioner, I really want to be a doctor above anything else.
One of my biggest issues is that I have had several retaken classes (some that I completely failed, others where I was below a C). I would have liked to just take a year out of school, but I have military insurance through my grandfather (legal guardian) and would have lost it if I wasn't a full time student (insurance is not something you want to lose when you are already having health issues). I know that the applications for MD schools don't replace the grade for classes that you retake. Instead, from what I've read, they count both the initial course and the retaken course as if they were two separate courses. However, I've heard that the applications for DO schools will replace the grade (what if the class was retaken more than once; ie. initial class plus two retakes?). If this is correct, my current GPA looks much better for DO schools than for MD schools. I am assuming that the average GPA/MCAT statistics shown for DO schools utilize the DO calculations while the MD statistics use the MD calculations.
MD application stats - cumGPA: 3.18; sciGPA: 2.62 (or 2.78 if my ecology/biology/study abroad courses from Ecuador are considered as science)
DO application stats - cumGPA: 3.46; sciGPA: 3.05 (or 3.17 ")
If I am right about how DO scores are calculated, then I think my DO stats actually aren't that bad (certainly more competitive than my MD stats). For this term and the next (until I graduate), I am going to try really hard to at very least not make these scores worse. It is hard to say how it will go since my migraine cycles are pretty unpredictable, but I am trying very hard to push through (also, as I've been losing weight, the frequency of the extremely severe ones has been decreasing; I am trying to continue improving my lifestyle and losing excess weight to improve my health).
After I graduate, here is my plan of action for the next year or two:
I am going to get trained and start working as a CNA after graduation. Over the summer, I am probably going to take 15 credits (9 lecture, 6 lab) of Anatomy & Physiology. During the remainder of the following year 2010-2011, I will probably take 4-8 credits per term of classes such as Microbiology, the lab to match my organic chemistry classes (didn't even realize there was a lab section when I first took organic chem), Psychology (basic and developmental), and other courses that fall within the science catagory (and also, conveniently, in the pre-reqs for PA and MSN programs) such as Epidemiology, Immunology, Bacteriology, etc.
I am currently leaning towards applying Summer/Fall 2011 (or 2012) since that will give me extra time to study for the MCAT, get my health completely in order, and take a few extra classes to raise my GPA. Speaking of which, if I do this as a non-degree student, these credits will still count towards my undergrad GPA, right? If I need to, I guess I could get readmitted to the University as a 2nd degree seeking student, but I don't plan on staying that long. Non-degree students at OSU can currently enroll in up to 8 credits each term (except summer when credits are unlimited).
Also, how useful will my employment as a CNA be (experiencing direct patient care). I know PA schools love to see this patient care experience and generally even make it a requirement. However, I'm uncertain how important this would be to medical schools. Please let me know your opinions on this.
Also, when are the application time frames for MD vs. DO? I am under the impression that MD is generally from June 1 - October 15. DO schools, it seems, has a much later time frame starting from May - January (does this mean you can apply as late as January to attend school the next fall, or is this system for applying a year and a half ahead?). If applying as late as January means you can attend the next fall session at DO schools, then I may be able to apply for these schools right at the beginning of 2011 and potentially attend fall of 2011 (or apply and attend in 2012, but the general idea is that I'd have more time to prepare than for MD schools, right?). Please let me know if my time frame is correct and what your recommendations would be for my situation.
Overall, I am curious about my chances of getting into a medical school. I am pretty much willing to do whatever it takes. I've even considered the extra long route of getting an accelerated BSN, attending PA school (Master's Degree), and then heading to medical school later on. I would greatly appreciate comments and suggestions. I am currently looking at the current schools as potential options for MD and DO. Let me know what you think. I appreciate any input. Thanks. 🙂
MD Schools: OHSU (IS), PR-San Juan Bautista (OOS), Morehouse (OOS), North Dokota (OOS)
DO Schools: WesternU NW Track (new school opening near me in 2011; don't know how acceptance will be), CCOM (OOS), LECOM (OOS), DMU-COM (OOS)
I am also curious about whether OOS residents are generally held to a higher standard than the average GPA/MCAT scores. In other words, do they allow in-staters to be accepted with 3.3 GPAs while they want OOS students to have GPAs of 3.7 (to average out to 3.5, etc.). I know most schools show preference to IS students with regards to how many are accepted. Are there any schools that accept higher numbers of OOS students while adhering to a relatively lower GPA/MCAT scores than average for acceptance? I don't yet know how my MCAT will go (which is why I'd like plenty of time to prepare), but I generally have always done pretty well on standardized tests.
As for paying for school, I'm not totally sure yet. Fortunately, I had scholarships for all of my undergraduate studies (thank You so much Ford Family for not dropping me when my grades went bad from illness!!!). So, I don't have any debt accumulated so far. I have enough saved up to take care of at least my summer classes and a term or two of 4-8 credits after that. For medical school, though, I'm not sure. I have already been in undergrad for 5 years including summers, so I think my federal aid might be used up (they only offer so many terms worth, right?). I may be able to get two years of $15,000/year for graduate school from the Ford Family Foundation, but it will be really competitive since I will be going against other Ford Scholars.
I have also considered the HPSP military scholarship. I actually love the idea of being in the military (my grandpa, legal guardian, was in until retiring). However, since I've had so many health issues, I'm not sure they would accept me. Besides the recent stuff (and still being on Diamox for the increased spinal fluid pressure), I was once diagnosed as being "insulin resistant" when I was 15-16. I actually think it was a misdiagnosis, though, since I have never had high blood sugar whenever I've tested it since then. I think that was right around the time that some "statistics" showed that about 75% of Americans were potentially some degree of "insulin resistant" and how diagnosing it early could prevent future health issues, so I think that is why I was tested. My results came back high based on eating a very high sugar meal vs. the amount of sugar in my blood at a certain time after eating and I was prescribed a low dose of Metformin. I don't remember how long I took it, but I don't think it was very long since I tested my blood sugar often after that and never really noticed any problems. If anyone here has any experience with health issues and the military, please let me know if you think that route may be possible. I know I initially was disqualified from the ROTC program because of this "insulin resistance" and was told I wouldn't be able to get a waiver (but a few months later got a welcome letter and orientation information for OSU ROTC students, though this may have been some kind of mistake; I had FORD by this time, though, so I called and told them I wouldn't be attending). Since I won't be applying for medical schools for a while, I have time to get my weight down further and get my health in order (from what I've heard, you don't have to apply for HPSP as soon as you enter medical school, you can wait until the 2nd year). I've been told that the military may consider recent good health (for a year or so) as overruling some prior health problems.
List Of Questions from above:
1: How do multiple retakes of a single class get calculated by the DO application? Viewed by a MD/DO school?
2: As my stats stand now, what would be my chances of getting into MD or DO schools?
3: Will taking non-degree post-bacc credits count towards my undergrad Cum/sci GPA for MD/DO schools? How do schools view this?
4: Does having work experience as a CNA help my application for MD/DO schools?
5: Would attending Fall 2012 would require a Summer/Fall 2011 application for MD schools, but a January 2012 application for DO schools?
6: How viable an option would attending PA then MD/DO, accelerated BSN then MD/DO, or accelerated BSN then PA then MD/DO be?
7: Do the schools mentioned above seem like they would be a good fit for my stats? Any suggestions? Any schools friendly to OOS students?
8: How do OOS applicants stats compare to those of IS applicants? Are the average GPA/MCAT requirements higher?
9: Chances of getting a military (probably army) HPSP scholarship? Chances considering my health issues/history?
Extra: What is the best way to approach professors about recommendations? There are a few professors who know me pretty well. Unfortunately, three of the best candidates (who knew me pretty well and liked me) saw me have a total emotional breakdown in the lab when my health was still very poor and my grades were crashing down around me. Is it still a good idea to ask for references or will they always see me as someone who is weak and broke down when the going got tough (I'm pretty sure they saw my illness and understood, but I still feel like it is going to leave a negative impression anyhow)? I am going to have another lab class with them spring term, so now is the time for me to figure out what to do in that regard.
I know this has been an extraordinarily long post, and I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to read it and respond. I have tried to glean as much info as I can from the forums already, but I'd really like information based on my specific case. Thank you. 🙂
Last edited:
