31 Years old

[integratethis]

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[Chip N Sawbones]

Keep going at your current pace and you'll be just fine. If possible you should retake the classes you failed. When it comes time to apply to med schools you should briefly mention your poor initial performance in your personal statement, but at the same time emphasize that you have learned from your mistakes and are now able to do much better. Something like "When I started college the first time I lacked maturity and direction. My motives for going to college were unclear, and my grades suffered as a result. Once I decided to pursue medicine as a career I returned to college after an absence of nine years. This time I was motivated to do my best in my studies. Since then I have retaken the classes I failed and earned a perfect 4.0 in 52 credits of science classes. I believe my recent academic success clearly demonstrates my ability to succeed in medical school."

If you use my exact lines I get a share of your future doctor's salary. Keep up the good work.

 

[integratethis]

Haha, thanks, I might have to 'borrow' that paragraph. One more question if you don't mind. I believe in January 2015 they are offering the last "old MCAT." Before switching over to the new format, I will be done with all the pre-reqs at that time. But when I say done, I mean that I will have finished them a week or two before the actual test. Should I take this test? Or just take my chances with the new format a couple months later? Its looking like I am going to graduate Fall 2016, which means I would have to wait until fall 2017 to matriculate anyways. It might be possible to graduate summer 2015 and matriculate fall 2016, but it will be a really heavy course load. But I am considering it, mainly because, I don't want to waste a bunch of time. So to make my question a bit more concise: What is the most graceful resolution to this time/MCAT dilemma?

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Take the old MCAT if you feel you are prepared for it when the time comes. This varies by school, but generally the last month or two of material in organic II, physics II and bio II isn't tested on the MCAT.

 

[Indianarn]

I agree with chip and sawbones, continue the great work you are doing. I did exactly what you are doing right now, slowly and steadily brought my GPA up and repeated some of the classes I failed. Its not too late to start thinking about some volunteer work. I would start with some medical related work and do only a few hours a week. You would eventually need some non medical related volunteer work too. These experiences will make you a nice candidate to sell yourself to a med school. You also wanna eventually start thinking about shadowing some docs. But that's a goal that can wait, however when you do follow the physicians also follow at least one DO. Also start talking to some science professor about an eventual letter of recommendations. Good luck.

 

[DocWinter]

You're on the right track. Honesty is the best policy, and if asked about it at an interview, something that sums up your initial failure and emphasizes the commitment and passion you have and the changes you make is what you need. ChipNSaw gave you an excellent little blurb for an example. You don't need to mention you were in a "budweiser-induced stupor." Immature, without guidance, lacking purpose, etc are good ways to explain your former state and then lead your sentence into the great positives you now possess.

If you retake any Fs and Ds you will be in good shape. I imagine that if you replaced your Cs with A's your DO GPA would be amazing...

 

[Goro]

You market yourself by excelling now and showing that the you of now is not the you then.

Essentially, I have 4-5 semesters left of undergrad work, need physics, biochem, and some random classes for a biology major. Have yet to take the MCAT. So question is how can I market myself to med schools?


You don't explain it unless you're asked. And don't make excuses.

How do I explain my catastrophic initial failure? And how honest is too honest? The reason I failed as a freshman is that I partied too much, to be frank. But I think it would sound terrible/stupid to say I was in a Budweiser induced stupor.

All DO schools and a number of MD schools believe in reinvention. Ace the MCAT, keep doing well in your coursework, and you'll be fine.

I no longer party and am dedicate to becoming an MD/DO. With a solid MCAT score (30+) can I get in? I have a 4.0 gpa since coming back, not quite sure how to calculate the initial gpa. Aside from the two F's I have two C's, 3-4 B's, and then a string of A's. Looking for some advice. Thanks .]

 

[worfndata]

You market yourself by excelling now and showing that the you of now is not the you then.

Essentially, I have 4-5 semesters left of undergrad work, need physics, biochem, and some random classes for a biology major. Have yet to take the MCAT. So question is how can I market myself to med schools?


You don't explain it unless you're asked. And don't make excuses.

How do I explain my catastrophic initial failure? And how honest is too honest? The reason I failed as a freshman is that I partied too much, to be frank. But I think it would sound terrible/stupid to say I was in a Budweiser induced stupor.

All DO schools and a number of MD schools believe in reinvention. Ace the MCAT, keep doing well in your coursework, and you'll be fine.

I no longer party and am dedicate to becoming an MD/DO. With a solid MCAT score (30+) can I get in? I have a 4.0 gpa since coming back, not quite sure how to calculate the initial gpa. Aside from the two F's I have two C's, 3-4 B's, and then a string of A's. Looking for some advice. Thanks .]

Would having 2 Fs (and having a reasonably good explanation for why) in two non science classes (Modern Dance and Music), hurt med school app?

 

[Indianarn]

Would having 2 Fs (and having a reasonably good explanation for why) in two non science classes (Modern Dance and Music), hurt med school app?

Not in my experience. Just be honest and don't over say it. People do make mistakes every once in a while, as a matter of fact too perfect will be kind of a red flag. Good luck.

 

[Goro]

Nope. But I strongly advise not doing any explaining in the PS. It always reads like an excuse. Save it for IIs.

Would having 2 Fs (and having a reasonably good explanation for why) in two non science classes (Modern Dance and Music), hurt med school app?