33 credits of "F's"

[FormerlyLiarah]

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Hey guys,

I just need someone to level with me.

Background: I'm apparently the all-time worst student when it comes to properly dropping my classes. I have 33 credits on my transcripts from 5+ years ago from not properly dropping classes. Because I didn't catch this on my transcript until I returned to college this year there isn't an appeal process for me. It's now part of my perminant academic record.

I'm a 4.0 student at my current institution. I've retaken every failed credit. Even if I finish my undergrad with a 3.8-3.9 institutional GPA these old credits are dragging my cGPA and sGPA to a respective 3.1 and 3.6. I haven't taken the MCAT yet, and I don't plan to attempt it until I complete all of my biochem coursework. I have roughly 4-5 semesters left of undergrad.

What's my best-case, here? Do I have a shot at DO school with a competitive MCAT if I continue trending upward?

 

[YA51816]

Hey guys,

I just need someone to level with me.

Background: I'm apparently the all-time worst student when it comes to properly dropping my classes. I have 33 credits on my transcripts from 5+ years ago from not properly dropping classes. Because I didn't catch this on my transcript until I returned to college this year there isn't an appeal process for me. It's now part of my perminant academic record.

I'm a 4.0 student at my current institution. I've retaken every failed credit. Even if I finish my undergrad with a 3.8-3.9 institutional GPA these old credits are dragging my cGPA and sGPA to a respective 3.1 and 3.6. I haven't taken the MCAT yet, and I don't plan to attempt it until I complete all of my biochem coursework. I have roughly 4-5 semesters left of undergrad.

What's my best-case, here? Do I have a shot at DO school with a competitive MCAT if I continue trending upward?

Honestly if you can maintain a competitive GPA and effectively address why you have the 33 F credits ALONGSIDE a good MCAT you would be set for MD schools as well as DO. Again, this is contingent on a solid MCAT score 510+ (preferably 513+) and a good explanation of what happened.

What I mean by a good explanation of what happened I mean
A) what happened that lead you to want to drop the 33 credits
B) what prevented you from dropping these credits properly
C) why did you take so long to realize that you dropped these credits wrong
D) how did you prove your proficiency in the subject areas that were dropped

If you can address these questions with a SOLID, consistent explanation I think you got a chance.

Side note, what is your state of residency?
Side side note, how good/ known/ competitive is your current institution and your past institution?



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[FormerlyLiarah]

Honestly if you can maintain a competitive GPA and effectively address why you have the 33 F credits ALONGSIDE a good MCAT you would be set for MD schools as well as DO. Again, this is contingent on a solid MCAT score 510+ (preferably 513+) and a good explanation of what happened.

What I mean by a good explanation of what happened I mean
A) what happened that lead you to want to drop the 33 credits
B) what prevented you from dropping these credits properly
C) why did you take so long to realize that you dropped these credits wrong
D) how did you prove your proficiency in the subject areas that were dropped

If you can address these questions with a SOLID, consistent explanation I think you got a chance.

Side note, what is your state of residency?
Side side note, how good/ known/ competitive is your current institution and your past institution?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The reason for the checkered academic past isn't pretty. I married really young (19). My ex-spouse was convicted of a crime and went to prison for three years. I was left holding the bag and worked up to three jobs (up to 80 hours a week) at a time to maintain finances. I kept trying to go back to school during this period and kept getting in over my head and "dropping". I worked for hospitals during this juncture, including UofM.

That's a history I share with no one at this stage of my life. I'm not sure if it would help me or damage me during an interview.

I live in Michigan. I am completing my biochemistry degree at U of M - Dearborn. It's not as prestigious as Ann Arbor, but the research opportunities are similar.

I've only attended community college in the past.

 

[YA51816]

The reason for the checkered academic past isn't pretty. I married really young (19). My ex-spouse was convicted of a crime and went to prison for three years. I was left holding the bag and worked up to three jobs (up to 80 hours a week) at a time to maintain finances. I kept trying to go back to school during this period and kept getting in over my head and "dropping". I worked for hospitals during this juncture, including UofM.

That's a history I share with no one at this stage of my life. I'm not sure if it would help me or damage me during an interview.

I live in Michigan. I am completing my biochemistry degree at U of M - Dearborn. It's not as prestigious as Ann Arbor, but the research opportunities are similar.

First of all, you are a really, really strong person and I applaud you.

Second, don’t be afraid of sharing your experiences with ADCOMS especially because the reason that you have for your grades is so difficult. I realize that you may not want to disclose this information for personal/ privacy and I GET IT but you are asking the admins to trust you as to why you can handle their course work and you have to show them that you trust them back. Also, I suggest talking about your academic Fs/ ex-spouse/ financial hardships in your primary essay, these struggles make you a more authentic applicant, not less.

Third, I think your chances in Michigan are good it’s not like you live in a highly competitive place like California or Massachusetts or New York.

Overall, I think you got a good story, good life experiences, solid academics, and hopefully a stellar MCAT score. Best of luck to you and YOU CAN DO THIS


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[FormerlyLiarah]

First of all, you are a really, really strong person and I applaud you.

Second, don’t be afraid of sharing your experiences with ADCOMS especially because the reason that you have for your grades is so difficult. I realize that you may not want to disclose this information for personal/ privacy and I GET IT but you are asking the admins to trust you as to why you can handle their course work and you have to show them that you trust them back. Also, I suggest talking about your academic Fs/ ex-spouse/ financial hardships in your primary essay, these struggles make you a more authentic applicant, not less.

Third, I think your chances in Michigan are good it’s not like you live in a highly competitive place like California or Massachusetts or New York.

Overall, I think you got a good story, good life experiences, solid academics, and hopefully a stellar MCAT score. Best of luck to you and YOU CAN DO THIS


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Thank you. The recounting of my past feels shameful. It was largely a struggle that was self-imposed (because I stayed with him), but if it helps to explain my poor grades and helps me to get an interview, I'll include it.

Thank you for the feedback. I was beginning to re-calculate everything. I didn't think I had a shot at getting in.

 

[Goro]

You have a compelling story. See if you can retroactively withdraw from the failed courses.

 

[FormerlyLiarah]

You have a compelling story. See if you can retroactively withdraw from the failed courses.

Thank you for your advice. I've verbally appealed to the registrar on several occasions and I've written an appeal to the ombudsman's office, but I haven't made progress with them. Granted, I haven't given them a detailed explanation of my circumstances at the time. I'll give it another shot.

 

[deleted939001]

Thank you. The recounting of my past feels shameful. It was largely a struggle that was self-imposed (because I stayed with him), but if it helps to explain my poor grades and helps me to get an interview, I'll include it.

Thank you for the feedback. I was beginning to re-calculate everything. I didn't think I had a shot at getting in.

Just for the record there's nothing shameful or self-imposed about staying in a difficult/potentially dangerous relationship and you should be extremely proud that you've come out of your past to pursue a meaningful career in service of others. Wishing the best for you

 

[FormerlyLiarah]

Just for the record there's nothing shameful or self-imposed about staying in a difficult/potentially dangerous relationship and you should be extremely proud that you've come out of your past to pursue a meaningful career in service of others. Wishing the best for you

Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it. I intend to use my experiences to become the best, most compassionate doctor I can be.

 

[MyOdyssey]

Thank you for your advice. I've verbally appealed to the registrar on several occasions and I've written an appeal to the ombudsman's office, but I haven't made progress with them. Granted, I haven't given them a detailed explanation of my circumstances at the time. I'll give it another shot.

It's definitely worth a shot. Try to document as much as you can of what you've set forth in this thread.