ADD, Low GPA, and Finacing Retaking of Classes?

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I graduated from a liberal arts school a year ago with a GPA of 2.28. While I'm not a genius kid, I know I could have done a LOT LOT better. I also had some traumatic events (suicide of friend and a bad breakup) happen, but only account for 2 different semesters.

The problem was I was easily distracted by social activities (in HS I wasn't allowed to go out much) and I think I have some form of ADD. I NEVER finished my reading...I couldn't sit down for long enough periods at a time (I also read slowly...audibly in my head and stop to think/analyze...it's what you're supposed to do, but takes forever). I twice took half a pill of Aderol (from friend...only illegal drug other than alcohol ever taken) and read the rest of the day with such strange clarity... I think I was borderline ADD and never got tested for fear of being disqualified from certain jobs in the future or stigmas.

Anyway:
I plan on getting some life experience and going back to school in a few years (2 - 3, perhaps). I will either take it slowly to have time to commit to each class (hopefully with more self-discipline) or see about being diagnosed with a learning disability.

I was also wondering how those of you who went back to take undergraduate prereqs at colleges/universities afforded this. It's my understanding you lose out on grants if you're older than 25 and if you've done undergrad already. I was considering UCLA since I am nearby but boy would it be expensive. I couldn't afford it even if living very poorly.

 

[DoctorMom78]

I graduated from a liberal arts school a year ago with a GPA of 2.28. While I'm not a genius kid, I know I could have done a LOT LOT better. I also had some traumatic events (suicide of friend and a bad breakup) happen, but only account for 2 different semesters.

The problem was I was easily distracted by social activities (in HS I wasn't allowed to go out much) and I think I have some form of ADD. I NEVER finished my reading...I couldn't sit down for long enough periods at a time (I also read slowly...audibly in my head and stop to think/analyze...it's what you're supposed to do, but takes forever). I twice took half a pill of Aderol (from friend...only illegal drug other than alcohol ever taken) and read the rest of the day with such strange clarity... I think I was borderline ADD and never got tested for fear of being disqualified from certain jobs in the future or stigmas.

Anyway:
I plan on getting some life experience and going back to school in a few years (2 - 3, perhaps). I will either take it slowly to have time to commit to each class (hopefully with more self-discipline) or see about being diagnosed with a learning disability.

I was also wondering how those of you who went back to take undergraduate prereqs at colleges/universities afforded this. It's my understanding you lose out on grants if you're older than 25 and if you've done undergrad already. I was considering UCLA since I am nearby but boy would it be expensive. I couldn't afford it even if living very poorly.

The first thing I would do would be to see someone about getting treatment for your learning disability. It doesn't make much sense to waste them time and money trying to apply to prepare for medical school if you will possibly run into the same obstacles you did before. I wouldn't worry about the stigma. If you receive proper treatment and you try hard and do well academically, then I don't think that people will look down on you. I am not sure how the funding would work in your situation. However, I assume that you would be able to get some type of loan although it may have to be a private loan and not government funded. I don't know how it is where you live, but our local community college is really cheap (~100/credit hour). You could look at that. Also, many school will allow you to take classes for free if you work there. You might be able to get some stupid job in the library shelving books or something that would allow you to take free classes. I would immediately seek treatment for your disability and then I would find a school, apply, and file your FAFSA in January and see what happens. I know the funding available for a second bachelor's degree is not great, but you never know. You could also look at some type of graduate or post bach program, although your GPA is pretty low. Life experience, exposure to the medical profession, and extracurricular's are almost as important as MCAT and GPA. I have heard of people with really high stats but no ECs who have not been accepted. If you plan things out and try really hard, I know that you can succeed. Just have faith in yourself!