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Hey everyone, first let me say that I've found this site very useful from afar (thanks, google), but i've only recently decided to join myself. If this goes someplace else, i'm sorry! I'm new here.
Anyways, I wanted to get some input about how medical schools value adversity and non-traditional students. To be honest, i've felt deterred to pursue this dream of mine because of how life has been going.
I plan on applying within the next three years, maybe less. I'm working on my undergrad degree at the moment (molecular biology) at Towson University (an MD state school). Life has definitely thrown me for a loop over the last 5 years.
My first two years at Towson were awful. I was in a domestically violent, controlling relationship (I was three years deep by the end, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone). Events that occurred during the time I was with him caused me a lot of stress. At one point, I became so sick that I had to medically withdraw. The following semester saw a slight drop in my grades due to a traumatic incident. Instead of getting A's and B's, I was getting B's and C's. No failures though.
I ended up leaving Towson for a short period of time after I broke up with my then boyfriend. I needed to center myself. I moved back home to help take care of my grandparents (they adopted me when I was 12). Being home helped. While I took a year off, I worked in a pharmacy as a technician.
At the end of that year, I really decided to focus on my education. I was ready to get my head back in the game. So I took classes at the community college. I know theres a stigma; thats why I would take all the notoriously hard science classes during the same semesters (anatomy 1, microbiology and medical terminology the first semester; genetics, organic chemistry 1, anatomy 2 the next).
in fact, thats where i'm at right now. about to take orgo, genetics and AP2 all in the same semester. While also working part time, volunteering, and taking care of my grandparents. Once this year is over, i'm planning on transferring BACK to Towson to finish my molecular biology degree.
I'm not looking for pity, because yes I know this situation isn't ideal. Though, I have to say, being sexually assaulted and in a DV relationship teaches you valuable things about yourself. For me, its been that I can literally deal with any situation that presents itself to me. The last five years have taught me that I am not one to easily give up, as many expected me to. Of course, it would have been completely acceptable for me to give up, get a crappy job, and continue to dream, knowing what i've been through. I'm only 23 btw.
Sorry for sharing so much >.< I guess I need advice as to the best way to present my adversity and non traditional path to college in a way that evokes a sense of reliability or responsibility on my part, rather than "oh poor me " (because we know that isn't cute in the admissions process).
How do colleges view adversity, such as domestic violence? I know this might sound weird, but could being a victim actually lessen your chances? How much do colleges take into consideration your personal life and struggles? Because as much as I wish I could have been that kid that didn't have to worry about much other than studying, I wasn't. Thanks everyone!
Anyways, I wanted to get some input about how medical schools value adversity and non-traditional students. To be honest, i've felt deterred to pursue this dream of mine because of how life has been going.
I plan on applying within the next three years, maybe less. I'm working on my undergrad degree at the moment (molecular biology) at Towson University (an MD state school). Life has definitely thrown me for a loop over the last 5 years.
My first two years at Towson were awful. I was in a domestically violent, controlling relationship (I was three years deep by the end, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone). Events that occurred during the time I was with him caused me a lot of stress. At one point, I became so sick that I had to medically withdraw. The following semester saw a slight drop in my grades due to a traumatic incident. Instead of getting A's and B's, I was getting B's and C's. No failures though.
I ended up leaving Towson for a short period of time after I broke up with my then boyfriend. I needed to center myself. I moved back home to help take care of my grandparents (they adopted me when I was 12). Being home helped. While I took a year off, I worked in a pharmacy as a technician.
At the end of that year, I really decided to focus on my education. I was ready to get my head back in the game. So I took classes at the community college. I know theres a stigma; thats why I would take all the notoriously hard science classes during the same semesters (anatomy 1, microbiology and medical terminology the first semester; genetics, organic chemistry 1, anatomy 2 the next).
in fact, thats where i'm at right now. about to take orgo, genetics and AP2 all in the same semester. While also working part time, volunteering, and taking care of my grandparents. Once this year is over, i'm planning on transferring BACK to Towson to finish my molecular biology degree.
I'm not looking for pity, because yes I know this situation isn't ideal. Though, I have to say, being sexually assaulted and in a DV relationship teaches you valuable things about yourself. For me, its been that I can literally deal with any situation that presents itself to me. The last five years have taught me that I am not one to easily give up, as many expected me to. Of course, it would have been completely acceptable for me to give up, get a crappy job, and continue to dream, knowing what i've been through. I'm only 23 btw.
Sorry for sharing so much >.< I guess I need advice as to the best way to present my adversity and non traditional path to college in a way that evokes a sense of reliability or responsibility on my part, rather than "oh poor me " (because we know that isn't cute in the admissions process).
How do colleges view adversity, such as domestic violence? I know this might sound weird, but could being a victim actually lessen your chances? How much do colleges take into consideration your personal life and struggles? Because as much as I wish I could have been that kid that didn't have to worry about much other than studying, I wasn't. Thanks everyone!