Advice (extenuating circumstances?)

[Georgiagreeneyes]

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Howdy, I'm hoping to get some constructive feedback. I am currently on a medical leave of absence as an M2 at a rather new medical school. At the start of this year I was in a serious car accident on my way to a mandatory lab. I suffered a traumatic brain injury, pelvic fracture, avulsion ankle fracture, shoulder dislocation, and found out the hard way that I had undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency. It's been several months and I am still recovering from corrective surgeries and significant post-TBI symptoms (I'm receiving treatment at a TBI program at a university hospital). I'm currently recovering back in my home state.

Prior to the accident I was doing very well in my class (honoring courses, received a summer fellowship with the American Pediatric Society-Society for Pediatric Research at Mount Sinai in craniofacial surgery, published abstracts/manuscripts, founded a global health club, etc.) despite dealing with several health issues that were diagnosed in my first year. It was difficult trying to optimize my health as I was from out of state, and lacked a support system.

I am seeking advice because I am unsure of how to proceed with regards to my medical education. As a result of my brain injury I have substantial memory loss and overall feel very foggy still. I have attempted listening to review lectures to help trigger my memory, but it often feels as if I'm hearing it for the first time. The medical school I attended has a curriculum that is centered around organ systems; I completed all but MSK, Heme/Lymph, and Pysch. At this point I'm struggling to recall concepts that I had previously cemented, I feel like an M1 on day 1! I'm concerned that I will not be able to catch up to return in January. My school has also stated that they will not allow me to sit in on previous lectures--- overall I haven't received much assistance/guidance from administration. I feel like the longer I'm out of the med school environment the harder it is going to be to jump back in to the middle of second year.

I know this is a unique situation but a few people have suggested that if my memory does not improve, that I should start medical school over again from the beginning. Due to my health conditions and extenuating circumstances I would make it a priority to attend a program that is closer to a support system and where there is a strong university hospital system as I have some rare health conditions. I know that it is near impossible to transfer, therefore what would re-applying look like if I was unable to return in January? I am confident that I would have strong letters of recommendation if that makes a difference.

Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated! I've set a reminder to check this thread in the event that I forget and don't respond right away to comments/questions haha. Thanks for the help y'all much appreciated!

 

[Serous Demilune]

I think this really is an extraordinary circumstance. If you were able to gather your grades, publications, accomplishments and LORs together and meet with a dean from a med school in your home state, you might be able to get somewhere, despite the near-impossibility of transferring in normal situations.

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Wasn't sure if this was the best place for this thread... any other suggestions?

 

[ChEMD]

I would absolutely look to transfer, although you'd most likely have to restart as an MS1 since every school's curriculum is different. Your situation is unique, I'd be willing to bet some schools in your home state would be willing to talk about a transfer, especially if you were performing well at your current school. Some schools have been known to accept transfers if the student is caring of an ill loved one (or so I've been told), so I would imagine they would also sympathize with your situation and at least hear you out.

All of that being said, your health is the most important thing. Make sure that you aren't rushing to go back. Take your time and heal, med school isn't going anywhere.

 

[Brain Bucket]

You might want to run through a battery of cognitive tests first.

Starting over isn't the worst thing in the world, but know that programs will view you as damaged goods.

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

Is there anything that would lessen that "damaged goods" viewpoint. Once I'm recovered would it be helpful to take a post-bac biomedical science course or engage in research to help show that I'm not?

 

[Brain Bucket]

Is there anything that would lessen that "damaged goods" viewpoint. Once I'm recovered would it be helpful to take a post-bac biomedical science course or engage in research to help show that I'm not?

Have better stats than everyone else. This is assuming you're shooting for a top program/competitive residency.

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

I would absolutely look to transfer, although you'd most likely have to restart as an MS1 since every school's curriculum is different. Your situation is unique, I'd be willing to bet some schools in your home state would be willing to talk about a transfer, especially if you were performing well at your current school. Some schools have been known to accept transfers if the student is caring of an ill loved one (or so I've been told), so I would imagine they would also sympathize with your situation and at least hear you out.

All of that being said, your health is the most important thing. Make sure that you aren't rushing to go back. Take your time and heal, med school isn't going anywhere.

Do you think there is much of a chance transferring to a school not in my home state, but one in which I have family support? At what point in the cycle should I reach out to admissions departments at various programs?

 

[Pasmal]

Sorry to hear about your circumstances. This kind of reminds me of WAMC threads where the kids haven't taken the MCAT yet... it's just really hard to tell how rough of a time you're going to have without knowing how much you'll recover. I think you should focus on learning to walk before you try to run. No one is going to fault you for dedicating 100% of your time and effort to working up to your highest level of function before you try to get back in the game.

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

Thanks, my recovery has definitely been my top priority. It's hard not to think of the future and what may need to happen in order for me to get back on track. Especially since my home-state only has one MD-program option, University of Washington (UW has rotating clerkships whereby you travel amongst the different WWAMI states every several weeks. Due to my health conditions I really need to have established specialized care--- it'd be hard for me to travel amongst the various states and not have consistent care).

I wasn't sure how difficult it would be to transfer to a different out of state program, especially since the program I transfer to would likely be much more competitive than the school I am on medical leave with (I am attending a newer medical school on a 50% tuition scholarship). Would it be helpful once I'm recovered to take a biomedical course to at least demonstrate that my level of cognition is adequate for the rigors of medical school? It'd be great if I could transfer and then re-start from the beginning with the M1 year class... that being said would it be necessary to consider re-taking the MCAT to show that my score is competitive?

Thanks again y'all for the feedback, I really appreciate it!

 

[cevans]

I think taking a few courses and maybe doing a little bit of research would be helpful in many ways. It would allow you to get your brain back into a school/work mode without being completely overloaded with difficult courses and may help reduce any concerns potential medical schools will have. I don't have any first hand knowledge about the reapplication/transfer process but I doubt you would need to retake the MCAT assuming your previous score isn't extremely old. In my mind the school would be much more concerned with the grades you made in medical school/letters of rec/clean bill of health (cognitive and physical) than an MCAT score but maybe that's just me. Contacting the medical school right before the next cycle begins (this coming April/May) is probably your best bet. That way you catch them in between interview sessions and are more likely to get a sit down meeting with a dean.

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

I'm not having much luck in identifying schools that accept transfers, does anyone here have suggestions (especially as it's likely that I'll need to restart with the entering class)? Or is it more likely that I'll need to consider re-applying entirely?

 

[Brain Bucket]

Drexel is notorious for accepting transfers.

 

[DermViser]

Drexel is notorious for accepting transfers.

Why?

 

[Brain Bucket]

Why?

Dunno. Like I mentioned earlier, every time we went on holiday to the Carib, we'd have a layover at the islands with the schools. I spent a fair amount of time talking to the students there, and the more successful ones were all shooting for transfers to drexel after completing MS-1.

 

[DermViser]

Dunno. Like I mentioned earlier, every time we went on holiday to the Carib, we'd have a layover at the islands with the schools. I spent a fair amount of time talking to the students there, and the more successful ones were all shooting for transfers to drexel after completing MS-1.

Yeah, I think there are certain schools that are known to take Carribbean transfers, but now that word has gotten out (mainly thru the Internet), many schools are closing it off as a possibility. For example, George Washington U used to do it but no longer.

 

[michaelrack]

Would it be helpful once I'm recovered to take a biomedical course to at least demonstrate that my level of cognition is adequate for the rigors of medical school?

I doubt it. Any possibility that your current school would allow you to complete the preclinical coursework on a reduced schedule?

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

The problem is that I am not receiving adequate health care at the location of my current medical school (as I have several conditions, some of which are quite rare). Since being back in WA I have had much better access to specialists who are better able to manage my conditions. At the time that I applied for medical school I was unaware of these medical conditions. I would opt to transfer so that I can be closer to a support network and near a major university research hospital.

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

I doubt it. Any possibility that your current school would allow you to complete the preclinical coursework on a reduced schedule?

Do you not think I would be able to successfully transfer or re-apply? I was quite competitive--wait listed by both Duke and Dartmouth. I received early notification of a 50% tuition scholarship and attended few other interviews.

 

[Goro]

Based upon students of mine who became seriously ill, you should be able to get a LOA. I've had students out for as much as three years.

I'll bet being a new school, they don't have a policy for something like this, and so they should be much more lenient with you.

If you also need to repeat year 2, do so. Your recovery is the important thing now.

Howdy, I'm hoping to get some constructive feedback. I am currently on a medical leave of absence as an M2 at a rather new medical school. At the start of this year I was in a serious car accident on my way to a mandatory lab. I suffered a traumatic brain injury, pelvic fracture, avulsion ankle fracture, shoulder dislocation, and found out the hard way that I had undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency. It's been several months and I am still recovering from corrective surgeries and significant post-TBI symptoms (I'm receiving treatment at a TBI program at a university hospital). I'm currently recovering back in my home state.

Prior to the accident I was doing very well in my class (honoring courses, received a summer fellowship with the American Pediatric Society-Society for Pediatric Research at Mount Sinai in craniofacial surgery, published abstracts/manuscripts, founded a global health club, etc.) despite dealing with several health issues that were diagnosed in my first year. It was difficult trying to optimize my health as I was from out of state, and lacked a support system.

I am seeking advice because I am unsure of how to proceed with regards to my medical education. As a result of my brain injury I have substantial memory loss and overall feel very foggy still. I have attempted listening to review lectures to help trigger my memory, but it often feels as if I'm hearing it for the first time. The medical school I attended has a curriculum that is centered around organ systems; I completed all but MSK, Heme/Lymph, and Pysch. At this point I'm struggling to recall concepts that I had previously cemented, I feel like an M1 on day 1! I'm concerned that I will not be able to catch up to return in January. My school has also stated that they will not allow me to sit in on previous lectures--- overall I haven't received much assistance/guidance from administration. I feel like the longer I'm out of the med school environment the harder it is going to be to jump back in to the middle of second year.

I know this is a unique situation but a few people have suggested that if my memory does not improve, that I should start medical school over again from the beginning. Due to my health conditions and extenuating circumstances I would make it a priority to attend a program that is closer to a support system and where there is a strong university hospital system as I have some rare health conditions. I know that it is near impossible to transfer, therefore what would re-applying look like if I was unable to return in January? I am confident that I would have strong letters of recommendation if that makes a difference.

Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated! I've set a reminder to check this thread in the event that I forget and don't respond right away to comments/questions haha. Thanks for the help y'all much appreciated!

 

[DokterMom]

Your situation is so unique that I'm thinking the 'general rules' you might find on the Internet would be of very little use to you. Exceptions to the rules are made for cases like yours. Can you ask for a meeting with the dean(s) at your current school to discuss your options in depth? Your reasons for wanting a transfer and potential restart make so much sense, and given your track record, I would suspect you'd get a decent (or better) reception.

Also, the ideas about 're-proving' yourself sound wise. Maybe take a few practice MCATs to see how you do? As others have noted, you want to be sure you are recovered sufficiently cognitively before you step back onto the hamster wheel.

 

[Georgiagreeneyes]

Thank y'all for the advice, I really do appreciate your time in hearing my story. I have a few more surgeries to go before I'll be back on my feet and out of the wheelchair... then I'll start trying to get back on top of pursuing my medical education.

 

[bc65]

I know someone who had similar injuries as an undergrad student and made the mistake of going back to school too soon. His grades suffered terribly. He was advised against returning to school when he did, but he didn't listen. I suspect some of that poor judgement was the result of the brain injury. He eventually made a full recovery, but he is still suffering the consequences of the poor grades. So, be sure to take off as much time as you possibly can, and don't attempt to go back to school until you are absolutely sure that your recovery is complete, or at least, plateaued.

I would also be very careful about giving up your seat at your current school. It seems to me that the school that originally accepted you, and which has seen your successful performance in your first year, would be the school most likely to support you in the future. I suspect that other schools would be less likely to be supportive of a student with a high likelihood of having difficulties.

 

[KanyeWes]

dude, you are literally in a wheelchair right now. Don't worry about med school. Take things slower.

I actually have vicarious experience with this exact situation. My friend was in grad school (not med school) and he has tbi. Trust me, take another year off.

My friend said his memory was very foggy and couldn't remember stuff. But, he still pushed forward when he wasn't healed. I don't know why he didn't take more time off.

He ended up graduating bottom of his class and he was in danger of failing the entire time. He was miserable, and 95% of that frustration was self inflected, since he didn't take care of his health first. He ended up being very depressed, and he turned to alcohol, which made things worst. Not saying your will be an alcoholic, but depression is something that you may face if you don't get healthy first.

There are so many things that are much more important than your job or money. Trust me, get better first. Take care of yourself, because no one will. Take another year off because it is in your best interest.