Advice for Returning Pre-Med Student

[ILuvScience]

Hi All! So I have decided to pursue my initial dream after realizing the other career paths will not satisfy me as well as medicine will. I LOVE Science! Just the mere fact that one can gain the knowledge of the human body as well as actually practice it is just so intriguing to me. And, I love helping people, ESPECIALLY the elderly. I was able to meet so many fascinating people when I was working at Walgreen's Pharmacy. Anyways, Here's my situation. I have a B.S. in Psychology with a cum 3.19 gpa. My Science courses are as follows; Gen Chem1- "C" and Lab is a "A-", Bio 1 is a "C". Genetics is a "C", Supervised Research Biology "A", Physics 1 "A", Lab "B+", Physics 2 "A" have not taken the lab yet b/c the school I graduated from has the lab and lecture graded separately. Also, I have an "A" in psychology Statistics and the med schools I'm interested in will accept that. I I received those grades in undergrad and was HEAVILY involved in 3 organizations, I did so much volunteering it's crazy. I also did research with a professor in Pharmacology, presented our poster at a conference, and I am a co-author of the article. I was also working part time as well. So I have taken a year off from undergrad, working full time, to pay off bills. Now I am starting to tackle the rest of the pre-reqs. My question is; should I bother re-taking Chem 1 first or just study the concepts of it on my own until the semester starts for Gen Chem 2 in August? Also, should I bother retaking Bio 1 and Genetics. Also, I have not taking Bio 2 yet. And I will be taking Anatomy and Physiology because the class itself interest me. What is your advice??? Thanks! : )

 

[crose1023]

Hi All! So I have decided to pursue my initial dream after realizing the other career paths will not satisfy me as well as medicine will. I LOVE Science! Just the mere fact that one can gain the knowledge of the human body as well as actually practice it is just so intriguing to me. And, I love helping people, ESPECIALLY the elderly. I was able to meet so many fascinating people when I was working at Walgreen's Pharmacy. Anyways, Here's my situation. I have a B.S. in Psychology with a cum 3.19 gpa. My Science courses are as follows; Gen Chem1- "C" and Lab is a "A-", Bio 1 is a "C". Genetics is a "C", Supervised Research Biology "A", Physics 1 "A", Lab "B+", Physics 2 "A" have not taken the lab yet b/c the school I graduated from has the lab and lecture graded separately. Also, I have an "A" in psychology Statistics and the med schools I'm interested in will accept that. I I received those grades in undergrad and was HEAVILY involved in 3 organizations, I did so much volunteering it's crazy. I also did research with a professor in Pharmacology, presented our poster at a conference, and I am a co-author of the article. I was also working part time as well. So I have taken a year off from undergrad, working full time, to pay off bills. Now I am starting to tackle the rest of the pre-reqs. My question is; should I bother re-taking Chem 1 first or just study the concepts of it on my own until the semester starts for Gen Chem 2 in August? Also, should I bother retaking Bio 1 and Genetics. Also, I have not taking Bio 2 yet. And I will be taking Anatomy and Physiology because the class itself interest me. What is your advice??? Thanks! : )

I'd retake the classes you got Cs in. Shoot for As. Once you've done that, take a few upper division bio classes and ace them. You have some pretty good ECs but you can still beef up your application. Do that, get > 30 on your MCAT and you're in for DO and have a shot at MD. Might take you some time though.

 

[Verum]

I love avatar. Did you watch the new series the legend of korra?

 

[ILuvScience]

Thanks! So you don't think I should start gen chem 2 in August? I would like to take the MCAT in May of next year after Orgo, so I can apply early. For this semester, I would like to take Gen Chem 2 and Bio 2, Spring- Orgo 1, Bio 1, and Physics Lab. Then in the summer take A&P. And Orgo 2 in the Fall with Genetics.

 

[iforget2]

I would say retake since your science gpa is probably not great with 3 C's. And also, since you took a break, retaking them would help you refresh your memory for taking the mcat later

 

[Rumalum]

For medical school, you have to love science, and I don't think you're cut out for it

 

[ILuvScience]

Thanks iforget2, I'll take gen chem 1 over : ). So i'll be taking the MCATS in 2014 : )

 

[ILuvScience]

Excuse Me? Because I got a C in three classes doesn't mean I don't love Science. If you read the paragraph in depth, you will find that I volunteered a lot as well as holding leadership roles in several organizations. In addition, I was going to SCIENTIFIC conferences presenting my research while I was takes these classes. And mind you, there was no curve in those classes. : )

 

[ILuvScience]

Also, I was working and shadowing Physicians. Yes, I took on A LOT of responsibilities, but I am thankful that I did not fail any of the courses.

 

[ILuvScience]

Have you taken the MCAT?

 

[BABSstudent]

Hi All! So I have decided to pursue my initial dream after realizing the other career paths will not satisfy me as well as medicine will. I LOVE Science! Just the mere fact that one can gain the knowledge of the human body as well as actually practice it is just so intriguing to me. And, I love helping people, ESPECIALLY the elderly. I was able to meet so many fascinating people when I was working at Walgreen's Pharmacy. Anyways, Here's my situation. I have a B.S. in Psychology with a cum 3.19 gpa. My Science courses are as follows; Gen Chem1- "C" and Lab is a "A-", Bio 1 is a "C". Genetics is a "C", Supervised Research Biology "A", Physics 1 "A", Lab "B+", Physics 2 "A" have not taken the lab yet b/c the school I graduated from has the lab and lecture graded separately. Also, I have an "A" in psychology Statistics and the med schools I'm interested in will accept that. I I received those grades in undergrad and was HEAVILY involved in 3 organizations, I did so much volunteering it's crazy. I also did research with a professor in Pharmacology, presented our poster at a conference, and I am a co-author of the article. I was also working part time as well. So I have taken a year off from undergrad, working full time, to pay off bills. Now I am starting to tackle the rest of the pre-reqs. My question is; should I bother re-taking Chem 1 first or just study the concepts of it on my own until the semester starts for Gen Chem 2 in August? Also, should I bother retaking Bio 1 and Genetics. Also, I have not taking Bio 2 yet. And I will be taking Anatomy and Physiology because the class itself interest me. What is your advice??? Thanks! : )

Your GPA is low, but DO schools do offer grade replacement. You said you graduated, so retaking may not significantly raise your GPA (since I assume you have over 100 credits hours). However, those subjects are tested on the MCAT so I would probably retake anyways.

I would say you have a chance at DO, maybe some MD schools, if you score high enough on the MCAT. You low grades in those classes suggest you may have a difficult time on the test, so study extra hard. Just make sure you shadow and volunteer too. Apply early and broadly.

 

[BABSstudent]

mods, this is the same post as "Advice for Returning Pre-Med Student"

Could you merge them?

 

[Alejandro]

Take whichever classes you want to take. Retakes are not always necessary. As long as you do well with whichever classes you choose to take now, it should be fine.

What concerns me more, is that you really emphasize with large print "I LOVE SCIENCE." I wouldn't say loving science is what makes/breaks being a physician. If you LOVE science so much, I'd say you're more fit for graduate school/PhD than MD.

 

[DrMario13]

Excuse Me? Because I got a C in three classes doesn't mean I don't love Science. If you read the paragraph in depth, you will find that I volunteered a lot as well as holding leadership roles in several organizations. In addition, I was going to SCIENTIFIC conferences presenting my research while I was takes these classes. And mind you, there was no curve in those classes. : )

Not to sound mean, but GPA is important to get in to medical school, as much as it is to love science you also need to master it. I mean you want a passionate doctor, but a good one as well. You should really try and bring up that GPA, and if retakes are allowed (although if you didn't actually fail most won't allow it) try it. My two cents...

 

[kpcrew]

Here's some advice: stop ****ting up our forums.

 

[sector9]

Merged 4 cross posted threads together

 

[Parklife]

D.O. program. Replace those grades.

You love science, but you're not good at them. ECs never make up for numbers, ever. You may also want to consider PA programs. It literally meets all of your criteria for loving science and helping the elderly. PA at a geriatrics clinic or nursing home. Maybe even consider nursing?

You should really evaluate your situation. Do you really want to spend another 2 or so years taking pre-reqs and then the MCAT and then 4 years of med school and then residency? Are you married, do you want kids, are you financially stable, these are some of the things you need to consider.

You haven't even taken organic... I mean.. you don't want to spend tons of money and time and not even have anywhere to go.

Just my .02

Good luck!

 

[ILuvScience]

Lol, to answer your questions; no, yes after I'm done with med school, and yes. Re-read my post please. I'm maturer now than I was in undergrad. In fact, med schools value taking off from undergrad and then applying, because it shows maturity. Also, my study habits are better now than they were in undergrad. My school is known for being rigorous and is highly respected. And I have 3 chem classes left and im retaking bio 1, taking bio 2, and maybe retaking genetics. So where is this two years coming from? Come back down to earth, anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

 

[DrMario13]

Lol, to answer your questions; no, yes after I'm done with med school, and yes. Re-read my post please. I'm maturer now than I was in undergrad. In fact, med schools value taking off from undergrad and then applying, because it shows maturity. Also, my study habits are better now than they were in undergrad. My school is known for being rigorous and is highly respected. And I have 3 chem classes left and im retaking bio 1, taking bio 2, and maybe retaking genetics. So where is this two years coming from? Come back down to earth, anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

Well if you already have the mindset that you can do it, why ask us?

 

[ILuvScience]

And to all of you complaining about my duplicate posts, obviously I am new here and don't know how to navigate the application quite yet. Also, if there was an option to delete the post, then obviously I would. Come back down to earth, NO ONE is perfect.

 

[Alejandro]

I'm maturer now than I was in undergrad. In fact, med schools value taking off from undergrad and then applying, because it shows maturity.

While it is good that you took some time off, I'd say that you're off kilter by assuming that time off "shows maturity." Time off doesn't show maturity simply because you decided to wait a year, but it is the reflection and the perspectives gained from not going to medical school and learning to live a life away from sheer academics.

 

[Yoseph101]

Lol, to answer your questions; no, yes after I'm done with med school, and yes. Re-read my post please. I'm maturer now than I was in undergrad. In fact, med schools value taking off from undergrad and then applying, because it shows maturity. Also, my study habits are better now than they were in undergrad. My school is known for being rigorous and is highly respected. And I have 3 chem classes left and im retaking bio 1, taking bio 2, and maybe retaking genetics. So where is this two years coming from? Come back down to earth, anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

OP if your posts are any indication of your maturity level you may want to take more time off.

You know what med schools value more then maturity ? A high GPA and a high MCAT neither of which you have and both of which you'll need.

 

[ILuvScience]

OP if your posts are any indication of your maturity level you may want to take more time off.

You know what med schools value more then maturity ? A high GPA and a high MCAT neither of which you have and both of which you'll need.

I've talked to several admissions committees, they said they look at trends. I am a URM, and I plan to get straight As' this semester and next semester. Actually, I am much maturerer than when I was at 21. You don't know me, so don't judge me.

 

[Ironmandoc]

I've talked to several admissions committees, they said they look at trends. I am a URM, and I plan to get straight As' this semester and next semester. Actually, I am much maturerer than when I was at 21. You don't know me, so don't judge me.

You should let them know you're a troll