Hello everyone,
I am new here so please bear with me. So I have a unique circumstance. I graduated about a year ago with a 2.87 GPA (no real trends) with a major in Biology and minor in Chemistry (Pre-Med track). My central problem throughout college was a combination of lack of motivation, poor work ethic and low self-esteem. I was basically drifting through undergrad like a naive child unsure of what it was that I truly wanted of myself.
It wasn't until my early senior year when my grandmother passed away that I woke up and realized my passion was medicine. My grandmother was an 82 year old former OBGYN from Iran. Her dream was always to see me become a doctor because she knew I had a natural interest but I had lacked the maturity to see it in myself.
In any case, after her death I started getting serious about school. That still was not reflected on my GPA because it was still too late.
After graduation, I put aside about 5-6 months to study for the MCAT. I now realize I probably should have put together a real plan before taking it. Miraculously, I scored a 521. I ultimately proved to myself that I am capable if I am willing to put the work in. Unfortunately, I know the MCAT is just one part of the screening process for medical schools. My main goal is to go the MD route and involve myself in clinical research.
My question is what should I do? I am really nervous about speaking with the Pre-Health advisor at my former institution because the last time I went in his office he seemed disinterested in helping me achieve my goal (he told me to give up medical school and become a phlebotomist without knowing very much about me or even looking at my transcript). Are there any advisors at secondary institution that can give me advice? I know that it may seem asinine and ambitious for someone with my resume to pursue an allopathic degree but it is truly what I want and I am determined to make this a reality.
Just some more information: I am 24 years old, I don't believe I qualify as a URM, highly interested in research, patient care, neuroscience and biochemistry. My current job is as a research assistant at my alma mater's medical school. Are there any other current medical students with circumstances similar to mine?
I am new here so please bear with me. So I have a unique circumstance. I graduated about a year ago with a 2.87 GPA (no real trends) with a major in Biology and minor in Chemistry (Pre-Med track). My central problem throughout college was a combination of lack of motivation, poor work ethic and low self-esteem. I was basically drifting through undergrad like a naive child unsure of what it was that I truly wanted of myself.
It wasn't until my early senior year when my grandmother passed away that I woke up and realized my passion was medicine. My grandmother was an 82 year old former OBGYN from Iran. Her dream was always to see me become a doctor because she knew I had a natural interest but I had lacked the maturity to see it in myself.
In any case, after her death I started getting serious about school. That still was not reflected on my GPA because it was still too late.
After graduation, I put aside about 5-6 months to study for the MCAT. I now realize I probably should have put together a real plan before taking it. Miraculously, I scored a 521. I ultimately proved to myself that I am capable if I am willing to put the work in. Unfortunately, I know the MCAT is just one part of the screening process for medical schools. My main goal is to go the MD route and involve myself in clinical research.
My question is what should I do? I am really nervous about speaking with the Pre-Health advisor at my former institution because the last time I went in his office he seemed disinterested in helping me achieve my goal (he told me to give up medical school and become a phlebotomist without knowing very much about me or even looking at my transcript). Are there any advisors at secondary institution that can give me advice? I know that it may seem asinine and ambitious for someone with my resume to pursue an allopathic degree but it is truly what I want and I am determined to make this a reality.
Just some more information: I am 24 years old, I don't believe I qualify as a URM, highly interested in research, patient care, neuroscience and biochemistry. My current job is as a research assistant at my alma mater's medical school. Are there any other current medical students with circumstances similar to mine?
