Advice needed!

[bpulayya]

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Prior to starting college I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which caused me to drop a lot of classes (5 in total)! My question is how badly would this affect my chances to get into MD/DO school? Prior to deciding to apply to MD/DO school I was going to apply to PA (physician assistant) school. I still need to take organic 1 &2 and physics 1 &2.

Current stats
Year 1&2- 3.43 gpa
ended up having my colon removed after my 2nd year
Year 3&4- 3.91 gpa
volunteer- 70 hours emergency room
Shadowing (Physician Assistant)- 100 hours
CNA-1500 hours

 

[gyngyn]

Prior to starting college I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which caused me to drop a lot of classes (5 in total)! My question is how badly would this affect my chances to get into MD/DO school? Prior to deciding to apply to MD/DO school I was going to apply to PA (physician assistant) school. I still need to take organic 1 &2 and physics 1 &2.

Current stats
Year 1&2- 3.43 gpa
ended up having my colon removed after my 2nd year
Year 3&4- 3.91 gpa
volunteer- 70 hours emergency room
Shadowing (Physician Assistant)- 100 hours
CNA-1500 hours

There is not enough data yet to give advice. Good luck.

 

[MDWannabe90]

I was under the impression that W's look bad because often they are a result of students not being able to handle upper level course work so it looks as if you "gave up." If you have a documented illness that you are willing to show proof for and you mention that in your application, I don't think it will hurt you. Maybe advice from others could give more insight but in your situation I can't imagine something so obviously out of your control would be held against you the way it would be held against someone with 5 W's and no explanation.

 

[boshtrich]

Prior to starting college I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which caused me to drop a lot of classes (5 in total)! My question is how badly would this affect my chances to get into MD/DO school? Prior to deciding to apply to MD/DO school I was going to apply to PA (physician assistant) school. I still need to take organic 1 &2 and physics 1 &2.

Current stats
Year 1&2- 3.43 gpa
ended up having my colon removed after my 2nd year
Year 3&4- 3.91 gpa
volunteer- 70 hours emergency room
Shadowing (Physician Assistant)- 100 hours
CNA-1500 hours

I don't think any schools will penalize you for having to drop a semester for medical reasons. Your GPA is still fine, you need to mostly focus on doing well in your remaining courses and doing well on the MCAT. When the times comes for you to apply, you could briefly mention what happened to explain to schools why you have 5 withdrawls. Schools always want to know any extenuating circumstances about GPA drops or withdrawls, and this seems like it would definitely be a good reason to withdraw from classes. Good luck!

 

[MDWannabe90]

And one more thing! You might be able to talk about that in your application or personal statement about how being diagnosed with that illness exposed you more to healthcare and further made you want to become a doctor, that would be a subtle way to bring up the W's!

 

[Josh7]

I don't think any schools will penalize you for having to drop a semester for medical reasons. Your GPA is still fine, you need to mostly focus on doing well in your remaining courses and doing well on the MCAT. When the times comes for you to apply, you could briefly mention what happened to explain to schools why you have 5 withdrawls. Schools always want to know any extenuating circumstances about GPA drops or withdrawls, and this seems like it would definitely be a good reason to withdraw from classes. Good luck!

That's what I was thinking, it sounds like there was a legitimate reason for you to drop those classes and I see a strong upward trend in your GPA. I think you're in good shape.

 

[Cinclus]

You'll be OK. You have a very good reason for having dropped the classes, and your recent grades seem very good. Your experience has also given you the perspective of a patient living with a chronic condition and its effects, which can be of value to a physician.