advice on how to proceed (please help!)

[chippy chipmunk]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi everyone, I'm going to apologize in advance for how long this post will be, but I just wanted advice on what should my next step be.

Graduated from college: 5/2012
Total GPA: 3.43
sGPA: 3.19
Major: History (w/ a bio minor)

I've spent the past 11 months taking care of my family, though it's more like taking care of my sister. My father is not a nice person (he's very abusive), and I felt that it was my responsibility to take care of my sister as much as possible. Needless to say, once she goes off to college I'm getting the h*ll outta dodge. So far though, I'm currently job hunting too, and trying to find a position ideally working in a hospital (though all I'm only qualified to do receptionist work at best). If that doesn't work out, I'm looking at moving overseas to spend time travelling/working in June, because I didn't study abroad (couldn't afford to) for a year (2012-2013). I figure in that year, I will probably apply to one year post-bac programs back in the US, since I know my GPA isn't that great and will adversely affect me if I decide to apply in 2014-2015 without the post-bac.

Unlike a lot of other non-trads, I already did all of my pre-reqs and more in college. I took all the intro courses (bio, chem, orgo, calc, physics, calc) along with upper levels (genetics, medical parasitology, evol bio, biochem, microbio, stats). So when I decide to do a post-bac, what types of courses should I take?

I realize I have a low GPA, but from what I've read, it's above a 3.0, not below it. My grades did rise after my freshmen year first semester from a 3.3 to a 3.30. But during my junior year, I was sexually harassed, which unsurprisingly affected me really horribly. I had to file complaints with the school and take the guy to court because the school wouldn't help me at all. Not surprisingly, I ended up being incredibly stressed and diagnosed with severe clinical depression for that year. My grades dropped .1 points overall. I did manage to get my grades up by .08 senior year, and made Dean's List, but it didn't go back to the original point. I have been told by my college's med school (which is located 5 hours from the main campus :/) that my school's GPAs get bumped because they are aware that all intro classes there have grade deflation. (Ex, the mean is a B-/C+ in ALL the intro courses cross college.)

And other details about me: I'm Chinese, and I have done shadowing before in several different countries and regions and in hospital and clinics. I don't know if what I've done counts as clinical work (taking BP, asking pre-exam questions for the doctors before they go in, dealing with paperwork/billing)? Due to my open personality, I was usually the person in the front, asking patients how they felt and letting them know how soon the doctor would be able to see them. I also live in California, which I know is not an advantage when it comes to med schools.

In terms of activities and leadership skills, I was president of my school's first year advising program, a manager of the student union, a chem tutor, the recruitment officer of a magazine I wrote for (and chief photographer). For volunteering, I regularly went to the senior citizens' home to talk to old folks there while playing viola. I tutored prisoners in certain subjects to help them get their GEDs and through my church, I volunteered on Sundays to do arts and crafts with the little kids after Bible school. I guess the only thing I'm not lacking in is volunteer experience. Everything is not good.

So by the time I actually apply, I will be 26.

The questions I have are
1.) How should I start on my post-bac research? Should I look for two year versus one year programs? (I'm given to understand most are only one year long).
2.) How can I get more experience in clinical work and volunteering while applying to my post bac?
3.) When should I consider taking the MCAT?
4.) How do I explain that I have severe testing anxiety, so the classes that have MC in I have often do most poorly in? (I have too many B-s, and the majority of them test by MC.) I didn't want to give those classes up though, since I really liked the material. Would my application be looked down on for that? That and I don't want to sound whiny.

I apologize for the long post, everyone. I'm just incredibly nervous, terrified, and unsure of how to proceed and what to do. Thank you for all the advice in advance. 🙂

 

[sindadel]

I wouldn't waste my time and money on a formal postbac, since you already have all the classes. You should definitly focus on MCAT prep, and when you take it depends on how well you know the material and how well you perform under test taking conditons. Since you have a sub par GPA and a story to go with it, I would enroll in one evening class a semester and focus on getting As to show that you have conquered your previous isues. Regarding your history of abuse, harrassment, anxiety and depression, I strongly suggest that you get into counselling now, and consider all treatment options available to you. These things have a way of cracking open and derailing your academic success just when you most need your concentration. Finally, if you're from California, please please please apply widely, or even move to another state and establish residency there. This has two benefits: one, gets you away from abusers and two, less stringent entrance requirements.

Best of luck to you!

 

[dsoz]

+1

If your MCAT is above a 29-30, you should do fine applying broadly to DO, and to lower tier MD.

It sounds to me like you need to find the root cause of your test anxiety and fix it. The road through medical school is paved with scantron forms.

Start with the MCAT. it is all multiple guess and will soon increase in length from over 5 hours to more than 6 hours.

I have not had an exam in med school yet, but I hear that they are a lot of MC. The notable exception may be in anatomy where there are identification questions.

The USMLE and the COMLEX are multiple choice exams that last ALL DAY LONG.

Shelf exams are MC from what I hear (but I could be wrong).

If you identify MC exams as what your problem is, then schools will not look favorably upon that.

My advice, take it for what it is worth, free.
1. Get yourself and your sister to a safe spot.
2. Get some counseling for the abuse/depression/whatever. You will do better without having to battle those demons on your own in your most stressful times.
3. Grade replacement and GPA repair. Retake classes for DO grade replacement. Get As in all the classes.

Good luck. With hard work you can recover and become a physician.

dsoz

 

[NTF]

4.) How do I explain that I have severe testing anxiety, so the classes that have MC in I have often do most poorly in? (I have too many B-s, and the majority of them test by MC.)

First off, welcome to the non-trad forum. I don't know that I have great advice on your other questions (post-bacc or MCAT). But as far as clinical volunteering/exposure, your work doing intake with physicians does count. If you want more you can volunteer at a hospital. You may also ask to volunteer on some clinical (or basic science) medical research. Clinical research can often amount to clerical work (chart review, measuring indices on labs, radiology etc) but your can get your name on a paper for it. They usually offer these volunteer positions to med students first but you may be able to get in on one if you ask your local med school. Basic science research tends to be more time-consuming and strict in terms of schedule.

Also, I'd caution you about trying to apply to early. You have 2 strikes against you (low GPA and California resident). This may require more than just a year of GPA repair (informal post-bacc) or even eventually an SMP.

Also, the only explanation you SHOULD offer for your test anxiety is that you solved that problem and demonstrate proof in your transcripts (and possible LORs) and MCAT that you have that problem licked. Multiple choice testing is part of a medical career and it doesn't stop with medical school. Unless you show you've diagnosed and solved the MC problem, adcoms will fear you can't pass Step 1, 2 and beyond. But if you move past it it'll make for a good story about how you tackled a problem and overcame.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Goro]

Before you do anything else, get this fixed, because we're addicted to standardized tests in medical school (and licensing exams too). And yes, any attempt to explain things would coming across as making excuses.

Test taking is a skill more than anything else, and skills can be learned. But B-'s aren't that bad.

Also, learn to develop good coping skillsbefore medical school too. It's a furnace.


4.) How do I explain that I have severe testing anxiety, so the classes that have MC in I have often do most poorly in? (I have too many B-s, and the majority of them test by MC.) I didn't want to give those classes up though, since I really liked the material. Would my application be looked down on for that? That and I don't want to sound whiny.