This will be my first post to this forum, ever. Nervous but I really do need some advise.
To timeline this, I graduated in 2017 with my undergraduate in Kinesiology. I was on the physical therapy fast track. First generation student. cGPA of 3.088 sGPA I haven’t even calculated yet due to some classes missing - Ochem 1 and 2 with lab, and biochemistry. If I had to say, the last time I check my sGPA without those courses it was a 3.0. My last coupe semesters showed an upward trend. Right before graduation, I did not know if I wanted to apply right away just because I didn’t really know if PT was something I wanted to pursue. So I put off the GRE/MCAT. After graduation, May 2017, I got a job as a Rehab assistant. Worked for about one year until 8/2018. I didn’t like my experience so I decided to drop the PT career path. Do note, in 6/2018, I was pulled over for a first offense OWI while driving from the reception of a wedding back to the hotel which was only a few blocks driving. Which is still pending at this time. This had to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. I have beat myself up on numerous of occasions because I knew better and I decided to make a poor decision. But at the end of the day, I had done it and was driving while impaired. I don’t drink much at all, not even during my undergraduate years. But alright, fast forward two months to 8/2018. I had went overseas as a medical volunteer in Peru, which transpired this path to medicine. I had return back to the states in 9/2018 and started some post-bac classes. Then I decided to take 1/2019 until now off of school just to reflect on myself and my actions. In all likely hood, I believe DO school is a better fit for me. I have also just recently been looking into SMP’s and just visited one school in Boston. I am also considering doing a MPH. So my first couple questions are, is it worth doing a SMP? Or do I continue taking higher level science courses and to retake any courses that are passed the five to seven year mark? But during this time off, I am a medical scribe in cardiology.
Another dilemma, just a couple of months ago, I did get pulled over for speeding (20 mph over) and 6 points. I paid the fine and what not. I got the speeding ticket because I was running late for work and I am one of those individuals who will freak out if I am running late. Overall, I was speeding that’s just the fact of it and I know I probably shouldn’t have because I was already late. Moving on, I get a letter in the mail from the DMV saying that I have accumulated 9 points (that speeding ticket - 6 points and another traffic volition that happened in 2018 - 3 points) and in the state of WI we get up to 12 points before our drivers license is suspended for two months for anything that has happened in the past one year. We can get rid of the three points now. I have six points. So, back tracking to my first offense OWI back in 6/2018 which is still pending. It will be resolved in 11/2019 which will put me in the bracket at 12 points which I will lose my drivers license for two months. How will this affect me moving forward in applying to DO schools in about 1-2 years or even to SMP’s? Or even to get licensed as a DO? Or residency?
I know medicine is something I want to do and having time off to work and gain clinical experience made that decision happen. I just find myself back tracking once I find something good happening. Do I wait this process out to show programs growth and development? It won’t be for another 1-2 or even maybe 3 years before I even apply due to studying for the MCAT and taking courses.
Advise is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
To timeline this, I graduated in 2017 with my undergraduate in Kinesiology. I was on the physical therapy fast track. First generation student. cGPA of 3.088 sGPA I haven’t even calculated yet due to some classes missing - Ochem 1 and 2 with lab, and biochemistry. If I had to say, the last time I check my sGPA without those courses it was a 3.0. My last coupe semesters showed an upward trend. Right before graduation, I did not know if I wanted to apply right away just because I didn’t really know if PT was something I wanted to pursue. So I put off the GRE/MCAT. After graduation, May 2017, I got a job as a Rehab assistant. Worked for about one year until 8/2018. I didn’t like my experience so I decided to drop the PT career path. Do note, in 6/2018, I was pulled over for a first offense OWI while driving from the reception of a wedding back to the hotel which was only a few blocks driving. Which is still pending at this time. This had to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. I have beat myself up on numerous of occasions because I knew better and I decided to make a poor decision. But at the end of the day, I had done it and was driving while impaired. I don’t drink much at all, not even during my undergraduate years. But alright, fast forward two months to 8/2018. I had went overseas as a medical volunteer in Peru, which transpired this path to medicine. I had return back to the states in 9/2018 and started some post-bac classes. Then I decided to take 1/2019 until now off of school just to reflect on myself and my actions. In all likely hood, I believe DO school is a better fit for me. I have also just recently been looking into SMP’s and just visited one school in Boston. I am also considering doing a MPH. So my first couple questions are, is it worth doing a SMP? Or do I continue taking higher level science courses and to retake any courses that are passed the five to seven year mark? But during this time off, I am a medical scribe in cardiology.
Another dilemma, just a couple of months ago, I did get pulled over for speeding (20 mph over) and 6 points. I paid the fine and what not. I got the speeding ticket because I was running late for work and I am one of those individuals who will freak out if I am running late. Overall, I was speeding that’s just the fact of it and I know I probably shouldn’t have because I was already late. Moving on, I get a letter in the mail from the DMV saying that I have accumulated 9 points (that speeding ticket - 6 points and another traffic volition that happened in 2018 - 3 points) and in the state of WI we get up to 12 points before our drivers license is suspended for two months for anything that has happened in the past one year. We can get rid of the three points now. I have six points. So, back tracking to my first offense OWI back in 6/2018 which is still pending. It will be resolved in 11/2019 which will put me in the bracket at 12 points which I will lose my drivers license for two months. How will this affect me moving forward in applying to DO schools in about 1-2 years or even to SMP’s? Or even to get licensed as a DO? Or residency?
I know medicine is something I want to do and having time off to work and gain clinical experience made that decision happen. I just find myself back tracking once I find something good happening. Do I wait this process out to show programs growth and development? It won’t be for another 1-2 or even maybe 3 years before I even apply due to studying for the MCAT and taking courses.
Advise is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
