Am I the only one going crazy?!

[ymcMD]

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I always heard that pre-med students were crazy and I always thought it was a myth, but was I surprised to find out that in fact deciding to go to med-school can drive you crazy! Is it normal to worry ALL the time? About grades, about extracurricular activities? About your major? Gosh I dont even know where to begin. Here are some of my concerns, maybe you guys can help answering some questions, it would be GREATLY appreciated.

First of all are my grades, my BIGGEST concern by far!!! I began college as a Nursing major because it was what my mom liked for me but I soon realized nursing was not for me. However, while doing my pre-nursing pre-reqs I got an F in chem and in the lab as well (personal problems at the time). These two Fs are driving me out of my mind. I am TERRIFIED that I will not get accepted to medical school because of this even though I tool Chem I (pre-med pre-req) and got a B and Im planning to take Chem II soon.

Second, I am not a science major, after nursing I chose Criminal Justice since I always thought that in order to go to med-school I had to have a lot of $$ (which ofcourse I now know not to be true)...how much is this going to affect my chances???

Third, I am now 25 and by the time I apply and hopefully get accepted I will be 29. Do you guys think this is young enough to start the long road that is becoming a doctor? The way I see it is...I rather be 40 and a doctor than be 40 and wishing I had been one, but I like to know what others think about it, Im sure Im not the only one with this concern.

Fourth, is applying to both MD and DO schools frowned upon in any way? Personally I would prefer to go to an MD school but the way I see it is....I want to be a doctor, I want to help people and whether at the end of my name I have MD or DO that is what I'll be doing. However, I am scared that either schools would reject me for applying to the other, if you know what I mean.

And finally, two questions. Since my major is not a science...which extra sciences do you guys recommend I take apart from my med pre-reqs? I need to make my application as competitive as those who are science majors. Second question, what extracurricular activities to your guys recommend I do? All I can think of is volunteering (which I am currently doing at a childrens hospital) and shadowing (which I am planning to do), but I am sure there are other things out there to do that will not only make my application look good but also gives me the chance to gain some insight into the field.

Help!!!! Any input will be appreciated =)

 

[VCU07]

First, relax! Yes, premeds can be crazy and of course they are going to worry about their futures, much like yourself...it is just human nature. Second, the answer to your questions can be found via a search. I think the answer to your questions are common sense really. Should you take more science courses? Yes, it will def. help prepare you for med school, but you must be confident thay you can do well. Your chem. grades are worrisome. Looking back, why do you think you failed? BTW, what is your gpa? Looks like you have some damage control to do. Also, a B isn't going to cut it....you need to be making as many A's as possible. For MD programs I say you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive. As for DO, they to tend to be more forgiving in terms of grades as long as you show an upward trend. Also, I do think it is best that you apply to both programs. GL

 

[eablackwell]

1) you're not too old.

2) I agree with the above poster

3) you think you're crazy now? Wait until you play the application year waiting game. Take a deep breath. 🙂

 

[AcclratngCharge]

And finally, two questions. Since my major is not a science...which extra sciences do you guys recommend I take apart from my med pre-reqs? I need to make my application as competitive as those who are science majors. Second question, what extracurricular activities to your guys recommend I do? All I can think of is volunteering (which I am currently doing at a childrens hospital) and shadowing (which I am planning to do), but I am sure there are other things out there to do that will not only make my application look good but also gives me the chance to gain some insight into the field.

Help!!!! Any input will be appreciated =)

Instead of taking just extra science courses you may also consider extra english, writing, and social science courses. These could be helpful when MCAT rolls around (Verbal Reasoning). As I study for MCAT VR I wish I had more background in those types of courses. As far as science courses, biochem and genetics would probably be the first 2 if you can.

 

[ymcMD]

Thank you guys! I know going crazy and worrying is part of the process but sometimes I have a hard time taking it day by day and all of my worries sort of attack me at once.

Right now my gpa is 3.5 but I know I can make it higher as I continue taking courses. The first two yrs of college were not easy for me (health issues and family problems) but there has definitely been an upward trend.

I dont know, im just really worried that no matter how good I do my past grades will haunt me. =(

 

[Dianyla]

Right now my gpa is 3.5 but I know I can make it higher as I continue taking courses. The first two yrs of college were not easy for me (health issues and family problems) but there has definitely been an upward trend.

I dont know, im just really worried that no matter how good I do my past grades will haunt me. =(

Well, you need to know that those grades will always haunt you. Consider that AMCAS (application system for MD) does not do grade replacement. If you took a class and got an F, and then retook it and got an A, both grades will be included and averaged into a C. AACOMAS (for DO schools) does do grade replacement.

I recommend you get ahold of the GPA calculator spreadsheet (do a search, it's linked on various places here) and put in all your transcript grades to get an idea of what your GPA really is. Every college class you've ever taken (even in high school) counts.

Most people's GPA is lower than they thought, at least a little bit. And sometimes there are some really nasty surprises. I didn't discover until about 3 months ago (2 months before submitting my AMCAS) that I had some "Incomplete" grades from my freshman year that were converted to Fs. I'd been calculating my AMCAS GPA for years and counting those as an I not an F. Those three Fs from 15 years ago took my GPA down from 3.5 to 3.0. OUCH.

I'm not trying to fan the flames of worry and anxiety for you. Just make sure you do your research and figure out a) how deep of a hole you're standing in now and b) what you can do to make sure you're the most stellar candidate you can be. It's good that you're paying attention to everything this early, because it really takes several years to build a competitive portfolio for your application.

To sum it up:
1. Calculate your real GPA, and figure out how many classes you need to take to get it up to whatever level you need. Do everything you can to get it up above 3.0, that's a huge cut-off point for MD schools and also a big visual boundary ("starts with 3" not "starts with 2") in people's minds.
2. Get really awesome ECs including clinical, research if that's your thing, and community service. Show long-term dedication, better to have a 100-200 hours spread over several years than 200 all in a few weeks chunk suspiciously close to your application date.
3. Get LORs from 1 & 2 that make you sound like you walk on water.
4. Rock the MCAT.

 

[SoftwareKevin]

Instead of taking just extra science courses you may also consider extra english, writing, and social science courses. These could be helpful when MCAT rolls around (Verbal Reasoning). As I study for MCAT VR I wish I had more background in those types of courses. As far as science courses, biochem and genetics would probably be the first 2 if you can.

Adding to the list of non science classes you could take - see if your school offers a medical ethics class. The philosophy department at my school offers one and it's great so far. Also will help prepare you for touch questions in interviews some day 🙂

 

[DrTroll]

I see what you are saying, man. You are not alone on being stressed out, I'm engineering to pre-med, and I don't recall ever being this stressful back in undergrad. Maybe mostly cause I didn't care as much. 😀

I don't think your choice of major has any negative impact on med school admission, if any, it would be positive, b/c you are bringing diversity to the incoming class.

Don't think too much into your age, I voiced a similar concern to my pre-med adviser. His response is not to worry as long as you are under 40.

Applying to both MD and DO is nothing to be frowned upon, just make sure if you go to DO interviews, you can tell the difference between MD and DO. Not knowing what DO is about was listed as one of the big reasons why DO schools reject some applicants.

As for ECs, you got it pretty much covered, just keep doing what you are doing. Consistency is big.

 

[ymcMD]

Dianyla the GPA calculator is a GREAT idea, I will look up one. It is true that by calculating everything I'll know exactly what I need to take the GPA to a competitive level and ofcourse starting with a "3". I'm sorry you had that misfortune with your GPA, it really sucks that little mistakes cost a LOT. Rocking the MCAT is a must, I plan on taking prep-courses and do as many things as I can to improve my chances for the highest score possible.

SoftwareKevin, the medical ethics class is an awsome idea. Im currently taking a medical terminology class because I thought it would help and it wasnt particularly a science, but you bring up a big point about interview questions. Without a doubt I will look into this and see what my school offers.

DrTroll, I'm glad to know Im not alone. It truly sucks that because I had a couple of sucky years my dreams of being a doctor are at risk. My issue about the age is the possibility of wanting to start a family at one point and it interfering with med school, I know a ton of women do it but I dont think I have the patience to handle both. However, age is truly secondary to all of my other concerns.
About MD and DO schools, the more I read, the more I realize I will most likely end up applying to both, especially because of my "grades" issue. But it is true, if you are going to apply to both schools it is important to know what each of them is about.

To all of you applying soon or thinking of applying at one point GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[mspeedwagon]

I want to make some comments about the suggestions above. I think some of them are good suggestions for some people, but not good for others.

1) Taking more English classes may not help at all. I took a few MCAT practice tests before I decided where I needed the additional help and much to my surprise it was in biology (the area I have a degree in). I was scoring above a 10 consistently on the verbal section and as such, more biology would be more helpful to me.

2) A whole class on ethics to prepare for an interview is like trying to kill an ant with a bazooka. It is going way over board. I would not take an ethics class (just buy a good ethics book and read up a bit on it). The classic case is the kid of a Jehovah witness that needs a blood transfusion and dad refuses it but the mom secretly wants the kid to have it, what do you do in this case?

3) For additional coursework, I would take a practice test and gauge where you need to brush up. If it's in the biology sciences, I would recommend molecular biology and biochemistry. If it's verbal, then the above suggestions are valid. If it's the physical sciences, I wouldn't take additional courses, but rather focus on doing tons of practice.

4) I'll be starting medical school at around 30 if all goes according to plan. I actually feel it's a good age to start medical school.

5) Applying to both MD/DO at the same time won't matter. Unless you intend to spend a serious amount of time doing damage control I don't think MD is realistic. The fact that you still received only a B after a re-take won't cut it in the MD world. You need a 3.5 GPA to be on the low end.

 

[FiremedicMike]

You're definitely not the only one going crazy here, I'm already tired of obsessing/stressing over grades of every single assignment/quiz LOL

 

[SoftwareKevin]

2) A whole class on ethics to prepare for an interview is like trying to kill an ant with a bazooka. It is going way over board. I would not take an ethics class (just buy a good ethics book and read up a bit on it). The classic case is the kid of a Jehovah witness that needs a blood transfusion and dad refuses it but the mom secretly wants the kid to have it, what do you do in this case?

I agree that a full class on ethics just to prepare for an interview is not necessary... but if you have a non science class that you need to take this is a great will to fill that requirement. It does get you thinking about both views on debatable topics and while no school (that I've found anyways) requires it, many schools suggest it.

 

[ymcMD]

I want to make some comments about the suggestions above. I think some of them are good suggestions for some people, but not good for others.

1) Taking more English classes may not help at all. I took a few MCAT practice tests before I decided where I needed the additional help and much to my surprise it was in biology (the area I have a degree in). I was scoring above a 10 consistently on the verbal section and as such, more biology would be more helpful to me.

2) A whole class on ethics to prepare for an interview is like trying to kill an ant with a bazooka. It is going way over board. I would not take an ethics class (just buy a good ethics book and read up a bit on it). The classic case is the kid of a Jehovah witness that needs a blood transfusion and dad refuses it but the mom secretly wants the kid to have it, what do you do in this case?


5) Applying to both MD/DO at the same time won't matter. Unless you intend to spend a serious amount of time doing damage control I don't think MD is realistic. The fact that you still received only a B after a re-take won't cut it in the MD world. You need a 3.5 GPA to be on the low end.

You make a valid point about concentrating on what is needed the most. After you gave me that example it got me thinking and its a hard question to answer. Interviews are nerve-wracking as it is and if I was presented with a question like this I could definitely find myself scrambling around for the right answer. Do you have a good ethics book you can recommend?
The age doesn't worry me as much as other things, but I would have liked to start earlier. Sometimes I just feel like I wasted a lot of time. I guess it is better late than never.
I will apply to both schools, I still have quite a few courses to take so I hope that my GPA increases substantially, that is ofcourse, counting on getting As. I hope that by the time I apply I am a good candidate for MD.

You're definitely not the only one going crazy here, I'm already tired of obsessing/stressing over grades of every single assignment/quiz LOL

Firemedic- YES!!! I stress over absolutely everything. Sometimes it is exhausting but I like to believe its all worth it. It is an incredible amount of stress and when I tell you that somedays all the worries attack me at once I am not exaggerating. If nothing else being a pre-med has definitely made me OCD! LOL

I agree that a full class on ethics just to prepare for an interview is not necessary... but if you have a non science class that you need to take this is a great will to fill that requirement. It does get you thinking about both views on debatable topics and while no school (that I've found anyways) requires it, many schools suggest it.

I have seen that some schools do suggest it and it would be a good filler, but then again I think about the fact that I am not a science major and realize I need the sciences much more. Do you perhaps know a good ethics book you can recommend? =)

 

[bowzer]

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