be gentle, its my first time.

[hotdawg]

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hi guys,

im at work ( i work at a lab, with fruit flies) so ill make this quick. i've known since i was--well, younger--that i wanted to be a D.0. but i had a lot of problems in college (mainly work and my moms illness). my question is, im preparing for the MCAT, but i cant sleep because of my GPA--3.0. i have to meet with my pre med advisor (i graduated 2 years ago) and im afraid he'll laugh at me. 🙁 like everyone else, i didnt sit on my hands--igot ASCP certified in phlebotomy, i intern as a med. asst in a nursing home, i've volunteered in the er, mentored--things i would have done anyway, regardless of what i wanted to do with my life---but i guess that wont help me at all. i mean , who cares if i want to help people--i dont have the grades.

so heres my question(s) --please be honest.( rip me apart)
1) what should i expect from my advisor
2) should i take more classses ( i can take grad. classes where i work, which is an allopathic medical school)
3) should i give up and just play bass all day ? or try to do really well on the mcat?
4) also--how inportant is D.O shadowing? I have called around, and i am having a tough time finding someone in my area.

i know there are alot of questions like this --i would really appreciate your input, anyone, because you guys are in the game so to speak.....i want this so bad, but its not about me--its how i want to help people. but if the red sox can win the world series.......who am i kidding, im a met fan.

thanks

 

[vimal98]

hi guys,

im at work ( i work at a lab, with fruit flies) so ill make this quick. i've known since i was--well, younger--that i wanted to be a D.0. but i had a lot of problems in college (mainly work and my moms illness). my question is, im preparing for the MCAT, but i cant sleep because of my GPA--3.0. i have to meet with my pre med advisor (i graduated 2 years ago) and im afraid he'll laugh at me. 🙁 like everyone else, i didnt sit on my hands--igot ASCP certified in phlebotomy, i intern as a med. asst in a nursing home, i've volunteered in the er, mentored--things i would have done anyway, regardless of what i wanted to do with my life---but i guess that wont help me at all. i mean , who cares if i want to help people--i dont have the grades.

so heres my question(s) --please be honest.( rip me apart)
1) what should i expect from my advisor
2) should i take more classses ( i can take grad. classes where i work, which is an allopathic medical school)
3) should i give up and just play bass all day ? or try to do really well on the mcat?
4) also--how inportant is D.O shadowing? I have called around, and i am having a tough time finding someone in my area.

i know there are alot of questions like this --i would really appreciate your input, anyone, because you guys are in the game so to speak.....i want this so bad, but its not about me--its how i want to help people. but if the red sox can win the world series.......who am i kidding, im a met fan.

thanks

Well definitely go to advisor and talk to him. Don't care about people. But yeah you will have do well on MCAT. Try to get about 30 and you will have a shot. Moreover DO schools don't just look at your stats. They attract more interesting people and allrounders. So just try your best and you will be fine.

 

[JonnyG]

GPA of 3.0 is not a hinderance..................mine is south of it and I got a few acceptances. They key is to build up the other parts of the application: LORs, experience, volunteering. It also helps to start early.

 

[OmedDOC]

hi guys,

im at work ( i work at a lab, with fruit flies) so ill make this quick. i've known since i was--well, younger--that i wanted to be a D.0. but i had a lot of problems in college (mainly work and my moms illness). my question is, im preparing for the MCAT, but i cant sleep because of my GPA--3.0. i have to meet with my pre med advisor (i graduated 2 years ago) and im afraid he'll laugh at me. 🙁 like everyone else, i didnt sit on my hands--igot ASCP certified in phlebotomy, i intern as a med. asst in a nursing home, i've volunteered in the er, mentored--things i would have done anyway, regardless of what i wanted to do with my life---but i guess that wont help me at all. i mean , who cares if i want to help people--i dont have the grades.

so heres my question(s) --please be honest.( rip me apart)
1) what should i expect from my advisor
2) should i take more classses ( i can take grad. classes where i work, which is an allopathic medical school)
3) should i give up and just play bass all day ? or try to do really well on the mcat?
4) also--how inportant is D.O shadowing? I have called around, and i am having a tough time finding someone in my area.

i know there are alot of questions like this --i would really appreciate your input, anyone, because you guys are in the game so to speak.....i want this so bad, but its not about me--its how i want to help people. but if the red sox can win the world series.......who am i kidding, im a met fan.

thanks

Here's my advice,... dont take that bass out just yet and give yourself a chance. If your taking the MCAT next april, I would not take any other courses (a couple of courses wont make a huge difference), reduce actual work-time (if possible), and study like hell for the MCAT. Your gpa is what it is and although its not great, it isnt horrible either. A really good MCAT score always opens up some eyes at ADCOMs and could get you a couple of interviews. Your EC's great which is a big plus, but if possible I would shadow a D.O., if not move on.

AS far as your advisor, I would talk to him and see what kind of rec. he would give you. Be honest and sincere and ask for his help, you'd be surprised how many people are willing to help you if you just ask.

APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY!! (get the point)

And finally, convince yourself if this is what you really want, you'll never give up till you are their. Sounds cheesy, but it worked for me.

GOOD LUCK and hope this helps..

 

[medicomel]

The way I found a D.O. to shadow is to look on the website of a hospital near you. Then use the "find a doctor" search to include only family medicine doctors.

Hopefully you'll see that several D.O.s are included in the mix. Just call them up and ask. From my experience, D.O.s are more often than not willing to let you shadow them.

 

[dr.z]

Do well on your MCAT. If you can explain your hardships, DO schools will over look your GPA (3.0 is not bad, for some schools the minimum are even lower). Good luck to you!

 

[calichik]

First off don't give up hope. Stay positive and optimistic. If you're really determined to be a doctor, then everything will fall into place no matter how long it takes to get into med school and get that degree. The whole application process takes a lot out of everyone. So once you begin just hang in there.
1) what should i expect from my advisor
If your advisor/counselor is like mine, expect him to be honest with you and your chances and be willing to help as much as he can to help you reach your goal. Mine was and I was grateful that he helped me realize what I needed to do to strengthen my application.
2) should i take more classses
Take them if you feel you need too. It all depends on your situation.
3) should i give up and just play bass all day ? or try to do really well on the mcat?
Again, don't give up. If you're determined and passionate about this, all will be fine. Yes, study really hard for the MCAT and focus on your weaknesses before its too late.
4) also--how inportant is D.O shadowing? I have called around, and i am having a tough time finding someone in my area.
D.O. school like to see how interested you are in osteopathic medicine. Almost all secondaries have a question regarding this. Shadow a D.O. and see what osteopathic medicine is really like in the clinical environment. Maybe you can have your advisor provide you with a list of D.O.'s you can contact. If not, there's always the phonebook and the internet. I also recommend reading "The D.O.'s" (2nd ed) by Gevitz. It tells you all about osteopathic medicine and why it is the way it is today.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[Munchkin6245]

who am i kidding, im a met fan

HAHAHAHA! 👍

Ok, my advice, here goes:

1. Don't ever give up, always try first! Keep your job and keep volunteering b/c it'll show that you are committed. If you find that you are struggling with finding time to study then cut back on your hours.

2. GPA can be brought up by taking more classes, BUT, it's not gonna be a lot. And there's always the fear that you may not get As which is what you REALLY need to bring it up significantly. So, unless you are really gun-ho about getting back in school I wouldn't do it.

3. MCAT score will be the part of your application that will offset your GPA, if you can get a great score. And by great I mean a 30 or above. There are people who get in with a 3.0 and <30 MCAT but I personally wouldn't feel confident applying with those stats. I took the PR course as my prep and thought it was a complete waste of $, so then I bought the EK books and that's when I started understanding wth I was looking at on the test.

4. I think it is imperative that you shadow a DO before you apply. It will only improve upon your application. If you are having trouble with finding DOs in your area, call the AOA and ask them to help you find someone who is willing to let you shadow them.

5. LORs are tough when you are out of school for many years. What I would first is get in contact with a few previous science profs and explain to them what you are wanting to accomplish. Put together a packet of items they can read over so they can get reacquainted with you. I had to do this for my science LORs. Another LOR can be (and should be) the DO you shadow.

I hope my advice helps. I was just wondering though....why do you need to go see your premed advisor?? I never had a premed advisor, except for SDN 🙂 When I took some postbacc classes at another university I did utilize their premed office by using their LOR sending services. I will mention that when I first told them of my endeavor the advisor told me that I shouldn't waste my time or money. Well Ms. Advisor, I have 3 acceptances! So don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish this. PM me if you have any questions for me.

 

[Munchkin6245]

I forgot one thing....and this is very important

APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY!!!

 

[dr.z]

I forgot one thing....and this is very important

APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY!!!

Good point! Very Very Important!

 

[docbill]

so should one apply early...

Definetly apply early. Have all your transcript and Letter of Referecence by the end of June. Some schools start interviewing in Aug.

 

[no-see-um]

hi guys,

im at work ( i work at a lab, with fruit flies)...

Good luck colleague! 😀 👍

 

[freesolo]

so why do all these EC's if your gpa is suffering because of them? Don't overload yourself like that. Of course dont say you overloaded yourself at hte interview, but lay off the EC's a bit, not all of them, and get your grades up.

 

[sophiejane]

well, I wouldn't recommend playing your bass ALL day, but you should definitely NOT stop playing altogether. Balance is everything!

If I can go from a professional musician --> DO in my 30s, someone like you should have no trouble.

And I couldn't tell a fruit fly from a gnat if my life depended on it.

Best of luck.

**GO SOX!! let's hear it for the underdogs!!**

 

[eadysx]

I don't have any advice to offer,all the above looks good, but the title of the thread was very good. 😀 Way to go 👍
E-

 

[docmz]

don't lose hope! work hard, do well on your MCAT, and even if you don't get a 45, or even a 30, still apply. wouldn't you rather know you tried, then just sit back and wonder? i'll be honest, my MCAT was less than steller and i had a 3.6 GPA. nothing remarkable, but i work hard, have excellent LOR's and now I will be attending UNECOM next year. if you want it, you will get it! apply early because that will show your enthusiasm. also, i sent out two letters throughout the year to update schools on what i was doign to further my CV. it can't hurt! 🙂 🙂 🙂

I don't have any advice to offer,all the above looks good, but the title of the thread was very good. 😀 Way to go 👍
E-

 

[hotdawg]

i just wanted to say thanks to all of you (the fruit flies thank you too) for your honest and even positive replies. you are all an awesome bunch of people and i will take the advice (for some reason APPLY EARLY! APPLY EARLY! is ringing in my head. ) if anyone would like to share what thier road was like and how school is for them now, please do, everyone (me included) can learn alot.

thanks again, and i will give an update on how things go.

H.D

p.s someone asked about why i am going to a premed advisor. i was told i would need a premed commitee letter. false? also, my EC activities, most of them happened after i graduated, because i wanted to help out and i have a hard time saying no! but yea, i did shoot my self in the foot with it.

thanks again!! good luck too! 😀

 

[Munchkin6245]

p.s someone asked about why i am going to a premed advisor. i was told i would need a premed commitee letter. false?

I didn't have a premed committee letter, I just used the university's letter service that copied my 2 science prof's LORs, and 1 DO LOR and sent them to all of the schools I applied to. So, therefore, I would call each school just to make certain, b/c that's what I did. All the schools I applied to said that my letters were just fine since I didn't want to go through the premed committee. I did let committee review my file and I felt that they did a p!ss poor job of reviewing me as a nontrad candidate. PM me if you want more details. I also applied allopathic too so I can tell you which schools out of those didn't require me to send a premed committee letter even though they say so. 👍

 

[eadysx]

p.s someone asked about why i am going to a premed advisor. i was told i would need a premed commitee letter. false? also, my EC activities, most of them happened after i graduated, because i wanted to help out and i have a hard time saying no! but yea, i did shoot my self in the foot with it.

thanks again!! good luck too! 😀

I say get the letter from your pre-med advisor if you can. It is there job to try to get students into med school, so most of the time they will give you a good letter regardless of what they think your chances are. As far as med school goes, I am in it now and really like it. But BEWARE, it will take up your whole life. Make sure med school is something you really want to do, and that you are willing to give it your life because it will get it one way or the other. Good luck!

E-