Chances...or pipe dream

[Anna1732]

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2.9 associates degree in liberal arts 2013
2.25 biology bs 2017
Currently have a 3.2 in an engineering transfer program about to finish second year

Hispanic, low income, first generation high school and college student, first generation in the United States. Major obstacles overcame was sudden death of my father in college sophomore year.

No volunteer yet but starting this summer in a hospital. I volunteered for a sonography program and was not impressed but that's it. My father worked for a hospital for 35 years however (as maintenance though).
Looking for leadership roles currently.

I realized after my bio degree that I might not be smart enough for med school. So, I'm trying engineering as a fall back career and honestly I may just settle on engineering. I'm 28 already. I would love to be a pathologist but at this point, that may not be a realistic option.

 

[907914]

2.9 associates degree in liberal arts 2013
2.25 biology bs 2017
Currently have a 3.2 in an engineering transfer program about to finish second year

Hispanic, low income, first generation high school and college student, first generation in the United States. Major obstacles overcame was sudden death of my father in college sophomore year.

No volunteer yet but starting this summer in a hospital. I volunteered for a sonography program and was not impressed but that's it. My father worked for a hospital for 35 years however (as maintenance though).
Looking for leadership roles currently.

I realized after my bio degree that I might not be smart enough for med school. So, I'm trying engineering as a fall back career and honestly I may just settle on engineering. I'm 28 already. I would love to be a pathologist but at this point, that may not be a realistic option.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321512/data/factstablea24-1.pdf

According to the AAMC charts, you will likely need a >93% MCAT score in order to have a >40% (average) chance at acceptance. You would also need to go back and retake basically all of your gen chem, bio, physics and Ochem. For DO schools, you likely need a >80% MCAT for the same likelihood. So, not necessarily a pipe dream, but you would likely need 2 full years of >3.5 in hard science (non-engineering) courses for both GPA repair and to show your abilities. You would likely also need a massive amount of MCAT prep, based on your prior biology performance.

I don’t want to discourage you, but I also don’t want to give you any false hope. Were I in your position, I would settle for engineering. What you do is depends on your perception on your ability to acomplish the above ^^

 

[Anna1732]

The issue with my biology was that I didn't even try my first year (untreated depression) and failed out. I retook that first year after getting myself together and got mostly As and a few Bs in the prereqs. But the damage was done. What I am retaking in the fall (at my transfer school) is ochem 2 which I got a D twice in. I have a B in ochem 1 and retaking now to review (my advisor was adamant I retake ochem1 since it was a summer class and it clearly didn't prepare me for ochem 2). This is risky but my advisor told me it will show that I capable now ofc so long as I do well. This engineering degree has MCAT prep basically built into it but honestly I don't know if I can handle more schooling after all I've been through for more than a couple more years.

 

[907914]

The issue with my biology was that I didn't even try my first year (untreated depression) and failed out. I retook that first year after getting myself together and got mostly As and a few Bs in the prereqs. But the damage was done. What I am retaking in the fall (at my transfer school) is ochem which I got a D twice in. This is
risky but my advisor told me it will show that I capable now ofc so long as I do well. This engineering degree has MCAT prep basically built into it but honestly I don't know if I can handle more schooling after all I've been through for more than a couple more years.

What kind of engineering program is it that MCAT prep is built in?

 

[Anna1732]

Chemical engineering. It requires gen chem, orgo 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, and I can take biochem as an elective

 

[Goro]

Read my guide to reinvention

 

[Anna1732]

I did I'm following your advice. Ty

 

[PA_dud3]

Moving to WAMC.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Yep. Show that the you of now is not the you of then. Your URM status - especially if you speak Spanish and/or have service to Hispanic communities - will help you. Get two years of 3.5 or better for DO schools, 3.7 or better for MD. You have the makings of a compelling story. To seal the deal you'll need a 508+ MCAT for DO schools, 511+ for state MD, and 514+ for mid-tiers. A 520 or better could make you competitive for those top-20 schools like Columbia that like reinventors. Good luck!