Chronicling my return

[Sans]

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I figured I should come and introduce myself to the nontrad forum. I've lurked here on and off since 2007 but only recently registered and have thus far only really posted in the "What are my chances?" forum.

I'm 26 and am one class short of a BS in physics from a third tier state school, to which I transferred from a community college after getting an Associate's Degree. My cGPA is going to end up being from 2.5-2.8. The science GPA is pending - waiting on my community college to send me a transcript so I can figure it out.

I'm aiming for an MD but I want to do it the "right" way so I'm currently digging through the continuing ed schedules of community colleges in my state to find an EMT-Basic class, and have reapplied to my almost-alma mater for this fall as a Biology major. I'm prepared to go the distance and know that my work is cut out for me...it'll take probably three more years of straight As in UG coursework to get in range of MD schools. Of course, at some point I'll grab the last class I need to finish my physics degree (it's Gen Chem 2) and probably get a third BS, most likely in chemistry. I figure it's a given that I'll come out with three degrees provided I take ~100 more hours.

My intent is to go to school full time and get life experience and medical experience through being an EMT and use the 2011-12 school year as my time to confirm that medicine is what I want.

With all that said, I can't tell you what an inspiration many of you guys have been - in the end, if I'm ever a doctor, I'll owe part of it to this forum.

Looking forward to interacting with you all.

 

[crazycooljoel]

Nice to meet you, Sans. Just finish the chem class and take the MCAT. With two science degrees you should score very high on the MCAT and balance out the lower GPA, if you will. That third degree in chem, in my opinion, is wasting time and the med school may view that as not truly knowing what you want to do. If you don't get accepted then think about finishing the chem degree, and apply again. Think about it. Anyone agree/disagree?

I worry how bad your debt may get from student loans plus adding med school onto of that. You really don't want to be stuck paying off student loans the rest of your life.

 

[Sans]

Nice to meet you, Sans. Just finish the chem class and take the MCAT. With two science degrees you should score very high on the MCAT and balance out the lower GPA, if you will. That third degree in chem, in my opinion, is wasting time and the med school may view that as not truly knowing what you want to do. If you don't get accepted then think about finishing the chem degree, and apply again. Think about it. Anyone agree/disagree?

I worry how bad your debt may get from student loans plus adding med school onto of that. You really don't want to be stuck paying off student loans the rest of your life.

To be clear, I've only got one degree behind me - the BS in physics. Biology is what I'm returning to study since I need to take science classes for the GPA. Also, I figure my opportunities for relevant research experience are maximised as a bio and/or chem major.

I've had no organic chem yet either so I do have a lot of preparation ahead of me for the MCAT. What I'm hoping to do is prepare for it over 2-3 months during the next year like I would if I were about to take it, and then see how I do on a handful of practice tests. Then the following year I'll do the same thing again and take it for real. I dream of getting 40+ but I know it's a lofty goal. I have always been good at tests, though, and I've got to knock at least one part of the app out of the park.

The main thing with me is that I'm just happy to have direction. I'm 26 and I've spent my whole life kind of drifting through instead of actively pursuing experiences that could teach my about myself.

 

[Sans]

I made this thread planning to update it periodically with what I'm doing in case anyone wants to talk or provide input - or even learn from it.

With that in mind, I'm posting now because Saturday I begin my first EMT Basic class! I've never been more excited about anything in my life. I'm finally taking a real step toward defining my direction.

Anybody with EMT experience should get in here.

 

[ShyRem]

EMT class is only good if you USE IT when you are done. Just putting it on your application as a course you took doesn't do you squat. However, if you actually work as an EMT and get some experience that might do better for you. Applicants with EMT class behind them are a dime a dozen these days. Folks with real EMT experience however are a bit more rare.

Welcome aboard. Remember, it's a marathon not a sprint. 🙂

(and to answer your summons, I had 15 years as a paramedic in the field prior to applying.)

 

[Sans]

Oh I'm definitely going to use it! That's the whole point...I mean it when I say I've never been this excited about anything. The only thing I don't like is that I didn't think of something like this earlier...I only signed up for this class because a mentor gave me the idea.

I want to be in an ambulance at least one night a week during school for the next couple years. I'm not sure if I'll be able to make any money doing it (are basics usually volunteers?) and whether or not I will take the intermediate course at some point.

 

[BigBoosting]

Out of curiosity, have you done anything else (a different career), or have you been in school for the last ~8 years?

The EMT stuff is good if you actually do it, but remember you'll need shadowing and volunteering as well, on top of the A's and studying for a good MCAT score.

It's definitely possible with a GPA that low to get into an MD school, I did it, but you have to really bust your butt and prove to an adcom that you're not someone who thinks a 2.x GPA is acceptable anymore.

I don't know what your thoughts on DO are, but it may be much more likely than an MD. But an MD is still possible.

 

[Sans]

I haven't had an actual career yet. I was in college at least part time from Jan 2004 - May 2010. For the last year I've been back home with my family and working as a low level manager in retail.

I have what I consider to be a good amount of "life experience" and have had a lot of different jobs to pay the bills, but I've mostly spun my wheels when it comes to making life decisions.

I was once big on astrophysics but I got a fellowship in it for a summer and when I saw what it actually entails (LOTS of time in front of a computer and constantly begging for grants) my motivation began to decline...I more or less finished the physics BS but took the last year off to figure out where I'm headed.

I've always been interested in medicine, though. I've lurked here for a long time and I know you're right about ECs, grades, and so on. I'm aware of what it will take and am taking the first steps. I wasn't planning to apply for 2-3 years. I feel like I need that time because not only do I want to be able to show on paper that I know medicine is for me but I want to know for myself.