Hello, I'm not really sure where to begin but first I would like to thank you for taking the time out to read this. I graduated undergrad in 2006 and was accepted to 6 osteopathic schools, choose one, and enrolled in that school. I had a series of unfortunate and traumatic events in my life, failed two major classes and was dismissed from school last month. I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR, and I know that one day I will be a great doctor. However, what should my course of action be now to get back in? Can, or should, I just start applying to schools again immediately? Are my MCAT scores still relevant? I was a very strong applicant when I applied, but given the situation at hand and the fact that I was dismissed can I re-apply? Or do I need to retake my MCATs, continue volunteer work, and restart the process over again? Should I go for a masters? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Confused, Please Help
- Thread starter Echoes
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I don't know too much about this (posting in the med school forum might get you more educated responses), but I would start by talking to people who work at your med school. They might have some kind of counselor or other qualified person who can help guide you in the right direction and answer your questions. Sorry I couldn't be more help, good luck!
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Your post was pretty vague in terms of the circumstances that, you claim, inpeded your success as an MSI. I totally understand if you're not willing to divulge details on a public forum. With that said, I wouldn't dare say what sort of chances you have of re-matriculating. Typically, schools take these things on a case by case basis. Example: you were too busy shooting heroin to give a damn about your classes - not good. You Mom, Dad, and cat died in a house fire - the odds are decent that someone would take you back. Get my drift?
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People handle adversity in different ways:
Person A is gang-raped, beaten, has her arms cut off, is thrown in a ditch and left for dead. But, she survives, becomes a motivational speaker and spends the rest of her life showing people that you can defy the odds and be succesful in life.
Person B is nearly bitten by a dog, spends the rest of his life in therapy and pees on himself when he hears the sound of a bark.
You can't really say that one person is better than the other because each of them survived a real traume in their own eyes. Making a comparison is just not fair. Yet, if you wish to return to medical school you have to be Person A. You need to spend the next five years of your life becoming very successful at something and showing that you can overcome adversity and succeed. Just getting a new degree won't do it. Just getting a job and surviving won't do it. To become a doctor you have to have at least the appearance of being better than the average person. And you need a track record of success-- five years might not even be enough. When the time is up, take the MCAT again, score higher than you did before and go through the while process again-- showing them all how you can succeed. Anything else, I'm afraid, just wouldn't be good enough.
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Start by talking to your old school. Everyone of importance at your old school. they would surely give you far better direction than we could here (unless someone here has been in the OP's shoes).
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I left med school during first year due to family issues (mom died of cancer) and am now going back to another school. If the reasons you were dismissed are reasonable and explainable, then it is possible (of course it would have looked better if you had left instead of being dismissed). You will have to take the MCAT again if you had taken it more than 5 years ago (for most schools, I think some require it be within 2 years, check the schools to be sure). But you may want to take it again and do well on it to show that you are serious and still prepared for school. Explain carefully and thoughtfully in your statement of purpose why you were dismissed and why things are different now. Be sure to emphasize what you have gained from the "traumatic" experiences- show strength, don't make excuses.
If it is possible, it would be VERY helpful to get a letter of recommendation from one of your professors at the old medical school, if there is someone there that can back you.
I was in your shoes not too long ago, and now I'm all set to start in the fall. Best of luck to you.
If it is possible, it would be VERY helpful to get a letter of recommendation from one of your professors at the old medical school, if there is someone there that can back you.
I was in your shoes not too long ago, and now I'm all set to start in the fall. Best of luck to you.
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Were you dismissed because of failing two classes? If this is the case, the it is possible you can be reinstated. If you were dismissed for other reasons---this may be less likely.
I don't see how a master's is useful unless you want to quit on the prospect of becoming a doctor.
Talk with the school about reinstatement and reapply to several other schools.
Apply to Caribbean schools as a back-up, in case you have to go this route.
