Confused..

[ejw5075]

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Hi Everyone! I'm just a little confused what exactly makes someone a "non traditional student".. I go to a satelite campus of Penn State University and they have me listed as an "adult learner," I'm only 19 years old but my story is a little confusing.

I am a teen mother, had my daughter at the age of 16 and decided to apply to PSU early and started classes there instead of a traditional senior year of high school. I graduated with my class in 2008 but was technically begining my sophomore year of college. Long story short, I will be graduating in 2011 (3 yrs from my HS grad date) but DID THE ENTIRE 4 YR PROGRAM... will this hurt my chances of getting accepted to medical school?

I just took my MCAT, won't have the results until May 25th (bad..probably 26-27) and 3.7cGPA, 3.65sGPA

Any Advice?

 

[vc7777]

Welcome, welcome!

To paraphrase QofQuimica, anyone who self-identifies as a nontrad is more than welcome here!

Many others will chime in, but I don't see why if you completed your 4 year program you should be worried about it hurting your chances. Sounds like you have your HS diploma AND will have a undergraduate degree next year.

Age != (does not equal) metric for being considered a nontrad.

 

[vc7777]

Also, not that it is comparable to your situation, but I have three children and I think being a parent at any age sets you apart from a traditional applicant.

 

[ejw5075]

Thank you, I have been so worried about the reactions I may recieve at interviews but I'm trying to ignore it, I'm proud of everything I have accomplished and I think being an excellent parent
will relate very closely to how that parent performs as a physician.

 

[SoftwareKevin]

I will be graduating in 2011 (3 yrs from my HS grad date) but DID THE ENTIRE 4 YR PROGRAM... will this hurt my chances of getting accepted to medical school?

I don't see why this would be a problem. Washington state has a program called running start that let juniors and seniors in high school complete their last two years at community college. I participated in that and don't see how it would negatively affect an application to medical school. My first quarter at University of Washington they classified me as a freshman, and my second quarter I jumped to junior status because I came in with enough credits to be a junior. As long as you get your degree from a university and have shown that you can handle a science load at a university you should be fine on that front.

If you're really concerned, it never hurts to e-mail the admissions at a few schools and see what they say.

 

[vc7777]

Thank you, I have been so worried about the reactions I may recieve at interviews but I'm trying to ignore it, I'm proud of everything I have accomplished and I think being an excellent parent
will relate very closely to how that parent performs as a physician.

No problem! Hey I came to SDN and found my virtual home on the nontrad forum. I was really apprehensive too when I first joined. In a sense, I owe a lot of credit to the folks on here for my success.

Don't sweat the small stuff. And it is all small stuff. I too was very concerned about being a parent during interviews this past cycle. I went into my first few very self-concious of being older AND a parent, in fact. I was very afraid I would have to 'defend' myself somehow.

But, to my relief, all of my faculty interviewers were wonderful people and parents themselves (in fact, my first student interviewer also had 3 and was expecting his fourth!).

If like me you mention you are a parent in your PS and how it has affected your path to medicine it won't be a surprise to your interviewers either. I suspect it has been such a significant part of your life that it will certainly come up in your PS anyway?

In retrospect, I think being a nontrad (and a parent in particular) gives them something different to talk about in the interview - an advantage because they will remember you and your interview.

That's a great attitude to have. In general you need to be comfortable in your own skin, on and off the interview trail. Simply put, being a parent can only help you in your interviews.

Hey PM me if you need anything ejw, even if it is just reassurance.

Take care, and good luck!

 

[krs881]

ejw, it sounds like you are going to do great on your apps. I very much agree that being non-traditional is great for interviews, as you stand out and it makes the conversation easier. I felt that was the case in my interviews, and I didn't have anything to so strongly connect me with the interviewers like being parents! For those of us who may become parents during medical school, you will be a source of inspiration (and advice)!

I just posted on a another non-trad forum thread musing about what being non-traditional means. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=9603259&postcount=937

 

[vc7777]

🙂 Ejw, It's been a while since you have updated. Anything of note?

 

[ejw5075]

🙂 Ejw, It's been a while since you have updated. Anything of note?

I have three interviews so far, all MD, *and one acceptance 🙂 Never in my wildest dreams did i see this coming. Good thing I didn't listen to all the skeptics.*

... and without you, vc7777.. I would most definitely be reapplying. Or salting fries.. THANK YOU. I couldn't mean it more when I say that I will be *forever grateful.*

 

[Eik Ooc]

Congratulations Ejw!

 

[vc7777]

Why, you are most welcome! 🙂

Listen, I am so grateful you let me help! You have made my month!

Have a wonderful holiday and savour the victory! :yay:

I am particularly proud of my fellow SDN parents who get in! Chin up and best of luck to all of you!

Not sent from my cell phone 😏