considering dropping my dream of becoming a doctor!

[Disgruntled One]

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so, im a junior now, and recently ive been hanging around a lot of premed message boards trying to get a feel for my chances. It seems that med schools are looking for students who "play the game" well more than those that are truly knowledgeable. They seem to care more about gpa than courses as long as they did some pointless volunteer work in a hospital. all this has turned me off and im considering pitching the whole idea of becoming an md and just getting my phd.

i have a 3.5 GPA from a top 50 private University, double majoring in cell/molecular biology and chemistry with a minor in medieval history. havent taken my mcat yet. i get ~40 on all the practice tests, but i dont know how well i will do on the real thing, i do test well though. spent the summer after freshman year fallowing residents around and shadowing doctors, spent this past summer in nigeria at a clinic (not doing some of the bull**** ive heard other have done in 3rd world contries, i worked in the maternity ward half the time, and after being almost knee deep in amniotic fluids with 10 screaming women in labor and the smell (oh god the smell! I almost passed out once) i think i am ready for just about anything. i volunteer at the hospital some, but only a couple of weekends a month, and i didnt start that till this year.

basically, people on other boards, other premeds at my school, and even a counsellor said i was wrong for taking so many classes and going for the double major... i say thats bunk.

so basically, do i have an ok chance at any upper level med schools? and please enlighten me a little to what med schools are looking for if i have gotten the wrong impression from other sources

 

[missbonnie]

I think your opinions are valid regarding what certain schools are looking for..,but don't let it stop you.

Sounds like you know this is what you want. Trust that.

bonnie

 

[hilikus]

Originally posted by Disgruntled One
They seem to care more about gpa than courses as long as they did some pointless volunteer work in a hospital.

Worthless? Maybe you should ask yourself why you want to be a doctor?

I have no doubt you have the intelligence but what about the maturity?

And maybe they have a point, less classroom time more real-world experience. The real world is a lot different than school. i can atest to that.

 

[Rendar5]

You make it sound like a 3.5 is bad or something? As for double-majoring and minor, as long as you did it because you liked the courses and not because you were trying to look good for med school, that's fine.

 

[Tezzie]

I don't understand this!

You will drop your dream of becoming a doctor, if you don't get into an upper tier med school?

 

[Ernham]

And good riddance.

 

[ATPase]

If I've learned anything from reading this board and going through the application process, it's that med schools accept a range of applicants with diverse academic and personal backgrounds. I think pre-med advisors (and those really annoying premeds in your classes) focus too much on the cookie-cutter approach to getting in. It almost turned me off on the whole process a few years ago. What brought me back was this nagging inner voice that told me I belonged in medicine. I majored in the liberal arts, took a year off from school, did some hospital volunteering but felt it was a little like what you described above, so I went in my own direction and did lots of community service that was only peripherally medically-related. I did it because I wanted to do it and believed in the work, and I quit volunteering at the hospital. Once you have some clinical experience under your belt, that's all you need for admissions. Do something that matters to you. Also, don't listen to what people say about your major. You don't have to be a cookie-cutter applicant. Again, you should do what you're interested in.

You can always go the MD/PhD route. If you truly feel like medicine is for you (and it sounds like it is!) you shouldn't let other people's shortsightedness ruin it for you. 🙂

 

[Bones2008]

Originally posted by Disgruntled One
They seem to care more about gpa than courses as long as they did some pointless volunteer work in a hospital.
spent this past summer in nigeria at a clinic (not doing some of the bull**** ive heard other have done in 3rd world contries)
do i have an ok chance at any upper level med schools?

I echo the above posters. "Pointless" volunteer work? the "bull****" others have done in foreign countries? take a step back, bud. are you interested in medicine because you want to help people or because you want the prestige of an M.D. from an "upper level" school? damn, man. you say you're ready for anything, but I take exception to that. I don't think you're ready to work with human beings in a cooperative, non-hostile environment. honestly, since you seem to think your above all other things your colleagues have done, maybe you should give up on being a doctor and concentrate on doing something more on your level. I hear they're taking applications for the next Messiah. check it out.

 

[Disgruntled One]

I guess i exagerrated a little, no i wont realistically through away my dream. one of my 2 top choices is far from the top

i guess im just upset at the moment and ranting, it bothers me that there are people (many i know) who are trying and have succeeded in sort of weaseling their way into med school. im just turned off to the whole process

to hilikus: my comment was in response to some people i know who have supposedly volunteered 3 and 4 years in hospitals but actually havent DONE anything at all during that time.

 

[Rendar5]

Med schools are looking for real-world experience and maturity, someone with some sort of personality, good GPA/MCAT, cool extracurriculars, good LoR's, doing any sort of volunteer work so that you're sure this is what you want to get into (the volunteer work is not to help others, it's to show that you're aware of what you're getting into.), research, some sort of leadership and commitment qualities, altruism's also a good thing to show.

Basically, any mix of the above. You don't need everything.

And if you get a high-30s MCAT (37 and up, I guess. don't expect to score as well as you did on a sample practice test, unless you effectively emulated MCAT-test-taking conditions and the practice test you took was harder than the MCAT, which a few tutoring services do do), you won't have any problems getting into a good school unless you're really not doctor-material.

 

[Rendar5]

who do you know weaseled their way into med school? And what was the school? The cookie cutter approach is just what I'd consider a guideline. And you already did nearly everything required of that approach anyway.

 

[HoodyHoo]

In accordance with everyone else, I don't think any schools are looking for someone like you....leave the spot open for someone true.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

This sounds like another one of those "I have a 42 on the MCAT and a 3.99, and did all this cool stuff no one else did, please stroke my ego" posts. Not saying that it is, just saying that's what it sounds like.

 

[edik]

Dude,
Trying to get into med school is no fun. Many of us have our own grievances with the process.
I guess you just have to suck it up and remember your real reasons for doing this. Med school is just 1 step along many.

 

[ATPase]

Disgruntled One, I PM'ed you.

 

[Disgruntled One]

to bones: i wasnt saying that everyone elses experiences were pointless, but some are. i know people who have gone to poor contries and it was basically just a camping trip, and people who work in hospitals filing papers who call it real medical experience. why are you so quick to brand me as someone not fit to be a doctor? just because im slightly annoyed with the way admissions works and the way some people work the system. i apologize if i came off as arrogant, but im not in a good mood today. i was had a meating with my premed advisor and she advised me against taking 23 hours because she thought i should try and boost my gpa up. im not going to miss out on something i want to learn just for an extra .03 or so on my gpa.

I know many people who have taken bare the bare minimum courseload, searching for the easiest teachers just to get the grades. my annoyance is justified.

and to Pinkertinkle: i know it might seem that way, and im obviously coming off the wrong way with some, but thats not what i was trying to do.

 

[Disgruntled One]

PM'ed ?

 

[u2ecila]

Hi Disgruntled One,

I understand your frustration. You are coming into the application process with a different mentality than some of your peers, like a hard double major vs the easier single major. Yes, applying for med school is a game, but you should only focus on your own achievements and not how other people are acting. I work in an environment where the biggest a$$ kissers get the biggest reward (gov't contracting). It very frustrating, and while I am nice to everyone, I am not going to play those stupid games. I do my work, and I do it well, and this strategy has paid off. Focus on your own success, and it will be evident to the schools as you apply. In the end, it comes down to your application and those people reviewing it. Score very well on the MCAT and you will have a great shot. If you are seriously interested in one or two schools, go talk to the admissions folks now, and find out exactly what they are looking for.

Good luck,
u2ecila

 

[ice_23]

Disgruntled,

PM'ed means private messaged, you can get to it by clicking on "control panel" at the top of the page (when you're in the forums while logged in).

Also, are you a URM (under represented minority) or a legacy of any sort to a school?

-Ice

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

i'm smellling a troll who wants his ego stroked.

 

[jlee9531]

i second the life experience and maturity bit. very important.

 

[bigdan]

Disgruntled-
The application process is irrational and illogical. EVERYONE knows people that got in that "shouldn't have" and people that "should have" but didn't. Just keep doing you and you'll be fine.
But I'm interested in why you're considering giving up your dream. Do you want to be a doctor? If so, why? Keep reading the other threads - lots of lawsuits, dropping reimbursement, long hours, mean attendings...there's A LOT more BS to look forward to beyond the application process. But if its REALLY what you want, you'll be okay.
Hang in there!!!
Good luck.

dc

 

[Disgruntled One]

nah, not a urm, no legacy for med schools...

does an applicants economic situation come in to play at all in for med schools?

 

[musiclink213]

i second the troll. seriosuly, with only a 3.5, how do you ever plan on going to med school? what'w wrong with you? only 40's on practice MCAT?? that sure ain't good enough. the ADCOMs won't even look at you without a 4.0/45. you should give up now.























seriously, what is it with these candidates that have everything going for them, "play the game" better than most people, and still ask about there chances?

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by Disgruntled One
nah, not a urm, no legacy for med schools...

does an applicants economic situation come in to play at all in for med schools?

for financial aid yes...

for acceptances not really unless you applied disadvantaged at some schools and financial reasons are the reasons you state for why you feel you are a disadvantaged applicant.

 

[Disgruntled One]

where can i find info on disadvantaged applicants? thanks

 

[mmapcpro]

Quick...someone get a shotgun for him...

and a tissue for me...

go for it, or don't...I know for a fact that as soon as you say, "I want to be a doctor," most everyone on this board bends over backwards to provide any little tidbit of information and support that may help you...

but how do you want people to help you out when you say you don't want to go through the red tape to get there? life's tough, man...if you think the red tape to get into professional school is rediculous, then the real world is going to put you on your ass...

I hope you find a way to happiness somewhere.

 

[Rendar5]

Originally posted by musiclink213
i second the troll. seriosuly, with only a 3.5, how do you ever plan on going to med school? what'w wrong with you? only 40's on practice MCAT?? that sure ain't good enough. the ADCOMs won't even look at you without a 4.0/45. you should give up now.

Hey, I resent that. You're dissing all my friends who only got 44's. One of them actually made it into med school, so you're not 100% right?


Now seriously: stop bitching about the game because you've already played the game and won.

 

[bella_dottoressa]

eek...maybe just going the PhD route wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

it's fair that you get annoyed with premeds who "play the game". I get annoyed though with the people in this process who are so damn arrogant that they put down other people ECs, consider volunteering pointless and ask what their chances are at "upper level med schools".

 

[ice_23]

Originally posted by Disgruntled One
where can i find info on disadvantaged applicants? thanks

As I posted in some other threads, disadvantaged status does not help you as much in admissions to the schools that I'm assuming you're looking at. The only perk that I've seen so far is reimbursed travel fare from one school (U Mich). That's about it.

-Ice

 

[musiclink213]

Originally posted by Rendar5
Hey, I resent that. You're dissing all my friends who only got 44's. One of them actually made it into med school, so you're not 100% right?


Now seriously: stop bitching about the game because you've already played the game and won.

actually, i'm still playing the game. but come on, when somebody so stellar comes along, asking about their chances???? that's not making the best use of the valuable information you can get on this site. and i'm sick of the endless threads that are like this. yea, you'll get to med school with those numbers and those EC's, but to realistically give a chance at a top 10? nobody knows that, because those schools are a crapshoot. if you're a less than stellar applicant, i can understand being concerned about your chances, but with those stats, come on.

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

Yeah...this sort of does seem like a thread just to stroke the OP's ego. He's wondering whether his spot at an "upper level med school" might be taken by someone who just "weaseled" their way in as opposed to someone who is actually "knowledgable." By "weaseling" your way in...I'm assuming he's referring to those premeds that specifically sign up for the classes with professors that are rumored to grade very easy...just so they can get the A to increase their GPA. These are usually the same premeds that only take courses they know they can get As in..and never challenge themselves by taking classes that are actually difficult (e.g.: taking Intro to Astronomy (for non-majors) instead of Molecular Genetics).

He also bashes the volunteer work of others in local hospitals...but doesn't tell us why that volunteer work is meaningless or fruitless. He then pats himself on the back for his volunteer work in Nigeria...even though practically ANY Peace Corps Volunteer in the world has done 100x more for the underprivileged folks in 3rd world countries than he ever has. Personally, I think he should just pursue the PhD route in his chosen field and leave med school for those that are actually passionate about it. At interviews, the admissions officers will probably see the arrogance, elitism, and the "holier-than-thou" attitude that he seems to convey.

 

[Rendar5]

oh, I'm sorry musiclink. The second part of my post was directed at the OP. You were fine!👍

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

this is either a troll or a schmuck. i don't get preallo lately, between whining about scholarship offers and crying about your 40's on practice mcats, it's really ridiculous.

 

[dave262]

.

 

[Spitting Camel]

Please erase this thread you noob from hell!

 

[musiclink213]

Originally posted by Rendar5
oh, I'm sorry musiclink. The second part of my post was directed at the OP. You were fine!👍

woops, sorry, i didnt catch that. i thought the changeover was a bit odd, but hey, what do i know? but at least i got to add another post to my count. 🙂

 

[NontradICUdoc]

CRAZEE8 HAS RETURNED.....

QUICK GET THE PITCHFORKS,

LIGHT THE TORCHES

START A MEDLEY!!!!

 

[solousy]

Hey Disgruntled One,
check this out ------> .


can't see it, let me zoom in for you... ---->



oh, its the world's smallest violin, playing a sad song just for you.
suck it up

 

[Disgruntled One]

thank you all for your responses. considering most of you called me a egotistical, arrogant troll, i guess i can rest assured that my chances are ok.

 

[skypilot]

Originally posted by Disgruntled One
i was had a meating with my premed advisor and she advised me against taking 23 hours because she thought i should try and boost my gpa

How was it? I mean how was the meating?