Current situation and chances

[MalenurseRN]

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Hey all,

I hope to apply to medical school in 2017 and need some advice, encourage, constructive criticism, etc. about my progress. A little background about me: I didn't have the easiest childhood and dropped out of high school. My father is a drinker so I didn't have the easiest childhood. I've made a lot of mistakes myself and I learned my lesson. In any case, I got my GED when I was 24- 25 years old and starting taking classes at the local community college. I graduated with an Associates in Liberal Arts (4.0 GPA). I was a member of Phi Theta Kappa (did some volunteer work with PTK). Transferred to a 4- year college and received a full tuition scholarship. Got my bachelor's degree in nursing 2013 (3.746 GPA). I have been working as a nurse for a little over 2 years now. I decided to start chipping away at the prerequisites. So far I've taken Gen Chem I (B+), Gen Chem II (A), Orgo I (A), Orgo 2 (A-), and Bio I (A). I recently started volunteering as an RN at a free clinic in town.

I am the first in my immediate family to graduate from college and I will be the first to apply to medical school.

I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance everyone. Good luck.

 

[femmegoblue]

Looks like you need to take physics with labs, bio II and biochem. I would spend the next year finishing up those, studying for the MCAT to make in May 2017, and apply in June. Obviously, you need to fit some shadowing in there. Your GPA looks excellent, and if you can keep up the A's in the remaining pre-reqs, coupled with a 508+ MCAT, I think you have a good shot at lots of MD schools! The free clinic volunteering, health care experience, and overcoming a lot of adversity to get to where you are will work in your favor, IMO.

 

[MalenurseRN]

Looks like you need to take physics with labs, bio II and biochem. I would spend the next year finishing up those, studying for the MCAT to make in May 2017, and apply in June. Obviously, you need to fit some shadowing in there. Your GPA looks excellent, and if you can keep up the A's in the remaining pre-reqs, coupled with a 508+ MCAT, I think you have a good shot at lots of MD schools! The free clinic volunteering, health care experience, and overcoming a lot of adversity to get to where you are will work in your favor, IMO.

Thanks for the encouragement. I hope to take those classes this upcoming academic year. As far as shadowing, there is an MD at the clinic who loves to teach and I'm thinking about asking him if I can come in an extra day just to shadow him. Idk if he will let me, but it's worth asking.

 

[femmegoblue]

Thanks for the encouragement. I hope to take those classes this upcoming academic year. As far as shadowing, there is an MD at the clinic who loves to teach and I'm thinking about asking him if I can come in an extra day just to shadow him. Idk if he will let me, but it's worth asking.

It's always worth asking. One thing I have learned is that you have to stick your neck out there, network as much as possible, and throw in a little bit of brown nosing. Those underrated skills will help you a lot in the rat race that is applying to medical school!

 

[MalenurseRN]

It's always worth asking. One thing I have learned is that you have to stick your neck out there, network as much as possible, and throw in a little bit of brown nosing. Those underrated skills will help you a lot in the rat race that is applying to medical school!

I think an LOR from the medical director at work, or the clinic would be golden! Sometimes I wish I would've done a formal post-bacc program because it's hard to find classes that fit my work schedule. Plus, I'm the last to register for classes. I got accepted to NYU's post-bacc program, but decided not to go because it was way too expensive.

 

[Newtonian21]

Hey all,

I hope to apply to medical school in 2017 and need some advice, encourage, constructive criticism, etc. about my progress. A little background about me: I didn't have the easiest childhood and dropped out of high school. My father is a drinker so I didn't have the easiest childhood. I've made a lot of mistakes myself and I learned my lesson. In any case, I got my GED when I was 24- 25 years old and starting taking classes at the local community college. I graduated with an Associates in Liberal Arts (4.0 GPA). I was a member of Phi Theta Kappa (did some volunteer work with PTK). Transferred to a 4- year college and received a full tuition scholarship. Got my bachelor's degree in nursing 2013 (3.746 GPA). I have been working as a nurse for a little over 2 years now. I decided to start chipping away at the prerequisites. So far I've taken Gen Chem I (B+), Gen Chem II (A), Orgo I (A), Orgo 2 (A-), and Bio I (A). I recently started volunteering as an RN at a free clinic in town.

I am the first in my immediate family to graduate from college and I will be the first to apply to medical school.

I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance everyone. Good luck.

Hang in there my friend. You have a good stats. I am sitting at at 3.01 cGPA and a 3.5 scGPA right now. Couple C's from nursing school. Those I know I can't retake. But I still have hope due to my life circumstances. Don't let anybody tell you it is impossible. That is what they've told ll heroes before. In a heroes mind the word does not exist. I am an RN as well just turning 2 years of work this July. I have O'chem and Biochem left to take. You'll get there if worse come to worse apply DO. But I still think you've got a chance at your state school after taking your MCAT. Goodluck. Let me know anything else. I am also a male RN.

 

[MalenurseRN]

Hang in there my friend. You have a good stats. I am sitting at at 3.01 cGPA and a 3.5 scGPA right now. Couple C's from nursing school. Those I know I can't retake. But I still have hope due to my life circumstances. Don't let anybody tell you it is impossible. That is what they've told ll heroes before. In a heroes mind the word does not exist. I am an RN as well just turning 2 years of work this July. I have O'chem and Biochem left to take. You'll get there if worse come to worse apply DO. But I still think you've got a chance at your state school after taking your MCAT. Goodluck. Let me know anything else. I am also a male RN.

I keep telling myself the same thing. Continue to work hard, get good grades, seriously study for the MCAT, and take it when I'm ready. Our nursing classes don't count towards our sGPA right? They are considered allied health by the AAMC.

 

[Newtonian21]

I keep telling myself the same thing. Continue to work hard, get good grades, seriously study for the MCAT, and take it when I'm ready. Our nursing classes don't count towards our sGPA right? They are considered allied health by the AAMC.

I am not quite sure. But I don't think they count. I chat with a lady at AAMC during the AAMC career fair she said they will count all undergrad gpa but I don't think nursing counts. When I took out my nursing classes I was at 3.6 with a scGPA of 3.7. But don't look at those yet study as if your gpa is at 2.0 and as if no other chances left. Use multiple resources I have found exam crackers to be good even with just studying for my chemistry class. It was helpful especially in chem I and II. Keep on treadmilling.

 

[MalenurseRN]

Orgo is the worst of it and you've cleared it. Physics is a joke by comparison if you have algebra and geometry.

I'm the first and only of my family to graduate from college as well. Is this even considered by adcoms?

I think it speaks to our personality, or at least mine. It wont replace bad grades or a poor mcat score. Beforehand, my family didnt place much value on higher education. All that was expected from my siblings and I was to find a job, or learn a trade, so that we can hope to earn a decent living. After I graduated, I like to think that changed. Now my family see the value of an education and how it can improve a person's quality of life.

 

[Eccesignum]

Orgo is the worst of it and you've cleared it. Physics is a joke by comparison if you have algebra and geometry.

I'm the first and only of my family to graduate from college as well. Is this even considered by adcoms?

I think it speaks to our personality, or at least mine. It wont replace bad grades or a poor mcat score. Beforehand, my family didnt place much value on higher education. All that was expected from my siblings and I was to find a job, or learn a trade, so that we can hope to earn a decent living. After I graduated, I like to think that changed. Now my family see the value of an education and how it can improve a person's quality of life.

First gen is considered at some school. I encountered quite a few secondaries (and then scholarship applications later) that asked if you were first gen. They'll also see it when you fill out AMCAS, as there's a designation assigned once you fill out info on your parents' education level.

@MalenurseRN , as other posters have stated your nursing classes won't count in your SGPA unless they have a science designation (BIO, etc). You seem to be doing very well in the pre-reqs so far though, so that's excellent. You're taking all the right steps and are on a good trajectory. Don't let the MCAT intimidate you; take your time studying and try to take it no later than April in the year you intend to apply.

I'm also an RN who just went through the cycle successfully, so feel free to PM me any specific questions you might have.