D.O for ADD

[beckson]

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Background: I am 28 yrs old. I been working on my undergraduate degree for 10 years off and on. There were a few semesters I took off here and there, and there was even a few semesters that I dropped all of my classes and took all W's. I started out at a community college where I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was young, immature, and I just wasn't interested in college. No one in my family had went before me so I didn't see the importance. Here I should mention that I am not by any means unintelligent, but I was the type of student that would not turn in homework but yet ace the test...lazy but smart... I have taken a full load of high science credits and got a 3.7 and then taken easy classes and got a 2.0 Then five years ago I had a child, my girlfriend at the time and I decided we needed to get motivated. I switched over to a University and she bulked down on her nursing. I went part time while she was in her clinical. I am majoring in business chemistry, and I have only 12 credits...all chem. I have worked at a peds office for over 10 years and I love it. I sat back and thought to myself this is something I really want to do.

Problem: About a year ago I reevaluated my situation. I toyed with the idea of being able to go to med-school, or if I wanted to uproot my family and move to who knows where. I looked back over my cgpa and my science gpa. At that time they were 2.5cgpa and 2.7sgpa. I had a ton of credits due to the fact that I kept changing my major, and with the lack of motivation I had a handfuls of F's.

Breakthrough: After a 17 credit semester of just science working on my degree...I had an anxity attack due to stress, leading to an ER visit and a follow up with a PCP. I had not been to the Doctor in close to 10 years when I started college. Due to the anxiety attack he thought it would be a good idea if I went to a psychologist. After a few weeks of test he diagnosed me ADD, which I was diagnosed with when I was in grade school but I was always assured it would go away as I matured. He ended up prescribing medication for it, which I not thrilled about taking. To my surprise it had 100% changed my life! I study, I pay attention in class, and I can stay focused and do well which in turn makes me want to achieve high goals I have set. I went back to the CC college where everything was terrible and I re-took 8 classes, 5 of which were science classes, and 3 others were classes that I got F's in for no reason. That along with working on my undergrad I have raised my cgpa to a 3.22 and my sgpa to a 3.26. Every 4 credit class I get an A in, I raise my GPA .009. So I might be able to get it around a 3.25 finishing out my undergrad. I have been studying for my MCAT like a mad man, and been averaging around 28 on my practice exams.

Question:
Will a 3.25 cgpa and a 3.27 sgpa and a "28" MCAT be good enough for me to get into a D.O school? I am willing to relocate anywhere within the U.S with my family to fulfill this dream I have. Will having ADD and taking medication reflect on me poorly? I am about tapped out on what I can do. I cant really get my GPA's that much higher.

 

[THH]

Question:
Will a 3.25 cgpa and a 3.27 sgpa and a "28" MCAT be good enough for me to get into a D.O school? I am willing to relocate anywhere within the U.S with my family to fulfill this dream I have. Will having ADD and taking medication reflect on me poorly? I am about tapped out on what I can do. I cant really get my GPA's that much higher.

This is the wrong section for this, but to answer the question, those numbers should get you interviews. The GPA is low, but if you apply widely, I think you will be fine. It's going to depend a lot on that MCAT though, so study your ass off. Many people do better on the practice exams than the real exam for whatever reason, so don't count your chickens before they hatch and stay focused for the real thing.

 

[Iliketoytles]

To my surprise it had 100% changed my life! I study, I pay attention in class, and I can stay focused and do well which in turn makes me want to achieve high goals I have set.

....


Question:
Will a 3.25 cgpa and a 3.27 sgpa and a "28" MCAT be good enough for me to get into a D.O school? I am willing to relocate anywhere within the U.S with my family to fulfill this dream I have. Will having ADD and taking medication reflect on me poorly? I am about tapped out on what I can do. I cant really get my GPA's that much higher.

Modern medication is a beautiful thing, isn't it!? 🙂 I'm very happy for you.

Your GPA is a bit subpar... but a 28 MCAT is a little above-average so it may compensate a bit. Even so, if you check the first page of the Underdog Thread you'll see TONS of people who received interviews and acceptances with GPAs lower than yours. Most importantly, make sure you apply EARLY, EARLY, EARLY!!!

This is assuming you have good ECs, of course. If not, work on that as well! You should have a good shot at interviews. And no, your ADD will not reflect on you poorly. I'm not sure if you have to report it, but it shouldn't have too much of an impact on your application (if any), as long as you're physically and mentally able to perform the way you need to.

Good luck with everything!

 

[TriagePreMed]

The internet is the number 1 repository for "bad" stories when it comes to medications. Most people that do good with them are out living life or simply don't bother going around posting it because they can now focus on more aspects of their lives/interests. I'm very happy that medication worked for you, but just so you know, only psychiatrists can prescribe, unless you're in New Mexico.

Anyway, I think that now that you're stable and have been working hard, there is a good chance to get into medical school.

Good luck.

 

[ManBroDude]

Can I ask what you're taking? I'd put you on a Benzo like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, or Klonopin based on my limited ED experience

 

[DuxburyPembroke]

... only psychiatrists can prescribe, unless you're in New Mexico...

I think Triage means "only physicians can prescribe, unless you're in New Mexico".
@ManBroDude: probably a stimulant, rather than a sedative

 

[TriagePreMed]

Can I ask what you're taking? I'd put you on a Benzo like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, or Klonopin based on my limited ED experience

Probably none of those. Those medications work for short-term anxiety attacks and would create dependency on the long term. If he's using something long term for anxiety, he'd be using an SSRI, but I think it's more likely that he got an ADD medication since that seemed to really be the trigger point of his problems.

 

[Kalamazoo]

I think you have a great story that admission committees will find intriguing. I suggest to write all about your academic past, having the child, and turning your life around in your personal statement. I have a similar story and have been accepted into both my top choices (one DO and one MD). While your GPA is lower, you can make up for it with a higher MCAT score. I wouldn't highlight your ADD, but I don't think that mentioning it will be detrimental to your application.

 

[beckson]

Thank you for all of your support. It just gives me that extra little push knowing that it is still possible to pursue my dream.

I was tired when I typed this out last night. I really was evaluated and treated by a psychiatrists. The medication I am taking is a stimulant called Vyvanse. After all of these years who would have thought this would have set me on the right track.

Again thanks for the tips

 

[gatorfann14]

You should be fine, a great upward trend and a good story seem to be great things to have when applying to medical school. I'm glad to see that getting treatment helped. I just got diagnosed with adhd and i thought it was crap until my facilitator(a psychologist) thought I had more than a few signs and symptoms. So my mom made me go see a psychiatrist and the meds he gave me really made me see that there really was a problem both with my old study habits and people skills. So i can understand your situation, but don't highlight the add Adderall is a dirty word in med school because many people take it to get a study boost. you just need to be aware you are going to pee dirty on your drug test before admission so they will find out that you are taking it and have add even if you don't tell them when you are applying.

 

[desiboy]

Go for it. Never quit your dream. Having ADD will not stop you from your dreams and goals!!!