Dear Doctors: I need advice..

[tran2525]

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Hi guys!

Midway my current Sophomore year, I've realized that I didn't want to major into Physical Therapy anymore but would like to major into Pre-Med. The only concern that I have is.. whether I'll make it into Med school or not.

Short introduction on myself: I am a first generation student, and the eldest of of 6 kids. In this past year, I've been through: being hospitalized, parents recently gotten divorce, a close death in the family, but through that experience I've truly grown and become even more determined and optimistic. My mom works during the nights, therefore, I'm usually the one who watches my siblings ages range from 4-16. In order to pay for school, I work 2 jobs - approximately 26 hours each week.

I'm involved in: Boys and Girls Club, volunteer at hospitals, work with middle of the road kids to help them prepare for college and etc.

Here's a short outline of my transcript.

Freshman Year: Fall Semester
Gen Chem Part 1 - C-
Bio Part 1 - C-
Calculus Part 1 - C-
Theology (#PrivateSchoolProblems) - C-​

Let's just all agree that.. first semester was terrible.

Freshman Year: Spring Semester
Gen Chem Part 2 - W
Bio Part 2 - W
Calculus Part 2 - W​

3/4ths of the way into my second semester, I got really sick and was hospitalized for nearly a week. I wasn't able to go back to school for a month. I ended up withdrawing from the classes per professor suggestion.

Sophomore Year: Fall Semester
Anatomy - B-
Calculus - B
Stats - C+
Philosophy - B

Current Semester
Physiology
Physics 1
Spanish 2
Ethics​

I realize that I have a long journey ahead of me. I am motivated to succeed and want to succeed. Per calculations If I were to get an A in every single course up to the end of my senior year my GPA will be at around a 3.5/3.6. I also plan on applying to be a medical scribe for experience and LORs.

Given some of the information above.. Am I likely to get into medical school? Has anyone gone through what I've been or have any piece of advice?

Thank you for taking the time to read and replying. Much appreciated.

 

[Pose]

If you can keep your grades up, why not? A 3.5 or 3.6 or whatever can definitely get you into a school, and an upward trend will show that you've changed your ways. I'd personally retake the pre-reqs that you got a C in, but they might overlook this if you do well in upper-level science courses. Maybe someone else will chime in on this. You'll need to do well on the MCAT too (this is super important). Another option is applying DO, so if you retake some of those classes you did poorly in, you could potentially have a really high GPA when applying because AACOMAS does grade replacement and not GPA average.

 

[tran2525]

If you can keep your grades up, why not? A 3.5 or 3.6 or whatever can definitely get you into a school, and an upward trend will show that you've changed your ways. I'd personally retake the pre-reqs that you got a C in, but they might overlook this if you do well in upper-level science courses. Maybe someone else will chime in on this. You'll need to do well on the MCAT too (this is super important). Another option is applying DO, so if you retake some of those classes you did poorly in, you could potentially have a really high GPA when applying because AACOMAS does grade replacement and not GPA average.

Hi Pose! Thank you so much for your feedback. I've actually considered that option, but I've talked to Registrar and unfortunately they would not accept or let me retake any courses considering I've received a C- or higher in Chem, Bio, and Calc. If I did retake the pre-reqs at a different instituion , would I be able to send the Med school a separate transcript showing that I've retaken it a different instiution and gotten a better grade?

 

[Pose]

Yes, you can take your classes anywhere. When you end up submitting AMCAS or AACOMAS, you'll have to list every institution you've attended, manually input every class/title/grade/cr. hrs, and send them an official transcript from each institution. I find it odd your school won't let you take the classes again, regardless of the grade you received. It's your money they're taking. But in any case, I'd take them at a comparable school, and not a CC if possible.

 

[sindadel]

While I am sure you would make a good candidate for medical school and would bring some much needed diversity to the profession, I have to tell you that at this point, you are NOT likely to get into medical school.

Your plan is unrealistic because you have not yet got an A in any course. Therefore, you do not know how to get consistent As. Start by taking fewer courses while you have other obligations (such as watching your younger siblings). Attend office hours, go for tutoring, ask for help to succeed in developing study skills etc. Once you have nailed getting an A in one course, add another one until you are up to a full load. Once you are getting As with a full load, add in volunteering. This path will take a bit longer than the four years straight through.

PLEASE do not make the mistake that so many people do and continue to take credits which you are not going to excel in!! All that will do is give you a ton of credits dragging you down that is almost impossible to recover from.

Good luck!

 

[Goro]

As of right now, you are not competitive for any medical school

You need to retake every science course you got a C in. And then ace everything else from now on. You've got some serious grade reapir to do. Work on coping skills as well. Given your family responsibilities, this all doesn't have to be done in the next two years. Take the long view. And you're going to have to separate yourself from your family issues as well at some time. There are times where you're going to have to be selfish.