Did I ruin my future??

[sammers]

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I know this is a long thread, but it is very important to me. Please read and offer any advice. I need complete honesty, so hit me hard with the truth!!

After high school, I went straight into college. I was never much of a partier in high school and when I got to college, I wasted a huge amount of time and money not to get a degree, but to discover that I have an alcohol problem. I spent 4 and a half years at a university, failing and withdrawing from classes left and right. I dropped out and moved back home, worked for a year and a half, and decided to try school again. Attending a different university didn't help, and my drinking habit only got worse. I withdrew from that semester and went to rehab. I returned to university and it has been three years since my last drink. During this time, I had a fresh GPA to start with, since grades from other universities don't transfer, only the credits. My "alcoholic" GPA when I left the first university was a shameful 2.20. My "sober" GPA currently is a 3.82, which is a result of 7 semesters of hard work. I have come so far in my life and have worked so hard to fix the mistakes I've made. I think that I have done well, and am very proud of myself. But, I want more...

When I was younger I wanted to be a doctor. When I was at my worst with alcoholism, I was depressed and thought of myself as worthless and unintelligent. But that whole time, I was wrong. I am not worthless and I am a bright, dedicated person. It took me a long time, but I decided that I shouldn't give up on my dreams just because I've made mistakes in my life. I am 27 and wouldn't be starting medical school (if I were to even get in, that is) until I am 29 years old. In my opinion you only get one life, so age shouldn't matter if you're working towards something you really want.

I took the MCAT and got a 24Q. After being in a state of major depression for about a week, I decided that I'll just have to take it again. But then I spoke to a few people and they told me that my chances of getting into medical school at all are slim to none due to the fact that my first university transcript is so poor. In averaging my GPAs, I would barely be above a 3.0.

So, I babbled about all of that to ask this...should I pursue a different career? I don't want to give up and let my past haunt me for the rest of my life, but I don't want to waste anymore of my time, either. I know for certain that I would be a wonderful doctor, and I can't remember ever wanting something so badly in my life. My heart hurts knowing that I may have ruined my dreams with my past mistakes. So, for anyone reading this, tell me the honest truth, even if it will hurt to hear it. On the other hand, if anyone out there knows of any success stories to help me with a little motivation, I NEED to hear them.

Thank you.

 

[flodhi1]

I know this is a long thread, but it is very important to me. Please read and offer any advice. I need complete honesty, so hit me hard with the truth!!

After high school, I went straight into college. I was never much of a partier in high school and when I got to college, I wasted a huge amount of time and money not to get a degree, but to discover that I have an alcohol problem. I spent 4 and a half years at a university, failing and withdrawing from classes left and right. I dropped out and moved back home, worked for a year and a half, and decided to try school again. Attending a different university didn't help, and my drinking habit only got worse. I withdrew from that semester and went to rehab. I returned to university and it has been three years since my last drink. During this time, I had a fresh GPA to start with, since grades from other universities don't transfer, only the credits. My "alcoholic" GPA when I left the first university was a shameful 2.20. My "sober" GPA currently is a 3.82, which is a result of 7 semesters of hard work. I have come so far in my life and have worked so hard to fix the mistakes I've made. I think that I have done well, and am very proud of myself. But, I want more...

When I was younger I wanted to be a doctor. When I was at my worst with alcoholism, I was depressed and thought of myself as worthless and unintelligent. But that whole time, I was wrong. I am not worthless and I am a bright, dedicated person. It took me a long time, but I decided that I shouldn't give up on my dreams just because I've made mistakes in my life. I am 27 and wouldn't be starting medical school (if I were to even get in, that is) until I am 29 years old. In my opinion you only get one life, so age shouldn't matter if you're working towards something you really want.

I took the MCAT and got a 24Q. After being in a state of major depression for about a week, I decided that I'll just have to take it again. But then I spoke to a few people and they told me that my chances of getting into medical school at all are slim to none due to the fact that my first university transcript is so poor. In averaging my GPAs, I would barely be above a 3.0.

So, I babbled about all of that to ask this...should I pursue a different career? I don't want to give up and let my past haunt me for the rest of my life, but I don't want to waste anymore of my time, either. I know for certain that I would be a wonderful doctor, and I can't remember ever wanting something so badly in my life. My heart hurts knowing that I may have ruined my dreams with my past mistakes. So, for anyone reading this, tell me the honest truth, even if it will hurt to hear it. On the other hand, if anyone out there knows of any success stories to help me with a little motivation, I NEED to hear them.

Thank you.

I honestly do NOT think you should change your career at all. I think for you to become a physician is a very realistic goal. I applaud you on your recovery and the journey you have been through. You have obviously matured and showed an extreme upward trend. I think a lot of medical schools will look at that. Realistically your over all GPA and MCAT score will kill your chances at a MD school. However, you have a very good shot at Osteopathic schools (DO schools). You need to push forward all your force towards DO schools!!
Spend a year shadowing, volunteering with DO physicians, retake the classes that are plaguing your 2.2 GPA (I'm sure you got a bunch of F's- take advantage of the AACOMAS/DO retake policy- make sure to read this policy because I believe you have to take the same amount or more credits in the semester as your initial semester that you failed in). I think that if you can retake some courses and bring your GPA close to maybe a 3.2 and also retake the MCAT and score maybe a 27? (Improving 3 points should not be hard at all, just need to fix your strategy and try to work on SN2ed's study guide) then you would have more than an excellent shot at DO schools. The key is of course to apply broadly and early, I know you might hear those two words a lot on studentdoc but honestly it's very important. You are VERY VERY CLOSE to getting into medical school. Do not give up my friend, I was sort of in your shoes with extremely poor initial GPA but everything is working out fine. Keep your head up and do not give up, the key is hard work and commitment. I swear Osteopathic medical school acceptance is very close just keep pushing forward.

 

[Catalystik]

retake the classes that are plaguing your 2.2 GPA (I'm sure you got a bunch of F's- take advantage of the AACOMAS/DO retake policy- make sure to read this policy because I believe you have to take the same amount or more credits in the semester as your initial semester that you failed in).

Possibly you have already retaken some of your poor, original grades?

Each class that one retakes must have the same credit hours as the original course, or greater in order to invoke the grade forgiveness policy. The retake need not be at the same school. The course name needn't be identical so long as the course content is demonstrably similar per the course catalogs.

When one retakes, only the most recent grade is included in the calculation of your application GPA by AACOMAS (though all grades still appear). This is the fastest way to redeem a low GPA.

You might use this calculator to figure what it would take to get your science GPA up to a 3.3:
DO GPA calculation spreadsheet: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=450050
Newer modified version: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=839864

 

[NH14]

Go DO - as the previous posters have suggested. Chances at an MD school are slim to none.

 

[raltima07]

Do is the way to go in this case.

 

[Goro]

Your story of overcoming your travails is admirable. I'd like to know your GPA with AACOMAS grade replacement, but STRONGLY suggest you retake the MCAT. With a 26 or higher, you'll be fine for any DO school.

 

[TriagePreMed]

You're far from being a lost cause. If you have strong EC, I think you'd have a realistic shot for D.O. school. Of course, if you choose to retake classes and the MCAT, your chances will shoot up. As for US MD, you'd probably need an SMP, which is up to you to decide if that's worth it.