Direction Please.

[BytheSeaShore]

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Questions at the bottom, if you would like to read the whole post that would be awesome, but questions only would be awesome too. I am been so scaired of posting on sdn for months now and this is my second post. I would like to share a little bit of my situation to gain some direction from you guys, and have some questions answers:

My story: I started community college at 21, I am now 23. When I started I was very scared, I had no idea what I was going to do. I didnt get much from high school(personal problems), and questioned whether I would even succeed in college. I had no study skills what so ever. I had a rocky start, however I have made a lot of progress since the beginning and GPA is now 3.3. I plan to get at least mostly As from now on. I started pursuing the nurse thing. Once I got some pre reqs done, in my anatomy class I fell in love with the human body and decided I wanted to be a doctor. After much research my dream of becoming a doctor only solidified. Also realized I would never be happy stuck with a nursing career. Soon after my mom shot down the idea entirely. She started making it about money which I was not concerned with but it was still hurtful. Went back to pursuing nursing at this point. fast forward a few months and I know I will never be happy with a nursing career. I am now committed to getting into medical school.

Here are my questions:

1. Ecs: have non up until now. I have been working. I will be starting shadowing a UC doctor in the ER very soon. Also hoping to start volunteering there. Also will be getting my EMT over the summer and will work throughout undergrad Starting art classes next semester, possibly art club next semester where I am hoping to obtain some leadership experience. I know research is important but I dont have many opportunities here at my CC. What other ECs should I get involved in?

2. Grades: I have a 2.8 my first two semesters, now have a 3.3. I do plan to keep almost all As at from now on. I also have retaken an english class that I got a D, now retaked and have an A. I also have acquired a few Ws. Will the combination of these issues be a big problem with adcoms?

3. My premed advisor suggested I take all my pre reqs at the CC. Which i still have to complete most of the sciences. Is this not true? or should I just take some of them and transfer soon to a UC and finish them there?

4. Will the combinations of these issues along with the fact that I have been at my CC for so long be a big problem? Do I still have a shot? What will it take to seriously raise my chances of an acceptance, preferably a CA acceptance? Although I am extremely willing to anywhere except carribean.

I really appreciate any and all direction/ answers.

 

[rHinO1]

Questions at the bottom, if you would like to read the whole post that would be awesome, but questions only would be awesome too. I am been so scaired of posting on sdn for months now and this is my second post. I would like to share a little bit of my situation to gain some direction from you guys, and have some questions answers:

My story: I started community college at 21, I am now 23. When I started I was very scared, I had no idea what I was going to do. I didnt get much from high school(personal problems), and questioned whether I would even succeed in college. I had no study skills what so ever. I had a rocky start, however I have made a lot of progress since the beginning and GPA is now 3.3. I plan to get at least mostly As from now on. I started pursuing the nurse thing. Once I got some pre reqs done, in my anatomy class I fell in love with the human body and decided I wanted to be a doctor. After much research my dream of becoming a doctor only solidified. Also realized I would never be happy stuck with a nursing career. Soon after my mom shot down the idea entirely. She started making it about money which I was not concerned with but it was still hurtful. Went back to pursuing nursing at this point. fast forward a few months and I know I will never be happy with a nursing career. I am now committed to getting into medical school.

Here are my questions:

1. Ecs: have non up until now. I have been working. I will be starting shadowing a UC doctor in the ER very soon. Also hoping to start volunteering there. Also will be getting my EMT over the summer and will work throughout undergrad Starting art classes next semester, possibly art club next semester where I am hoping to obtain some leadership experience. I know research is important but I dont have many opportunities here at my CC. What other ECs should I get involved in?

2. Grades: I have a 2.8 my first two semesters, now have a 3.3. I do plan to keep almost all As at from now on. I also have retaken an english class that I got a D, now retaked and have an A. I also have acquired a few Ws. Will the combination of these issues be a big problem with adcoms?

3. My premed advisor suggested I take all my pre reqs at the CC. Which i still have to complete most of the sciences. Is this not true? or should I just take some of them and transfer soon to a UC and finish them there?

4. Will the combinations of these issues along with the fact that I have been at my CC for so long be a big problem? Do I still have a shot? What will it take to seriously raise my chances of an acceptance, preferably a CA acceptance? Although I am extremely willing to anywhere except carribean.

I really appreciate any and all direction/ answers.

1. IMO, if you are close to getting an associates in nursing, then you should finish. Why be an EMT, if you could be an RN? Either way, if you gain your clinical experience through paid employment, then you will still need to do some volunteer work (doesn't have to be clinical). Also, you will need to spend some time shadowing a physician. After you transfer to a 4 year school, gaining research and leadership positions are advantageous as well.

2. I won't do the math for you, but to be competitive for an MD you will need a 3.5+ GPA by the time you graduate. Also, for MD schools both your A and D will be calculated into your GPA. However, for DO schools only the A will be considered. The Ws will probably not be an issue, as long as you don't accumulate any more, especially after you transfer to a four year school.

3. I wouldn't/didn't take all of my pre-reqs at a cc. Personally, I did intro bio, math, english, and general chemistry at the CC. Then, I did physics and organic chemistry after I transferred. Although, I am a bio major so I also did a lot upper division biology courses after transferring (which may have helped). I would try to take some of the pre-reqs after transferring, but doing several at the CC first is fine.

4. Being at the cc for a long time is fine. You still have a chance. You need to raise your GPA, do well on the MCAT (30+ and balanced), transfer to a four year school, and get the usual ECs ---> this is the same thing everyone has to do!

 

[BytheSeaShore]

I am not even close to finishing an associates in nursing. It would still be 2 years +. I feel it would just be a waste of time at this point. Thank you for your advice. I really appreciate it!

 

[boko]

i pretty much agree with rHin01..dont take all your prereqs at a cc because im pretty sure a University will better prepare you for the MCAT and you def still have a chance to get into med school...please DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHER WISE...do what is best for you....also with all the things you have encountered thus far you now have a story to tell and show med schools this is where ive been and this is where i am now! GOOD LUCK and if you have anyother questions or need suggestions dont be afraid to post because people are really helpful on here because many of them have been where you are now

 

[BytheSeaShore]

i pretty much agree with rHin01..dont take all your prereqs at a cc because im pretty sure a University will better prepare you for the MCAT and you def still have a chance to get into med school...please DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHER WISE...do what is best for you....also with all the things you have encountered thus far you now have a story to tell and show med schools this is where ive been and this is where i am now! GOOD LUCK and if you have anyother questions or need suggestions dont be afraid to post because people are really helpful on here because many of them have been where you are now

Thank you!

 

[nisarg2010]

1. Research, Shadowing, Volunteering (clinical and non clinical), study abroad programs (only if you can afford it), etc..

2. You will definetly need to bring your gpa up. Try to get it in the 3.7-4.0 range for a good chace at acceptance (especially if you decided to stay at a CC). MD schools do you look at retaken classes, but DO schools do. When it comes to applying, defiantly apply to DO schools.

3. DO NOT take all your prereqs at CC. Transfer as soon as possible. If you have taken some, dont worry about it. If you take all prereqs at CC, you WILL have to ans for it during interviews.

4. It wont be a big deal that you have been to cc for long time. Just try to transfer ASAP and take upper level classes at a 4 year school. The truth is, it will be vary hard for you to get into any CA schools only because they are so highly ranked and they receive many qualified applicants. With that being said, you do have a shot at an MD school if you were able to bring your GPA up to 3.7 range and get an MCAT score of 30 or above. Whenever you apply, apply VERY broadly (including DO schools).

Good luck

 

[BytheSeaShore]

1. Research, Shadowing, Volunteering (clinical and non clinical), study abroad programs (only if you can afford it), etc..

2. You will definetly need to bring your gpa up. Try to get it in the 3.7-4.0 range for a good chace at acceptance (especially if you decided to stay at a CC). MD schools do you look at retaken classes, but DO schools do. When it comes to applying, defiantly apply to DO schools.

3. DO NOT take all your prereqs at CC. Transfer as soon as possible. If you have taken some, dont worry about it. If you take all prereqs at CC, you WILL have to ans for it during interviews.

4. It wont be a big deal that you have been to cc for long time. Just try to transfer ASAP and take upper level classes at a 4 year school. The truth is, it will be vary hard for you to get into any CA schools only because they are so highly ranked and they receive many qualified applicants. With that being said, you do have a shot at an MD school if you were able to bring your GPA up to 3.7 range and get an MCAT score of 30 or above. Whenever you apply, apply VERY broadly (including DO schools).

Good luck

Any suggestions on gaining leadership experience?