Hello, I just need some advice on what I should do. I discovered last year that medicine is truly my passion and that it is what I want to do. I was a 3rd year social arts student and recently transferred to biological science last semester. I find that I am much more interested in the material and am motivated to learn, whereas when I was in arts, I didnt really care since I was not interested (was kind of forced into the field). And since I didnt care, I have quite a few withdraws and one F, all of which I re-took . Since switching to science however, I have been getting all A/A-s. I am also switching schools next semester, in which case my GPA would be reset. My cGPA before going into science was 3.0. Would this hold me back from achieving what Ive always wanted to be? One of my local med schools allows all courses >10 years old to be exempt from the application process. So I guess the better question is, would I even have a chance of getting in before 10 years? Im a non-trad so in 10 years time Ill be quite old =( Also, does volunteering in an emergency animal hospital and medically treating wildlife at a rehab center count as clinical experience? Id hate to have to leave them.
Doomed because of my past?
- Thread starter PulseZero
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Ok, I am one of those people that thinks that everyone has a chance as long as they take advantage of that chance. You know you need to work hard to overcome your past, but you seem dedicated enough to do such. You'll need to take all the pre-reqs and do well in them. On top of that, you'll need a great MCAT score. If you love the sciences and do well in them, I'm sure you'll do fine on it. My advice to you is to work on that GPA. You will have to report all of your grades to medical schools so they will see the F and the W's but with an upward trend, I think you'll be able to overcome those grades. Also, be sure to get some good ECs in. Student organizations, jobs, volunteering, shadowing, research, etc. Unfortunately, I don't think that would count as clinical experience, but it is a great volunteering experience and med schools love those too. I don't think you'd need to quit, but you need some human patient contact too.
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I also agree that just about anyone can do anything they set their mind to if they work hard enough. However, I want to point out that as far as AMCAS is concerned (which is the central application service for med schools), changing undergrad schools won't "reset" your GPA; they will recalculate your GPA taking into account all of the classes you've taken in college anywhere, and that will be the GPA reported to the med schools.
That said, people have come back from a lot lower GPA than 3.0, so don't give up!
That said, people have come back from a lot lower GPA than 3.0, so don't give up!
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Read in the SDN Post-baccalaureate program about using a Special Masters Program to redeem a low GPA.
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Wow... this is my literally my story, word for word. I'm in the SAME EXACT situation as you: previously was a advertising/graphic arts major, got several low scores (F's, W's, etc.) due to lack of interest and had a cum 3.0 GPA, rediscovered my passion for science and medicine (I was a bio nerd in high school) at the end of my junior year, transferred schools, switched to a biology major and have pulled a 4.0 ever since.
Because of this unusual situation, I've extensively researched this very question because I've been so concerned about how realistic my chances are of getting in. I've read several books, browsed forums and blogs, talked to current med students and professors and they have all pretty much said the same thing (as with everyone else who have posted on this thread)-- you can do anything if you want it bad enough.
I think you do have a chance of getting in before 10 years, perhaps even soon after you graduate... medical schools do look at your entire story and not necessarily just the numbers when considering applicants. If I were you, I'd be sure to work my butt off to get straight A's for the rest of your undergraduate work. Perhaps spread out your classes over summer school and maybe an extra semester or two to ensure that you have enough time to focus on everything. Start volunteering NOW, get as many hours in a hospital and shadowing physicians as you can. Schmooze with your professors, find a research project to work on, etc. etc. Avoid getting a job if you can, unless you're working in a medical setting as a CNA or phlebotomist or something. If you think you can get a great MCAT score in time to apply for schools for the class following your graduation, go for it. But it might be best to wait a year after you graduate to get some extra research or other resume-boosters in so you can make up for lost time (that's what I plan to do) and raise money for application season. If you're in it for the long-haul, an extra year or two isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things.
Honestly, I'm really relieved to hear that you're in the same situation as me because I felt like the only one who had such a last-minute change of heart and changed majors senior year. Even though we're on the seven-year-plan, I know that it's possible if you put your mind to it. Good luck! 😉
