Greetings (advice needed)

[neurotic]

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First, I just want to say hello to everyone. I have been lurking around for some time now and I want to thankyou for all the great information and motivation that SDN provides.

You could say I am somewhat of a nontraditional student. I spent most of my time in high school partying and ditching class until I was expelled my junior year and put into a youth home. I battled with drugs and was in and out of trouble with the law for some time after until one day I decided to turn my life around. I beat my addiction and got my GED. I was a natural with computers and ended up getting a great job in the IT field. The money was fantastic for having no education but I just wasn't satisfied. I was depressed and miserable and yearned to do something more, but for a long time I didn't know what or how.

I made some drastic changes in my life and I am now finally free to do what I really want. I never imagined for a second I could become a doctor someday, nor did I have any interest. Here I am though, living with my parents and attending community college full time for the last year or so. I have a 3.8 gpa and am a member of phi theta kappa.

I have constantly battled with myself throughout this time. I always think of premeds and doctors as being perfect in every way and that I will never have what it takes. Because of this, I have tried setting my sights on other goals such as nursing. In the end however, I always end up waking up wanting to be a doctor.

So basically thats me and my story in a nutshell. I apologize if it was a bit long winded.

Now, on to my questions 🙂

I have only taken some lower science requirements such as intro to chemistry and biology, as well as anatomy I and II at my community college. I plan to transfer to the University of Arizona as soon as possible but I am not sure if I should finish my associates first or just transfer over. Will it make a difference later on? I am also unsure if I should continue taking sciences at the community college or if I should take something like the EMT training this spring and wait to take them at the UofA. I have called around and talked to my primary care physician about volunteer and shadowing experience but have gotten nowhere. The local hospitals only allow volunteers to to do things like work at the coffee shop. I have applied for CNA training and PCT training somewhere else, but have not yet heard back.

I'm already stressed out just thinking about all the challenges ahead now that I have finally made the decision to go for my dream.

 

[kenmc3]

Sounds like you are on the right track and it is admirable that you have made these changes in your life. I think that the best thing to do would leave the community college and go to UofA. From what I have seen medical schools are going to take your science coursework more seriously if you take them at a senior college. Also, I think that a senior college will prepare you more adequately for the MCAT (the courses are taught at a more in-depth level). This of course is not to say that you will not get accepted if you continue at the community college but you might as well make your application as strong as you can. Also, an associates degree is basically worthless once you get a bachelors so unless there is a chance you might drop out before you get your BS/BA I would just forget about the associates.

Now obtaining clinical experience is another topic. Medical schools want you to obtain clinical experience so you know what it is like to be a doctor so you know what you’re getting yourself into. They don’t care if you know what being an EMT is like. While being an EMT or a CNA is great and it will help you in your future studies I don’t think admissions committees will treat it any different than any other job you have. Volunteer experience is good if you can get it, maybe they will have more opportunities at UofA, try to get into a department where you have the most contact with patients and physicians. If I had a choice between becoming an EMT and doing some sort of research I think the research would be more advantageous. Now shadowing a physician is a different story and I don’t know where to start there. I had a connection through a family friend so I can’t be much help.

I hope this answers your questions – Good luck!

 

[cammy1313]

I agree with kenmc about transfering to U of A as soon as possible. Taking courses from an accredited school will definately do more for your application than taking tham at a JC.

As far as volunteer experience, I'm surprised to hear that none of your local hospitals have any sort of volunteer program for pre-meds. I think in light of this your best bet would be to look up local hospices, physical therapy clinics, etc., etc. You could even try the Red Cross, I know they have volunteer programs as well. Posting a thread on SDN for anyone that might know of volunteer opps in your area might not be a bad idea. I guarantee there has been more than one aspiring physician out your town.

I think focusing on acing your science courses should be a priority. Once at U of A you might want to consider taking on a part-time research position, that would certainly help your application.

Congrats on deciding to take the plunge with the rest of us. Good luck with the whole application process, I'm going through it now if you have any Qs.