Help me fix this train wreck?

[mh317]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I want to first say that I have made some terrible choices in my life, and I am completely aware of this. However, I have finally matured and realized that I have dug myself a very deep hole that I cannot get out of without carefully thinking and choosing the correct path. Hopefully some of you can give me some advice! Thanks in advance.

My situation:

Undergrad:
Graduated with a 3.3 overall, 3.2 science
30Q MCAT

EC:
Started a chapter of a non-profit organization that helps children in Asia
2 years research exp, one of my studies was published
many hours volunteering in hospitals, shadowing doctors


My first mistake was when I decided to apply during my senior year. My grades suffered, and I was also very late in the application process. I received no interviews. Also, my grades have a downward trend. I got As in classes such as Orgo I.. but after that I got B- in both biochem and Orgo II.

Clearly this was a mistake to apply right away without strengthening my resume. However, I managed to make an even bigger mistake. I applied and was accepted into a one-year masters program.

Now, I am currently in the second semester and I am doing horribly. The first semester I received a C-, C+, and 2 B-s. I did horribly on the first tests on this semester but have found my drive again and will hopefully bring those grades up. I should at least finish this semester with straight B's (worst case scenario).

I would also like to tell you a little about myself. I am going to be completely honest and I am aware I messed up big time so please don't reiterate how stupid or pathetic I am, because trust me, I know. I am currently 23 years old. I was very spoiled as a child and I really haven't taken my medical school application process seriously at all until now, when I started reading these forums about the consequences of going to certain schools and having these grades. The reason for my bad grades is because I hardly studied. For instance, I studied at most a week for my MCATs. I have spent the last few years battling motivation issues playing an immense amount of video games, bordering on addiction. I also skipped class frequently. I have the natural ability to do well, but motivation to study has been a serious problem for me.

I am aware that I have permanently damaged my record and that I may have killed any chance I have of getting into med school. However, I have finally matured and become greatly worried about my future. I scoured these forums for the first time, and finally realized I know nothing and have no idea what to do. I will try hard from now on to finish this semester and the summer semester strong, but I really have no guarantee that I can salvage my horrible grades from the first tests (we have 2 more tests) to do well this semester. Even if I ace my summer semester I will only have one semester of good grades, and my post-bac GPA could conceivably be around or under a 3.0.

In this situation, what would you recommend doing? Is there any way at all to salvage my post-bac GPA? I know I will have to retake at least one of the courses because I won't be able to get my master's with a grade below a C but I'm sure the courses from the 1st semester will bog down my GPA hardcore.

I have also considered Caribbean Med School, but was worried about the residency matching from that. I don't think DO is possible for me because I could be living internationally in the future with my gf, and I'm not sure how widely accepted a DO is.

I still have to finish this program and try my best, but I am really wondering about my options now. If I can't ace my last few tests and the summer semester, I feel like US med school will be out of reach. Furthermore, I am not sure if it is worth it to spend so many years trying to apply to a US med school when I could maybe work on a few parts of my application and get into a Caribbean one.

I know competitive residencies are near impossible graduating from a Caribbean school but I don't want to spend years of my life as well as massive amounts of money attempting US med school when it could be all for naught.

Also, if my post-bac grades are bad, could I even get into Caribbean med school?

Thank you very much for your time and advice

 

[scarshapedstar]

It's good that you're worried about your situation, although it doesn't quite sound like you grew up all of a sudden. It sounds more like you've been on autopilot for a long time, and you've been unhappy and escapist and going through the motions, and now it's reeeeally starting to dawn on you that you're running out of second chances. I do have to ask - whose idea is this whole medicine thing? I know you may feel that you don't have a choice, but you need a better reason than that to put yourself through this.

With that in mind - after a <3.0 SMP you are sunk for US MD. A year off really would have been in order. Still is, actually.

Okay so let's talk your future. There's the option of grade replacement for DO. Yes, this takes a while, but you're only 23, exactly where I started my 3-year quest for postbac redemption. I would not recommend going anywhere near carib yet because while one of them might take you, you've got all the hallmarks of a carib washout right now. Also because caribsux but what else is new.

On the other hand there is this girlfriend. Who you're thinking of.. leaving the country with? Sometime 9+ years from now, because obviously you won't be traveling anywhere as a hypothetical medical student? I gotta tell ya man, I broke up with a girl to move and do my postbac... she wanted me to stay and be a teacher, I wanted to be a doctor and couldn't afford any more tuition in that state. I got accepted before she got engaged, at least, still sucked but you are in dire straits and unless you are dead-set on marrying her this is a secondary concern, simple as that. Actually, scratch that, she's fine - it's the international living that sounds like a pipe dream. What's your plan for domestic living at this point?

 

[mh317]

Medicine was my idea. I just sort of fell off track... I've been trying to grow up for a while I guess, but have always been subconsciously avoiding it.

As for the girlfriend, I do plan on marrying her and we have talked about it. She understands that we will be in the US for a long time. As for going back overseas, that would be far down the road but I am still trying to plan for that. I forgot to mention all her family is abroad and she is very close with them, so when her parents get older she will definitely want to be close to them, as well as have our kids there too. Would a DO really kill the chances of working abroad? Or is that overexaggerated?

As for this particular Master's, I am taking med school courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, etc... so does that make a difference at all? It's a Master's that is specifically made for getting into med school, not an actual Master's that I could do something with. What exactly does SMP stand for? And is there absolutely no redemption after bad performance in one?

I am aware that am not too old to start over and choose a different career. However, I do like medicine. It was my choice. For domestic living, I am lucky enough that my parents are willing to fund me to help me live my dream - although they are running out of patience, rightfully so.

There are definitely a few things on my mind. I have struggled with the idea that medicine may not be my true calling. But at the same time, I have tried other things and my experiences in the medical field have been a lot more enjoyable.

Money is another big factor. I don't want to waste years trying for US Med if the chances are extremely slim. Is carib that awful?

Thank you for your reply.

 

[help2]

The biggest problem is your poor grades in your maters program. A masters is supposed to demonstrate that you are able to handle the rigor of graduate level classes. I'm not sure what the logistics are of repeating this year, but it may be worth that or an additional program to really pull up your gpa and show schools that you can handle the work load.

Also, if you only studied for the MCAT one week and got a 30- I'd retake it. Seriously. I studied my butt off for 6 months and didn't even make a 30. Imagine how great your score could be if you actually put the work in?

The main thing is that you have to convince an admissions committee that you have the motivation. Up until this point you've told us that you haven't been motivated to put in the hard work. Your chances at medical school won't change until this changes. You wouldn't survive a month in med school if you lacked the drive and motivation to work your butt off. So this is exactly what you have to do.

You can shoot for MD again, but it will be tough. You have a better chance at DOs though....I think ultimately you may need to have a conversation with your girlfriend about weighing your dreams with eventually moving abroad. Have you thought about applying to medical schools abroad (not Caribbean?)... maybe in the country your girlfriend wants to move to? I'm not sure how being a US resident would work with this (assuming you are one), but there was one point that I considered medical school in the Netherlands or Belgium. Just a thought.

 

[physcigirl27]

I want to first say that I have made some terrible choices in my life, and I am completely aware of this. However, I have finally matured and realized that I have dug myself a very deep hole that I cannot get out of without carefully thinking and choosing the correct path. Hopefully some of you can give me some advice! Thanks in advance.

My situation:

Undergrad:
Graduated with a 3.3 overall, 3.2 science
30Q MCAT

EC:
Started a chapter of a non-profit organization that helps children in Asia
2 years research exp, one of my studies was published
many hours volunteering in hospitals, shadowing doctors


My first mistake was when I decided to apply during my senior year. My grades suffered, and I was also very late in the application process. I received no interviews. Also, my grades have a downward trend. I got As in classes such as Orgo I.. but after that I got B- in both biochem and Orgo II.

Clearly this was a mistake to apply right away without strengthening my resume. However, I managed to make an even bigger mistake. I applied and was accepted into a one-year masters program.

Now, I am currently in the second semester and I am doing horribly. The first semester I received a C-, C+, and 2 B-s. I did horribly on the first tests on this semester but have found my drive again and will hopefully bring those grades up. I should at least finish this semester with straight B's (worst case scenario).

I would also like to tell you a little about myself. I am going to be completely honest and I am aware I messed up big time so please don't reiterate how stupid or pathetic I am, because trust me, I know. I am currently 23 years old. I was very spoiled as a child and I really haven't taken my medical school application process seriously at all until now, when I started reading these forums about the consequences of going to certain schools and having these grades. The reason for my bad grades is because I hardly studied. For instance, I studied at most a week for my MCATs. I have spent the last few years battling motivation issues playing an immense amount of video games, bordering on addiction. I also skipped class frequently. I have the natural ability to do well, but motivation to study has been a serious problem for me.

I am aware that I have permanently damaged my record and that I may have killed any chance I have of getting into med school. However, I have finally matured and become greatly worried about my future. I scoured these forums for the first time, and finally realized I know nothing and have no idea what to do. I will try hard from now on to finish this semester and the summer semester strong, but I really have no guarantee that I can salvage my horrible grades from the first tests (we have 2 more tests) to do well this semester. Even if I ace my summer semester I will only have one semester of good grades, and my post-bac GPA could conceivably be around or under a 3.0.

In this situation, what would you recommend doing? Is there any way at all to salvage my post-bac GPA? I know I will have to retake at least one of the courses because I won't be able to get my master's with a grade below a C but I'm sure the courses from the 1st semester will bog down my GPA hardcore.

I have also considered Caribbean Med School, but was worried about the residency matching from that. I don't think DO is possible for me because I could be living internationally in the future with my gf, and I'm not sure how widely accepted a DO is.

I still have to finish this program and try my best, but I am really wondering about my options now. If I can't ace my last few tests and the summer semester, I feel like US med school will be out of reach. Furthermore, I am not sure if it is worth it to spend so many years trying to apply to a US med school when I could maybe work on a few parts of my application and get into a Caribbean one.

I know competitive residencies are near impossible graduating from a Caribbean school but I don't want to spend years of my life as well as massive amounts of money attempting US med school when it could be all for naught.

Also, if my post-bac grades are bad, could I even get into Caribbean med school?

Thank you very much for your time and advice

I'm not an expert by any means and I'm struggling with my own poor performance in classes but re: moving internationally as a DO

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Osteopathic_Medicine#International_practice_rights

I am going the DO route (granted I get in) and was doing research about international practice rights. Where exactly are you planning on moving? Depending on where you want to move, you might be able to practice. I know the country that I am originally from and wanted to go back to for humanitarian aid and stuff isn't listed on Wiki. But asking them, I found out that the reason there aren't practice rights for DO is because no DO has applied to practice in the country. Also, some countries will give you practice rights granted you sit for a medical examination and pass. I have read that it IS tough and there ARE places where you won't be able to practice, but--at least the country that I'm from--a US degree of any sort holds a LOT of weight and is usually enough to sit for the exam and begin to practice.

Gluck!