How to get into med school

[mshheaddoc]

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I am a 23 year old graduate with a BA in econ. I was a chem major for my first year of college but then switched. I have always wanted to be a doctor, but changed my mind in college. I really would like ot go to med school, but I don't have the GPA in undergrad (at all). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Its not that I couldn't do the work, i sort of gave up after being a perfect high school student. My career goals were obvious and I didn't know what I wanted to do. Anyways - I know I need to complete requirements and have looked into Post Grad programs, but I don't know if i could even get into med school. I'm in south jersey area looking for local options. Kinda deprsed 🙁 b/c i have always wanted to be a doctor and now that I finally think i have direction - I'm going in cirlces. Anyone offer any advice? I was going to get my MBA and hopefully they will look at that favorably and maybe less weight on my undergrad???? Help me!

 

[Amy B]

Welcome to SDN.

Although we could all give you our opinions I would strongly suggest that you make an appointment to meet with the dean of admissions at any nearby medical school in your area, or at one you would be interested in attending. They would be able to tell you acurately what your chances are and most importantly they can sit down with you and tell you what steps you need to follow in order to become a good applicant. I would very much advise you to do this.

You can build up a relationship with the dean who could act as an advisor as you are building up your application. This is what I did 3 years ago. I have meet with the dean every year and the last year I meet with her a number of times to make sure I was covering all my bases. It is the best advice I can give you. Good luck
Amy :wink:

 

[CUarzt]

i dont think anyone here has any secrets for you. that is to say, keep plugging away toward the goal that you have. though you may be at a disadvantaged starting line, doesn't mean you can't reach the finish line.

if you have the motivation, why hesitate? you do what you can do--obviously demonstrating your abilities in any arena (mba here) will help you.

just my $.02 😀

 

[Asclepius]

When I was graduated three years ago I was planning on going into the ministry or the academy as a theology/ethics prof. A year later I decided that my talents lay in science yet I still really wanted to help folks. So, I started taking my prerequisites and pulled my GPA up from a 3.33 to a 3.56 in the past two years (having taken only prerequisites). Take heart, it's certainly not too late to change your course. Talking to an admissions dean is a good idea; I second that.

 

[Drako]

Definitely talk to a Dean/Director of Admissions.

There isn't a secret formula to get into medical school. If you read this board extensively, you will see what applicants are doing and putting on their applications. They are persistent, tenacious, patient, and most of all, passionate about what they do. I had been in your shoes in the past. I was depressed for about a year and did some stupid thing with my classes. No one can really help you without you wanting to help yourself. It might look bleak right now, but if you have the heart, ANYTHING is possible. If what you have said is true and that becoming a physician is all that you can dream of, then I will see you among my colleagues someday. I will be more than happy to see you among them!!!

I know people with 3.0 GPA and 24 MCAT that get into medical schools. And this is from undergrad, not from a post bac/grad program. Have the heart, chase after your dream with everything you got. If you stumble, get up and keep going. Put a moto in your room, "Medical School or Die" and stare at it every day for the rest of your pre-medical school life. It will take a lot, but if you want it bad enough, it will be all worth it in the end. I can tell you. It has been for me! All the best of luck and good health!

 

[2DEG]

I am in a similar or worse boat like the original poster. After reading some postings, I just sent an email to make an appointment with the director of Admissions.

My undergrad GPA is 3.0 and my MSEE GPA is going to be 3.4 or so.

I remember watching an episode of Star-Trek next generation. Data being my fav. character, I remember one thing he said and I am paraphrasing - Whether you can be successful in your goal or not, you gotta have a goal and you have to try. Trying itself is rewarding.

I cannot express enough how passionate I am about a career in Medicine. With all the difficulties and responsibilities in life, I am still very enthuastic. I am gonna try my best. If I can't make it, Perhaps it was never meant to be.

I know..it sounds like pep talk. But I truly believe that you gotta try regardless what people or even you say about your slim chances.

I wish I could get in touch with someone who is in similar situation as I am. Perhaps, we can plan together. If interested, lets get in touch and start pursuing our dream.

Peace!
Shahab

 

[tater tot]

hi guys!! i'm in the same sad boat as most of these posts.... poor undergrad gpa but HIGH determination. I'm planning on doing 2 yrs of post-bac to raise my gpa. I still haven't taken the mcat, so there's some hope.
I see many of you met with a dean of admissions. great idea. Now I think I should also do the same! Is this a normal request? Do I chose my local state school and just request an appt time? Or should I go to a few schools..... I'm in NY so there are many. Problem is all the nyc schools are pretty tough. any suggestions?
thanks, this is great info! 😀

 

[Ibis]

Avoid vacilation and "GO FOR IT", full throttle! Start demonstrating a strong performance, academically; giving them a reason to believe in you.......Good Luck! 🙂

 

[mshheaddoc]

Thank you all for the support and for those of you out there, my GPA is a 2.3 🙁 (some reasoning behind that) so I know I have my work cut out for me.
I will take your advice to heart and I thank you for the optimism. Its something I really need right now. I will keep you posted on my plans!

 

[Drako]

That 2.3 GPA is not a science GPA right? I hope it isn't because if you go post bac now and kick butt in all your classes, then you have more than a chance. AdCom does take in consideration improvement, drastic improvement is even desirable. It speaks volume about your motivation!

Pep talk or not, all I could say to you now, is eliminate ALL distractions and focus, focus, focus upon your one goal - Medicine! You have gotten a dream, that's half of the battle. Now you have a purpose too. 🙂

Who knows, I might be your host during your interview or your student interviewer someday. Hell, I would love that!

 

[Green912]

"I was going to get my MBA and hopefully they will look at that favorably and maybe less weight on my undergrad???? "

I think I would avoid going the MBA route. You should gear yourself up to being a good Medical School applicant. That means more science course work. Instead of the MBA I'd look into a Masters or Post-Bacc program. They want to see you do well in dry biology/chemistry classes, not interesting international bussiness classes. Of course dry is a relative term. :wink:

 

[mshheaddoc]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Drako:
•That 2.3 GPA is not a science GPA right? I hope it isn't because if you go post bac now and kick butt in all your classes, then you have more than a chance. AdCom does take in consideration improvement, drastic improvement is even desirable. It speaks volume about your motivation!

Pep talk or not, all I could say to you now, is eliminate ALL distractions and focus, focus, focus upon your one goal - Medicine! You have gotten a dream, that's half of the battle. Now you have a purpose too. 🙂

Who knows, I might be your host during your interview or your student interviewer someday. Hell, I would love that!•••••No that isn't a science GPA, thank god. I guess I'm just overwhelmed, but I am working FT, not sure what I want to get done and I need the income for bills and school loans.