how would you explain this nicely?

[supernareg]

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Okay, so when i started community college, i had NO idea what i wanted to be. absolutely NO idea, and i just breezed through my general classes. Basically i went to school cause i knew i had to get an education to get somewhere in life, but didnt know where that somewhere was at the moment. My GPA at the time (for 2 years) was 2.5 and i had no A's at that college. To remind you guys, this 2.5 is in the basic general classes, such as theater arts, political science, anthro, history, basic math, etc.


short of my 19th bday, i was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident, and after a few months and some surgeries i recovered. it was then i knew that i had to become a doctor.

i transferred to a 4 year univ, and i have a 3.7 gpa now (all A's, 3 Bs). I'll be graduating Cum Laude, and this 3.7 is in all the harder and upper division classes, in chem, math (calc 1 + 2), bio (all bio), physics.

basically, i left ALL my pre-reqs and science classes till my last couple years, and pulled a 3.7.

Thus, my overall GPA is a 3.0 and science is like a 3.4.


How do i explain my first 2 years of being a *******?

 

[NoUse4aName1286]

Okay, so when i started community college, i had NO idea what i wanted to be. absolutely NO idea, and i just breezed through my general classes. Basically i went to school cause i knew i had to get an education to get somewhere in life, but didnt know where that somewhere was at the moment. My GPA at the time (for 2 years) was 2.5 and i had no A's at that college. To remind you guys, this 2.5 is in the basic general classes, such as theater arts, political science, anthro, history, basic math, etc.


short of my 19th bday, i was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident, and after a few months and some surgeries i recovered. it was then i knew that i had to become a doctor.

i transferred to a 4 year univ, and i have a 3.7 gpa now (all A's, 3 Bs). I'll be graduating Cum Laude, and this 3.7 is in all the harder and upper division classes, in chem, math (calc 1 + 2), bio (all bio), physics.

basically, i left ALL my pre-reqs and science classes till my last couple years, and pulled a 3.7.

Thus, my overall GPA is a 3.0 and science is like a 3.4.


How do i explain my first 2 years of being a *******?

As you jsut did, obviously in nicer words, but IMHO, honesty might absolutely be best policy here so long as u have solid statement about WHY the accident made u want to become a doctor (why not a nurse, you probably had more contact with them kinda thing, you see what i mean). The adcom's CAN read, and will see the GPA trend and what it means; prove WHY you changed your mind, and the grades will speak for themselves.

 

[SexiMexi]

I agree. I have no doubt the trend in your more recent academic career will speak for your ability to perform in medical school. Be prepared to address and discuss so in your interviews.

 

[supernareg]

want to be a surgeon, not a nurse.

i want to be giving out the orders, not administering it. i want to be stitching a kid back together, not putting in IVs.

 

[Isoprop]

want to be a surgeon, not a nurse.

i want to be giving out the orders, not administering it. i want to be stitching a kid back together, not putting in IVs.

don't put it like that

 

[NoUse4aName1286]

don't put it like that

Yeah, listen to Isoprop. B/c "i want to give orders" = Interviewer says "You just looking for a power trip then?"

 

[Galen8]

Great story Supernareg. Amazing comeback.

At 19, you had a life changing experience that gave you pause and time to
reflect. Pain and suffering--it's likely--made you mature 8 or 10 years
in a matter of months--you'll be a better judge of this. Right?

I can imagine how your life, aspirations, and goals
turned different after the accident.

Tragedy has a way of making us reconsider the vanality of life,
which might be where you were before.

Where you might be now, is in accepting
that a second chance was given to you to be influential
in somebody else's positive
(or even negative) outcome.

Though you could have chosen any noble profession, the close proximity to
healers during your most vulnerable moment, when you were in pain,
disabled and scared, is likely to have been crucial
in your decision of becoming a doctor.

Life reconsidered, it's possible that having a good time at the expense
of poor grades became unacceptable to a more mature "you".
The determination to change this trend alone shows in your choice
of changing schools and sacrifices thereof.

You have already proven with actions what words can't prove. Consider this:
examining a patient is a privilege and not a right; applying yourself in college
the way you have is the first step that you can take to be worthy of such privilege.

I suspect that rather than hurt you, your comeback
is more likely to impress them. A simple 'I got my act together after
the accident' might be a good opening when interviewing for medical school.
Good luck.

 

[supernareg]

wow, great answer galen, THANKS! and yes, in a matter of months, i matured about 10 years mentally lol

 

[supernareg]

thanks again

 

[littlealex]

Meh. Don't worry about it. Your academic record speaks for itself. You may have some trouble getting pass a few initial screens, but once they read your application your capabilities are pretty apparent. Make sure you do well on the MCAT.

At the end of the day, you didn't get a 2.5 at a competitive college then transfer to an easier school where you got a 3.7. Your 3.7 was earned at a 4 year university, and I think that goes a long way to help bring attention away from your initial 2 years.

 

[hermit]

What kind of motorcycle?

 

[Blade28]

want to be a surgeon, not a nurse.

i want to be giving out the orders, not administering it. i want to be stitching a kid back together, not putting in IVs.

Please don't give those answers.

By the way, you'll be both following orders and putting in IVs quite often while a resident.

 

[MDRus]

want to be a surgeon, not a nurse.

i want to be giving out the orders, not administering it. i want to be stitching a kid back together, not putting in IVs.

icky answer. too arrogant. the nurses will be smarter than you for at least thru your first few years as an MD. NEVER diss them in any setting or in any way.

 

[ask1andy]

Okay, so when i started community college, i had NO idea what i wanted to be. absolutely NO idea, and i just breezed through my general classes. Basically i went to school cause i knew i had to get an education to get somewhere in life, but didnt know where that somewhere was at the moment. My GPA at the time (for 2 years) was 2.5 and i had no A's at that college. To remind you guys, this 2.5 is in the basic general classes, such as theater arts, political science, anthro, history, basic math, etc.


short of my 19th bday, i was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident, and after a few months and some surgeries i recovered. it was then i knew that i had to become a doctor.

i transferred to a 4 year univ, and i have a 3.7 gpa now (all A's, 3 Bs). I'll be graduating Cum Laude, and this 3.7 is in all the harder and upper division classes, in chem, math (calc 1 + 2), bio (all bio), physics.

basically, i left ALL my pre-reqs and science classes till my last couple years, and pulled a 3.7.

Thus, my overall GPA is a 3.0 and science is like a 3.4.


How do i explain my first 2 years of being a *******?

Wow, its like you are my twin. I to had a low community college GPA and transferred to a major university where I graduated SCL. I totaled two motorcycles during this time and I am lucky to be alive. So I said that while in community college I lacked the maturity, and direction to do well in college level courses. Without a worthwhile goal, I could not find the motivation to live up to my potential. It was only when I knew that I wanted to become a doctor (mature decision) that I developed the tools that would help me achieve the goal of becoming one. My record shows that I have the academic ability to succeed in medical school (all of my classes at the university from which I graduated were upper level math and science and I did well in all of them). My overall stats are a tiny bit higher than yours and I did really well on the MCAT. Just describe the change that occurred within yourself and your sincere motivation to become a doctor and many Adcom's will consider your application. However, just like any information you get from SDN pre-medical students, take what I say lightly because after all I am not a medical student yet. The only reason I have chosen to reply to this thread is because your story is so similar to my own. I thought that I was the only one. 👍

 

[ask1andy]

Great story Supernareg. Amazing comeback.

At 19, you had a life changing experience that gave you pause and time to
reflect. Pain and suffering--it's likely--made you mature 8 or 10 years
in a matter of months--you'll be a better judge of this. Right?

I can imagine how your life, aspirations, and goals
turned different after the accident.

Tragedy has a way of making us reconsider the vanality of life,
which might be where you were before.

Where you might be now, is in accepting
that a second chance was given to you to be influential
in somebody else's positive
(or even negative) outcome.

Though you could have chosen any noble profession, the close proximity to
healers during your most vulnerable moment, when you were in pain,
disabled and scared, is likely to have been crucial
in your decision of becoming a doctor.

Life reconsidered, it's possible that having a good time at the expense
of poor grades became unacceptable to a more mature "you".
The determination to change this trend alone shows in your choice
of changing schools and sacrifices thereof.

You have already proven with actions what words can't prove. Consider this:
examining a patient is a privilege and not a right; applying yourself in college
the way you have is the first step that you can take to be worthy of such privilege.

I suspect that rather than hurt you, your comeback
is more likely to impress them. A simple 'I got my act together after
the accident' might be a good opening when interviewing for medical school.
Good luck.

I agree! And this is coming from an attending. Oh the wisdom derived from experience. I don't think that you can gain this kind of eloquence through experience alone, so awesome content and kudos to the way in which it was written.

 

[SexiMexi]

Supernag did you get in somewhere?

 

[flaahless]

Okay, so when i started community college, i had NO idea what i wanted to be. absolutely NO idea, and i just breezed through my general classes. Basically i went to school cause i knew i had to get an education to get somewhere in life, but didnt know where that somewhere was at the moment. My GPA at the time (for 2 years) was 2.5 and i had no A's at that college. To remind you guys, this 2.5 is in the basic general classes, such as theater arts, political science, anthro, history, basic math, etc.


short of my 19th bday, i was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident, and after a few months and some surgeries i recovered. it was then i knew that i had to become a doctor.

i transferred to a 4 year univ, and i have a 3.7 gpa now (all A's, 3 Bs). I'll be graduating Cum Laude, and this 3.7 is in all the harder and upper division classes, in chem, math (calc 1 + 2), bio (all bio), physics.

basically, i left ALL my pre-reqs and science classes till my last couple years, and pulled a 3.7.

Thus, my overall GPA is a 3.0 and science is like a 3.4.


How do i explain my first 2 years of being a *******?

You did a good job explaining it here. Just articulate it a bit more eloquently and hope for the best. Goodluck playa! 👍