- Joined
- May 12, 2014
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
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Hard Facts:
Age: 27 (not URM)
cGPA: 2.39 (when retakes are substituted and remedial math is removed this changes to a 3.17)
sGPA: 3.92 (AP1/2, MBIO, Cell Bio, General Stats)
MCAT: Not taken because I haven't finished pre-med.
HC Exp: ~1000 hours between training and working in the Endocrinology office.
Previous careers include construction foreman/laborer, bartender, personal trainer, etc.
I got my BA in English, with minors in Sexuality and Gender Studies and Technical Communication in 2010. I finished my undergrad with a cGPA of 2.39 and a major GPA of 2.89 (cherry-picked). I took and failed Cell Bio and General Chem during freshman year, and never took another science or math course beyond "math/science for liberal arts majors." I still have several "W" grades, was placed on academic probation twice, and dismissed for poor academic performance once. But, I finished my degree.
Fast forward to December 2012 - I had spent two and a half years working construction and tending various bars and I decided it was time for a change.
Previous to, and while earning my undergrad, I had worked as a medical assistant (Endocrinology) and personal trainer. I decided to try for PA via a community college Surgical Technology program. January 2013 I re-enrolled at my alma mater, retook (and earned 4.0 marks) in several courses I previously failed. Fall 2013 I began taking science and math pre-reqs. I earned a 4.0 in Cell Biology and General Statistics. Winter 2014 I transferred to a CC and pulled a 4.0 in MBIO and a 3.6 in AP1. Currently, I am pulling a 98% in AP2 and will finish that class with a 4.0. My cumulative GPA has risen nearly to a 3.2 in just over a calendar year. My science GPA is a 3.92, but that lacks physics, GEN/ORG/BIO chem, calculus, and MCAT.
Using Khan Academy, I've had quite a bit of success preparing for physics, the chems, and my math is improving.
Now my confidence is up in terms of my academic performance, and I am sure that I can be successful in a DO/MD program. Without hyperbole, making myself into a physician has consumed my being. I understand that I am not competitive for MD programs, but what about DO? I am shadowing every specialist, surgeon, ER/IM/FM doc I can convince - DO or MD, but I have that horrible undergraduate GPA to deal with.
From the numbers listed above, as well as the upward trend, what can I do to improve my application and achieve entrance into a DO medical school?
Is it beneficial for me to train as a Surg. Tech for 12 mos, gain OR experience, and finish my pre-med part time? That leaves me a 31-32 year old applying to medical school, and I would prefer to find a quicker way in the door.
Furthermore, do I even have a shot given my age and poor undergraduate performance?
Age: 27 (not URM)
cGPA: 2.39 (when retakes are substituted and remedial math is removed this changes to a 3.17)
sGPA: 3.92 (AP1/2, MBIO, Cell Bio, General Stats)
MCAT: Not taken because I haven't finished pre-med.
HC Exp: ~1000 hours between training and working in the Endocrinology office.
Previous careers include construction foreman/laborer, bartender, personal trainer, etc.
I got my BA in English, with minors in Sexuality and Gender Studies and Technical Communication in 2010. I finished my undergrad with a cGPA of 2.39 and a major GPA of 2.89 (cherry-picked). I took and failed Cell Bio and General Chem during freshman year, and never took another science or math course beyond "math/science for liberal arts majors." I still have several "W" grades, was placed on academic probation twice, and dismissed for poor academic performance once. But, I finished my degree.
Fast forward to December 2012 - I had spent two and a half years working construction and tending various bars and I decided it was time for a change.
Previous to, and while earning my undergrad, I had worked as a medical assistant (Endocrinology) and personal trainer. I decided to try for PA via a community college Surgical Technology program. January 2013 I re-enrolled at my alma mater, retook (and earned 4.0 marks) in several courses I previously failed. Fall 2013 I began taking science and math pre-reqs. I earned a 4.0 in Cell Biology and General Statistics. Winter 2014 I transferred to a CC and pulled a 4.0 in MBIO and a 3.6 in AP1. Currently, I am pulling a 98% in AP2 and will finish that class with a 4.0. My cumulative GPA has risen nearly to a 3.2 in just over a calendar year. My science GPA is a 3.92, but that lacks physics, GEN/ORG/BIO chem, calculus, and MCAT.
Using Khan Academy, I've had quite a bit of success preparing for physics, the chems, and my math is improving.
Now my confidence is up in terms of my academic performance, and I am sure that I can be successful in a DO/MD program. Without hyperbole, making myself into a physician has consumed my being. I understand that I am not competitive for MD programs, but what about DO? I am shadowing every specialist, surgeon, ER/IM/FM doc I can convince - DO or MD, but I have that horrible undergraduate GPA to deal with.
From the numbers listed above, as well as the upward trend, what can I do to improve my application and achieve entrance into a DO medical school?
Is it beneficial for me to train as a Surg. Tech for 12 mos, gain OR experience, and finish my pre-med part time? That leaves me a 31-32 year old applying to medical school, and I would prefer to find a quicker way in the door.
Furthermore, do I even have a shot given my age and poor undergraduate performance?