I royally messed up in undergrad as a pre-med and have no idea what to do with my life now.

[Lawpy]

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This kid's arrogance just annoys the piss out of me. Good luck friend. If you're going to go into finance I hope you find forums that fit your new career path better.

Its just an example of the Dunning-Kruger effect

 

[Upwardtrendfornow]

This kid's arrogance just annoys the piss out of me. Good luck friend. If you're going to go into finance I hope you find forums that fit your new career path better.

Unlike pre-med forums where people are helpful and understanding of issues, most finance forums are full of the trust fund baby types that never had to face a difficulty in their lives outside of a broken nail. To them, things like overbearing parents and tough circumstances are just not a part of life or even things that exist.

Quite honestly, I am frustrated that my parents forced me down a career path that I was just not cut out for while my passion has always been in the financial sector.

I truly do believe that I can run right through a finance major, do better than at least 95% of the kids in it, and completely dominate in investment banking if given the chance. Unfortunately, I was never given a fair shot in life during college but I have this opportunity now to make the most of whatever is left in life.

 

[samac]

Unlike pre-med forums where people are helpful and understanding of issues, most finance forums are full of the trust fund baby types that never had to face a difficulty in their lives outside of a broken nail. To them, things like overbearing parents and tough circumstances are just not a part of life or even things that exist.

Quite honestly, I am frustrated that my parents forced me down a career path that I was just not cut out for while my passion has always been in the financial sector.

I truly do believe that I can run right through a finance major, do better than at least 95% of the kids in it, and completely dominate in investment banking if given the chance. Unfortunately, I was never given a fair shot in life during college but I have this opportunity now to make the most of whatever is left in life.

Then stop telling us how awesome you are and go back to school and do it. You can have 2 bachelors. Go be better than everyone else.

 

[confidentandgood]

I truly do believe that I can run right through a finance major, do better than at least 95% of the kids in it, and completely dominate in investment banking if given the chance.

Take the coursework via a post-bacc (most ideally at a state university, unless money is not a problem) and gauge your fondness of and skill of the material. We all believe we can do things — and there's nothing wrong with aiming high — but in your position, sheer confidence won't get you where you need to go. Numbers and persistence will.

Also, the whole "Top 25 or Bust" mentality is a bad one to take on before you've even started classes. You'll find pre-meds on here with the same mindset before they've even finished most of college or taken the MCAT. See where you are in a few years, and then worry about programs.

No one on here is out to get you. We're just begging you to be realistic in a situation like this. If you dive into a career like finance after a poor undergraduate record (even with a few finance classes under your belt) thinking everything will go your way, things won't be easy for you.

Many people who thought general and organic chemistry were a walk in the park get a wake up call when physical chemistry rolls around.

 

[NewHorizons]

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[Hierophant]

@Upwardtrendfornow You're at a low point, and it's not surprising your ego is in a fragile place right now. Recognize that you're probably clinging to the idea that you're God's gift to finance in an effort to take the edge off of your current situation. You're trying to raise yourself up by putting down the rigor of a finance major, but that's not going to get you anywhere. Talk is cheap. You're getting criticism because you posted in this forum seeking advice and support, and now you're looking for affirmation of your confidence, but it's coming off as arrogance. A lot of good advice has been offered up so far. Be realistic and proactive. The single most important thing you can take away from your situation is to be humbled by it. Once you accept the reality of your situation, you can only go up from there. Good luck to you.

 

[MareNostrummm]

@Upwardtrendfornow You're at a low point, and it's not surprising your ego is in a fragile place right now. Recognize that you're probably clinging to the idea that you're God's gift to finance in an effort to take the edge off of your current situation. You're trying to raise yourself up by putting down the rigor of a finance major, but that's not going to get you anywhere. Talk is cheap. You're getting criticism because you posted in this forum seeking advice and support, and now you're looking for affirmation of your confidence, but it's coming off as arrogance. A lot of good advice has been offered up so far. Be realistic and proactive. The single most important thing you can take away from your situation is to be humbled by it. Once you accept the reality of your situation, you can only go up from there. Good luck to you.

Wow this is a really well written piece of advice to OP that doesn't attack him. I'm impressed.

 

[themelofellow]

man this thread has taken a turn, anyway OP, just keep your head up. It took me five years post graduating college, two masters degrees and hundreds of hours shadowing an volunteering, but I got into medical school. I would suggest looking at masters programs, specifically post bacc or biomedical science masters. This will boost your science gpa immensely and cause you to learn how to focus. However, the single best piece of advice I wish someone would have given me was to learn how to study and what works best for you. I took a year and a half off and spent that time volunteering and shadowing since my MCAT grade was really crummy. I then did and MPH, and and MBS and retook the mcat. When there's a will, there's a way, but first ask yourself if this is what you really want. If it is, you will never give up. Otherwise there are tons of other career choices that could make you just as happy financially, and will free up more time for yourself and to spend time with loved ones. Heck, sometimes I think I should have stuck with engineering or even gone into business.

Like Muhammad Ali said, "There must be a will and a skill. But the will must be stronger than the skill."

 

[samac]

man this thread has taken a turn, anyway OP, just keep your head up. It took me five years post graduating college, two masters degrees and hundreds of hours shadowing an volunteering, but I got into medical school. I would suggest looking at masters programs, specifically post bacc or biomedical science masters. This will boost your science gpa immensely and cause you to learn how to focus. However, the single best piece of advice I wish someone would have given me was to learn how to study and what works best for you. I took a year and a half off and spent that time volunteering and shadowing since my MCAT grade was really crummy. I then did and MPH, and and MBS and retook the mcat. When there's a will, there's a way, but first ask yourself if this is what you really want. If it is, you will never give up. Otherwise there are tons of other career choices that could make you just as happy financially, and will free up more time for yourself and to spend time with loved ones. Heck, sometimes I think I should have stuck with engineering or even gone into business.

Like Muhammad Ali said, "There must be a will and a skill. But the will must be stronger than the skill."

No no no, he wanted to be a doctor a year ago. His parents pushed him into it and he's no longer interested. He's going to be a finance god now.

 

[MareNostrummm]

No no no, he wanted to be a doctor a year ago. His parents pushed him into it and he's no longer interested. He's going to be a finance god now.

But you merely adopted medicine. He was born into it. Molded by it. He didn't see his first Finance midterm until he was already a man.

 

[Upwardtrendfornow]

Take the coursework via a post-bacc (most ideally at a state university, unless money is not a problem) and gauge your fondness of and skill of the material. We all believe we can do things — and there's nothing wrong with aiming high — but in your position, sheer confidence won't get you where you need to go. Numbers and persistence will.

Also, the whole "Top 25 or Bust" mentality is a bad one to take on before you've even started classes. You'll find pre-meds on here with the same mindset before they've even finished most of college or taken the MCAT. See where you are in a few years, and then worry about programs.

No one on here is out to get you. We're just begging you to be realistic in a situation like this. If you dive into a career like finance after a poor undergraduate record (even with a few finance classes under your belt) thinking everything will go your way, things won't be easy for you.

Many people who thought general and organic chemistry were a walk in the park get a wake up call when physical chemistry rolls around.

As much as I would love to, unfortunately there is no clear path into finance. You have to practically get a degree at a very respected school, do well in finance classes (which as I will say again, is not that difficult), and then do a summer internship at a bank. Unfortunately, finance is not like medicine or engineering where if you just survive the degree from anywhere with a decent GPA (above a 3.0), you will be able to have an opportunity in the field. If there was a path for me, I would definitely take it but unfortunately that path isn't there. I am still 100% sure that if I was given a chance to major in finance when I started college, I would have at least a 3.8 GPA and fly right by the classes which are a cakewalk compared to the pre-med.

So far, I am still looking for a path. I decided to learn some coding in recent months and am surprised I love this stuff!

Trying to see how I can find a job with it, thinking about the bootcamp route. Right now I am working as a lab tech in order to make ends meet but I do not want to do this forever.

 

[Upwardtrendfornow]

SDN, thanks for being there for me in the rough times of my wife when I really had no one to look to for help. To whoever recommended coding, I am starting to like this stuff, grateful to have gotten that advice.

 

[confidentandgood]

As much as I would love to, unfortunately there is no clear path into finance. You have to practically get a degree at a very respected school, do well in finance classes (which as I will say again, is not that difficult), and then do a summer internship at a bank.

Sounds to me like you're shooting for Wall Street. You know there are respectable, well-paying finance positions outside of Wall Street, right? It wouldn't hurt to do a little research (outside of SDN — we advise aspiring doctors here) instead of basing your chances purely on negative opinion.

I am still 100% sure that if I was given a chance to major in finance when I started college, I would have at least a 3.8 GPA and fly right by the classes which are a cakewalk compared to the pre-med.

You have the opportunity to prove yourself by taking post-bacc courses (even though you've ignored the good advice from users familiar with upper-level coursework). But if you'd rather talk about it than do it, it's best to move on from your interest in finance.

Best of luck with the coding, though.

 

[eng_girl]

I was in a similar situation. I performed quite poorly in university. Basically, I had 1 or 2 C's a semester with B-'s and the very rare, occasional A. My gpa , just hitting a 3. Why I did poorly? I think that it had to do with a lot of little things culminating all together. But I've always wanted to be a doctor and I knew when I graduated that would not happen. I really got frustrated and upset seeing others move forward in life while mine felt meaningless and stagnant.But I didn't give up.

I started a second degree. Computer engineering. Honestly, I took somewhat of a leap of faith; hoping that this might be something I could learn to love (not to mention that engineering has great opportunities as well - so be practical and realistic). First year, complete struggle. Engineering is way harder than bio, go figure lol (I should have known this). Second year, killed it!I'm currently doing great! I restructured the way I study and my overall habits. Hopefully I'll do well next year as well (fingers crossed) and I plan on writing the mcat next summer. So if I stay consistent, I hope to finish with a 3.6 - 3.7 CGPA. Then hopefully I could apply to med without my past haunting me too much.

This is all to say that perhaps a second degree might be an answer. Remember be wise about what you chose. Study something with career potential and is a growing field today.I've grown to love engineering -it's taught me how to think! Then pursue that field like it's your future profession and if all goes well, rekindle that dream to be a doctor 🙂

Always remember, life is hard - more so for some than others - but not impossible. Never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do!

 

[Upwardtrendfornow]

So it has been a while since I have been on this site, might as well update you guys as to what happened.

I graduated college and was doing some research for a professor, not getting paid a dime for it so it was miserable. All the while I had to live at home and deal with severe family drama that showed me just how screwed up my parents really were. Whatever depression I had in college ended up getting a lot worse, life was a wreck seeing my friends get ahead while I was stuck for a few months after college. Parents were telling me to go work a fast food job.....

Then I aggressively applied for B2B sales roles and after months of trying, I ended up getting some interviews. Went to a well renowned undergrad so that definitely helped.

Around December of 2016 I got hired at a thriving software company in a big city and moved there. As the months went on, went from being somewhat nervous to being one of the top performers at the job. Now I am in a situation to where some of the biggest names in software sales (along the lines of Oracle) want to talk to me about potentially joining their team.

I really do love what I do, never though sales could be such a great path for me.

Moving forward, I don't know where I really go from here. Compared to others my age (24), I am making decent money (50k base plus 20k commission before taxes) and have the potential to make more.

Maybe one day I do go for MBA and try to move to Wall Street or maybe I try my luck again in medicine but what I do know is that there is most definitely hope for those who messed up in college.

You can make your path, find it guys.