I want to become a physician, but I need to refocus.

[Ragtime]

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Hello everyone. It's been my dream for as long as I can remember to become a physician one day. I wanted to be an MD initially, but realistically, I think I'm at a disadvantage already and I just started. I'm not sure if I have a chance. I go to a community college because I didn't do very well in high school. Now I hear that community colleges are generally frowned upon. Not only that, I have a pretty hard time at my school. I've been going there for about two years not even full time, and I can't even make 4.0s. So when it's time for me to transfer to a university, it probably wouldn't be a top school like UCLA, but maybe a CSU.

I haven't taken any science courses yet because I read somewhere that they shouldn't be taken at a community college. Right now, what I'm working on in school is major prep work and completion of IGETC, so I can transfer to a UNI to do premed and finish my degree.

I really am lost and don't know my next step because I'm a non traditional student. When am I supposed to take the MCAT?

I've done volunteer work at Loma Linda University Medical Center's emergency department. I heard that it's good to shadow and do research, but these are optional right?

Here are my grades:

WINTER 2010:
Basic English Comp - A

SPRING 2010:
Intro Philosophy - B
General Psych - A

FALL 2010:
Intermediate Algebra - B
Intro to Sociology - B

WINTER 2011:
Developmental Psych - B

SPRING 2011:
History of Non-Western Art - A
Honors English 1A - B
Honors Statistics - A
Ethics - B

FALL 2011:
Music Appreciation - W
Jazz Appreciation - W
Film Music - W

*My last semester I developed a debilitating Anxiety episode that caused me to leave all my classes. I'm working to get them cleared with my school. I guess this is what really brought me down.


Based on my situation, do I even have a chance? If you were me, what would you do at this point?

 

[sylvanthus]

Do a search, you'll be fine.

 

[Ragtime]

I just my an account, but I've been doing a lot of reading on these forums in the past year. I wrote because I really am lost at this point.

 

[sylvanthus]

You need to start doing your prereqs for medical school like intro bio, chemistry, o chem, physics, then take the MCAT. Also, shadowing is not really optional, it is pretty much a requirement. Moreover, you need some type of clinical experience and likely some kind of leadership experience.

Im not sure why you are taking the classes you have been. But, you have at the minimum 2 more years of prereqs to do, so start knocking them out now. Also, your courseload is minimal, you need to show ADCOMS you can handle a full credit load.

This can all be found if you search around. There are 1000s of threads out there with this information.

 

[thepoopologist]

Take the MCAT when you've finished your prerequisites.

Reasonable class load and sufficient work habits should be enough

I'm not sure what you mean by lost, it doesn't look like you've taken any Biology/Chemistry/Physics. Your grades in those will be a more accurate measure of your chances.

 

[Iliketoytles]

OP... first, relax. At least you haven't been failing your classes that you've been taking. Otherwise you would've been in a big, big hole.

Anyway, start taking the premed classes. Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc. Like sylvanthus said, you need to take these before you take the MCAT. I'm not sure what classes you're taking now... but assuming you start your premed classes next semester (Fall 2012), you should be finished with them around Fall 2014. Thus, you should take your MCAT sometime Spring 2015.

The only way you'll be able to complete these basic science courses is if you double/triple up on them... meaning 2-3 science courses in 1 semester + their labs. Everyone has to do it some time during their science undergrad career, so there's no avoiding it if you want to stay on track. It's not as difficult as it seems. I'd recommend starting the Fall 2012 semester with 2 science classes, and if you feel confident, move up to 3 classes in Spring 2013.

Shadowing is not really optional. Every premed has some sort of shadowing on their application, so if you don't you might be put in the back of the line as a "Wtf"-case. Just knock out the shadowing during a summer or winter break. Don't forget clinical volunteering as well... and any community service/leadership experience you have is important as well; although, clinical experience is probably the MOST important.

DO schools aren't too heavy on research, so spend these hours you would've spent on research towards more clinical or community service hours. Research is a "cherry on top" kinda thing... it's not necessary, but it looks nice assuming everything else that they are looking for in an applicant is already there.

Overall, you need to sit down with your premed advisor and plan out your next few years. DO schools are very, very non-trad friendly so that shouldn't even be an issue. Some say that it may actually help them.

 

[DocGodfather]

Like-liketoytles said, relax. Nothing is impossible if you work hard and avoid distractions. First and foremost, get that condition taken care of. Consider taking winter quarter off, and start strong spring quarter. There's also no reason to think you don't have a shot just because you got 3 W's your freshman year. Sit down with a counselor and map out a plan of courses you will aim to take and complete. It's not an easy road, but if you're willing to put in the time and effort, you will have a good chance at medical school.

 

[premed123467]

x

 

[Erek94]

I have a similar story as well. Luckily, you haven't taken any significant classes towards your application yet. Get your mind straight and knock out the pre-reqs for the MCAT. Grades are very important and your in a position to show a strong upward trend, but the one thing that no pre-med can hide from is the MCAT. The new MCAT will be out in 2015, maybee something to keep in mind as you try to set a realistic goal for when to take it.

 

[ManBroDude]

Im not sure why you are taking the classes you have been. But, you have at the minimum 2 more years of prereqs to do, so start knocking them out now. Also, your courseload is minimal, you need to show ADCOMS you can handle a full credit load.

+1. I worked 25-35 hours a week in the ED along with a full-time science-only credit load and worked my bum off to earn a 4.0 last semester. One or two non-science classes shouldn't be giving you trouble.

 

[Iliketoytles]

The new MCAT will be out in 2015, maybee something to keep in mind as you try to set a realistic goal for when to take it.

Ah great point; I forgot about this. If I were you OP, I would avoid being a guinea pig for the new MCAT. There are probably no practice tests for it and any prep class/book is all speculation on what the new MCAT will actually be like since it has never been given.

I also realized your on the quarter system. Thus, maybe it would be beneficial if you just took science classes the next few quarters so you could focus on them.

Fall 2012 - Bio 1, Chem 1
Winter 2012/2013 - Bio 2, Chem 2
Spring 2013 - Organic 1, Bio 3
Fall 2013 - Organic 2, Physics 1 (assuming your Intermediate algebra class is the pre-req, and not calculus)
Winter 2013/2014 - Physics 2
Spring 2014 - Anything
Summer 2014 - take MCAT... if you don't do well, take it again.
Fall, Winter 2014/Spring 2015 - Take a few more science classes during these 3 quarters, and focus on finishing up any extracurriculars you need to do. Also be sure to have your necessary letters of recommendation all ready to go by June!

June 1st, 2015 - apply

The key behind the above schedule is to get as many MCAT-related premed classes done before 2015, so you don't have to suffer through the new MCAT.

If you have calculus based physics or you need to take another math class as a pre-req for physics, you can take that with Organic 2 (Fall 2013), then physics 1 will be Winter 2013/2014, and physics 2 will be Spring 2014.

This is assuming you don't have any outlying/out-of-school factors we don't know about. But if this seems feasible for you, you should try to shoot for it. Each of those classes has a lab component as well, but it's usually only once a week. So you should be okay I think! 🙂

 

[romanjetfighter]

relax man. aim for the UC. i went to CSU for 5 years and i kind of regret it. the student body isn't that great. :/

 

[lacrosse87]

Shadowing is not really optional. Every premed has some sort of shadowing on their application, so if you don't you might be put in the back of the line as a "Wtf"-case.

Hehe, I'll admit I never did any shadowing . I kinda just..Idk, never saw the point in it for me personally. Granted, I did have some clinical volunteering and I've been working the past year and a half as an ophthalmic technician. And to be honest, I had better things to put on AACOMAS and the addition of any shadowing would have had to take the place of something else.

Despite my post, I guess I'm just trying to say that IMHO, shadowing isn't a NECESSITY in the truest sense of the word. But for a lot of people (this person for example http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=881657) shadowing can be a great experience. From reading OP's post, I think OP might definitely benefit from some shadowing. Perhaps it will even help motivate you to work extra hard for some awesome grades!

 

[Ragtime]

Thanks so much for all your replies! So I'm seeing that it would be wise for me to start taking science courses in my next semesters to come. However, should I transfer to a university first, or...? Some were wondering why I was taking the classes I did; it's because I was getting my general ed and major prep out of the way so I could transfer to a UNI. Would it be wise to get my degree and then do premed after?

 

[DocGodfather]

Thanks so much for all your replies! So I'm seeing that it would be wise for me to start taking science courses in my next semesters to come. However, should I transfer to a university first, or...? Some were wondering why I was taking the classes I did; it's because I was getting my general ed and major prep out of the way so I could transfer to a UNI. Would it be wise to get my degree and then do premed after?

I would highly recommend the plan liketoytles created for you above. Follow that, and maybe add a class in the summer of '13 (Microbio, Anatomy, etc.). Print out the plan, tape it on your wall, and make sure you don't slip up.