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[CCEMTP2DOC]

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Hi all,

I have been away for awhile trying to figure what I really want to do.

I have come to the conclusion that I want to be a doctor. I think that I always knew this but was just having some doubt, as I am a very Non-trad
student. I will be 42 upon application, 15 years in EMS,13 as a paramedic.
My GPA is 3.57 right now and I anticipate it being ~3.6-3.7 (very possibly higher)when I graduate.
I still have 2 years before I have my B.S. and possibly another year to finish up my pre req's. I have contacted a D.O. and will have 200+ hours of shadowing when done. I will have worked 60+ hours throughout my educational career. The biggest blemish is a lot, i mean a lot, of W's. I have 2 dropped semesters from 1985, not too worried about those; I was imature.
I have 2 from 1999, from when my wife and I adopted our children from Russia, and the timing for school wasn't there. I was accepted into a Resp. Therapy program and cruised through the first year and summer internship(40 hrs of clinicals and 60 hours of work). My second year was interupted when my daughter began her 5 surgeries at Shriners hospital. I went back and had to drop due to major abdominal surgery for my self. Against my better judgement, i went back again and quickly realized this isnt where I belong. I took some time off to get some things taken care of and hit the road running at school. When it is time for application, how do i address this in my PS. I want to be positive, but also want to show I am not trying to hide my past educational indiscretions. I will have a good GPA, good sci GPA(hoping), great experience, great shadowing, and I am sure very goodLOR's. I am definitely applying to D.O. schools. I may also apply to 2 M.D. school because they are close to my house and i do have a family to worry about. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. It is good to be back and I can't wait to a doctor and hopefully practice with some of you.



Thanks,

Rob

 

[cfdavid]

Welcome back Rob. Sometimes we need to step away and do some more soul searching, so that we can be sure we're making the right decision.

I think that someone with your experience and dedication, as well as attitude, will go on to become a great doc.

One thing I've reflected on during my personal decision making is the fact that the journey itself will be awesome. Hard work, yes, but an adventure nonetheless. It's only when I start thinking about the 7+ years of med school and residency that the task seems so daunting.

BUT, there's a lot of living to be done during those years. In fact, they could end up being some of the more memorable years in a person's life. So, it's not the end game that we need to be focused on. If that were the case, many of us non-trads would get too caught up in the "by the time I get out, and finish residency, I'll be ..........years old" thing.

So, I find it benefitial to think of all the good times, challenges, and learning to be done during the process of becoming a doctor. Embracing the process seems critical to avoiding mental burnout (even as a "pre-med"!).

 

[CCEMTP2DOC]

Welcome back Rob. Sometimes we need to step away and do some more soul searching, so that we can be sure we're making the right decision.

I think that someone with your experience and dedication, as well as attitude, will go on to become a great doc.

One thing I've reflected on during my personal decision making is the fact that the journey itself will be awesome. Hard work, yes, but an adventure nonetheless. It's only when I start thinking about the 7+ years of med school and residency that the task seems so daunting.

BUT, there's a lot of living to be done during those years. In fact, they could end up being some of the more memorable years in a person's life. So, it's not the end game that we need to be focused on. If that were the case, many of us non-trads would get too caught up in the "by the time I get out, and finish residency, I'll be ..........years old" thing.

So, I find it benefitial to think of all the good times, challenges, and learning to be done during the process of becoming a doctor. Embracing the process seems critical to avoiding mental burnout (even as a "pre-med"!).

I see your from a suburb of detroit. Where at? I live about 30 miles north of Detroit. Thank you for your input, it was very helpful and insightful. I wil become a great doc, just want to make sure I have the chance. I am enjoying school and look forward to finishing my bachelor's and attacking med school. Just worried about how to explain those W's in my PS, or if i should wait to the interview. BTW, what schools are you looking at? Again, thanks.

Rob

 

[internetwop]

i have a few friends that are residents in their late 40's & let me tell you, they are the best doctors-their life experience, maturity, etc. really sets them apart from the rest. i was a bit nervous going through this process in my 30's but as someone once said to me "you can be 40 & be a doctor or you can be 40 & remain a nurse, either way, you're going to be 40, what you choose to do at that age is up to you". if you look at it on a larger scale, you still have atleast 25 years to practice. just my 2 sense 😀

 

[cfdavid]

Hey Rob,
I live in Macomb Twp. 23 mile and Romeo Plank. Where are you? Romeo?

Anyway, I'm applying to all the schools in state Wayne, MSUCOM, and MSUCHM (not U/M). I also applied to a bunch of other MD and DO schools. Who knows. My stats are reasonable, but I'm kind of skeptical about the whole process. It does seem somewhat arbitrary.

However, I'm sure I'll get in somewhere. How about you? Where did you apply?

 

[cfdavid]

i have a few friends that are residents in their late 40's & let me tell you, they are the best doctors-their life experience, maturity, etc. really sets them apart from the rest. i was a bit nervous going through this process in my 30's but as someone once said to me "you can be 40 & be a doctor or you can be 40 & remain a nurse, either way, you're going to be 40, what you choose to do at that age is up to you". if you look at it on a larger scale, you still have atleast 25 years to practice. just my 2 sense 😀

SO true dude. It's all up to us what we decide we'll be doing in ten years or so. And I feel the same way about still having MANY years of practice, even as non-trads.

In fact, I think it'll be cool to be an older doc, and maybe start working only part time after a certain age. What the hell else will we do? Many family docs practice though their sixties.

 

[CCEMTP2DOC]

Hey Rob,
I live in Macomb Twp. 23 mile and Romeo Plank. Where are you? Romeo?

Anyway, I'm applying to all the schools in state Wayne, MSUCOM, and MSUCHM (not U/M). I also applied to a bunch of other MD and DO schools. Who knows. My stats are reasonable, but I'm kind of skeptical about the whole process. It does seem somewhat arbitrary.

However, I'm sure I'll get in somewhere. How about you? Where did you apply?

Wow, you are close. I live at 21 and fairchild. My wife coached at Lutheran North. I am still finishing my Bachelor's and pre req's. So it will be a bit yet.
You will get in somewhere. Do you have a preference? Take care and keep in touch.

Rob