Is this a good plan?

[studentDOnut]

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Hello all,

I am currently in my 2nd year of undergraduate. I am at an okay university, I've worked 20-35 hours a week since the day school started and realized I wanted to become a physician after shadowing in the ER and Radiology both with an MD and then got to observe a DO perform a mitral valve repair and triple bypass. I have a whole side reason why I want to be a DO, but that's for another topic.

So, my current situation is that I am a commuter. It is a 35-45 minute drive to school depending on traffic and I live at home with my family. It hasn't been working out because my parents feel that I should be paying all of my own things, so I have been working as a CNA at a hospital and tutor students for high school to pay my gas, food and some textbooks. My parents help me for the rest, but complain when they do. I have gained amazing clinical exposure and developed a bed side manner and I know how to talk to a patient and their family; it's truly an amazing feeling. As for school, it's not going as I hoped it would. It's hard to study at school because it's always so crowded (small library) and so I usually go home or to Starbucks, but when I try study at home, it's just a constant interruption about money and never get respected for trying to learn.

I finished my freshman fall semester 13 credits- I got an A in chem 1, B+ in lab, B+ in psych, A- in English and a depressing C- in algebra because it was an online class and I got cocky after I got a 100 on the midterm and didn't study for the final, as I only cared about my chem final. Freshman spring 10 credits- worked full-time to save up, B+ chem 2, B chem 2 lab, A music elective, A- in English. Freshman summer semester 8 credits- Algebra A, Clinical Skills A and organic chem 1 C-. Sophomore year fall semester 16 credits is underway now and I am taking organic 1 & 2, shadowing internship, calculus for life science, sociology and intro bio and lab. I currently have a C+ in organic 1 and a C in organic 2 (will drop organic 2 if I have a C- before the final), B+ in bio, A in lab, A sociology, A in calc and A for shadowing internship. Current GPA: 3.47 with 1 grade forgiveness. Currently working 25 hours a week. President of a Medical club, officer for a volunteer club (volunteer 2 hours a week) and a member of AMSA. I love student involvement.

As for learning, I don't think the education is the best where I am at now, there isn't much success for students getting admitting to medical school unless it is Caribbean. I have decided to transfer to a top-150 school in the nation and study something more interesting and rewarding for my pre-med years. I know they are a top-15 feeder for MD/DO schools also. I also decided to take loans, so I can focus on school and not have my family nagging me. I think this is a really good thing, not only for my future, but for my happiness as a pre-med and future physician. I want to create a strong upward trend up there and be the best that I can be. I also plan on moving 2 clubs up there.

What do you guys think, is this the right thing?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Eh, I go to one of those schools that is a good "feeder" school to MD/DO (and DDS for that matter) and all it means is that there is a large percentage of the student population who thinks they are going to be doctors with only a small percentage of that actually applying, hence the "higher" numbers of people who actually get in. It also means Gen Chem 1 is absolutely brutal. The profs brag about how much of a weeder class it is.

In the end you have to do what is best for you. If you think you would I better at that school then go for it. If you are just doing it because it is a "feeder" school then don't. If you follow the advice on here instead of your counselor's you can get to medical school from anywhere.

 

[studentDOnut]

Eh, I go to one of those schools that is a good "feeder" school to MD/DO (and DDS for that matter) and all it means is that there is a large percentage of the student population who thinks they are going to be doctors with only a small percentage of that actually applying, hence the "higher" numbers of people who actually get in. It also means Gen Chem 1 is absolutely brutal. The profs brag about how much of a weeder class it is.

In the end you have to do what is best for you. If you think you would I better at that school then go for it. If you are just doing it because it is a "feeder" school then don't. If you follow the advice on here instead of your counselor's you can get to medical school from anywhere.

It just happens to be a top-feeder school, mainly because there are 60,000 students. It has a biomedical science major with a lot of interesting biology classes that I would love to take, where as the school I am at now is limited in that sense. Also, I have a lot of good friends up there and it's my best chance in not only doing well in school, but to be happy. Happiness is everything.

Also as for education, my buddies have taken classes at my school over summer and they think the instruction and quality of the education is better at that school where I will be attending. I mean at my school, gen chem 2 and lab was a big weed-out. Everywhere is different, just have to do the best I can and do well, it is just not working out where I am now with the personal issues and other stuff.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Then carry on. You gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[QueenJames]

It doesn't matter where you go. Go where you are comfortable. CC doesn't matter. UC doesn't matter. Ivy doesn't matter.

GPA, MCAT, and ECs. Those are what get you the interview (provided you don't sound boring on your essays and all that good stuff).

 

[arc5005]

I think you need to bring up that science GPA. Get A's. Most everyone else getting accepted is getting A's in those pre-reqs. Most of your A"s aren't in science classes, which means your cGPA of 3.47 is going to be higher than your sGPA (science GPA - which is extremely important).

 

[studentDOnut]

It doesn't matter where you go. Go where you are comfortable. CC doesn't matter. UC doesn't matter. Ivy doesn't matter.

GPA, MCAT, and ECs. Those are what get you the interview (provided you don't sound boring on your essays and all that good stuff).

The main reason I am transferring is for my happiness and education. Not just because of the school... And my ECs are good, I just need to bring my GPA up. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[studentDOnut]

I think you need to bring up that science GPA. Get A's. Most everyone else getting accepted is getting A's in those pre-reqs. Most of your A"s aren't in science classes, which means your cGPA of 3.47 is going to be higher than your sGPA (science GPA - which is extremely important).

My science gpa after my freshman year was a 3.52 and then I got a C- in organic 1, bringing it down to a flat 3.02. I am retaking and doing everything I possibly can to replace it with an A or B and bring up my science gpa. Thanks for the tip!

 

[arc5005]

My science gpa after my freshman year was a 3.52 and then I got a C- in organic 1, bringing it down to a flat 3.02. I am retaking and doing everything I possibly can to replace it with an A or B and bring up my science gpa. Thanks for the tip!

And if you end up getting another C in Organic Chem II, it is going to bring it down even further. That sGPA is pivotal.

 

[studentDOnut]

And if you end up getting another C in Organic Chem II, it is going to bring it down even further. That sGPA is pivotal.

I know. I'm busting my ass, I'm going to take advantage of his dropped exam allowance and such. I just need to get a solid B on this next exam so I can at least secure a B-. I have a C right now, mainly because I got an A- on the first exam and then I got a 55 on the second exam (class avg was a 58 with the curve). I'm preparing extensively for this next exam and will drop the second exam. Just have to keep my head up and keep pushing, plus I won't be working when I take my final, so I'll have plenty of time.

 

[TexasMedic15]

I think you've been given really solid advice here. It's important to be happy and healthy, but it's also equally important if not more important to do well in your classes. You need the numbers (GPA & MCAT) to get your foot in the door for interviews. No interviews means no acceptances. Anything else comes after.

Transfer to that larger university if you really feel that it'll provide you with a better education and a better quality of life, but don't do it just because you think that it's status will provide you with a better opportunity for getting into a med school somewhere. It's like the advice given to pre-meds all over this forum: Don't major in something or participate in some organization because you think it'll help you get into med school. Do what makes you happy and do it because you want to do it. If you really want to be a doctor more than anything, then you'll work hard enough to eventually get there.

I went to a large state university with 60,000 students and absolutely loved it. I didn't get in the first time I applied, but in hindsight since graduating, I wouldn't change a single thing and would go through the exact same experience again. That said, while the courses were more interesting, they were also harder than courses that you could take at a smaller school, or at a community college. Many people in my major ended up either not getting into med school, or they just gave up somewhere along the way.

If and when you transfer to that larger university, expect to put in many more hours to make the necessary grades to do well. There's nothing wrong with going to a smaller school. I've met several people who got into med school from small colleges who did really well during their time in undergrad.

Just make sure that you're transferring because you'd be more happy, not because you think it'll help you get into med school.

 

[studentDOnut]

I think you've been given really solid advice here. It's important to be happy and healthy, but it's also equally important if not more important to do well in your classes. You need the numbers (GPA & MCAT) to get your foot in the door for interviews. No interviews means no acceptances. Anything else comes after.

Transfer to that larger university if you really feel that it'll provide you with a better education and a better quality of life, but don't do it just because you think that it's status will provide you with a better opportunity for getting into a med school somewhere. It's like the advice given to pre-meds all over this forum: Don't major in something or participate in some organization because you think it'll help you get into med school. Do what makes you happy and do it because you want to do it. If you really want to be a doctor more than anything, then you'll work hard enough to eventually get there.

I went to a large state university with 60,000 students and absolutely loved it. I didn't get in the first time I applied, but in hindsight since graduating, I wouldn't change a single thing and would go through the exact same experience again. That said, while the courses were more interesting, they were also harder than courses that you could take at a smaller school, or at a community college. Many people in my major ended up either not getting into med school, or they just gave up somewhere along the way.

If and when you transfer to that larger university, expect to put in many more hours to make the necessary grades to do well. There's nothing wrong with going to a smaller school. I've met several people who got into med school from small colleges who did really well during their time in undergrad.

Just make sure that you're transferring because you'd be more happy, not because you think it'll help you get into med school.

Thanks for the feedback. I am starting to cringe every time you guys think I'm going to that school just because of the status. I'm going for my happiness and better quality of the education, sure I'll put more hours in, but I will have the time to. Lastly, everything I have done is because I want to do it, interests me and etc. I am not doing anything because "it looks good for med school" I'm smart enough to realize that. The sole purpose I'm going to that school is so I can only focus on school, as I am struggling where I am now because of my personal issues. I am a hard-worker, but haven't really been given the opportunity to shine where I am now because of this, as I feel limited. TexasMedic15, you gave me such great advice, I will need to crush my spring semester up there and next summer, to save my science gpa. I calculated it and I can bring it back to a 3.5-3.6, if I get all As, but at this point it will be in my favor, since I will be happy and will have nothing to worry about besides school, enjoying college and life. Thanks again.

 

[TexasMedic15]

Thanks for the feedback. I am starting to cringe every time you guys think I'm going to that school just because of the status. I'm going for my happiness and better quality of the education, sure I'll put more hours in, but I will have the time to. Lastly, everything I have done is because I want to do it, interests me and etc. I am not doing anything because "it looks good for med school" I'm smart enough to realize that. The sole purpose I'm going to that school is so I can only focus on school, as I am struggling where I am now because of my personal issues. I am a hard-worker, but haven't really been given the opportunity to shine where I am now because of this, as I feel limited. TexasMedic15, you gave me such great advice, I will need to crush my spring semester up there and next summer, to save my science gpa. I calculated it and I can bring it back to a 3.5-3.6, if I get all As, but at this point it will be in my favor, since I will be happy and will have nothing to worry about besides school, enjoying college and life. Thanks again.

I didn't mean to come off as condescending or anything, just wanted to make sure that you were absolutely doing it for the right reasons. I didn't get accepted to any med schools the first time I applied because my grades weren't as high as they could have been, but I loved my entire college experience and wouldn't change a thing about it even if it means not getting into med school. Decisions such as transferring schools is a big deal and sometimes they can get clouded by certain thoughts. Your initial post showed a lot of concern about your grades and getting into medical school, so I didn't want that overshadowing any other reasons you had for wanting to attend a larger university. Anyway, you seem really confident in your decision so I wish you the best of luck in the next few years of your life!

 

[studentDOnut]

I didn't mean to come off as condescending or anything, just wanted to make sure that you were absolutely doing it for the right reasons. I didn't get accepted to any med schools the first time I applied because my grades weren't as high as they could have been, but I loved my entire college experience and wouldn't change a thing about it even if it means not getting into med school. Decisions such as transferring schools is a big deal and sometimes they can get clouded by certain thoughts. Your initial post showed a lot of concern about your grades and getting into medical school, so I didn't want that overshadowing any other reasons you had for wanting to attend a larger university. Anyway, you seem really confident in your decision so I wish you the best of luck in the next few years of your life!

Thanks, TexasMedic15! I am excited and appreciate everyone's feedback. You guys are the reason I look up to SDN.

 

[Moose A Moose]

Thanks, TexasMedic15! I am excited and appreciate everyone's feedback. You guys are the reason I look up to SDN.

Sweet-berry wine!!

 

[j4pac]

I got to the second paragraph when my mind started to wander and my ADHD starting kicking in. Gotta get to the point quicker my friend.

 

[studentDOnut]

I got to the second paragraph when my mind started to wander and my ADHD starting kicking in. Gotta get to the point quicker my friend.

Here you go: I am transferring schools because of family issues, lack of a good foundation in terms of my education, not getting the grades I deserve because of family and money issues and I am not happy. Is that a reasonable excuse to transfer schools, as it's what is best for me and the school I'm transferring to will give me a more rewarding and stronger pre-med education? Also, I will be happy!

 

[j4pac]

Here you go: I am transferring schools because of family issues, lack of a good foundation in terms of my education, not getting the grades I deserve because of family and money issues and I am not happy. Is that a reasonable excuse to transfer schools, as it's what is best for me and the school I'm transferring to will give me a more rewarding and stronger pre-med education? Also, I will be happy!

Thank you. The answer is an easy "yes". Good luck