thinklikeaproton733
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2023
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 2
Quick timeline for some context:
2020: graduated HS, chose to attend my local state school because I could commute from home.
2022: After 2 years of decent grades and some mental health struggles I chose to transfer to my state's flagship that has a large stake in the biotech industry. My reasoning was I wanted a more solid "backup plan" if I didn't get into or want to go to med school.
2022-2024: Holy moly. 150% the worst point of my life mentally, financially, and academically. Straight up failed 2 classes for the first time in my life (retook the next semester and got an A and a B). Finally evaluated for ADHD in summer of 2024 and had the psychiatrist tell me she had no idea how I had managed to get this far without seeking a diagnosis and meds. Ended up with like probably 5 Ws during this time, frequently went without food due to financial issues...this was a very bad time for me mentally.
Summer 2024: I learn I can no longer afford to finish my degree at my flagship state school. I can either move back home and commute to the state school I started at, or I can't afford to finish my degree at all. I move back home armed with a brand new AuDHD diagnosis.
Present: Back at the first state school. After some trial and error and a "meh" Fall 2025 semester, I'm FINALLY on ADHD meds that make me feel like some version of myself again. Started weightlifting and it combined w the right meds has improved my mental health significantly. Straight A's so far this semester. Premed advisor seems to think disclosing having undiagnosed ADHD on my apps is perfectly fine and won't be stigmatized....I have serious doubts about this. How do I explain having undiagnosed ADHD and its corresponding issues with time management, executive functioning, severe depression, etc?
Obviously the best way to look better to ADCOMs is to show an upward trend. I've done the math and because a DIY post bacc is what I can afford, that's all I've considered. A DIY post bacc of 2 15-credit semesters of all As in 300 and 400 level science courses will put me at 3.5ish+ for both my cGPA and sGPA. Great, but is that (plus a year of full time medical assisting and hopefully a decent MCAT) enough reinvention? How do I explain this on my applications or in interviews without screwing myself over?
Interested in Path and Anaesthesia, but specifically rural medicine. I was very premature, grew up in Northern Appalachia, and spent my whole life 2~ hours from any provider that wasn't a GP. I live in a large metro area now and it's wild to see how much easier it is to access care....I'd like to practice in a rural area. Rural medicine is the theme of most of my volunteer work. I plan to target DO and MD schools that favor rural medicine. Just concerned about how I should explain myself aside from "oh, I underwent a period of financial and health difficulties".
2020: graduated HS, chose to attend my local state school because I could commute from home.
2022: After 2 years of decent grades and some mental health struggles I chose to transfer to my state's flagship that has a large stake in the biotech industry. My reasoning was I wanted a more solid "backup plan" if I didn't get into or want to go to med school.
2022-2024: Holy moly. 150% the worst point of my life mentally, financially, and academically. Straight up failed 2 classes for the first time in my life (retook the next semester and got an A and a B). Finally evaluated for ADHD in summer of 2024 and had the psychiatrist tell me she had no idea how I had managed to get this far without seeking a diagnosis and meds. Ended up with like probably 5 Ws during this time, frequently went without food due to financial issues...this was a very bad time for me mentally.
Summer 2024: I learn I can no longer afford to finish my degree at my flagship state school. I can either move back home and commute to the state school I started at, or I can't afford to finish my degree at all. I move back home armed with a brand new AuDHD diagnosis.
Present: Back at the first state school. After some trial and error and a "meh" Fall 2025 semester, I'm FINALLY on ADHD meds that make me feel like some version of myself again. Started weightlifting and it combined w the right meds has improved my mental health significantly. Straight A's so far this semester. Premed advisor seems to think disclosing having undiagnosed ADHD on my apps is perfectly fine and won't be stigmatized....I have serious doubts about this. How do I explain having undiagnosed ADHD and its corresponding issues with time management, executive functioning, severe depression, etc?
Obviously the best way to look better to ADCOMs is to show an upward trend. I've done the math and because a DIY post bacc is what I can afford, that's all I've considered. A DIY post bacc of 2 15-credit semesters of all As in 300 and 400 level science courses will put me at 3.5ish+ for both my cGPA and sGPA. Great, but is that (plus a year of full time medical assisting and hopefully a decent MCAT) enough reinvention? How do I explain this on my applications or in interviews without screwing myself over?
Interested in Path and Anaesthesia, but specifically rural medicine. I was very premature, grew up in Northern Appalachia, and spent my whole life 2~ hours from any provider that wasn't a GP. I live in a large metro area now and it's wild to see how much easier it is to access care....I'd like to practice in a rural area. Rural medicine is the theme of most of my volunteer work. I plan to target DO and MD schools that favor rural medicine. Just concerned about how I should explain myself aside from "oh, I underwent a period of financial and health difficulties".
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