Looking for input before diving in headfirst

[ADAF]

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I'll try to keep this from getting convoluted.

I'm currently in the military and have 5 years left (just re enlisted another 4). This is the perfect amount of time for me to finish prerequisites/finish bachelor's/mcat/apply, etc. With a strong finish I'll end up with a 3.5 gpa (~3.7 with grade replacement). I'll have the extra curricular involvement and volunteering/shadowing covered as well. Assuming a strong MCAT I would think I'd have a fighting chance.

Unfortunately, I have two misdemeanors on my record. One shoplifting (less than $20) and a delaying and obstructing justice (long story, in the end I paid the fine to get it over with rather than fight it). Both of these are 5 years in the past now, so it will have been 10 years when/if I apply.

Stereotypically, I had an epiphany that I need to get my sht together and stop wasting my potential, been full speed ahead since. I've considered the advice "if there's something else you'd be happy doing, do that", but honestly I wouldn't. I'd probably stay in the military for 20, maybe try to commission along the way, and save my pennies for retirement. But I can't imagine another career providing the fulfillment and meaning that medicine would.

I understand the competition for medical school is cut throat without the red flags, so I know I'm at a huge disadvantage. I've realized the mistakes and they're like a shadow looming over me, but everyday I strive to do something to prove to others that those incidents aren't a true reflection of who I am. Talk is cheap, so I think in terms of what I can do to convince someone who's only reading an application without meeting me first.

So, before I jump in head first and commit to this 100%, do you think there's any chance of acceptance?

 

[theseeker4]

I'll try to keep this from getting convoluted.

I'm currently in the military and have 5 years left (just re enlisted another 4). This is the perfect amount of time for me to finish prerequisites/finish bachelor's/mcat/apply, etc. With a strong finish I'll end up with a 3.5 gpa (~3.7 with grade replacement). I'll have the extra curricular involvement and volunteering/shadowing covered as well. Assuming a strong MCAT I would think I'd have a fighting chance.

Unfortunately, I have two misdemeanors on my record. One shoplifting (less than $20) and a delaying and obstructing justice (long story, in the end I paid the fine to get it over with rather than fight it). Both of these are 5 years in the past now, so it will have been 10 years when/if I apply.

Stereotypically, I had an epiphany that I need to get my sht together and stop wasting my potential, been full speed ahead since. I've considered the advice "if there's something else you'd be happy doing, do that", but honestly I wouldn't. I'd probably stay in the military for 20, maybe try to commission along the way, and save my pennies for retirement. But I can't imagine another career providing the fulfillment and meaning that medicine would.

I understand the competition for medical school is cut throat without the red flags, so I know I'm at a huge disadvantage. I've realized the mistakes and they're like a shadow looming over me, but everyday I strive to do something to prove to others that those incidents aren't a true reflection of who I am. Talk is cheap, so I think in terms of what I can do to convince someone who's only reading an application without meeting me first.

So, before I jump in head first and commit to this 100%, do you think there's any chance of acceptance?

I imagine the influence these will have on your chances depends a lot on what the long story behind the second charge is, but neither sound like application-killers on the surface. You don't have drug-related charges, you have no felonies, you have nothing recent, and you have no academic dishonesty violations, so you should have a fighting chance. I imagine your military service more than makes up for the blemishes on your record. Do well on everything you have from now on and you should have a shot.

 

[DrMidlife]

do you think there's any chance of acceptance?

Yeah, in particular if your transgressions were pre-military, then your narrative works.

You'll want to have recent classroom experience and a fresh letter of recommendation from science faculty before you apply. If I were planning this out, I'd try to be out of the service around the first of the year, move to Texas, start civvy hospital volunteering 4hrs/wk, do a couple classes spring semester while prepping for an April or May MCAT, apply in early June, boom. That's the optimal schedule, and the sub-optimal schedules wouldn't be so bad.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Goro]

First off, many thanks for your service to our country.

I think that alone, and not merely the passage of time, will help erase the stigma of the misdemeanors. Just be prepared to discuss them on your app in the special box, and in interviews.

So yes, you have a good start.

I'll try to keep this from getting convoluted.

I'm currently in the military and have 5 years left (just re enlisted another 4). This is the perfect amount of time for me to finish prerequisites/finish bachelor's/mcat/apply, etc. With a strong finish I'll end up with a 3.5 gpa (~3.7 with grade replacement). I'll have the extra curricular involvement and volunteering/shadowing covered as well. Assuming a strong MCAT I would think I'd have a fighting chance.

Unfortunately, I have two misdemeanors on my record. One shoplifting (less than $20) and a delaying and obstructing justice (long story, in the end I paid the fine to get it over with rather than fight it). Both of these are 5 years in the past now, so it will have been 10 years when/if I apply.

Stereotypically, I had an epiphany that I need to get my sht together and stop wasting my potential, been full speed ahead since. I've considered the advice "if there's something else you'd be happy doing, do that", but honestly I wouldn't. I'd probably stay in the military for 20, maybe try to commission along the way, and save my pennies for retirement. But I can't imagine another career providing the fulfillment and meaning that medicine would.

I understand the competition for medical school is cut throat without the red flags, so I know I'm at a huge disadvantage. I've realized the mistakes and they're like a shadow looming over me, but everyday I strive to do something to prove to others that those incidents aren't a true reflection of who I am. Talk is cheap, so I think in terms of what I can do to convince someone who's only reading an application without meeting me first.

So, before I jump in head first and commit to this 100%, do you think there's any chance of acceptance?

 

[DR MOM]

Have you considered doing one of the military med programs? It seems like it'd be pretty smooth to get in if you are already in the military. (I have no idea if that's true - but it could be a good way to do medicine debt free and it doesn't seem like the military would mind your misdemeanors.)

 

[ADAF]

I imagine the influence these will have on your chances depends a lot on what the long story behind the second charge is, but neither sound like application-killers on the surface. You don't have drug-related charges, you have no felonies, you have nothing recent, and you have no academic dishonesty violations, so you should have a fighting chance. I imagine your military service more than makes up for the blemishes on your record. Do well on everything you have from now on and you should have a shot.

Yeah, I think I could explain the second one if given the opportunity. The shoplifting though....goodness, makes me sick. So stupid. I'm worried it'll fall under crimes of moral turpitude, and whether that umbrella will result in an automatic DQ.

Yeah, in particular if your transgressions were pre-military, then your narrative works.

You'll want to have recent classroom experience and a fresh letter of recommendation from science faculty before you apply. If I were planning this out, I'd try to be out of the service around the first of the year, move to Texas, start civvy hospital volunteering 4hrs/wk, do a couple classes spring semester while prepping for an April or May MCAT, apply in early June, boom. That's the optimal schedule, and the sub-optimal schedules wouldn't be so bad.

Best of luck to you.

They were both pre-military, the second one was almost a year to the day prior to me enlisting officially. I would have loved to get out after my first term and pursue this goal, but I didn't feel comfortable giving up the security just yet. I plan on using the next two/three years to finish my bachelors and pre-reqs, then use the last year or so applying and interviewing. I just wanted to get feedback on whether or not I even had a chance before committing everything I had to it.

First off, many thanks for your service to our country.

I think that alone, and not merely the passage of time, will help erase the stigma of the misdemeanors. Just be prepared to discuss them on your app in the special box, and in interviews.

So yes, you have a good start.

Thank you for the thank you. I'm definitely prepared, I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss them in an interview.

Have you considered doing one of the military med programs? It seems like it'd be pretty smooth to get in if you are already in the military. (I have no idea if that's true - but it could be a good way to do medicine debt free and it doesn't seem like the military would mind your misdemeanors.)

Yes, definitely. I'd love to get into USUHS, but if not then I would apply for the HPSP. I'm aware how the SDN military docs feel about military medicine but I've enjoyed my time thus far overall. Things may change, but as of now military medicine is a goal. I'm ultimately interested in primary care/sports medicine, so I'm not concerned with a drastic loss in pay vs. civilian doctors. All dreams for now though...I have to get there first.


Thanks for all the feedback, you're all awesome.

 

[Darth Doc]

I'd love to get into USUHS, but if not then I would apply for the HPSP. I'm aware how the SDN military docs feel about military medicine but I've enjoyed my time thus far overall. Things may change, but as of now military medicine is a goal. I'm ultimately interested in primary care/sports medicine, so I'm not concerned with a drastic loss in pay vs. civilian doctors. .

Are you in a medical MOS now? If not, it's worth considering requesting a change in MOS to 68W or something else in AMEDD (if you're army). That will take care of the ECs that colleges look for and give you excellent hands on experience that will make med school easier. Only problem would be the required time in the MOS after school.