Major Life Changing Advise Needed

[JorgeMD]

---

Members do not see this ad.

A brief background:

29 year old male, URM, from underserved area in California, grew up disadvantaged, Moved from a Latin American country 15 years ago.

Didn't really know what I wanted from college, was immature, first in family to attend college, personal and family problems turned into an ugly outcome. Went to college off and on, right now I am 5 classes away from obtaining my B. S. in Public Health.

The Problem? Close to 40 W's from times where I had to drop classes because of family/personal/financial issues. GPA: 2.6 and as mentioned, 6 classes away from graduating with my B. S. in Public Health.

My academic record is very scattered because of the reasons mentioned.

Its been 2 years since I stepped in school and I started last semester and got a 4.0 from classes such as Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology. I have a really good chance ~90% of getting accepted to a Nursing Program (2 year degree).

Option A) Complete the 2 year ASN nursing degree, try to get a 4.0 GPA and also complete my B.S. with those remaining classes I need plus all the med school pre-reqs. This will show a new phase in my academic record.

Option B) Finish my B.S. in Public Health and pick up a double major in Biology or Chemistry where I can complete my pre-reqs and still complete more classes that will show a good upward trend.

Option C) Complete my B.S. in Public Health plus the pre-reqs, and do a Postbacc program

Option D) Complete my B.S. in Public Health and go straight into a Postbacc Program where I will need to take the pre-reqs.

I have been doing research in public health for the past 2 years, I have major autonomy on two projects. I also have medical experience working in EMS and volunteering at several places, such as free clinic and rescue mission.

I wish I could hit delete or restore and start all over, sadly I cant so I want to draw a line and start all over again. Which of these options do you guys think is better? I want to apply by age 31, meaning start med school at 32 more or less.

So I am looking for some honest and straight forward advice, which option do you guys think will give me the best bet?

Greatly appreciate it.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Ok. If what you are saying above is all true, I am going to assumee you have around 100 credits of college (more if you are taking more electives). You talk like you need the prereqs, but say you took anatomy, micro, etc., which leads me to believe these were intro classes or nursing classes and can't be used as an indicator to show how you will do in the prereq sciences.

Moving to the next issue, if you have a 2.6gpa your GPA needs significant repair as I am sure you know regardless of your URM status.

I am restating all of this to make sure I understand that you need to take 8 different science classes, plus the MCAT, plus another approx 50 credits as GPA repair (best case) in time for you to apply in 2 years? Some of that stuff can be put off until the year between when you are applying and when you start, but the majority needs to be done so you can take the MCAT.

I don't think it can be done.

 

[deleted325463]

Why would you consider getting a nursing degree when you are sure you want to become a physician? If the only reason is that you want more opportunities to raise your GPA, just go with the post-bacc. If I were an adcom, I would wonder why you didn't do anything with that degree...

 

[JorgeMD]

I would get the Nursing degree to work and get more medical experience. What if I dont get in the first time I apply? I am going to need an income. What if I keep applying, do a postbacc? I am going to need an income source.

 

[chibrown01]

Option d. No matter what you will need at least 1.5 years to complete those prereqs. Don't rush them bc u need to do well on the mcat. During that post bac time get a job. Possibly in public health.

 

[LizzyM]

Go with the RN. In the event that you don't get into medical school, you have a marketable degree. (Combined with public health it is even more marketable.) Rather than making (almost) no money and going into debt throughout your 30s, you could be making money, supporting a family and saving for retirement.

 

[45408]

I vote for option A. Med school would be a gigantic uphill battle for you. It's certainly not impossible, but it would be quite the challenge.

 

[JorgeMD]

Go with the RN. In the event that you don't get into medical school, you have a marketable degree. (Combined with public health it is even more marketable.) Rather than making (almost) no money and going into debt throughout your 30s, you could be making money, supporting a family and saving for retirement.

Thanks for your advice LizzyM. Do you think because of my academic record its going to be nearly impossible to attend medical school? Especially (MD)

I am looking for honest advice and ways on how to overcome that record. I know its going to be hard, but is it so bad that I should just be realistic and forget about MD school?

I was looking at RN as a way to show 2 years of good academic record, have a good income, gain major medical experience as I keep trying to reach my dream.

Thanks

 

[LizzyM]

Nursing is not medicine. The philosophy, scope of practice, responsibilities, etc is entirely different. You will have patient care responsibilities as a nurse but it isn't an efficient way to get clinical experience (although it is nice to get a nurse's wages while getting face time with patients).

Furthermore, while you may think that getting good grades in nursing classes would be a snap, they are time sinks (many hours of "lab" on a hospital ward for very little credit) and grading can be tough (to create a curve, the material tested can be very picky). So, it may not help your gpa.

On the other hand, nurses make a good living and advanced practice nurses are doing more and more front line care for routine isssue (well baby care, school physicals, minor infections in adults) such that given your age and current stats, you could be practicing much sooner and with less debt by going through nursing rather than rolling the dice that you wil be one of the 1 in 8 who defies the odds (given your gpa) and gets admitted to med school.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to What are my Chances.