TheBookman
New Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2023
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
Hello everyone!
So I have changed majors quite a few times over my long years in college. I have switched from Network Security to Computer Science before finding my passion in Chemistry where I had earned my first degree. I was in the process of earning my PhD in Chemistry when COVID-19 hit and layoffs occurred (funding dried up and I can't work for free). As I was stuck in a location where I could not use my degree and could not afford to move thanks to student loans, I eventually found myself working in a hospital where I learned about Medical Lab Science and am currently in a program to earn my degree. It was thanks to this program and the two years prior that I learned, discussed, and met numerous MDs and MD/PhDs who have shown me a path that I am eager to start on. However, there is one major fear I have and that is my GPA.
My overall GPA is absolutely abysmal. From 18-23 I was in NetSec/CompSci and I was routinely getting Ds and Fs with a handful of Cs. It wasn't until I switched to Chemistry where my grades began to climb. Since returning to school, all my grades have been Solid A's and a few B's due to the nature of working two full time jobs while trying to go to school full time (this is changing this coming semester, where I am going to be PRN).
Over the next 3-5 years once I get A's in the rest of this program's courses, I am going to be taking some extra courses while working to raise up my GPA - however this would only ensure that my Science/Math related courses are closer to a 3.8 to 3.9 GPA. My overall GPA would still be sub 3.0. When I had applied to PhD programs, I was able to discuss this and still get schools to look at my application - though I am unsure how it works in the MD field. I would rather not spend thousands of dollars to retake courses that would have no bearing on my future work (nor do I have much interest in general in learning how to build databases or manage an linux server stack).
I have strong letters of recommendation from professors, colleagues, and working MD/PhDs that I have shadowed, thousands of hours of community service and patient facing work under my belt, and a few written and published research papers including a first name authorship. I will also have 3-5 years of working in a clinical setting (even if it is as an MLS, not an MD/PhD) come the time I apply.
I do not plan on applying for the "top of the line" schools as I am of the belief that any school is a good school if you put forth the time and effort to see growth in your professional field. I just fear that even applying to "lower end" schools, my application will be tossed in the bin upon immediatley seeing the overall GPA and not the 14 years of schooling that saw remarkable improvements and a strong GPA within the sciences.
Am I right to be concerned? Am I over thinking things? Should I just bite the bullet and retake those NetSec courses?
So I have changed majors quite a few times over my long years in college. I have switched from Network Security to Computer Science before finding my passion in Chemistry where I had earned my first degree. I was in the process of earning my PhD in Chemistry when COVID-19 hit and layoffs occurred (funding dried up and I can't work for free). As I was stuck in a location where I could not use my degree and could not afford to move thanks to student loans, I eventually found myself working in a hospital where I learned about Medical Lab Science and am currently in a program to earn my degree. It was thanks to this program and the two years prior that I learned, discussed, and met numerous MDs and MD/PhDs who have shown me a path that I am eager to start on. However, there is one major fear I have and that is my GPA.
My overall GPA is absolutely abysmal. From 18-23 I was in NetSec/CompSci and I was routinely getting Ds and Fs with a handful of Cs. It wasn't until I switched to Chemistry where my grades began to climb. Since returning to school, all my grades have been Solid A's and a few B's due to the nature of working two full time jobs while trying to go to school full time (this is changing this coming semester, where I am going to be PRN).
Over the next 3-5 years once I get A's in the rest of this program's courses, I am going to be taking some extra courses while working to raise up my GPA - however this would only ensure that my Science/Math related courses are closer to a 3.8 to 3.9 GPA. My overall GPA would still be sub 3.0. When I had applied to PhD programs, I was able to discuss this and still get schools to look at my application - though I am unsure how it works in the MD field. I would rather not spend thousands of dollars to retake courses that would have no bearing on my future work (nor do I have much interest in general in learning how to build databases or manage an linux server stack).
I have strong letters of recommendation from professors, colleagues, and working MD/PhDs that I have shadowed, thousands of hours of community service and patient facing work under my belt, and a few written and published research papers including a first name authorship. I will also have 3-5 years of working in a clinical setting (even if it is as an MLS, not an MD/PhD) come the time I apply.
I do not plan on applying for the "top of the line" schools as I am of the belief that any school is a good school if you put forth the time and effort to see growth in your professional field. I just fear that even applying to "lower end" schools, my application will be tossed in the bin upon immediatley seeing the overall GPA and not the 14 years of schooling that saw remarkable improvements and a strong GPA within the sciences.
Am I right to be concerned? Am I over thinking things? Should I just bite the bullet and retake those NetSec courses?