MS3 Dropout wanting to try again

[deleted936470]

---

Members do not see this ad.

There is more to life than medicine, but regardless, adcoms want applicants who will "play the game".

You went pretty rogue.

Anyway, I would now focus on making the business venture successful to minimize any chance of regretting that, too.

 

[DocJanItor]

If your advice can be provided by others in better way, maybe it's not needed.

@Goro is an adcom at a medical school and has given advice to thousands of prospective students. While his advice is direct, it isn't wrong and he doesn't have time to coddle them while telling them the truth.

 

[sunshinefl]

I saw on the AACOMAS applicant/matriculates stats document for 2018-2019 floating around SDN for another reason...

From memory, There were 40 applicants who had previously matriculated into DO school, 13 of which matriculated. What their circumstances were who knows.

 

[esob]

First off, thanks for keeping this otherwise hot button thread (mostly) civil.

Second, OP, as a vet and a non-trad I can understand where your frustration came from on rotations. I've had a solid taste of it during preclinicals. The unprofessionalism, elitist attitudes, and general lack of life experience (and that's just the doctors, you should see the students, lol). But, I went into this mess with my eyes open thanks to some solid mentorship ahead of time. It sounds like you didn't have that benefit and that is unfortunate.

I agree with others that reacceptance to a medical school is unlikely, though I think there are other career paths in healthcare if you really are interested. Good luck with whatever you choose and just remember your value as a person isn't tied to your job title.

 

[Doggeronie]

Jesus Christ.

OP, I'm sorry for all the troubles and problems in life that you have faced.

However, I don't think there is any chance of you returning to medical school in the United States. It's really an unfortunate situation. I wish you had thought things through more thoroughly. Actions have consequences and it's very very sad that you have had to learn this the hard way.

You have my deepest sympathy and I very much hope you can succeed in another career path.

 

[operaman]

Wow what a crappy situation - my heart definitely goes out to you.

I have to agree with my learned colleagues that this is likely the end of the road for your career as a physician, though hopefully not the end of your career in healthcare.

Not only is readmission to Med school a non starter, but you will be very unlikely to be eligible for licensure in many states or even to take all of your licensing exams. There are strict timelines for these to ensure licensed physicians haven’t lost the knowledge they gained in school and exceptions are rare, usually only for dual degree candidates and other extenuating circumstances. I think your situation would have a hard time meeting that standard. It isn’t just the many other qualified applicants; it’s that you may not ever be able to practice even if you graduate, and that just isn’t fair to anyone.

 

[ChoomMed]

I left to start a business but it was secondary to financial problems. I felt the business was a way of escape, where I could earn my way. If I described the situation I think it would fit the hypomanic



I figured the near consensus would be that trying again would be waste of time. But I will. Medical school did break me. But it was multifactorial. Wasn’t just the work. It’s life that is happening while school is happening. I literally started school a month after returning from a deployment in Iraq as the senior medic from my troop. All 4 of my medics returned. I’m not weak. I didn’t try to take the easy way out. I did as much as I could to succeed. I rose to the challenge. I put the hours in. I learned the material. I didn’t fail any clerkship. It was stress. Not stress from writing a few notes or doing physical examinations. Stress from financial worries. How am I going to pay to fly to those audition rotation or pay to live at those rotations and eat at those rotations? Financial stress. Was it a foolish decision to leave to start a business. Yes. Absolutely. I didn’t seek help. I figured I’d figure it out in enough time. I didn’t. You don’t believe that someone should get a second chance to prove themselves? Regardless of whether I’m capable or not? Regardless of whether I actually care for patients or not? I love medicine. I love the science of it and the the human component. Guess I was just looking for some encouragement with this post and not discouragement. I do appreciate your honesty, I’m sure many will share your attitude toward me.

Tbh, your situation is complex due to the fact you made it so far but left. HOWEVER, I completely understand the pull of financial stress and woes on the human psyche. I can't speak for or assume the personal experiences of those on this forum with financial woes, but it's something that can drive someone to make rash decisions opposite of their actual potential. So, your reason is valid to have left but it doesn't mean it was the smartest move. You got overwhelmed and it made you crash. Simple as that.

It has happened already and the decision was made. Yeah, your chances look grim but it doesn't mean it's impossible. You should ask yourself if this is really what you want to do and then make the stride to accomplish it no matter the sacrifices that may come. However, you also have to accept the fact it may not work out at all. If being in healthcare is something you want badly enough but being a doctor no longer is an option for you, then there are plenty of other positions within the field where you can make an impact and still be paid well.

It's no point to dwell on the words of the Dean. He said it years ago so move on from it because it's doing you no good replaying it in your mind. Others may disagree with delivering sweet words of encouragement but I don't care. We all need words like honey to have our souls nourished and given the strength to carry on. Take the time and get yourself straight. Make some calls and see where your options lay. If there is no transfer or deal that can be worked out, then start from scratch again because there is a significant jump in the information you have missed. If all of that still doesn't work out then on to the next one.

Mistakes happen. Life happens. Sometimes we do and make less than smart decisions. No one is perfect on this sub or in day to day life. I wish you lots of luck but most of all I wish you the peace you need to accept what can't be changed and the strength to change things you can.

 

[sw99]

Hey,
I know I don't know you or your reasons for applying to PA school, but I didn't hear a lot in your post about why you want to be a doctor or even in the healthcare field in general. Coud you expand more on this cuz I don't really get what you mean by "spinning my wheels" and I feel like this is the root of it. Just my opinion and take it or leave it.

-txjmd

 

[DrRen]

Not sure why there’s some back and forth in this thread... @Goro is completely right. Medical career is over.

Op left DO school... he could have waited till he got his degree but decided to put everything aside for his business. I have a hard time believing that op would be back if business was booming. I feel sorry for the medical applicant who lost his spot because of op 🙁
You made your decision, accept the consequences and move on.

 

[Biochemistry69]

As times goes on, I view SDN as a less reliable source for advice and more of a place where insecure people go online to gatekeep and talk down to others in an effort to make themselves feel better. It’s why I stopped coming here. Being a dick isn’t “keeping it real”. I’ve seen others get in when they were told they had no business in even applying by those on this site. I’ve seen others drop out of the Caribbean and come back into the US and successfully get into a US medical school. It depends on your specific case, and nobody knows for 100% certain what your case exactly is. That’s between you and the medical schools.

Take what you’ve read so far with a grain of salt. This is the internet, and people aren’t obliged to be truthful on the internet. Go ahead and call the schools and see what they can do for you. Worst case scenario, they say no.

 

[Nugester]

As times goes on, I view SDN as a less reliable source for advice and more of a place where insecure people go online to gatekeep and talk down to others in an effort to make themselves feel better. It’s why I stopped coming here. Being a dick isn’t “keeping it real”. I’ve seen others get in when they were told they had no business in even applying by those on this site. I’ve seen others drop out of the Caribbean and come back into the US and successfully get into a US medical school. It depends on your specific case, and nobody knows for 100% certain what your case exactly is. That’s between you and the medical schools.

Take what you’ve read so far with a grain of salt. This is the internet, and people aren’t obliged to be truthful on the internet. Go ahead and call the schools and see what they can do for you. Worst case scenario, they say no.

I wouldn't say it isn't reliable, however, if OP applied to school's where the adcoms on sdn are located, I doubt their answer would change: your dead at their school. Anyway, I do agree that one should not take 100% advice from strangers on the internet, however, sdn and reddit have been a treasure trove of information for my journey to medical school. It all depends on how you use the information you gather.

As for your success stories, they are more likely exceptions to the rule, not the norm. People may have come off as harsh, I see them as being realistic. Yes, I do hope OP proves the majority wrong and comes back to post their success. But it doesn't change the fact that their chances are slim.

 

[FalconSlice]

Taking a year (or longer) absence from med school isn't a strange thing--especially to start a business, complete other degrees, etc. (as long as one is productive and making progress professionally). Several people over the years here have definitely done that with years of absence ranging from 1-5 years.

What is strange is the OP did not mention having a conversation a priori with his/her school before the leave to discuss re-entry. Surely, the school was transparent and told OP what the consequences might be if taking more than 1 year. OP, I'm sorry but you made your decision when you had all the information anyway. Best to move on. Having crippling buyer's remorse is something you surely thought of and considered when you quit med school when you did.

 

[ApplicantPerson88]

Taking a year (or longer) absence from med school isn't a strange thing--especially to start a business, complete other degrees, etc. (as long as one is productive and making progress professionally). Several people over the years here have definitely done that with years of absence ranging from 1-5 years.

What is strange is the OP did not mention having a conversation a priori with his/her school before the leave to discuss re-entry. Surely, the school was transparent and told OP what the consequences might be if taking more than 1 year. OP, I'm sorry but you made your decision when you had all the information anyway. Best to move on. Having crippling buyer's remorse is something you surely thought of and considered when you quit med school when you did.

Good practical advice above. I thought he could do well as a mid-level and be successful/content. To be honest, a significant portion of the people go into medicine without knowing enough about it (true confessions from many attendings). What people believe is "buyer's remorse" is a false fallacy or can be substituted by other positions (no need to pretend to be a cripple). It takes a lot of courage to ask for help in his position; I would rather he be rewarded.

To speak in a language that you would understand, you probably learned a lot about your own limitations and career possibilities at the end of your MD/PhD run than at the beginning. Mad props to you though and good luck with your career; MD/PhD is a tough road (although it is free and quite prestigious if you are MTSP).

 

[Doggeronie]

If compensation for doctors gets reduced, they better forgive my loans first
I'm not going to get financially screwed without a fight

 

[solitarius]

In someways this is one of the biggest faults with the medical education system. We don't offer consideration to life or life experiences. You're expected to dedicate every essence into this one thing. It's a uniquely American problem and I truly believe it hurts the quality of who we graduate and admit. We're seemingly more happy accepting a 4.0/30 mcat who has never crawled out under their parent's teet and knows absolutely nothing about the world, human suffering, or how to handle themselves when they but heads with real human beings.

It is a lot to expect of your typical 20-something, but medical schools don't admit typical, normal people do they?

OTOH, someone who is older or with atypical life experiences present their own risks.

 

[Goro]

AP88, this is very unlike you. Having a bad day?

 

[DrStephennmnm]

Any news on what happened to OP? He never did mention if he called his school and/or what their response was....

 

[Doingmybest86]

Retook the mcat and got my scores. Scored in the 30th percentile.

 

[Goro]

Retook the mcat and got my scores. Scored in the 30th percentile.

Many thanks for the update, and good luck with your life.

 

[Damson]

Retook the mcat and got my scores. Scored in the 30th percentile.

What do you plan on doing going forward?

 

[rice2017]

Just wanted to give the OP some encouragement and a reminder to always keep things in perspective. Presumably, you are young and you have your health. You are definitely smart and now you have the wisdom of life experience. You live in a country with plentiful opportunities and it sounds like you have people who care for you. Plenty of people in the world would do anything to be you, and plenty of people have found success with far less. Even a career in medicine does not guarantee happiness--far from it.

Take the time you need to mourn the end of this chapter. Then make plans for the future and don't look back. We are all rooting for you.

 

[chicandtoughness]

Retook the mcat and got my scores. Scored in the 30th percentile.

When one door closes, many others open.

The MCAT is a rough test and is markedly different than many of the other standardized entrance exams. If you have the stomach for it, I encourage you to try the GRE. I did horribly on my first MCAT but I smashed the GRE (97 %ile). With good GRE scores, the doors open for NP, PA, PT, OT, etc. (And if you're really hankering for the doctor title, most of those areas are requiring doctorates as the entry level degree nowadays haha).

Your journey isn't over. You got this.