My nightmare called a college experience, help needed

[Toddinator716]

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When I first started my college carreer I planned on becoming a nurse with no intentions of becoming a doctor, but the way it turned out the program at my school, Edinboro University, would have placed me on a waiting list, so instead I chose a major that already had a lot of my classes that I've already taken which was Nuclear Medicine Technology. After 2 years at Edinboro University, it was made clear to both me and my professors that I am a notch above all of the other students, and many of my professors encouraged that I go on to medical school. At first sight, Nuclear Medicine Technology seemed like a great idea, I'd graduate on time, I wouldn't have to take extra classes, and I could go onto medical school right on time. However, there is a catch.

I have to move to Pittsburgh and go to Community College of Allegheny County for my last year of Nuclear Medicine Technology, this fall, which to my surprise happens to be in the worst possible neighborhood of downtown Pittsburgh. Don't get me wrong, I am open to new cultures, but this neighborhood horrifies me and I witnessed a crack deal within the first 2 hours of being there, and the lady advising me told me to make sure I keep my valuables in my car whenever I leave campus. To make matters worse, all of the employees that work on campus go against your agenda every step of the way, making it nearly impossible to get financial aid or assistance for scheduling. Not to mention the fact that its nearly impossible to find a job in Nuclear Medicine Technology even if I were to graduate from there and not get accepted to medical school given the current job market.

My total debt for all 3 years of my previous years of education totals to $16,000. During my escapade down in Pittsburgh I will be spending upwards of $20,000 just for one year, considering I will not be commuting from my home as I have before.

So I'm stuck with the decision of cramming my MCAT in right before I go down to pittsburgh, which I am well prepared for, and finishing my degree this year down in Pittsburgh (leaving my girlfriend behind) or staying at home and getting a completely different degree where I will be safe from crime and where I will be able to find a job afterwards. My alternative would probably a physics major, which would most likely take another 2-3 years.

Switch, or not to switch, that is the question, which option would make me more desired for medical school applications?

My GPA as it stands is a 3.70.

 

[CodeBlu]

Why put yourself through more school to get a degree in Physics, when you know what you want? Besides Nuc Med Tech is far cooler, and I am sure you could find a job somewhere in the United States.

You have a sweet GPA, write the MCAT, get a 30+

Don't be scared of Pitt. I've gone to some shady places for school. I know how it is. Just mind your business, and take everything with a grain of salt. Be active in your education. If you want something done right, do it yourself.

Also... DO NOT CRAM for the MCAT. Spend 2 months on it. Ease yourself into the abyss that is MCAT.

 

[911 Turbo]

I would just stay and finish your degree. There is no point in wasting 2+ years when you already have a 3.7. Just buckle down and focus on your MCAT. If it comes to the point where you feel like your life is in danger, you can always transfer.



Btw, have you thought about disguising yourself to blend in? A do-rag, fake diamond chain, white tees and some baggy pants can work wonders for your street cred.

Edit: I'm kidding about the clothing...

 

[cge0]

...

 

[Toddinator716]

do-rags.... check
white tees... check
baggy pants..... checkNow all I've got to do is find chain

 

[bucks2010]

My undergrad wasn't in the best location either but I survived. Just find a nicer neighborhood to live in.

 

[eugenierose]

move to monaca or some other closer suburb.
it'd be cheaper, too.
commute and park on campus.

or better yet, transfer to psu.

 

[Bigz]

I will stay in pitt and try to finish your degree. I have lived in some pretty tough areas and my thing is that most of the time trouble usually trouble those who trouble trouble (Thanks mom). Keep your eyes on the prize and just be aware of your surroundings. It isn't like there is someone being shot randomly everyday in downtown pitt is there? Stay safe. Good luck


PS: IS it really pitt or you don't want to be away from your girl? You seem like a young guy DO NOT let anyone come between you and your education.

 

[eugenierose]

also why medicine
ecs?
practice mcat?

if you aren't sure about what you're doing, maybe you should take a year at ediboro and figure stuff out.

 

[Toddinator716]

also why medicine
ecs?
practice mcat?

if you aren't sure about what you're doing, maybe you should take a year at ediboro and figure stuff out.

I chose medicine because I am a gifted problem solver who cares about the well-being of patients and those in need. Also many of my professors suggested that I go into the field since much of the content comes naturally. I lived in poverty and I've been working my way out of this hole my whole life, it's what I've always done and it's what I love to do, I'm not turning back now, or ever for that matter.

As for the ECs, I've got nothing except my 5 years work experience at Red Lobster, I always put 100% of my effort into my school work, my job and MCAT prep.

I've been non-stop studying MCAT material for the past year and a half and I've been scoring above 10 on all the diagnostic tests I've taken, especially in physics and biology, with a few slip ups here and there on reading comprehension. However I have yet to take a full-length practice MCAT. Once my 12,000 dollar loan through Sallie Mae runs through I'll be able to finally afford to take all of my full-length practice AAMC tests.

I know what I'm doing, I just don't want to die in the process, or have to move thousands of miles to find a job if I bomb the MCAT and can't get into medical school. Besides, there aren't any classes offered at Edinboro that I could take that would go towards my current major, now I just have my last year of nuclear medicine specialization at CCAC.

 

[cge0]

...

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Correct me if I'm totally off the mark, but I just wanted to address this--won't graduating from a CC give you an associate's degree? Most med schools require a bachelor's degree. It seems like you would have to transfer to a four-year college, wouldn't you?

As for ECs, you probably get a lot of clinical experience in the nuc med tech program, so I don't think you need to worry much about that. It would be a good idea to start volunteering somewhere, though. I really hope you're successful! 🙂

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Isn't there a Nuclear Medicine Technologist shortage? Why don't you think you won't get a job after completing your degree. You might just need to move away from your home town for awhile... but you will probably need to do that for med school and residency anyways.

It's a super fun job, so I am confused about why you are thinking of switching fields just because you don't want to go to a bad area. Instead, because you think you are #1 in class, you want to switch into MD... which is OK.... but you need to realize you will probably need to spend some time boosting up your ECs - volunteering, research, shadowing, before becoming competitive. If you really want to do it, I would recommend completing your degree and then taking another year off - preparing your application - before applying (so a 2-year gap from graduating college to starting med school)


edit: Did some research - there doesn't seem to be a shortage of techs anymore. So i guess just finish up your degree and take a gap year would be my recommendation. Don't switch majors.

 

[circulus vitios]

Physics bachelors aren't directly employable. If you want to major in physics you need to pick up other skills like programming.

 

[Toddinator716]

Correct me if I'm totally off the mark, but I just wanted to address this--won't graduating from a CC give you an associate's degree? Most med schools require a bachelor's degree. It seems like you would have to transfer to a four-year college, wouldn't you?

As for ECs, you probably get a lot of clinical experience in the nuc med tech program, so I don't think you need to worry much about that. It would be a good idea to start volunteering somewhere, though. I really hope you're successful! 🙂

Well I won't be graduating from the CC, I'll actually be graduating from Edinboro University with a bachelor's in Nuclear Medicine Technology. It's a 3/1 joint program, because Edinboro doesn't have the equipment necessary to teach the clinical classes.

As for volunteering, I'd love to but I plan to hardcore MCAT prep for the next 2 months before the test, maybe the volunteering could wait until afterwards?

Thanks for your wishful thinking 🙂

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Well I won't be graduating from the CC, I'll actually be graduating from Edinboro University with a bachelor's in Nuclear Medicine Technology. It's a 3/1 joint program, because Edinboro doesn't have the equipment necessary to teach the clinical classes.

As for volunteering, I'd love to but I plan to hardcore MCAT prep for the next 2 months before the test, maybe the volunteering could wait until afterwards?

Thanks for your wishful thinking 🙂

Okay, I see. 🙂 And you really only need to volunteer a 3-4 hours a week consistently to show some devotion to community service. Find a volunteer job that's really fun and it'll just be like a necessary break from MCAT studying.

 

[senorsquishie]

Take your girlfriend with you and go to Pit. Time is money!

 

[kman7]

Not at all trying to be a jerk but I go to school in Pittsburgh and the area you're referring to is a walk in the park compared to schools in other cities. Like someone above mentioned, mind your own business and no one will bother you. Taking valuables out of your car is something that most people in urban areas do as well, not just in rough neighborhoods. It seems like you want to go to Pittsburgh, so go - get an apt. in a nice neighborhood like Shadyside or Oakland - Pittsburgh is a small city and your commute will not be bad.

Ask someone who goes to Temple in Philly about being in a rough neighborhood......#meekmill

 

[Narmerguy]

When I first started my college carreer I planned on becoming a nurse with no intentions of becoming a doctor, but the way it turned out the program at my school, Edinboro University, would have placed me on a waiting list, so instead I chose a major that already had a lot of my classes that I've already taken which was Nuclear Medicine Technology. After 2 years at Edinboro University, it was made clear to both me and my professors that I am a notch above all of the other students, and many of my professors encouraged that I go on to medical school. At first sight, Nuclear Medicine Technology seemed like a great idea, I'd graduate on time, I wouldn't have to take extra classes, and I could go onto medical school right on time. However, there is a catch.

I have to move to Pittsburgh and go to Community College of Allegheny County for my last year of Nuclear Medicine Technology, this fall, which to my surprise happens to be in the worst possible neighborhood of downtown Pittsburgh. Don't get me wrong, I am open to new cultures, but this neighborhood horrifies me and I witnessed a crack deal within the first 2 hours of being there, and the lady advising me told me to make sure I keep my valuables in my car whenever I leave campus. To make matters worse, all of the employees that work on campus go against your agenda every step of the way, making it nearly impossible to get financial aid or assistance for scheduling. Not to mention the fact that its nearly impossible to find a job in Nuclear Medicine Technology even if I were to graduate from there and not get accepted to medical school given the current job market.

My total debt for all 3 years of my previous years of education totals to $16,000. During my escapade down in Pittsburgh I will be spending upwards of $20,000 just for one year, considering I will not be commuting from my home as I have before.

So I'm stuck with the decision of cramming my MCAT in right before I go down to pittsburgh, which I am well prepared for, and finishing my degree this year down in Pittsburgh (leaving my girlfriend behind) or staying at home and getting a completely different degree where I will be safe from crime and where I will be able to find a job afterwards. My alternative would probably a physics major, which would most likely take another 2-3 years.

Switch, or not to switch, that is the question, which option would make me more desired for medical school applications?

My GPA as it stands is a 3.70.

No one else felt like this was the exact opposite of what you should do?

 

[Whatyousay]

No one else felt like this was the exact opposite of what you should do?

To the OP: Leaving valuables in your car is slightly worse than leaving them outside in the open. At least with the latter, you won't have to worry about replacing a shattered car-door window after someone breaks into your car and steals your stuff.

For me, whether or not you move to Pittsburgh is contingent on one thing:
Do you hate Pittsburgh and the CC of Allegheny County enough to justify spending an additional 2-3 years in college to complete a different degree?

 

[eugenierose]

I chose medicine because I am a gifted problem solver who cares about the well-being of patients and those in need. Also many of my professors suggested that I go into the field since much of the content comes naturally. I lived in poverty and I've been working my way out of this hole my whole life, it's what I've always done and it's what I love to do, I'm not turning back now, or ever for that matter.

As for the ECs, I've got nothing except my 5 years work experience at Red Lobster, I always put 100% of my effort into my school work, my job and MCAT prep.

I've been non-stop studying MCAT material for the past year and a half and I've been scoring above 10 on all the diagnostic tests I've taken, especially in physics and biology, with a few slip ups here and there on reading comprehension. However I have yet to take a full-length practice MCAT. Once my 12,000 dollar loan through Sallie Mae runs through I'll be able to finally afford to take all of my full-length practice AAMC tests.

I know what I'm doing, I just don't want to die in the process, or have to move thousands of miles to find a job if I bomb the MCAT and can't get into medical school. Besides, there aren't any classes offered at Edinboro that I could take that would go towards my current major, now I just have my last year of nuclear medicine specialization at CCAC.

don't tell the adcoms that, it's a craptacular answer. also, you're whiny. fix that.

 

[lisi326]

Not at all trying to be a jerk but I go to school in Pittsburgh and the area you're referring to is a walk in the park compared to schools in other cities. Like someone above mentioned, mind your own business and no one will bother you. Taking valuables out of your car is something that most people in urban areas do as well, not just in rough neighborhoods. It seems like you want to go to Pittsburgh, so go - get an apt. in a nice neighborhood like Shadyside or Oakland - Pittsburgh is a small city and your commute will not be bad.

Ask someone who goes to Temple in Philly about being in a rough neighborhood......#meekmill

Seriously. CCAC is NOT in that bad of an area, and definitely not the worst neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Welcome to living in an urban area - drug deals will, in fact, happen, and your car may, indeed, get broken into (do NOT keep your valuables in your car!). Just get an apartment in a nicer area (I would suggest Oakland, since you seem to have the mindset of a silly, immature college student) and commute - bussing to CCAC won't be that bad for a year.

Just finish out your degree, then you'll have to take a gap year to complete all the extracurriculars/shadowing which you don't appear to have gotten any of during your time in undergrad, then apply to med school.

 

[CodeBlu]

No one else felt like this was the exact opposite of what you should do?

It crossed my mind. But I wouldn't bring stuff of value anywhere anyways.

My computer and phone are the only valuable things I bring to school. They are tethered to my body.

 

[MWB]

don't tell the adcoms that, it's a craptacular answer. also, you're whiny. fix that.

The old me probably would have thought "damn, eugenierose is so mean". Now that I know better, however, I came to appreciate blunt, honest feedback. He's right. You want to talk about obstacles you overcame only to show how they made you a better person. Hence, you don't want to sound whiny.

 

[SitraAchra]

With a title of "My nightmare of a college experience" I was expecting to hear some story about a loss of a family member and a really low GPA or something equivalent. Instead, you tell us how special you are and how scary going to "the bad school" is. From everything I've read, you lead a charmed life. Waaaaaahhhhh!

 

[eugenierose]

The old me probably would have thought "damn, eugenierose is so mean". Now that I know better, however, I came to appreciate blunt, honest feedback. He's right. You want to talk about obstacles you overcame only to show how they made you a better person. Hence, you don't want to sound whiny.

eugenierose is a girrrrrrrrl

also he sounds like he is trying to gift medicine his presence. no me gusta

 

[235788]

Whats wrong with crack deals happening in plain sight near academia? Kidding, i'd take the least expensive route and set sail for med school. Don't discount DO.

 

[Tapepsi]

I live ~30 min from Pittsburgh and have been in the area that you've mentioned. Don't worry you'll be fine. 👍 With UPMC and the Children's Hospital there you could definitely get some great volunteer experience in.

 

[MWB]

eugenierose is a girrrrrrrrl

also he sounds like he is trying to gift medicine his presence. no me gusta

aaah, so sorry!

 

[ponyo]

I just wanted to mention that I once saw a dead guy in downtown Pitt.

But anyway, I go to a really crime-ridden city too and I actually think it's been a really educational experience. I am definitely less sheltered than I was before and I don't regret coming here at all. (My friend, who was beat up by 3 homeless guys, disagrees with me, so take my advice with a grain of salt)

And seriously, you're gonna be a doctor. Your gf had better get used to not seeing you much 😛