My Premed Advisor told me to give up

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bjt223

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I met with my premed advisor today and turn out it was one of the most depressing times there. After looking through my junior college grades, he told me to give up and don't ever apply for MD or DO. Reason why?

Long story short:

i spent at a community college for 6 years. I did not do too well as I scored many C's, withdrew many classes, and fail tons of classes. I was at an academic probation for 2 of the community colleges. I was lost, immature, and have no direction in life.

Then at year 3, my life took a spiral downward as I was assault and beat down by a group of guys, got kick out of my mom's house, homeless for a few weeks, working a full time jobs, witness some of my very close friends' death, and my estrange father came back to my life after 20 years and told me I was a worthless piece of crap. After year 3, I suffered major depression and as of now, I haven't completely recover yet.

Then at beginning year 4, I started to turn my life around as I started volunteering my time at a local hospital, work as an EMT, and spend some of my time at a homeless shelter place. I grew so much wisdom and matured throughout that process. I was showing upward trend from having 2.8 GPA per semester at year 4, to 3.0 GPA at year 5, and 3.2 GPA at year 6. Some of the classes I did pretty well on was science classes like biology and organic chemistry which I score B's. However, my other biology, general chemistry, physic classes were all C's. So basically, all my lower division science course were around 2.5.

Then I got into an research university. I was excited and so motivated that I was one of the top scorer on my biochemistry classes.

Until I met my premed advisor today. Today, he told me straight up that I have no shot for MD and DO schools because my GPA scores are too low (2.5 GPA). I have no shot in improving my GPA because I accumulated so many units (about 200 units) at my community college that it is nearly impossible to raise my GPA. I understand where he was coming from, but I know i wasn't going to give up. I keep asking for alternative solutions, but he keep discourage me to look elsewhere such as technicians. I thought about it, but I have no interests whatsoever to becoming a technician. I know deep down I want to be a doctor and it is always have been my passions.

Is there a way I can be a doctor?
 
Yup!

DO's application service (AACOMAS) allows you to retake the classes you did poorly in and it will replace the grade. So if you retake the F's and go up from there, it will be like those grades never existed and your GPA will be repaired quickly. Your story is also perfect to explain how through perseverance you were able to turn your life around and get into medical school

Premed advisors usually suck. Mine also said I should give up on medical school and I never went to her while in undergrad.

I would only focus on DO schools though since with a 2.5, an MD school is highly unlikely.
 
bjt223 said:
I met with my premed advisor today and turn out it was one of the most depressing times there. After looking through my junior college grades, he told me to give up and don't ever apply for MD or DO. Reason why?

Long story short:

i spent at a community college for 6 years. I did not do too well as I scored many C's, withdrew many classes, and fail tons of classes. I was at an academic probation for 2 of the community colleges. I was lost, immature, and have no direction in life.

Then at year 3, my life took a spiral downward as I was assault and beat down by a group of guys, got kick out of my mom's house, homeless for a few weeks, working a full time jobs, witness some of my very close friends' death, and my estrange father came back to my life after 20 years and told me I was a worthless piece of crap. After year 3, I suffered major depression and as of now, I haven't completely recover yet.

Then at beginning year 4, I started to turn my life around as I started volunteering my time at a local hospital, work as an EMT, and spend some of my time at a homeless shelter place. I grew so much wisdom and matured throughout that process. I was showing upward trend from having 2.8 GPA per semester at year 4, to 3.0 GPA at year 5, and 3.2 GPA at year 6. Some of the classes I did pretty well on was science classes like biology and organic chemistry which I score B's. However, my other biology, general chemistry, physic classes were all C's. So basically, all my lower division science course were around 2.5.

Then I got into an research university. I was excited and so motivated that I was one of the top scorer on my biochemistry classes.

Until I met my premed advisor today. Today, he told me straight up that I have no shot for MD and DO schools because my GPA scores are too low (2.5 GPA). I have no shot in improving my GPA because I accumulated so many units (about 200 units) at my community college that it is nearly impossible to raise my GPA. I understand where he was coming from, but I know i wasn't going to give up. I keep asking for alternative solutions, but he keep discourage me to look elsewhere such as technicians. I thought about it, but I have no interests whatsoever to becoming a technician. I know deep down I want to be a doctor and it is always have been my passions.

Is there a way I can be a doctor?
Click to expand...

Go to a DO school. We let you retake. Retake all the C classes until you're GPA is 3.2 or so. Get a 70% percentile MCAT or so on new MCAT keep up the good ECs and apply early/broadly and you can get in.

Question is how much do you want it. If you still want it DO is a possibility MD less so.

Youre never out of the game with DO. We value reinvention.
 
DoctorSynthesis said:
Go to a DO school. We let you retake. Retake all the C classes until you're GPA is 3.2 or so. Get a 70% percentile MCAT or so on new MCAT keep up the good ECs and apply early/broadly and you can get in.

Question is how much do you want it. If you still want it DO is a possibility MD less so.

Youre never out of the game with DO. We value reinvention.
Click to expand...

I really want to be a doctor. i don't care is it either a MD or a DO. I just want to be a doctor so I can set up health clinic for low income communities. That where my passion lies as well. Giving back.
 
You're pretty much out of luck for MD programs with that kind of GPA, but DO programs have grade replacement. If you retake the prerequisites with a good GPA and do well on the MCAT, you would be a great DO applicant with a unique story of perseverance like that. If it's truly your dream, make it happen.
 
If you've made it this far, you can do it. Do grade replacement and replace your science courses and failed courses and your GPA will go up considerably.
 
From here on out your pre-med advisor is out and the SDN is in!

-Also, I've found my biology advisor to be far more helpful than the actual pre-med advisor..... To be honest I don't know if I'll even ask her for a reference in three years (I'll try to get to know her better first).

As for course retakes make sure the course numbers match up exactly. It may be helpful to ask an admissions counselor at a nearby D.O. school which course will/won't count if you aren't sure.

BTW: It sounds as if your personal statement will be pretty strong. (So you have that going for you).

Hey, you did very well in those end years!

Take your transcripts to a D.O. school (preferably the one you live close to so you save on cost) and talk with an admissions counselor..... You might be a longshot but still a shot if you apply now. (Assuming you have clinical experience, Lors, etc.)
 
Thank you guys. I don't understand why they are getting paid to tell me to quit. It's ridiculous. I really appreciate it.
 
darklabel said:
Yup!

DO's application service (AACOMAS) allows you to retake the classes you did poorly in and it will replace the grade. So if you retake the F's and go up from there, it will be like those grades never existed and your GPA will be repaired quickly. Your story is also perfect to explain how through perseverance you were able to turn your life around and get into medical school

Premed advisors usually suck. Mine also said I should give up on medical school and I never went to her while in undergrad.

I would only focus on DO schools though since with a 2.5, an MD school is highly unlikely.
Click to expand...

It sounds as if the OP has put a TON of time between the community college and now.
-If I recall a person in a similar (timewise) scenario got into M.D. school with a 1.9 gpa..... They were a super long shot and probably have a more in-depth story than I know. But hey, it's possible. Also, if some schools (M.D.) average the grades together......

Although, I think D.O. is better (and WAY more practical) for the OP regardless
 
bjt223 said:
Thank you guys. I don't understand why they are getting paid to tell me to quit. It's ridiculous. I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

They won't their students who apply to make it. So those who are a 50/50 toss up (or worse) are told to quit), at some schools. Don't know about your unique scenario.

I highly suggest you google D.O. schools in the region you live. Call and set up an appointment to speak with an admissions counselor and go from there. Be sure to bring your transcripts and maybe write down what you want to say. You may even get lucky and get a reference out of it (I've seen it happen, to others though..... I've never had it in me to try that). Regardless, you'll have a much better idea of where you stand, what to retake, and what to do.

Best of Luck
 
Spirit of the Student Doc said:
They won't their students who apply to make it. So those who are a 50/50 toss up (or worse) are told to quit), at some schools. Don't know about your unique scenario.

I highly suggest you google D.O. schools in the region you live. Call and set up an appointment to speak with an admissions counselor and go from there. Be sure to bring your transcripts and maybe write down what you want to say. You may even get lucky and get a reference out of it (I've seen it happen, to others though..... I've never had it in me to try that). Regardless, you'll have a much better idea of where you stand, what to retake, and what to do.

Best of Luck
Click to expand...

Best advice ever. Lot more helpful than those "advisor".
 
DO schools are not in the business of giving grade replacements for coursework. It is done by AACOMAS; I would seek a different advisor to figure out the best way to bring up your GPA.
 
allenlchs said:
DO schools are not in the business of giving grade replacements for coursework. It is done by AACOMAS; I would seek a different advisor to figure out the best way to bring up your GPA.
Click to expand...

What do you mean exactly? Is there a chance that I could just take more classes raise my GPA?
 
Question, if I want to go MD, would I be able to go Post-Bacc and qualify there?
 
bjt223 said:
Question, if I want to go MD, would I be able to go Post-Bacc and qualify there?
Click to expand...

You would (most likely) need to get your GPA to at least a 3.0 to do that plus a good MCAT score. You should calculate how many more units you need to get a 3.0, assuming you get a certain grade in each future unit. Nothing is impossible, but ask yourself why you want an MD degree vs DO.
 
good luck OP, if you want it bad enough you can overcome your hardships 🙂
 
I just wanted to say that I am rooting for you. I hope one day you can set up that underserved clinic. From the little I know about you, I think you'll make an excellent physician one day.
 
And my adviser still tries to get me to change my major (90% premed classes), **** them.
 
bjt223 said:
Thank you guys. I don't understand why they are getting paid to tell me to quit. It's ridiculous. I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

You have a really inspirational story that you can highlight in your personal statement. Overcoming so many difficulties is incredibly ridiculously hard. Can't imagine what you've been through.

Grade replacement is good. I'm glad you've found your calling, and it really seems like you've turned your life around. The DO route would be ideal for grade replacement, unless you want to pay 50k for a post-bac program.

Also, pre-med advisers are notoriously awful at most institutions. Take their word with a huge grain of salt. The only pre-med advisers worth your time are the good ones and that can usually be found by asking your peers.

Best of luck OP!
 
While premed advisors are supposed to "help" students applying to med school, they also want to buffer the applicant pool so the school can claim a higher acceptance rate to medical school. My advisor told me the same thing, in fact he laughed at my app. I finished college with a ~2.9 and continued into a masters where I finished with a +3.8.

Good thing I didn't listen to him, I have had 2 acceptances to well respected MD programs and still waiting to hear back from a couple II I attended.

PM me if you want to chat about it. Its never over till you decide it is.
 
While most of this advice is helpful for the OP he still has personal and emotional issues that have to be addressed before medical school. If you are really still suffering from depression get some professional help and work that out. If you somehow manage to get into med school you want to be as healthy as possible and that includes your emotional health. This process isn't going to be easy and it won't be a quick fix. Take your time and do it right the first time. Good luck.

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk 2
 
Replace all the bad grades. Apply to DO. DO NOT mention or hint at any mental issues in your application. You'll be aight.
 
In all honesty, I think there was some truth to what your advisor said. Everyone here is being extremely positive but also unrealistic. I will try to be honest from what you have mentioned.
Based on your numbers, you really do not qualify for MD or DO at the present moment. To actually change all of this will take significant amount of time which you may or may not want to committ based on your current financial situation, etc. Sometimes being a doctor isn't meant for everyone regardless of the drive. Maybe look into other healthcare jobs like PA that still have similar medical related duties. If you want to continue on this path, then yes you can always make it into a medical school (based on the advise given above from others), but it will take a long time and as you age your chances become more difficult [you are considered non-traditional and you can check out those forums].

Also, so far you have shown that you cannot handle science courses to the level you need to succeed in medical schools. I think the upward trend is great and praise worthy seeing your circumstances but at the end of the day you need to show the medical school committee that you are academically prepared. So in short, if you don't want to do anything else but medicine understand that you will need to committ a few years to getting your grades up while continuing clinical and non-clinical activities and scoring well on the mcat. Also, don't ask for a LOR from your pre-health committee.
 
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Concur with this advice mostly, but you have a compelling story, and we all have a fondness for the come-from-behind story. So, if you're boning for the MD degree, I strongly suggest doing a SMP, preferably one given at a medical school. Ace the MCAT and there are MD schools that believe in reinvention.

But the fastest and easiest way to be a doctor will be via DO schools.

You will get far better pre-med advice here. Dump the current pre-med advisor.

And tell your dad to go F himself.


darklabel said:
Yup!

DO's application service (AACOMAS) allows you to retake the classes you did poorly in and it will replace the grade. So if you retake the F's and go up from there, it will be like those grades never existed and your GPA will be repaired quickly. Your story is also perfect to explain how through perseverance you were able to turn your life around and get into medical school

Premed advisors usually suck. Mine also said I should give up on medical school and I never went to her while in undergrad.

I would only focus on DO schools though since with a 2.5, an MD school is highly unlikely.
Click to expand...
 
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DoctorSynthesis said:
Go to a DO school. We let you retake. Retake all the C classes until you're GPA is 3.2 or so. Get a 70% percentile MCAT or so on new MCAT keep up the good ECs and apply early/broadly and you can get in.

Question is how much do you want it. If you still want it DO is a possibility MD less so.

Youre never out of the game with DO. We value reinvention.
Click to expand...


This, DO school admissions are all-about reinvention and finding ways to give applicants the benefit of the doubt if they make strong efforts to improve themselves. In general MD school admissions tend to be more about finding ways to throw out your application, regardless of such improvement. Not a dig on MD schools either, it's just the nature of how unfortunately competitive admissions is.
 
bjt223 said:
I met with my premed advisor today and turn out it was one of the most depressing times there. After looking through my junior college grades, he told me to give up and don't ever apply for MD or DO. Reason why?

Long story short:

i spent at a community college for 6 years. I did not do too well as I scored many C's, withdrew many classes, and fail tons of classes. I was at an academic probation for 2 of the community colleges. I was lost, immature, and have no direction in life.

Then at year 3, my life took a spiral downward as I was assault and beat down by a group of guys, got kick out of my mom's house, homeless for a few weeks, working a full time jobs, witness some of my very close friends' death, and my estrange father came back to my life after 20 years and told me I was a worthless piece of crap. After year 3, I suffered major depression and as of now, I haven't completely recover yet.

Then at beginning year 4, I started to turn my life around as I started volunteering my time at a local hospital, work as an EMT, and spend some of my time at a homeless shelter place. I grew so much wisdom and matured throughout that process. I was showing upward trend from having 2.8 GPA per semester at year 4, to 3.0 GPA at year 5, and 3.2 GPA at year 6. Some of the classes I did pretty well on was science classes like biology and organic chemistry which I score B's. However, my other biology, general chemistry, physic classes were all C's. So basically, all my lower division science course were around 2.5.

Then I got into an research university. I was excited and so motivated that I was one of the top scorer on my biochemistry classes.

Until I met my premed advisor today. Today, he told me straight up that I have no shot for MD and DO schools because my GPA scores are too low (2.5 GPA). I have no shot in improving my GPA because I accumulated so many units (about 200 units) at my community college that it is nearly impossible to raise my GPA. I understand where he was coming from, but I know i wasn't going to give up. I keep asking for alternative solutions, but he keep discourage me to look elsewhere such as technicians. I thought about it, but I have no interests whatsoever to becoming a technician. I know deep down I want to be a doctor and it is always have been my passions.

Is there a way I can be a doctor?
Click to expand...
First of all, look at your research university policies. My school has something called "fresh start" which allows you to basically erase all your bad grades from the past and restart fresh. That's your best chance to be competitive for both md and do
 
LostinLift said:
You would (most likely) need to get your GPA to at least a 3.0 to do that plus a good MCAT score. You should calculate how many more units you need to get a 3.0, assuming you get a certain grade in each future unit. Nothing is impossible, but ask yourself why you want an MD degree vs DO.
Click to expand...


Eventually, I want to move my health clinics to third world countries such as SE Asia and Africa. Most countries don't think DO is equivalent as a MD, which sucks.
 
To let everyone know, I still have upper division courses to complete if that any helps.
 
TexasSurgeon said:
First of all, look at your research university policies. My school has something called "fresh start" which allows you to basically erase all your bad grades from the past and restart fresh. That's your best chance to be competitive for both md and do
Click to expand...

Thanks, can you show me an example like that?
 
PlaqueBuster said:
In all honesty, I think there was some truth to what your advisor said. Everyone here is being extremely positive but also unrealistic. I will try to be honest from what you have mentioned.
Based on your numbers, you really do not qualify for MD or DO at the present moment. To actually change all of this will take significant amount of time which you may or may not want to committ based on your current financial situation, etc. Sometimes being a doctor isn't meant for everyone regardless of the drive. Maybe look into other healthcare jobs like PA that still have similar medical related duties. If you want to continue on this path, then yes you can always make it into a medical school (based on the advise given above from tohers), but it will take a long time and as you age your chances become more difficult [you are considered non-traditional and you can check out those forums].

Also, so far you have shown that you cannot handle science courses to the level you need to succeed in medical schools. I think the upward trend is great and praise worthy seeing your circumstances but at the end of the day you need to show the medical school committee that you are academically prepared. So in short, if you don't want to do anything else but medicine understand that you will need to committ a few years to getting your grades up while continuing clinical and non-clinical activities and scoring well on the mcat. Also, don't ask for a LOR from your pre-health committee.
Click to expand...

Thanks Plaque, I really appreciate your honestly. However, I understand my circumstances and I do have a long road ahead of me. I haven't complete upper division science courses yet, so I still have that going for me. If I complete those upper division courses with near perfection, would they still reject me because of my community college grades?
 
bjt223 said:
Thanks Plaque, I really appreciate your honestly. However, I understand my circumstances and I do have a long road ahead of me. I haven't complete upper division science courses yet, so I still have that going for me. If I complete those upper division courses with near perfection, would they still reject me because of my community college grades?
Click to expand...
I am not qualified to answer that but as others have said DO schools are more forgiving of poor grades if you have shown effort in improving them. Grade replacement significantly helps to bring your GPA up. But at the end of the day, all medical schools will look at your entire academic career including the community college courses. And I am sure there will be a chance for you to explain those grades in secondaries. So for now all that you can do is try to do well in your classes and show schools that you are dedicated to the career. A sGPA of 3.25 and MCAT of 27 are good enough to go to some DO school based on past student profiles.
 
Look at these pages:
https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/app...mcat-gpa-grid-by-selected-race-ethnicity.html
https://www.aamc.org/download/321512/data/2013factstable25-1.pdf

It appears that a few people are accepted with numbers as low yours, but it's rare. I suspect that the GPAs in that table are taken only from one's undergraduate transcript (i.e. masters grades are not included). Consequently, I'd guess that most of the students accepted with ~3.0 GPA also completed a masters program, which they performed much better in academically. Your chance at acceptance will also be contingent on how well you do on the MCAT.

Your premed advisor may have been trying to help you! My understanding is that admissions is highly competitive (3000-10000 students applying at each school for 60-250 seats) and consequently admissions rely heavily on numbers (GPA and MCAT). Do some research and look at the numbers (average GPA/MCAT accepted at various schools, per MSAR). You may work your ass off for the next 2-3 years only to find yourself rejected. How would you feel then? You may be saying to yourself, "I wish someone would have told me I wouldn't get in sooner. I could have chosen a different major, have a job, a source of income, a car, a family, etc." How do you think you will cope with the stress of trying to perform stellar in your classes over the next two years, studying for the MCAT, and applying to medical school? How do you think you will cope with the stress of being in medical school where you will have challenging tests on a regular basis? How will you cope with the 60+ hour work weeks that many residents and doctors have? Is there really no other occupation in the world that you can see yourself in? Have you given other occupations serious thought? How do you feel about working your butt off for the next ~2 years when historically only few to no students were accepted with a 3.0 (depending on MCAT)? Those are questions you should answer for yourself.

It sounds like you've faced some obstacles in life. Despite any obstacles that you may have had, you are in control of the ship now. There are many rewarding careers out there. You may find yourself happier in a different one! There's also much more to happiness than what you "do" for a living. I personally find the most value in life from the relationships I form with others. If you decide to stay on the doctor path, remember: everyone loves an underdog story; so if you decide to spend another 2-5 years living meagerly while studying copiously so that you can score well on the MCAT and bring your GPA up (and/or doing a special masters program), possibly applying multiple times to medical school (if necessary), to finally be accepted to a school where you will spend another 4 years studying and working many hours (while being paid nothing and accumulating debt), followed by 3-7 years of residency where you will be overworked (and poorly compensated) just so to realize your dream of becoming a "doctor," well that's pretty awesome! (although you may love studying long hours, taking tests, working 60+ hours per week, and money may not matter at all to you... also get a job as a scribe or try to accumulate 200+ hours of shadowing so you have a more realistic understanding of what it means to be a doctor... i was surprised when i realized that ER docs spend ~80% of the day staring at a computer..)
 
GaiusOctavius said:
Look at these pages:
https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/app...mcat-gpa-grid-by-selected-race-ethnicity.html
https://www.aamc.org/download/321512/data/2013factstable25-1.pdf

It appears that a few people are accepted with numbers as low yours, but it's rare. I suspect that the GPAs in that table are taken only from one's undergraduate transcript (i.e. masters grades are not included). Consequently, I'd guess that most of the students accepted with ~3.0 GPA also completed a masters program, which they performed much better in academically. Your chance at acceptance will also be contingent on how well you do on the MCAT.

Your premed advisor may have been trying to help you! My understanding is that admissions is highly competitive (3000-10000 students applying at each school for 60-250 seats) and consequently admissions rely heavily on numbers (GPA and MCAT). Do some research and look at the numbers (average GPA/MCAT accepted at various schools, per MSAR). You may work your ass off for the next 2-3 years only to find yourself rejected. How would you feel then? You may be saying to yourself, "I wish someone would have told me I wouldn't get in sooner. I could have chosen a different major, have a job, a source of income, a car, a family, etc." How do you think you will cope with the stress of trying to perform stellar in your classes over the next two years, studying for the MCAT, and applying to medical school? How do you think you will cope with the stress of being in medical school where you will have challenging tests on a regular basis? How will you cope with the 60+ hour work weeks that many residents and doctors have? Is there really no other occupation in the world that you can see yourself in? Have you given other occupations serious thought? How do you feel about working your butt off for the next ~2 years when historically only few to no students were accepted with a 3.0 (depending on MCAT)? Those are questions you should answer for yourself.

It sounds like you've faced some obstacles in life. Despite any obstacles that you may have had, you are in control of the ship now. There are many rewarding careers out there. You may find yourself happier in a different one! There's also much more to happiness than what you "do" for a living. I personally find the most value in life from the relationships I form with others. If you decide to stay on the doctor path, remember: everyone loves an underdog story; so if you decide to spend another 2-5 years living meagerly while studying copiously so that you can score well on the MCAT and bring your GPA up (and/or doing a special masters program), possibly applying multiple times to medical school (if necessary), to finally be accepted to a school where you will spend another 4 years studying and working many hours (while being paid nothing and accumulating debt), followed by 3-7 years of residency where you will be overworked (and poorly compensated) just so to realize your dream of becoming a "doctor," well that's pretty awesome! (although you may love studying long hours, taking tests, working 60+ hours per week, and money may not matter at all to you... also get a job as a scribe or try to accumulate 200+ hours of shadowing so you have a more realistic understanding of what it means to be a doctor... i was surprised when i realized that ER docs spend ~80% of the day staring at a computer..)
Click to expand...

I agree everything you say. That's reality and I understand that. Basically, it all come down to how much do I really want to be a doctor. Only I know myself if it is really worth it. Thank you.
 
bjt223 said:
I met with my premed advisor today and turn out it was one of the most depressing times there. After looking through my junior college grades, he told me to give up and don't ever apply for MD or DO. Reason why?

Long story short:

i spent at a community college for 6 years. I did not do too well as I scored many C's, withdrew many classes, and fail tons of classes. I was at an academic probation for 2 of the community colleges. I was lost, immature, and have no direction in life.

Then at year 3, my life took a spiral downward as I was assault and beat down by a group of guys, got kick out of my mom's house, homeless for a few weeks, working a full time jobs, witness some of my very close friends' death, and my estrange father came back to my life after 20 years and told me I was a worthless piece of crap. After year 3, I suffered major depression and as of now, I haven't completely recover yet.

Then at beginning year 4, I started to turn my life around as I started volunteering my time at a local hospital, work as an EMT, and spend some of my time at a homeless shelter place. I grew so much wisdom and matured throughout that process. I was showing upward trend from having 2.8 GPA per semester at year 4, to 3.0 GPA at year 5, and 3.2 GPA at year 6. Some of the classes I did pretty well on was science classes like biology and organic chemistry which I score B's. However, my other biology, general chemistry, physic classes were all C's. So basically, all my lower division science course were around 2.5.

Then I got into an research university. I was excited and so motivated that I was one of the top scorer on my biochemistry classes.

Until I met my premed advisor today. Today, he told me straight up that I have no shot for MD and DO schools because my GPA scores are too low (2.5 GPA). I have no shot in improving my GPA because I accumulated so many units (about 200 units) at my community college that it is nearly impossible to raise my GPA. I understand where he was coming from, but I know i wasn't going to give up. I keep asking for alternative solutions, but he keep discourage me to look elsewhere such as technicians. I thought about it, but I have no interests whatsoever to becoming a technician. I know deep down I want to be a doctor and it is always have been my passions.

Is there a way I can be a doctor?
Click to expand...
I am sure I am going to catch some hate for this, but think realistically... Unless you get a damn near perfect MCAT score, a 3.2 cGpa and a 2.5 sciGPA wont cut it.. I'd like to tell you grades aren't important. I'd like to tell you that a 2.5 will cut it, but id be lying to you.. Basically from what you've said, all of the pre reqs you've taken are in the C range. That means 1 of 2 things, either things are so hard for you that you cant sit down for an hour or two a day to study for exams, or you just didn't put the time in. You need to get your academics are bad, they must come before anything else. there is no excuse poor performance on entry level courses, or any for that matter. No matter what the case is, it reflects poorly on you. Med schools and future employers will see that and pick up on it.

I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but it doesn't. I hope you succeed, because from what you've said, you've had a hard life. Its going to get a lot harder before it gets easier. You can't kinda want to be a doctor. you cant get where you want to be in life without putting every bit of time in. You don't have a sciGPA of 2.5 because you're not cut out to be a doctor. You have that GPA you have because you earned it. put more time in your academics, and things will improve. You gotta want an A more than you want to sleep. You gotta want an A more than you want go out with friends, party, watch TV etc. When you want that more than you want anything else, you'll see results, but as you stand right now you don't stand a chance competitively.

There are options, but you have to put the time in. Retaking and getting C's or B's wont cut it, and it wont prove anything to anyone. Like everyone has said There are options: SMP and DO grade forgiveness among others.

If none of that works, there is no shame in being a PA, Physical or Occupational Therapy, Nursing or even tech jobs.

I wish you the best of luck
 
bioman1275 said:
I am sure I am going to catch some hate for this, but think realistically... Unless you get a damn near perfect MCAT score, a 3.2 cGpa and a 2.5 sciGPA wont cut it.. I'd like to tell you grades aren't important. I'd like to tell you that a 2.5 will cut it, but id be lying to you.. Basically from what you've said, all of the pre reqs you've taken are in the C range. That means 1 of 2 things, either things are so hard for you that you cant sit down for an hour or two a day to study for exams, or you just didn't put the time in. You need to get your academics are bad, they must come before anything else. there is no excuse poor performance on entry level courses, or any for that matter. No matter what the case is, it reflects poorly on you. Med schools and future employers will see that and pick up on it.

I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but it doesn't. I hope you succeed, because from what you've said, you've had a hard life. Its going to get a lot harder before it gets easier. You can't kinda want to be a doctor. you cant get where you want to be in life without putting every bit of time in. You don't have a sciGPA of 2.5 because you're not cut out to be a doctor. You have that GPA you have because you earned it. put more time in your academics, and things will improve. You gotta want an A more than you want to sleep. You gotta want an A more than you want go out with friends, party, watch TV etc. When you want that more than you want anything else, you'll see results, but as you stand right now you don't stand a chance competitively.

There are options, but you have to put the time in. Retaking and getting C's or B's wont cut it, and it wont prove anything to anyone. Like everyone has said There are options: SMP and DO grade forgiveness among others.

If none of that works, there is no shame in being a PA, Physical or Occupational Therapy, Nursing or even tech jobs.

I wish you the best of luck
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll see you guys in couple weeks after final. I'm pretty hungry for an A's.
 
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