Need Advice (Change of Major - Stressed)

[CG37387n]

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( Sorry, I posted in MD already, but want to see the advice from DO Students)

Hello All,

Currently I am a Sophomore attending Pace University in NYC, for Accounting and Taxation. Well that's a big NO-NO for me. I have truly fell in love with the field of medicine, since longer than I can remember. I don't understand why I didn't change sooner.

A little about me, I attended a Community College called TC3 which is near Cortland where I got a GPA of a 2.53, which is absolutely terrible. The reason for this was I was attacked and put in the hospital for about a month. Which heavily influenced me attending school obviously, and in return I got a 'C-' in Chemistry. The beginning one that is..

Not to get too personal and everything, well.. I then transferred to Pace for Accounting and Taxation, which I got a 3.27 for my first semester. Which was pretty good as I was transitioning to a big city, and had to deal with the police case from up north. I am not exactly proud of that GPA either. This semester I currently am not doing too bad, I believe I have an 'A' in Statistics, Accounting, and Microeconomics. The only thing is my school requires that we take a learning community which is 6 credits. I'm not doing too good in it, and literally aiming for a 'C.' Not to make excuses but of recent my family and I have been dealing with a situation, that is completely inevitable. My cousin, who is now only 16 years old was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 10. (It is now taken a toll on the body, and his brain is shutting down, and the doctors say he has only 4-6 weeks).

Besides all the personal story (I apologize), I am transferring to my local community college, Orange County Community College, where I am hopefully trying to get into the Nursing program. I have no expectations as of yet, and I am just hoping for the best. I obviously need to do good with my prerequisites, but I cannot help to be bothered by my past GPA. It will definitely weigh everything down.

I ultimately am wondering if I could get any advice. Is it smart for me to actually get into Nursing, and then transition to Med-School if I actually have a chance at this point. Should I only pursue Nursing? Should I pursue DO or MD school, and could anyone actually give me advice on what I should do..

What led me to this decision, was my grandma was a nurse, and my aunt just became a nurse. I am also going to be trying to get my RN license as well. After my attack up north, which concluded with a metal plate under my eye, and most of my left side of my face was left broken, I have decided that I'm too good of a guy to be sitting behind a desk my whole life. I want to help the community, and I ultimately want to SUCCEED.

I want to thank anyone who responds, and your time is greatly appreciated.

 

[Fedxup]

Im sorry about al your trouble. As for the medical school aspect, at this point how many medical school pre-reqs have you taken? GPA of anything lower than a 3.5 will likely you get you screen out of MD programs but you might still have a shot at DO schools. BUT that being said, pursuing nurse is not a bad idea at all to me. I think if you became an RN and worked as a nurse for even an year and do a post bacc or great on your pre reqs you can get accepted to medical school. Also, DO schools have grade replacement. So that C- in chemistry can be replaced if you take the class again that has the same about of credit or higher.

 

[CG37387n]

Im sorry about al your trouble. As for the medical school aspect, at this point how many medical school pre-reqs have you taken? GPA of anything lower than a 3.5 will likely you get you screen out of MD programs but you might still have a shot at DO schools. BUT that being said, pursuing nurse is not a bad idea at all to me. I think if you became an RN and worked as a nurse for even an year and do a post bacc or great on your pre reqs you can get accepted to medical school. Also, DO schools have grade replacement. So that C- in chemistry can be replaced if you take the class again that has the same about of credit or higher.

I have not taken any prerequisites currently, as I'm coming from being a business major.. Now when I start at my community college, just start acing the science classes? (I know it's easier said than done..) But I've always had an interest in science.. I'm just wondering since my past GPA is really gonna bring down my GPA in the future. Will they take what happened (They as in med-schools) in consideration?

 

[Fedxup]

The only thing that is bothering me right now is if you take all of your classes at a 2 year college instead of a 4 year college. I think for the most part (I could be wrong) D.O schools accept community college course work but it is better to take at a 4 year college. As for the consideration, when you are applying to medical school you will have a chance to explain what happened. BUt just try to get your GPA up and do great on your MCAT. Get interviews and then you will def. have a chance to explain.

 

[darklabel]

I'm sorry about what happened, but it's best to save these kinds of stories for your personal statement.

Anyways, where does your cumulative and science GPA stand now? If you only got a C- in Gen Chem 1 then retake Gen Chem 1 (DO has a grade forgiveness policy) and start from there. Look into volunteering, research and building good relationships with professors.

As long as you're cumulative is above 3.0+ and your science GPA is high and MCAT is great, you stand a good chance for DO school and you might get some MD schools looking your way.