Hi there, I need some advice on my pursuits of medicine ... I'll share a bit about myself and my desire to become a doctor.
I graduated about 5 years ago from college with a degree in microbiology, and was in a biotechnology scholars program at my school. I originally was a computer science major and had high hopes of doing well ... My first year was tough and my grades suffered. Despite doing great compsci research, I couldn't stay in the major. After sophomore year, I switched to microbiology, and it started off well. It was hard to push my grades back up, and even though my scores were better, my GPA still was not good from earlier computer science courses. Then my senior year when I was suppose to graduate, my relationship ended (10 years, were suppose to marry after graduation) and my grandfather passed away. I should have left that semester and came back, but I received two really bad grades. Not pre-med, but still in my micro courses. I stayed and extra 2 years in school to recover and ensure that my grades were good. I worked in 2 prominent labs on campus doing research in systems biology and molecular biology to help my application to med school. By the time I graduated, with ill advising and a very straight, stationary trajectory ... I graduated with a cumulative GPA of 2.9 and a pre-med GPA of 2.9.
It's been several years, and I convinced myself I needed to do more to prove myself and what I've was never enough ... I worked a few odd jobs once I graduated, but was finally able to land a job as a medical informatics specialist, and finally now - a clinical researcher (about 3 years). I have worked in the therapeutic areas of oncology, GI, and ophthalmology doing cutting-edge research and working with some of the best doctors (CMOs, VPs, TA heads). They all have encouraged me to go to med school. To be honest, I'm at a totally different place in my life and I'm much more sharp and focused. I am not the same person I was in college, nor the same person 5 years ago. People I meet say I would be a great physician ... I also understand that psychological and artistic side of medicine.
Yet, I'm still haunted by my grades (from over a decade ago this point). I've thought of masters programs, and postbacc programs as well - I'veread several threads on here. I can't quit my job and do masters/postbacc full-time due to responsibilities/recommendation letters/comoany offering to pay for my masters. I also don't want to give up on my dream, but I can't change my past. It's in my heart to do this.
Any advice would help ... thank you for reading.
I graduated about 5 years ago from college with a degree in microbiology, and was in a biotechnology scholars program at my school. I originally was a computer science major and had high hopes of doing well ... My first year was tough and my grades suffered. Despite doing great compsci research, I couldn't stay in the major. After sophomore year, I switched to microbiology, and it started off well. It was hard to push my grades back up, and even though my scores were better, my GPA still was not good from earlier computer science courses. Then my senior year when I was suppose to graduate, my relationship ended (10 years, were suppose to marry after graduation) and my grandfather passed away. I should have left that semester and came back, but I received two really bad grades. Not pre-med, but still in my micro courses. I stayed and extra 2 years in school to recover and ensure that my grades were good. I worked in 2 prominent labs on campus doing research in systems biology and molecular biology to help my application to med school. By the time I graduated, with ill advising and a very straight, stationary trajectory ... I graduated with a cumulative GPA of 2.9 and a pre-med GPA of 2.9.
It's been several years, and I convinced myself I needed to do more to prove myself and what I've was never enough ... I worked a few odd jobs once I graduated, but was finally able to land a job as a medical informatics specialist, and finally now - a clinical researcher (about 3 years). I have worked in the therapeutic areas of oncology, GI, and ophthalmology doing cutting-edge research and working with some of the best doctors (CMOs, VPs, TA heads). They all have encouraged me to go to med school. To be honest, I'm at a totally different place in my life and I'm much more sharp and focused. I am not the same person I was in college, nor the same person 5 years ago. People I meet say I would be a great physician ... I also understand that psychological and artistic side of medicine.
Yet, I'm still haunted by my grades (from over a decade ago this point). I've thought of masters programs, and postbacc programs as well - I'veread several threads on here. I can't quit my job and do masters/postbacc full-time due to responsibilities/recommendation letters/comoany offering to pay for my masters. I also don't want to give up on my dream, but I can't change my past. It's in my heart to do this.
Any advice would help ... thank you for reading.
