Need big time advice/help! Please

[WannabeaMD]

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I am 22, have a young daughter (4yrs), work full-time, and study part-time at a CC. My dream has always been to become a Doctor. But my High School advisor told me that since I had a baby at a young age; Medical School was not for me because it is going to be a rigorous program, expensive, and lengthy, and that I should do Nursing instead. I agreed with her, because those factors really held me for becoming a Doctor when I was 17! But I am now 22 and brave to follow my dream (or at least try it)
I don’t want external factors which are out of my control, ex: money, to dictate my path, I am not afraid of the debt.
Ever since I graduated from High School, I have taken all my Nursing pre-requisites and finally deferred from the program twice because I felt that Nursing won’t satisfied my need in helping people and to do more and learn more in a medical field (that’s how I see it) I feel that I wasted those years being away from my daughter and expending my savings on classes that I don’t need to take. But I am glad that I did this change on time!
Now, that I am truly sure on Medicine, I am doing a Liberal Arts program in Science Concentration Premed at a CC! And transfer later on to a Four Year College and get Bachelors in either Science or Psychology.
This is my issue: I have taken Science classes before, I love biology, I took Anatomy & Physiology in High School and College and I loved it too, but when I took Chemistry and Physics in High School I did poorly. I know I can improve my science and math skills in these areas so I can do better later on
1. Do classes get expired over 5-10 years?
Ex: Since I am studying part-time (that’s all I can afford right now) it will take me 4-5 years to complete my Liberal Arts Science Concentration! If after that I transfer, Will these classes expired for my Bachelor degree and Medical School prerequisites science classes?
2. Should I earn a bachelor in Science/biology to improve my science skills and do great on the MCAT and First year of Med School?
3. Should I choose another bachelor program since medical school want diversity? Would that hurt my chances of acceptance because of being biology major?
4. If a bachelor in science/biology decreases my Science GPA, should I do something different then since most people choose a field that they can obtain ‘A’ grades?
5. Since I have a daughter and I am investing on my education for a while (going part-time and using savings) can I get a job for a year after I get my Bachelor in Science/biology or Psychology before going to med school to provide for my daughter for a while?
Thank you so much for your help and sorry for such a long post!
I really need your help! Please help me.

 

[digitlnoize]

I am 22, have a young daughter (4yrs), work full-time, and study part-time at a CC. My dream has always been to become a Doctor. But my High School advisor told me that since I had a baby at a young age; Medical School was not for me because it is going to be a rigorous program, expensive, and lengthy, and that I should do Nursing instead. I agreed with her, because those factors really held me for becoming a Doctor when I was 17! But I am now 22 and brave to follow my dream (or at least try it). I don’t want external factors which are out of my control, ex: money, to dictate my path, I am not afraid of the debt.

Ever since I graduated from High School, I have taken all my Nursing pre-requisites and finally deferred from the program twice because I felt that Nursing won’t satisfied my need in helping people and to do more and learn more in a medical field (that’s how I see it) I feel that I wasted those years being away from my daughter and expending my savings on classes that I
don’t need to take. But I am glad that I did this change on time!

Now, that I am truly sure on Medicine, I am doing a Liberal Arts program in Science Concentration Premed at a CC! And transfer later on to a Four Year College and get Bachelors in either Science or Psychology.

This is my issue: I have taken Science classes before, I love biology, I took Anatomy & Physiology in High School and College and I loved it too, but when I took Chemistry and Physics in High School I did poorly. I know I can improve my science and math skills in these areas so I can do better later on.

I am an almost 32 year old, almost 3rd year medical student with an 8 year old daughter. It can definitely be done with kids, don't let that worry you. It's easier if you have help, of course, be that family or husband, or whatever.

Don't worry about how you did in the past. I didn't do great in high school classes either, but that's because I wasn't trying 100%. Work your butt off and get A's. The past is the past.

Couple of other notes you didn't ask about: Some people on SDN say that community college isn't good enough for med school. They are wrong. I did my first two years at CC and it was no problem at all.

Do be worried about the debt, but don't let that stop you. Try to go to the cheapest med school that you can.

1. Do classes get expired over 5-10 years? Ex: Since I am studying part-time (that’s all I can afford right now) it will take me 4-5 years to complete my Liberal Arts Science Concentration! If after that I transfer, Will these classes expired for my Bachelor degree and Medical School prerequisites science classes?

No, although I wish they did. I had trouble getting into med school because of some F's on my transcript from a few classes I signed up for at 18yo that I stopped going to without withdrawing from. Oops. They stay with you forever.

The med school applications service AMCAS requires you to enter EVERY SINGLE college class you have ever taken, signed up for, withdrawn from, everything. As far as I know, there are no expiration dates for them. Although you could check their website to make sure. Google it.

2. Should I earn a bachelor in Science/biology to improve my science skills and do great on the MCAT and First year of Med School?

This is what I did, although I have a strong music background. Doing this will also let you get to med school faster, because by the time you take your med school pre-reqs you are 75% of the way to a B.S. in Biology anyways.

Check you local 4 year institution of choice though. Some schools offer some pretty cool B.S. in Pre-Med or Human Biology (or something to that effect) degrees that are more focused on medicine. Mine did not, but I wish it had. Sigh.

3. Should I choose another bachelor program since medical school want diversity? Would that hurt my chances of acceptance because of being biology major?

Diversity is never bad, but it sounds like you already have some of that. You just need something to help you stand out from the crowd. You already have that (a kid, a prior career/life of some type). Obviously you can major in something else if you want, and you should consider it if you have another passion, but I'd lean towards a medically oriented field, like Bio. Just my opinion.

4. If a bachelor in science/biology decreases my Science GPA, should I do something different then since most people choose a field that they can obtain ‘A’ grades?

Don't let it decrease your sGPA. Get A's. Use professor rating websites to find the good teachers. Register EARLY. Work hard.

Having been in "arts" programs, sometimes I think science classes are actually easier to get A's in because the answers are more cut and dry. In English (or philosophy, or psych, or music, or art, etc) your grades are VERY subjective, and dependent on the professor's opinion of your work. Not a position I'd like to be in. In fact, most of my lowest grades were in those "easy" classes. There's only one answer to f=ma (physics, learn this formula well 🙂 )

5. Since I have a daughter and I am investing on my education for a while (going part-time and using savings) can I get a job for a year after I get my Bachelor in Science/biology or Psychology before going to med school to provide for my daughter for a while?

You can. Some people do this. Honestly, I'd try and get good and budgeting and live off your student loans. Just get it done and over with as fast as possible. Better yet, find a sugar daddy if you don't already have one. My wife works as a dental hygienist and it makes life Sooo much easier to have a 2nd income.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I wish you the best and you can do it. But do understand what med schools want to see that you can handle the rigor of med school, and you can't do it part time.

Don't get me wrong, I am a father of 3 who works full time with a full time course load so I am fully aware of the home responsibilities to your daughter, but not all med schools will be. Just understand that your path will limit you. It definitely won't stop you and the limits I see are worth it, but don't be discouraged when crappy advisors say it can't be done. It can.

 

[7starmantis]

don't be discouraged when crappy advisors say it can't be done. It can.

👍👍👍


OP, good luck in your journey, it can be done if you really want it bad enough. Dont let anyone (advisor or not) tell you otherwise. As to your questions:

1.) I dont believe most institutions have expirations on courses. Some states have programs that do it like the Texas Fresh Start program, but for the most part, no.

2.) I dont know that I would say an undergrad degree is going to be a significant help in med school curriculum. So choose your degree carefully but choose something you love. If you have a passion for art, certainly choose that degree, just pick up your pre-reqs. I think its better to enjoy your undergrad time and get good grades and enjoy what your learning than slave over a degree plan you dont enjoy thinking it will improve your chances at getting in med school. That being said, with your part time plan you do want to show you can handle an extensive curriculum. No one can tell you what to do, but I'm sure you will make the right decision.

3.) Dont chose your path based solely on what you think med school adcoms are looking for. I think this is a mistake made by lots of pre-meds and can result in problems later on. I kind of did that with my first application (trying to write what they want to hear, etc) and failed miserably. I chose to just be myself and express my personality and had great success my second time. That brings up another point, dont be discouraged if you have to apply more than once, lots have.

4.) Science degrees only lower your sGPA if you make poor grades! 🙂

5.) If you apply your senior year you will have nearly a full year after you graduate to work and save. Lots of people do it that way on purpose, but I wouldn't put it off as you never know if you have to apply again, etc.

Bottom line, work hard, get good grades, enjoy your life and your daughter, do your best work and let your life play out. You will have have a much more enjoyable time and med schools (contrary to popular belief) want to see someone who is secure, balanced, and passionate about medicine. Keep us informed!

Edit: Dont let anyone tell you CC is a negative. I did nearly all my pre-reqs at a CC and even did physics there while at my 4 year. Just get good grades and all is well.

 

[WannabeaMD]

Thank you so much for the reply!
I enjoyed this site a lot and how every one gives their best advice to everyone here, it really makes a difference to all of us.
THANKS

 

[cabinbuilder]

Being 22 puts you in a great position to get to medical school. You have plenty of time. I went to medical school at 32 with a 5yr old and a 2yr old. Having a child puts your life in a different league. Don't get caught up in comparing yourself to those the same age as you who are single and childless. It will just take you longer to get there but the outcome will be the same in the end.

 

[MSmentor018]

But my High School advisor told me that since I had a baby at a young age;Medical School was not for me because it is going to be a rigorous program, expensive, and lengthy, and that I should do Nursing instead.

another f@#king pre med counselor oxygen thief. people who got a degree, to tell people how to get a degree, in a field that they don't have a degree in. if I had a quarter for every time I've heard one of these douchbags steer someone away from medicine into nursing I'd put the change in a sock and beat them in the face with it. yes, med school is a expensive, lengthy and rigorous program.....so is wasting your time in a field that you don't want to be in, having to pay back the debt, going back to school. I can only hope there are other reasons why he steered you away b/c that's just bad advice

1. Do classes get expired over 5-10 years?
Ex: Since I am studying part-time (that's all I can afford right now) it will take me 4-5 years to complete my Liberal Arts Science Concentration! If after that I transfer, Will these classes expired for my Bachelor degree and Medical School prerequisites science classes?

definitely check on the AAMCAS website about it, I remember reading something about unless it's locked into a degree, assorted classes expire after 10 yrs. you still have to report it but it may not count. I was 12 yrs out before starting that's why I bothered to look. and mcat changed to only 3 yrs before expiring, things may have changed now (I applied in 05). you're a diff case being a non trad, so verify it

2. Should I earn a bachelor in Science/biology to improve my science skills and do great on the MCAT and First year of Med School?

high gpa/mcat is always a good plan. you can get a bachelor in anything as long as you have the prereqs. I don't know the exact correlation to 1st yr med school but doing well will get you in to med school.

3. Should I choose another bachelor program since medical school want diversity? Would that hurt my chances of acceptance because of being biology major?

the diversity they're after is all the fluff stuff. get any bachelors you want but most students are bio majors, chem is 2nd most popular. according to the NRMP site

4. If a bachelor in science/biology decreases my Science GPA, should I do something different then since most people choose a field that they can obtain ‘A' grades?

not sure what you're asking.....1/2 of pre reqs are science based.

5. Since I have a daughter and I am investing on my education for a while (going part-time and using savings) can I get a job for a year after I get my Bachelor in Science/biology or Psychology before going to med school to provide for my daughter for a while?

absolutey! you can work as much/as long as you want. it's a balance, I worked throughout pre med. just know once you enter med school, the working will stop, at least for the majority of students. I did a few hours on the weekend but that quickly stopped when the studying increased
Thank you so much for your help and sorry for such a long post!
I really need your help! Please help me. [/QUOTE]

 

[digitlnoize]

another f@#king pre med counselor oxygen thief. people who got a degree, to tell people how to get a degree, in a field that they don't have a degree in. if I had a quarter for every time I've heard a of these douchbags steer someone away from medicine into nursing I'd put the change in a sock and beat them in the face with it. yes, med school is a expensive, lengthy and rigorous program.....so is wasting your time in a field that you don't want to be in, having to pay back the debt, going back to school. I can only hope there are other reasons why he steered you away b/c that's just bad advice.

I could not agree more.

I decided to stop listening to these people when I saw my Community College counselor working his second job as a Mall Rent-A-Cop. Trust me, 99% of these people are in no position to give anyone guiidance. Do not trust a word they say throughout the entire process...especially with regards to your application and letters of recommendation when that time comes.

You can find all the info you need on SDN, and college and med school websites.

 

[Melicopter]

You got some great responses, so I don't have much to add... but here's a potentially useful resource:

http://www.mommd.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary