Need general advice

[foreverlearner02]

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Hi all,

I'm a junior studying Kinesiology. I've always wanted to become a physical therapist but after shadowing for over 200 hours, I've realized that I'm just not satisfied with becoming a physical therapist. I've come to the conclusion that its more about being social than the actual science and I want something that is more pertaining to medicine and a little more serious. With that I'm weighing the option of DO. However, the catch is I have a 2.6 gpa right now. By the end of this semester I should have a 2.8. My gpa is a reflection of immaturity during my freshman and sophomore years (boyfriend issues, family issues, lost duck in big college, bad company etc). But junior year I've had an upward trend. I should be nearly 4.0ing this semester (physiology, physics 2, public health 101, kin445 class). With that being said, do you think that there is reason for me to switch to premed? Do I have a chance? I'd have to add in orgo, orgo lab, bio lab, and biochem, and possibly a few medicine-related electives to fulfill requirements. Is me doing stellar for the rest of my college enough to make up for my disastrous first half of college? Be brutally honest!

 

[doctor_swimswithfish]

Do you boo-boo. If you feel like you can maintain over 3.7 or so your last few semesters with orgo, biochem, etc. then do it. Med schools like upward trends. What you lack in GPA could be made-up with a stellar MCAT. It's a lot more schooling and hard work, but if you really think you can finish school as a pre-med, take the MCAT, write your personal statement, get LORs from 3+ profs, and fill out your primary application and several secondary applications, then yeah, it's worth it. I switched to pre-med right before my junior year and it was a lot of work but it's do-able. I also had to take a gap year and got a masters degree as well to raise the GPA situation. It honestly just depends on how much you want to be a physician. There's always a chance if you're willing to work hard for what you want.

 

[frosted_flake]

If you want to go to medical school, you go for it. Get in some shadowing and get some clinical volunteering/hands on experience if you can. If I were you, I would finish the kinesiology degree strong, graduate then do a one year DIY post-bac. Take all the courses for med school (bio 1/2, chem 1/2, organic 1/2, biochem (required many places now), math, social sciences (recommended many places). You can look up specific school requirements, as some will sub in biochem for organic 2.

OR--- you could do DO grade replacement which could quickly bring your GPA up to a good place. Retake all C/D/F courses and apply to schools in which you would be a good fit.

Good luck!

 

[Moose2MD]

I have a similar story to yours started of pre-PT and was not a good student starting out my college career. Although my GPA was a bit hirer ~2.9 to start my career. I did not decide to pursue medical school until my junior year. I finished my exercise science degree up and took an extra year to get the rest of the pre reqs which also gave me a biology degree by the time I was done. I was able to finish with a 3.6 cGPA and 3.7 sGPA and applied right after my 5th year and got in.

I would recommend acing the rest your classes especially your pre reqs and possibly retake some courses that you received C- or lower (maybe even C's). I would also recommend shadowing some D.O.'s because a D.O.'s letter of recommendation will be huge in the applications. One last thing I would recommend is extracurricular actives such as volunteering, shadowing, jobs (preferably medical related or a job that allows patient contact) and school involvement. Osteopathic schools look at your overall application more, so having good extracurricular experiences may help with a lower gpa.

Oh and kill the MCAT!

 

[Goro]

retake all F/D/C science coursework, and start doing better.

You'll be fine then.

Hi all,

I'm a junior studying Kinesiology. I've always wanted to become a physical therapist but after shadowing for over 200 hours, I've realized that I'm just not satisfied with becoming a physical therapist. I've come to the conclusion that its more about being social than the actual science and I want something that is more pertaining to medicine and a little more serious. With that I'm weighing the option of DO. However, the catch is I have a 2.6 gpa right now. By the end of this semester I should have a 2.8. My gpa is a reflection of immaturity during my freshman and sophomore years (boyfriend issues, family issues, lost duck in big college, bad company etc). But junior year I've had an upward trend. I should be nearly 4.0ing this semester (physiology, physics 2, public health 101, kin445 class). With that being said, do you think that there is reason for me to switch to premed? Do I have a chance? I'd have to add in orgo, orgo lab, bio lab, and biochem, and possibly a few medicine-related electives to fulfill requirements. Is me doing stellar for the rest of my college enough to make up for my disastrous first half of college? Be brutally honest!

 

[AnonymousD.O.]

During my interviews they didn't care that I made a C in Art 1o1, they cared that I made a C in Chem 115 though. Look, if you want to go to med school than during the next few years of college you are going to have to kick butt in the science pre reqs. I wouldn't be too worried about the overall GPA if you can knock out very good grades in the pre reqs (including biochem). I would also try to take as much science as possible for the MCAT. A great "science gpa" and MCAT will make up for your first two years.

I'm not sure if Biochem is required for med school right now (it wasn't when I applied 3 years ago - now I feel old crap 🙁
- anyway for sure take biochem., and do well.

If you are super super motivated you can also do a post bac program after college if you don't get in. Advantages - they are geared toward people who need to be more competitive, and those who need more science. Disadvantages - an extra year of schooling, and they cost $$$$

Also, work those shadowing hours for what they are. Sure they aren't following a doctor per se, but you can advertise yourself well with that experience.

 

[foreverlearner02]

Thank you all! I am leaning towards switching to pre-med and going all in. Thanks for the guidance and support!!!

 

[94rich]

I am in a very similar situation. I was pre physical therapy as well and felt it just was not going to be fulfilling as a career choice for me. I shadowed in three settings and all of them just didn't really catch my interest. I am a Health Administration major and have about 30 more credits to complete it. I was thinking about double majoring or adding a minor to complete any prereqs. As of right now I am leaning toward double majoring with a degree in interdisciplinary studies since it would essentially allow me to create my own curriculum of sciences that specifically fit my goals as well as really give me some time to boost my GPA. The minors offered at my university don't really line up with the classes I need.

My GPA is pretty low due to a rough start to college. My first semester of college I got below a 2.0 (3 C's and a C-) and I didn't really begin to adapt to college until midway through my sophomore year. I have really turned things around but I don't know if it is too late. My GPA right now is a 2.8 and with retakes a 2.9. This semester I took physiology and it really got me into pushing for the DO route. I'm willing to give it an extra 2 or 3 years if that's what it takes. But I would love some input as to my chances being a senior and making this big of a switch. I have leadership experience and volunteer work with my Fraternity, I plan to shadow an Emergency Medicine Physician and I am searching for a DO to shadow in my area. I am also applying to as many hospitals as possible to volunteer and get some relevant experience.

I have C's in a few classes such as pharmacology, Anatomy, communications, Astronomy, College Algebra and Statistics. I know reading that it must seem like I'm in no way Physician material but I really do believe that this was more from immaturity in my early years because I am doing much better in my science classes now. (B+ in Chem 2, B in Bio, A's in all my major specific classes and I currently have an A in Chem 2). Any advice about improving my application and how I should prioritize my improvements would be great!