New here....couple questions and asking for some advice!

[yankeesfan]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi guys...just found this place a couple of days ago. Looks great. ok, will try not to make this too long...

I am 23/F from central NY. I have just decided what I want to do with my life - I would love to become a rheumatologist...possibly a pediatric rheumy.

I was attending a SUNY school right out of high school til I got 'sick' at the age of 20. I have undifferentiated Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (which they are alomst 100% sure is Lupus...), Hashimoto's Disease, Raynaud's, history of vasculitis, etc. I have seen my fair share of docs who appear to have gotten their licenses from a cracker jack box. The rheumy I have now is WONDERFUL and has found the right mix of meds to dramatically improve my quality of life. I have done a ton of research on autoimmunity and obviously have a great interest in that area. So that is what I want to do with my life.

Before I got sick, I was dean's list student all the way, inducted into Nat'l leadership honor society, varsity athlete and captain of my team, did loads of volunteering, etc. My major at the time was Elementary Education with an English concentration.

After I got sick, I did take a couple leaves - so I have quite a few withdrawals on my record. But there were also 2 or 3 semesters where I had to be enrolled as a FT student or I would lose my health insurance - and I could not let that happen. So I didn't go to classes because I was too 'sick'...so failed them all. Which was fine at the time, because I had to take care of my health first.

I intend on going back to school starting next January...with intentions of changing my major to English and my concentration to pre-med. I know about all of the science requirements but what else should I be doing? What kind of volunteering should I do? How should I spend my summers?

Also, I believe I can significantly improve my GPA by taking over some of those classes I failed. But my GPA will still not be as high as I would like it to be. Will med schools look down upon me because of this? Or will my health problems adequately explain this and as long as I do quite well with my science courses and MCATs I will still be considered?

Any advice, input, comments would be greatly appreciated! It is my dream to be a doctor!!

 

[MedPuck]

First of all welcome, even though you like the Yankees! You sound very sure about your goal of becoming a rheumatologist and I believe you can without a doubt achieve your dream. Admissions committees will most likely understand your situation. Contrary to the usual preconceived notion that pre-meds have to save the world in order to gain admission into med-school, you can overcome any shortcomings in your past and it seems you have the right attitude from the get-go. Spend your free-time (summers etc...) volunteering/shadowing where you will have patient exposure, and if you are interested get involved with more rheumatology or autoimmune research. What ever you do, engage in things you will enjoy, not things you believe will look good on your applications. As far as your GPA, the only thing you can do improve on your current overall GPA is work as hard as it takes to achieve top grades. You cannot change the past so just do what you've gotta do to make yourself as competitive as possible. I have overcome a very large obstacle in my life and recently got accepted to my top-choice program, which is why I decided to give you my $.02. Just stay focused and enjoy life at the same time. Good luck 😉

 

[megkudos]

To add to what medpuck said just be sure to get some health care experience as well as do some sort of volunteering and keep up with the research as long as you like it 🙂 Other than that just do extracurrics that interest you.

Med schools will definately take your medical history and increased grades into account. I wish you the best of luck!!!

 

[love Mom]

Hi Yankee,

You're right, this is a great place! 🙂 I mostly keep quiet because I'm not a pre-med, but a pre-med's Mom. I have to respond to your request for info...not in reference to getting past the adcoms, (best left up to the experts here on the list) but in reference to your undifferented mixed connective tissue disease.

Guess what? I've got MCTD too. I can well imagine all of the months of fatigue, aches and pains that must have plagued you. My treatment and subsequent recovery has gone somewhat along a different path, however. My Stanford educated internist started me on antibiotics instead of prednisone and other immune suppressants. From there, I did a lot of research on the antibiotic treatment and found out that 1) it is often viewed as controversial, I would guess that half of the current doctors use it, the others scorn it 2) there are lots of people out there for whom it has worked 3) there is always more to be learned in the medical world.

Here are some links that might interest you...for scientific back-ground into the theory, look at <a href="http://www.immed.org" target="_blank">www.immed.org</a> For info and examples from real people, look at <a href="http://www.rheumatic.org" target="_blank">www.rheumatic.org</a> and <a href="http://www.roadback.org" target="_blank">www.roadback.org</a> For input from a practicing M.D.rheumatologist and his partner, a D.O. have a look at <a href="http://www.thearthritiscenter.com" target="_blank">www.thearthritiscenter.com</a>

I wish you well and would be happy to talk further on the subject 🙂

Mom

 

[yankeesfan]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys!!! I appreciate it SO much 😳 )

 

[altaskier]

Go for it! I think your experiences alone say a lot about what type of doc you'll be. Buckle down, take the courses you need for med school and take those courses you withdrew from again and make sure to explain your case. You could do this in your personal statement, for example. Remember, people on med school committees are human. They understand. I think if you do this, you got just as much of a chance of getting in as anyone else in the U.S. Glad to hear your health is on the up and up. Good Luck!

Altaskier 😉

 

[beeper #2]

The decision you've made is a serious one and is a long one also. Med students need excellent health, as missing any sort of time in school, not to mention residency, would be problematic. Be aware, with the withdrawls on your record for health reasons, at any interview you will be asked about it and the schools concern will be your health and if it will interfere with the vast physical rigors of a medical education.
Am not trying to discourage you at all, but just wanted you to be aware. Good luck!

 

[Tweetie_bird]

Hiya Yankee,
Welcome to this board! This is a great place to hang out, (too bad it's not in real life!) and I agree, that you are going to get good advice here.

My advice goes along the same lines as the others. I just wanted to wish you luck, and tell you that you are about to enter a very competitive, challenging, yet fulfilling and compassionate field. Your kind of experience in real life, in dealing with your own health, will be an asset to your patients. I am sure you will make a very compassionate doctor. With a dash of luck, sprinkle of passion, and a whole lotta hard work, you will get there. My best wishes to you!

Tweetie

 

[gooseHC]

It sounds great what you are doing, and I think if you do well in your 2nd attempt (although this is secondary to your health still. Keep yourself healthy first and worry about greats next)
but if you do well this time around and do well on your MCATS you have a great chance
one piece of advice though...stop being a fan of the yankees. that'll help your chances greatly 🙂