New Member Introduction

[AlphaKeto]

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Hey all,

I don't know how non-traditional I am, but I went to LSU in 04 right after highschool, partied it up, got increasingly discontent with school and the people I was around, and ended up taking a break to do full time volunteer work in New Orleans following Katrina(by "taking a break" I mean ditching in the middle of the year without withdrawing, and flunking because of it). I met my wife, had two kids and basically worked in the construction field since then(with some odd lab and security jobs inbetween). I took a few CC science classes inbetween then with good grades. With my wife finally finding full time employment I had an opportunity last fall to start back school full time. Because of the way I left LSU, even with my A's in CC my GPA wasn't high enough to get into the larger schools. So I'm attending a smaller 4-year. I've maintained a 4.0 the past 3 semesters and my GPA is much higher. I could probably transfer to any University in the area, however I have found some really good faculty here, and because the school is small and needs to grow, they are very excited to help students that show potential. Because of this, My A&P professor, who is a cardiologist, has set me up with a year full of research opportunities at the local hospitals, and a few other programs, so I'm staying put(not to mention they are really understanding of students with families). I'm a junior, studying for MCATs and trying to make up for wasted time as it applies to med school. My ultimate goal is to enter an MD/PHD program, which means I have a lot to do in a shorter amount of time.

So, that's my life story I guess. I apologize for the lack of brevity, but i got so in depth so that hopefully someone who may have been through a similar set of circumstances, or is going through one now may offer some advice or just relate to me how they are dealing with it.

 

[ShoTyme]

Hey all,

I don't know how non-traditional I am, but I went to LSU in 04 right after highschool, partied it up, got increasingly discontent with school and the people I was around, and ended up taking a break to do full time volunteer work in New Orleans following Katrina(by "taking a break" I mean ditching in the middle of the year without withdrawing, and flunking because of it). I met my wife, had two kids and basically worked in the construction field since then(with some odd lab and security jobs inbetween). I took a few CC science classes inbetween then with good grades. With my wife finally finding full time employment I had an opportunity last fall to start back school full time. Because of the way I left LSU, even with my A's in CC my GPA wasn't high enough to get into the larger schools. So I'm attending a smaller 4-year. I've maintained a 4.0 the past 3 semesters and my GPA is much higher. I could probably transfer to any University in the area, however I have found some really good faculty here, and because the school is small and needs to grow, they are very excited to help students that show potential. Because of this, My A&P professor, who is a cardiologist, has set me up with a year full of research opportunities at the local hospitals, and a few other programs, so I'm staying put(not to mention they are really understanding of students with families). I'm a junior, studying for MCATs and trying to make up for wasted time as it applies to med school. My ultimate goal is to enter an MD/PHD program, which means I have a lot to do in a shorter amount of time.

So, that's my life story I guess. I apologize for the lack of brevity, but i got so in depth so that hopefully someone who may have been through a similar set of circumstances, or is going through one now may offer some advice or just relate to me how they are dealing with it.

Hello Alpha. I don't really know exactly what you are dealing with academically speaking other than a poor semester. There is the DO grade replacement program depending on how low your stats actually are. Sounds like you are on the right track though. I would suggest making good use of the search function to acclimate yourself to the site. And welcome! Many students here are trekking with family in tow, so in that vein, you are not alone.

 

[AlphaKeto]

Thanks for the Welcome. I was already flirting with failure when i walked out on LSU. Thinking back on it, I had no academic drive in college, and gained no satisfaction from what i was learning(or not learning). I was mostly there for the social aspect, and probably would've done myself a favor if I had stayed undecided while I got my head on straight. Anyway my GPA coming out was something like 2.0. I've brought it up to a 3.1, and it should be around 3.3 after this semester. I'm hoping to graduate with a 3.5-3.6

My biggest piece of baggage from my academic past would probably be the science prereqs i took and actually passed. Most of them were passed with C's. Not until I had been on my own for a while, started a family, and matured ALOT, did I start to take school seriously. Sadly, this epiphany coincides with my stint at CC, and now I'm at a smaller, less academically impressive school, I feel like it makes it seem like I'm only performing better because of inflated stats and/or easier classes. Hopefully MCAT scores, combined with a 3.5 will dispel any doubt about my academic ability.

I know shooting for an MD/PHD program this late in the game is ambitious, if not outrageous, but I figure that even if that doesn't work out I will still be setting myself up for a high chance at a seat in the regular medical program

 

[ShoTyme]

Thanks for the Welcome. I was already flirting with failure when i walked out on LSU. Thinking back on it, I had no academic drive in college, and gained no satisfaction from what i was learning(or not learning). I was mostly there for the social aspect, and probably would've done myself a favor if I had stayed undecided while I got my head on straight. Anyway my GPA coming out was something like 2.0. I've brought it up to a 3.1, and it should be around 3.3 after this semester. I'm hoping to graduate with a 3.5-3.6

My biggest piece of baggage from my academic past would probably be the science prereqs i took and actually passed. Most of them were passed with C's. Not until I had been on my own for a while, started a family, and matured ALOT, did I start to take school seriously. Sadly, this epiphany coincides with my stint at CC, and now I'm at a smaller, less academically impressive school, I feel like it makes it seem like I'm only performing better because of inflated stats and/or easier classes. Hopefully MCAT scores, combined with a 3.5 will dispel any doubt about my academic ability.

I know shooting for an MD/PHD program this late in the game is ambitious, if not outrageous, but I figure that even if that doesn't work out I will still be setting myself up for a high chance at a seat in the regular medical program

Your stats aren't terrible. Continue what you're doing. Ace everything. Show a rediculous upward trend as you have been. Crush the MCAT. No prob. 😛 Seriously though. You sound like you are on the right track. You also sound like you are on your way to a compelling personal statement. Keep at it. With luck and an immense amount of work, you will get there. 🙂

 

[AlphaKeto]

Your stats aren't terrible. Continue what you're doing. Ace everything. Show a rediculous upward trend as you have been. Crush the MCAT. No prob. 😛 Seriously though. You sound like you are on the right track. You also sound like you are on your way to a compelling personal statement. Keep at it. With luck and an immense amount of work, you will get there. 🙂

Thanks for the words of encouragement. It's easy to get dismayed sometimes. I'm looking through the Non-trad forum and it's nice to see my situation isn't all that special. Lot's of broke people with a wife and kids in med school.

 

[theseeker4]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. It's easy to get dismayed sometimes. I'm looking through the Non-trad forum and it's nice to see my situation isn't all that special. Lot's of broke people with a wife and kids in med school.

Lol, that is almost the definition of the Non-trad forum. You will be fine though, especially if you get a great MCAT. And remember, there is nothing stopping regular MD's from doing a lot of research if that is your ultimate goal, so don't think if the MD-PhD is out of reach that your research goals are gone.