New

[CreateWriteHeal]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello there!

Reading these forums has given me so much inspiration and hope I figured I should finally just join SDN and tell my story. Hopefully I can give some encouragement back and get some as well. You all are an incredible lot and I'm thankful this place exists!

I was always interested in medicine and wanted to be a surgeon since I took biology in highschool. That said, I never thought I could "hack it" as a doctor or a pa. I've always been good at art and worked as an artist in highschool (teacher, freelance, etc) so I majored in art. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in art in Jan. 2012.

I never felt satisfied with art, so I applied to and was surprisingly accepted to Columbia U's premed postbac (I was shocked) but I couldn't get enough money in time to pay for it (cue depressing music), so I declined and decided to work, gain more experience and try again in a few years. I took a job as an editorial assistant at a few newspapers and worked as a photographer, freelance artist and writer. I volunteered in a geriatric psychiatric unit at a local hospital (played harp for the patients and did art projects with them) as well as in an emergency room as a general messenger (I stock supplies, cleaned rooms and transported patients.).

Half a year ago I realized I needed to be working in a medical field to gain more experience, so I took a job as a mental health counselor at a hospital associated with a local medical school. I really enjoy the work even if it's exhausting and dangerous (patients are sometimes physically aggressive or have dangerous illnesses).

Finally I felt like it was time to apply and UVM seemed like my school this time around. It was far less expensive, closer to family/friends/job contacts, and honestly I like the environment better. I applied and was accepted for Spring 2015. So here I am, trying desperately not to psych myself out before I even get started.

As for family, just my parents and long list of siblings 😛 I had a serious boyfriend, but he ended the relationship after ignoring me for months. He also told me on more than one occassion he didn't think I could be a doctor. It's not worth it to put up with people who can't hack the hard stuff with you or support you, right?

I'm going to keep searching these threads for tips on saving money during postbac and for the best loans to get. I have most of the money I need right now, but can't wait till I've secured a job that will help me pay for the remaining 20% of what I need.

Woa this is longer than I thought. Thanks for anyone who reads this and responds!

I'll draw you the animal of your choice if you take the time to respond, it may take a few days, but I'll do it! Thanks you guys! 😛

 

[LA1004]

Hello!

Good work on working on achieving your dream! So UVM's program appears to have linkage to professional school, that is a great start because as long as you meet their guidelines you are guaranteed an interview.

I was sort of in your shoes last year. Although I didn't do a formal post-bacc program, I had to retake two semesters worth of classes after graduating because my first years in college were really bad (think C- and below). In order to pay for tuition I swallowed my pride and asked my parents to loan me the tuition money for the first semester, then used my tax return to pay for the second one. To patch up whatever else was missing I donated plasma at the local plasma center (they paid 65 dollars a week for two donation sessions, that was enough to secure the last 1k I needed).

If all else fails, consider contacting a community credit/local bank and explain your situation and goals. Chances are they will loan you the money with a low interest because they know the money is being used for a worthy cause (education).

 

[Deranged Medic]

If all else fails, consider contacting a community credit/local bank and explain your situation and goals. Chances are they will loan you the money with a low interest because they know the money is being used for a worthy cause (education).

Not to be a Debbie Downer here, but I have not found this to be the case. I needed to borrow a few extra G's to make it through undergrad, and I had to pull teeth at my bank to get the funds. When I did my post-bac, my school listed me as pursuing a second bachelors, and I was able to obtain the money through the normal federal loans.

 

[LA1004]

Not to be a Debbie Downer here, but I have not found this to be the case. I needed to borrow a few extra G's to make it through undergrad, and I had to pull teeth at my bank to get the funds. When I did my post-bac, my school listed me as pursuing a second bachelors, and I was able to obtain the money through the normal federal loans.

Not a Debbie Downer at all, it is helpful to get opposite sides of the same coin. It was something I heard here that worked for a fellow SDN'er (can't remember who it was though) and thought I would suggest as a possible option. But yes, I should have added that results may vary depending on where you are.

 

[Deranged Medic]

Not a Debbie Downer at all, it is helpful to get opposite sides of the same coin. It was something I heard here that worked for a fellow SDN'er (can't remember who it was though) and thought I would suggest as a possible option. But yes, I should have added that results may vary depending on where you are.

Totally understand. According to my banker (Chase) they rarely give out student loans anymore, as they are a significant risk for them. I'm not sure if this is being seen across all banks though.

OP-I'm not certain if a formal post-bac program can list you as seeking a second bachelor's degree, but as someone who was just in your shoes, I feel like this was a lifesaver for me.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Welcome to the forums! I don't have any specific info regarding loans. I'm sure there are others that know way more than I do on that front.

I have a few pieces of advice in terms of being pre-med:
1. You will inevitably at some point in the program find yourself struggling in classes. Don't give up! There are excellent resources from Free Lance Teacher to the Organic Chemistry as a Second Language books.
2. Start MCAT prep early. Invest in a good set of books. I've heard Kaplan is good for the 2015 MCAT, but the reviews will pour in over the next couple of months. Annotate the book as you go through classes. This will help you know what to focus on when the time comes. I'd have had a much more solid MCAT score had I done this.
3. Read dense humanities books. Good reading skill are critical for the MCAT. Try to read it the way you would an MCAT passage. What is the main point? How does the author feel? Why is it organized the way it is?
4. Aim for one application cycle. Apply early with your best hand. Any time in June is good. A linkage may be your best path as UVM has a few.
5. Relationships aren't that important at this stage. Girls and guys are a dime a dozen. You can easily replace someone and you deserve a loving and supporting partner. Don't settle for less.

I have a lot of other advice, but I think the above is what I would tell myself when I started down the pre-med path. And, put me on the list for a nice animal portrait 🙂.