Not your typical "pre-med" Student...

[rolltidedoc]

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Hi everyone,

Last fall, I entered as a freshman at a large university. I was sick nearly the entire time and was ultimately forced to withdraw and return home after a battle with Sepsis. When I returned home, my family and I flew back and forth from the Mayo Clinic seeking answers for my declining health. We found out many things with a full health work up and one being I needed was a full spinal fusion. Literally, collar bone to sacrum. I am now six weeks post op and recovering to face yet another surgery, this time a heart procedure. For now, I am not taking any classes as I am recovering and will be flying back out for my other surgery. However, I do plan on taking some pre-requisite online courses to hopefully not fall too far behind. The classes will be at a local community college and then when I am well, the plan is to transfer back out to a four year university closer to home.

I still have plans of becoming a doctor. I have learned a lot being on the other side as a patient. With my spinal surgery, I went through hell and back and I want to use these painful experiences to harvest important qualities in me such as dedication and compassion that will hopefully make me a wonderful doctor one day. I want this more than anything and I am willing to do what it takes to succeed despite my own issues. If I gave up now, I feel as if I would always have the thought in the back of my mind of what I potentially could have been.

Long story short, my questions and concerns lie along the lines of the fact that I am not your typical "pre-med" student. I am still only a freshman and have time, but I won't spend all four years at some huge university, I took breaks due to declining health, and have to start with online classes first since I am not in a position right now to be walking across large campuses with a heavy backpack etc. Does this affect my attractiveness as far as a candidate as far med school goes? I understand that there are many factors involved such as GPA, MCAT scores and so on, but my concern is I'm not the typical student and don't want that to draw concerns towards me. Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[efle]

Having a leave of absence for health reasons will not keep you out of med school. Take your time getting well before resuming. Be aware that online pre-requisites are often not accepted and/or lab components are required. I would try to do all gen-eds or major-related classes and save the prereqs for when you return to 4-year institution.

 

[Goro]

I am still only a freshman and have time, but I won't spend all four years at some huge university, I took breaks due to declining health, and have to start with online classes first since I am not in a position right now to be walking across large campuses with a heavy backpack etc. Does this affect my attractiveness as far as a candidate as far med school goes?

Nope. It's a pre-med delusion that med schools want you to finish your UG in four years flat.

 

[stickgirl390]

As suggested above, wait to do your prereqs until you can return to the university. Once you are healed, focus on getting the best grades you can. You're going to have one heck of a personal statement come application time!

 

[rolltidedoc]

Having a leave of absence for health reasons will not keep you out of med school. Take your time getting well before resuming. Be aware that online pre-requisites are often not accepted and/or lab components are required. I would try to do all gen-eds or major-related classes and save the prereqs for when you return to 4-year institution.

When I said pre-req's I meant courses such as freshman math, english etc.

 

[efle]

When I said pre-req's I meant courses such as freshman math, english etc.

Calc I/II and English/writing are prereqs at some med schools. You really should steer clear of doing any of that online. Stick to gen eds if possible (stuff like anthro or philosophy or econ)

 

[deleted480308]

Hi everyone,

Last fall, I entered as a freshman at a large university. I was sick nearly the entire time and was ultimately forced to withdraw and return home after a battle with Sepsis. When I returned home, my family and I flew back and forth from the Mayo Clinic seeking answers for my declining health. We found out many things with a full health work up and one being I needed was a full spinal fusion. Literally, collar bone to sacrum. I am now six weeks post op and recovering to face yet another surgery, this time a heart procedure. For now, I am not taking any classes as I am recovering and will be flying back out for my other surgery. However, I do plan on taking some pre-requisite online courses to hopefully not fall too far behind. The classes will be at a local community college and then when I am well, the plan is to transfer back out to a four year university closer to home.

I still have plans of becoming a doctor. I have learned a lot being on the other side as a patient. With my spinal surgery, I went through hell and back and I want to use these painful experiences to harvest important qualities in me such as dedication and compassion that will hopefully make me a wonderful doctor one day. I want this more than anything and I am willing to do what it takes to succeed despite my own issues. If I gave up now, I feel as if I would always have the thought in the back of my mind of what I potentially could have been.

Long story short, my questions and concerns lie along the lines of the fact that I am not your typical "pre-med" student. I am still only a freshman and have time, but I won't spend all four years at some huge university, I took breaks due to declining health, and have to start with online classes first since I am not in a position right now to be walking across large campuses with a heavy backpack etc. Does this affect my attractiveness as far as a candidate as far med school goes? I understand that there are many factors involved such as GPA, MCAT scores and so on, but my concern is I'm not the typical student and don't want that to draw concerns towards me. Any advice is much appreciated.

You are neither destroyed nor special in any way.....there are thousands and thousands of premeds. Just get the scores and be a decent human

 

[rolltidedoc]

Calc I/II and English/writing are prereqs at some med schools. You really should steer clear of doing any of that online. Stick to gen eds if possible (stuff like anthro or philosophy or econ)

So if I am understanding you correctly, avoid taking the pre-med prereqs online and stick with general classes if I must take something online?

 

[efle]

So if I am understanding you correctly, avoid taking the pre-med prereqs online and stick with general classes if I must take something online?

Right! Either wait to take anything until you're at a college, or if you must take something online right now, make it something that is not required by med schools.

 

[Doctor or bust]

Not to burst any bubbles and I apologize in advance if it sounds brash, however, I think that many pre-med students first get their interests in medicine due to personal health or because of the ill health of someone they have an intimate relationship with. Granted many of which aren't as serious or life altering as yours was, I do not think that puts you in a completely separate section from other pre-meds. I personally underwent medical problems which weren't resolved until just after freshman year which is what brought my interests in line with studying medicine. It will certainly be a good talking point in secondaries, your PS, and may be brought up in interviews. I wouldn't consider it to be a negative on your application, just make sure that you don't mess up your GPA because of this. Its the hand you were dealt, play it safe. Take easy liberal studies classes until you are better and then work your way up, GPAs are hard to recover.

 

[LnSin]

I am still only a freshman and have time, but I won't spend all four years at some huge university, I took breaks due to declining health, and have to start with online classes first since I am not in a position right now to be walking across large campuses with a heavy backpack etc. Does this affect my attractiveness as far as a candidate as far med school goes?

Nope. It's a pre-med delusion that med schools want you to finish your UG in four years flat.

Why'd you quote this different from your 'regular' style, Goro?


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[Goro]

Why'd you quote this different from your 'regular' style, Goro?


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I have a regular style??

 

[LnSin]

I have a regular style??

You usually put the quote under your message!


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[rolltidedoc]

Not to burst any bubbles and I apologize in advance if it sounds brash, however, I think that many pre-med students first get their interests in medicine due to personal health or because of the ill health of someone they have an intimate relationship with. Granted many of which aren't as serious or life altering as yours was, I do not think that puts you in a completely separate section from other pre-meds. I personally underwent medical problems which weren't resolved until just after freshman year which is what brought my interests in line with studying medicine. It will certainly be a good talking point in secondaries, your PS, and may be brought up in interviews. I wouldn't consider it to be a negative on your application, just make sure that you don't mess up your GPA because of this. Its the hand you were dealt, play it safe. Take easy liberal studies classes until you are better and then work your way up, GPAs are hard to recover.

Really appreciate the response. I am well aware that this doesn't make me more special than other people. A story is just a story, and I know that you need the grades and scores, a nice story won't cut it. The reason I mentioned all my health issues was due to the fact that it has delayed me and put classes on hold, rather than trying to create a pity party. When you are struck with medical issues, I have learned it is important to be well educated on your conditions and be a good advocate for yourself. So sure, that definitely peaked my interest, but really what did it was watching numerous open heart surgeries. Doesn't get more amazing than that.

 

[cellsaver]

Why'd you quote this different from your 'regular' style, Goro?

Heavens, Goro is irregular?

CVS offers their own brand of psyllium husk (aka Metamucil) to get one regular. The "orange" flavor is so-so but it does keep one regular!

 

[LnSin]

Heavens, Goro is irregular?

CVS offers their own brand of psyllium husk (aka Metamucil) to get one regular. The "orange" flavor is so-so but it does keep one regular!

View attachment 221424

Huh?


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[begoood95]

Calc I/II and English/writing are prereqs at some med schools. You really should steer clear of doing any of that online. Stick to gen eds if possible (stuff like anthro or philosophy or econ)

sigh
Of course, try not to take any pre-reqs online (in fact, I think some medical schools do not accept online pre-reqs). However, if you can, don't relegate "stuff like" anthropology and philosophy to a lower standard. If you can take them at your university, you will benefit greatly. These courses are widely applicable to your future as a physician, and this might be the only time you'll be able to take such courses at this level; you're going to get biochemistry and the like in medical school, don't worry.

 

[efle]

sigh
Of course, try not to take any pre-reqs online (in fact, I think some medical schools do not accept online pre-reqs). However, if you can, don't relegate "stuff like" anthropology and philosophy to a lower standard. If you can take them at your university, you will benefit greatly. These courses are widely applicable to your future as a physician, and this might be the only time you'll be able to take such courses at this level; you're going to get biochemistry and the like in medical school, don't worry.

I had a second major that was mostly philosophy, I don't think less of the humanities. It's just the safer thing to take online. If OP can't take the intro sciences now and shouldn't take the intro social sciences or humanities now either, what's left?

 

[psychgirl95]

So are you an AL fan, a resident, or both? I'm asking because I'm a resident, and oddly enough, have been going through a similar experience (I'm recovering from a brain tumor). If you ever need to talk to someone who mostly likely understands what you're going through, PM me!

As for the online classes, to be honest, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I know people will disagree with that, but I've personally learned that pre-med paranoia is sometimes just that: paranoia. A couple online classes (and/or community college classes) will not be the reason you're not admitted to medical school (assuming everything else is in line). On the other hand, don't get me wrong; no, I'm not taking my science classes online (and I wouldn't advocate for anyone to do so) but I've taken many psychology classes (most of the ones required for my double major) online, including statistics. And I actually CLEPed math (which could be an option for you as well, especially if you don't mind taking an in-person math class at some later date).

I'm totally projecting here, but at this point in your life you're just trying to be as normal as possible, which is why I advise not worrying too much about whether a class is online or not. The fact is, when your health is better, you can likely make up any "deficiencies" you may have regarding prerequisite courses. Of course it's easier to not have any "deficiencies" in the first place (e.g., not taking any writing/English/literature classes online), but it would also be easier for you to not to be in school at all. (I don't know about you, but I get told this every single semester!) So if it adds stress to you (on top of the health issue stress), then don't worry about it. If it doesn't add stress, then that's great! (It certainly stressed me out though.)