Persue 2nd Bachelor's Degree?

[deleted303591]

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I have a 3.2 GPA in electrical engineering as a Junior. My GPA is low due to medical problems. I was forced to take medical withdrawal three times and I was diagnosed with a rare disease that is a form of an autoimmune autonomic neuropathy (more specifically, ganglionopathy).

The good news is that the disease is not degenerative, and I will probably get better. I am responding to treatment.

I have approximately 50 hours left and theoretically I can bring my GPA up to a 3.6 if I finish all of the courses for my major with a 4.0. If I do the premed requirements in addition to finishing my degree I can theoretically raise my GPA to a 3.7 if I get As in all of my courses.

Also, by the time I graduate I will turn 26 and I will be off of my parent's health insurance.

Should I just start fresh and get a full time job and pursue a 2nd bachelor's degree, given my circumstance?

What would you do if you were in my circumstance?

 

[MedPR]

I have a 3.2 GPA in electrical engineering as a Junior. My GPA is low due to medical problems. I was forced to take medical withdrawal three times and I was diagnosed with a rare disease that is a form of an autoimmune autonomic neuropathy (more specifically, ganglionopathy).

The good news is that the disease is not degenerative, and I will probably get better. I am responding to treatment.

I have approximately 50 hours left and theoretically I can bring my GPA up to a 3.6 if I finish all of the courses for my major with a 4.0. If I do the premed requirements in addition to finishing my degree I can theoretically raise my GPA to a 3.7 if I get As in all of my courses.

Also, by the time I graduate I will turn 26 and I will be off of my parent's health insurance.

Should I just start fresh and get a full time job and pursue a 2nd bachelor's degree, given my circumstance?

What would you do if you were in my circumstance?

Get a 30 on the MCAT and go to DO school.

 

[Lollygag]

how old are you now? Wouldn't pursuing another bachelors take even longer?

 

[deleted303591]

Get a 30 on the MCAT and go to DO school.

My academic performance is only poor due to my health issues. Basically all the nerves in my spine that control my autonomic nervous system are messed up. I lived with all sorts of GI issues, eye problems, and low blood pressure issues.

I really do not want my potential to be undermined due to a health issue that is likely reversible.

I do not want to go to DO school.

 

[deleted303591]

how old are you now? Wouldn't pursuing another bachelors take even longer?

23.5

Yes, it would take longer but at least I would be capable of demonstrating my potential once my health issues are under control.

Also I really was not able to enjoy university due to my health problems. I am thinking about majoring in Spanish.

 

[deleted303591]

I don't think I should have to undermine my potential due to health issues.

Has anyone went for a second degree and was successful at persuing an MD?

 

[Freesia88]

Sorta in the same boat. My first Bachelors is from a non American college. When I transferred what credit I could, my GPA took a hit, so much I decided I might as well go for a second one from here. I have ~1.5 years to go and I am 24 now.

Someone, (I think Mimelim) said the MD and DO schools are going no where.🙂

As long as you are interested in getting in and doing all you need to do to have a great app package, age is but a number. Hang in there.

 

[Lollygag]

Dude, you spelled pursue wrong, twice. lolol I'm sorry, I'm a grammar nut. But in all seriousness, if you don't think you can pull up your gpa with electrical engineering then absolutely switch out. That major itself looks good for medical school but it's not worth any extra suffering to your gpa.

I personally would stick it out as it seems like you don't have too much left before you're finished but it seems like you want a fresh start since you didn't get your typical college experience and getting a second degree would give you extra time to buffer you're extracurricular's and learn a 2nd language so what you are thinking of doing sounds understandable as long as you don't mind entering medical school later.

 

[Lollygag]

Has anyone went for a second degree and was successful at persuing an MD?

If you really want to know the answer to this, asking in the non traditional forum might yield more answers/advice.

 

[deleted303591]

Dude, you spelled pursue wrong, twice. lolol I'm sorry, I'm a grammar nut. But in all seriousness, if you don't think you can pull up your gpa with electrical engineering then absolutely switch out. That major itself looks good for medical school but it's not worth any extra suffering to your gpa.

I personally would stick it out as it seems like you don't have too much left before you're finished but it seems like you want a fresh start since you didn't get your typical college experience and getting a second degree would give you extra time to buffer you're extracurricular's and learn a 2nd language so what you are thinking of doing sounds understandable as long as you don't mind entering medical school later.

My GPA in EE is only going to go up now that I have been diagnosed with my disease. This January will be my first semester back after being diagnosed with this rare disease.

I am not worried about entering medical school later, after what I have been through.

Thanks for mentioning my grammatical error.

 

[deleted303591]

If you really want to know the answer to this, asking in the non traditional forum might yield more answers/advice.

I will ask the non-traditional forum about pursuing a second degree.

 

[deleted303591]

Well, I asked the non-trad forum about pursuing a 2nd degree and I only received one answer.

I am going to go for it, especially since my disease is not degenerative. I just need to get the antibodies cleared from my body and I probably will be ok.

I have took a year off of school, took medical withdrawal three times, etc and I need to show them that I can do well once my disease clears up, which may take a few years to do.

After that, I will be able to work full time and maybe even take courses full time along with ECs.

 

[Mehd School]

Sorry about your situation.

However, your GPA doesn't go up until you make the grades. Nobody has a crystal ball.

I'd look into DO schools, unless you have some compelling reason why you're not fit for one. I know you already shot that suggestion down.

 

[deleted303591]

Sorta in the same boat. My first Bachelors is from a non American college. When I transferred what credit I could, my GPA took a hit, so much I decided I might as well go for a second one from here. I have ~1.5 years to go and I am 24 now.

Someone, (I think Mimelim) said the MD and DO schools are going no where.🙂

As long as you are interested in getting in and doing all you need to do to have a great app package, age is but a number. Hang in there.

Thanks. Good luck to you.

 

[deleted303591]

Sorry about your situation.

However, your GPA doesn't go up until you make the grades. Nobody has a crystal ball.

I'd look into DO schools, unless you have some compelling reason why you're not fit for one. I know you already shot that suggestion down.

First, I never really got to enjoy university. Because of my health problems, I always feel like I am on the shadow of the valley of death every semester, even though I end up doing fine. My academic record has been fairly strong even when unhealthy, but my health situation caused severe problems. I mean the autonomic nervous system affects so many things, even how my eyes track. When I get sick my eyes do not accommodate properly, in addition to living with chronic nausea and vomiting, and low blood pressure, among other things.

Second, I would like to shoot for some high rank MD schools. I know that I am perfectly capable of getting in to those schools, if my medical situation was not out of control.

There is no reason why my GPA will not go up now that things are settling down.

 

[Mehd School]

First, I never really got to enjoy university. Because of my health problems, I always feel like I am on the shadow of the valley of death every semester, even though I end up doing fine. My academic record has been fairly strong even when unhealthy, but my health situation caused severe problems. I mean the autonomic nervous system affects so many things, even how my eyes track. When I get sick my eyes do not accommodate properly, in addition to living with chronic nausea and vomiting, and low blood pressure, among other things.

Second, I would like to shoot for some high rank MD schools. I know that I am perfectly capable of getting in to those schools, if my medical situation was not out of control.

There is no reason why my GPA will not go up now that things are settling down.

Well, good luck. Do you even know why you want to go to "high rank" MD schools? Do you have some great interest in research or something? Prestige?

Either way, it sounds like you have some growing up to do. I really do wish your health improves. What happens if you're suffering from the disease during the rigors of medical school? I've never even met you, and I doubt you'd make it. You've really got your work cut out for you to prove to the ADCOM of a top tier school that you're worth their time. And there are hundreds of reasons why someone with a 3.2 gpa doesn't end up on a 4.0 streak.


Good luck. 👍 I hope I don't sound too negative. Just trying to be realistic.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

If you finish and have a 3.7, that is somewhat competitive for MD school. Now, there is an awful lot of assuming going on in getting to that 3.7, but I'm sure it's been done before. Unless you are shooting for a top MD program, I would really think about finishing your EE degree and applying as long as your MCAT and ECs are in order.

 

[deleted303591]

Well, good luck. Do you even know why you want to go to "high rank" MD schools? Do you have some great interest in research or something? Prestige?

Either way, it sounds like you have some growing up to do. I really do wish your health improves. What happens if you're suffering from the disease during the rigors of medical school? I've never even met you, and I doubt you'd make it. You've really got your work cut out for you to prove to the ADCOM of a top tier school that you're worth their time.

Good luck. 👍

What right do you have to say that? You are not being respectful.

I worked hard and most people would not make it in my situation.

There are only case reports of my disease and there is only one lab in the United States that tests for it.

I actually found out about my disease by searching symptoms on google when I was in the hospital, and was subsequently tested for it.

Not only that, it is not degenerative. I have been responding to treatment. It is a disease where the antibodies bind and work against the ion channels of the nerves in the autonomic ganglia.

 

[deleted303591]

If you finish and have a 3.7, that is somewhat competitive for MD school. Now, there is an awful lot of assuming going on in getting to that 3.7, but I'm sure it's been done before. Unless you are shooting for a top MD program, I would really think about finishing your EE degree and applying as long as your MCAT and ECs are in order.

I plan on finishing my EE degree, whatever it takes. I have to. It is not a choice. I have worked way too hard not to. I have actually been reading my textbooks for next semester this week.

But, I cannot take a full course load when I recover from this disease. It may take a few years for the antibodies to clear up.

 

[deleted303591]

Well, good luck. Do you even know why you want to go to "high rank" MD schools? Do you have some great interest in research or something? Prestige?

Either way, it sounds like you have some growing up to do. I really do wish your health improves. What happens if you're suffering from the disease during the rigors of medical school? I've never even met you, and I doubt you'd make it. You've really got your work cut out for you to prove to the ADCOM of a top tier school that you're worth their time. And there are hundreds of reasons why someone with a 3.2 gpa doesn't end up on a 4.0 streak.


Good luck. 👍 I hope I don't sound too negative. Just trying to be realistic.

Yes, I am interested in research. I want to get in to a state school (my state has plenty medical schools), and not just any school that will take me. I do not want to be limited in what residencies I can do being a DO.

I don't know what I want to do for residency but neurology and neuromuscular disorders interest me (at least right now).

By the way, this is the disease I live with, and I lived with similar symptoms. Probably half of my problems have cleared up significantly in eight months.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

Yes, I am interested in research. I want to get in to a state school (my state has plenty medical schools), and not just any school that will take me. I do not want to be limited in what residencies I can do being a DO.

I don't know what I want to do for residency but neurology and neuromuscular disorders interest me (at least right now).

By the way, this is the disease I live with, and I lived with similar symptoms. Probably half of my problems have cleared up significantly in eight months.

FYI, there won't really be many residency limitations as a DO going into the specialties you mentioned.

 

[deleted303591]

Let me get this straight...

After you finish your B.S. in a very difficult major, as well as the medical school prerequisites, you will have a 3.7 GPA, assuming you earn only As from here on (which is not a practical goal, but I digress).

Yet your plan is to do the above, and then pursue a second, unrelated major (Spanish) and aim for top medical schools. Why? Why spend thousands of dollars and take years of your life to get another degree? Why not apply the summer before you finish your first B.S. and start medical school, and the rest of your life, as soon as possible?

Well, the best I can get is a 3.7 GPA. In electrical engineering, I can at least get up to a 3.5 by the time I graduate with pre-reqs. I will be taking 9 hours next semester, all in my major. I cannot take more until my health situation clears up some more.

I don't know what I am going to major in, maybe spanish or psychology. I do not know yet and I might do the pre reqs then, under "game" conditions.

I have to sort out my problems and make sure I have my variables under control. I want to go to school full time. By the way, even with my health problems at times I was taking a rigorous, full time courseload while working 20 hours a week. It is possible for me to do it. I also enjoy school a lot. I miss it so badly because it has been taken away from me this past year (and during my undergraduate career in general) from being sick.

I love school, and I am cheap. I live frugally. Plus, I will be making plenty of money as a EE.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

Why don't you go for a post-bacc or SMP to raise your grades instead of a whole other bachelor's degree?

 

[deleted303591]

You could focus on EE, bring that GPA up, and after graduation do a post-bac. This would allow you to really focus on the pre-reqs.

If you choose to pursue a second bachelor's, I would recommend one you're close to getting. Maybe physics or math. This isn't about money, it's about time - time away from being a physician.

That said, regarding money, I really doubt you could work as an electrical engineer and take the pre-reqs in a timely manner, and do well in the pre-reqs.

Were I in your shoes, I would go with the fastest, cheapest, easiest route to get into any U.S. allopathic medical school. You have created arbitrary and unnecessary hoops through which you think you must jump.

Or... I supposed you could commit to EE and do that for a few years, working and saving up money, then come back and do a post-bacc. Your call.

You're correct that I am jumping through too many hoops.

I have to finish my EE degree first and just graduate.

The whole situation with my school and health has been a mess for me. To add to all of it, I do not feel well today.

One of my doctors was the Pre Health advisor at a top 50 university in the United States, and she was suggesting that I pursue a second bachelor's degree.

You are right that I should probably try a field that is at least semi-related. I probably will be in a situation where I will have to work full time as an EE while doing post-bacc to keep my health insurance even with the health care law.

 

[circulus vitios]

Why don't you get some sort of a master's degree? MPH, SMP, thesis-based MS in biology, etc. Getting a second degree in Spanish or psychology after a BSEE is obscenely stupid.

 

[metaphase]

Or just get a 32+ on the MCAT and go to MD school.

3.6-3.7 plus a 32 is the average GPA/MCAT for matriculated applicants. Given your circumstances and an upward grade trend, you might not need a postbac if you have a good app otherwise. (Research, EC's). You certainly don't need an extra bachelor's degree.

If you want some free GPA boost, get a research job at a University so you can take free classes.

 

[Freesia88]

OP, it's not a race.

It sounds like you have a lot to consider. Finish your EE degree with the best grades you can get and go from there. If you are able to get it up to a competitive range and can put together a solid package in the time you have left, then fine. If not, there are ranges of options open to you (as pointed out by the responses this thread). Whether is is a second bachelors, masters program, SMP, DO (if you would deign to consider it), as long as you want it, you can pursue whatever path best works.

It also sounds to me like one of your bigger worries is the question of how to afford your healthcare when you get off your parents plan?

 

[Mehd School]

What right do you have to say that? You are not being respectful.

I worked hard and most people would not make it in my situation.

It's the internet. Your willingness to post on this public board gives me any and all right to share my feelings about your situation within limits.

And I am certainly being respectful. Trust me I am. If you had the same pre-med advisor I do, he'd tell you to not waste your fuc**** time. That's disrespectful.

And, the more I read, the more people agree with me and disagree with your plan in one area or another.

Anyway, I've offended you and that wasn't my intention. I'm sorry for that, and I'll leave you to your thoughts.

 

[duress]

You're 23.5. You anticipate graduating at ~26 with a degree in EE.You are aiming to pull a 4.0 and raise your GPA right now to a little under average. After you graduate, you'd like to come back for additional years to pursue a meaningless second degree to solely raise your GPA even more (while also working).

I'm not going to touch on the better alternative options, because you seem to be obstinately rejecting other posters' in this regard. If I haven't misunderstood your posts, how could you possibly want to do this to yourself? You're dealing with so much already and you're considering spending even more years (your second degree) with the constant stress of pulling near perfect grades? Are you that set on higher tiered MD or something?

 

[deleted303591]

Why don't you get some sort of a master's degree? MPH, SMP, thesis-based MS in biology, etc. Getting a second degree in Spanish or psychology after a BSEE is obscenely stupid.

I have reconsidered pursuing a second bachelor's. It was a bad idea to consider.

I am either going to do post-bacc or do an MPH, SMP, or a thesis based MS in the sciences/mathematics.

Thank you.

 

[deleted303591]

You're 23.5. You anticipate graduating at ~26 with a degree in EE.You are aiming to pull a 4.0 and raise your GPA right now to a little under average. After you graduate, you'd like to come back for additional years to pursue a meaningless second degree to solely raise your GPA even more (while also working).

I'm not going to touch on the better alternative options, because you seem to be obstinately rejecting other posters' in this regard. If I haven't misunderstood your posts, how could you possibly want to do this to yourself? You're dealing with so much already and you're considering spending even more years (your second degree) with the constant stress of pulling near perfect grades? Are you that set on higher tiered MD or something?

I am very hardcore and I have a compulsive personality. I wanted to make up for my deficiencies due to my health, even though it was not my fault. Now I know that there are better ways than going for a second bachelor's, especially in something completely unrelated to my discipline. I just thought that because my situation was so extreme that it might be better to (kind of) start over.

But, I am jumping through too many hoops, like another poster said.

I have my heart set on some schools that happen to be higher tiered, mainly for research reasons.

 

[metaphase]

I am either going to do post-bacc or do an MPH, SMP, or a thesis based MS in the sciences/mathematics.

Keep in mind that masters program classes don't factor into your undergrad GPA.

People get accepted all the time with 3.5's (including me) and 3.6's. If you're into a specific school for "research reasons", tailor your app, EC's, and research experience to them. If you set your sights below the high tiers, there's no reason why you can't apply to medical school as you finish your bachelors.