Post-graduation, suggestions

[jsungholee]

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Dear StudentDoctor,

My name is Joshua and I've been lurking these forums and trying to figure out what I can do. Here's the situation, I will be graduating this sunday from UNC Chapel Hill 🙂 (yay) with a BS in Psychology. I originally came into college with the desire to get into med school however after getting C's in basic biol, anatomy, two semesters of basic chem and a C- in first semester physics. Therefore, I thought that med school is not for me if I can't even do well in undergraduate classes. However in senior year, I kept having a regret of not at least trying. I didn't study at all for the classes and after talking with my parents they support me fully in doing everything I can to at least try for med school.

So from the readings I've done on this forum, I am interested in taking a post bacc program that'll cover the required pre-reqs for med school. My final grades are coming out soon but cumulative GPA will be around a 2.4. Then after taking the pre-req courses hopefully look into a SMP program. I haven't done any research, volunteering, or shadowing.

Basically the basic question I want to ask the forum is, is there even a slight bit of a chance for me to have at least a 50% chance of getting into a med school in the future. I haven't taken the MCATs or done anything at all to help me on my progress to med school. The only things I have done is probably hurting me because my science grades are so low. I know that this will require at least two years of schooling just to retake the basic science classes plus the other required courses such as organic.

I have an interview for a job in San Fran next week and basically I am split on what to do if I do get offered a job. I really want to have no regrets in life and want to at least have tried for med school but upon consideration of my situation, I am not sure if it is even possible for me to take on this path and would be more beneficial if I just take the job. But if there is a chance I want to take it. Last semester of senior year I have completely changed and have studied and have done well in all my classes (3 of the 4 classes, I got an A and the last class' final grade is not out yet but should be at least a B+).

So what do you think studentdoctor. Is it possible? The road will be tough but if the general consensus is that it is possible, I will pursue it with 100%. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Joshua Lee

 

[DrMidlife]

My vote: Go to SF, and take the job if it's offered. Ideally you'll be really happy with that job. If not, if you still want to go to med school down the road, you might end up being a better student after a few years away from school.

A 2.4 in psychology says no, you don't have a 50% chance of getting into med school. A 2.4 isn't a problem that can be solved by taking more classes. It's a problem that can only be solved by transforming yourself into an excellent student.

If you start the prereqs now, quite frankly, you will get crushed and your dreams will die. (Some say I'm a big meanie. Others say I'm a protector of dreams.)

By contrast, if you take a few years away from school (which is a very common pathway), you may find that you have more focus for academics. You could take a math or science class in the evening, and see if you have changed (you would be able to tell you've changed because you would get an A).

My point is: don't go anywhere near the med school prereqs until you have completely rehabbed your academic skills. One way to rehab your academic skills is to go away for a few years. There is a huge pile of A's in very difficult classes between your current situation, and a future where med school is a reasonable ambition.

Best of luck to you.

 

[jsungholee]

That is reasonable. I always wondered if I had taken a gap year between high school and college if I would have taken academics more seriously. I guess most people know after a certain time that they are a changed person and are ready to buckle down and study?

Say that I do not get offered a job. Should I spend time volunteering, shadowing, perhaps researching or does researching come too close to academia? Or just get any job I can get and just work for a few years.

Thank you again for your input. It is very helpful during this time of turmoil.

 

[jsungholee]

Okay so update. I unfortunately did not get the job.

What suggestions would you guys give now? I am currently looking for volunteering opportunities at the local hospital and also looking up volunteering for EMS.

I know the suggestion was to stop schooling for a while but would applying for PA or Nursing be a viable option? Or would these career paths be too binding? I know that it is not well liked for nurses to attempt to go into the med field.

 

[LovePeds]

I have a question before i give any advice, On a scale from 1-10...how hard did you try in order to perform well in your undergrad science coursework?

 

[LovePeds]

You can PM me if its better for u

 

[jsungholee]

On a scale of 1-10, I gave a 2 on intro to Bio got a C. I gave a 2 on both intro to chem, also got C's. For anatomy and physiology, I gave 4 and got a B-. First semester physics I gave 1 and got a C-.

Not sure if this will help or not but the reasoning is because my high school did not prepare me for college at all. I kept having the illusion that I do not need to study and I will do well. In addition to the social aspect of college, taking science courses was not a good idea with me being immature.

Unfortunately, I was not able to fit a science course my last semester at UNC because they have a rule that undergraduates need to graduate in 4 years and since I declared my psychology major first semester of junior year. I was stacked on psychology classes and was not able to take any more pre-med courses to see just how much I have actually matured. Of course I realize now that if I had given a 9 or a 10, I would have a better chance than I have as of this moment. But that is all in the past and am focusing to see what I can do in the future. If it is at all possible.

 

[LovePeds]

Joshua, please check your PM messages.