Questions and Advice Requested for a Non-traditional Student!

[knowledge777]

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Hi Everybody,

I am a new posting posting member, although I have been familiar with the forums and have read many threads regarding certain questions I have had in the past. Before I go further I would like to give a brief introduction to myself and my current status.

I just graduated from undergraduate studies in History (from a top tier University). I had a stint with biology and other science classes as an unde😕rgraduate, but my time spend in college was mostly hanging out with friends. I let many things get me incredibly distracted from my academic studies. I was not always like this, I did reasonably well in high school (when necessary) and even scored a 32 and (10/12 writing) on my ACT. My high testing skills and general ability to rationally and logically problem solve got me to graduation with a 2.3 cummulative GPA doing basically nothing. <--- when thinking about this sometimes people usually say: that is not impressive at all, a statement which I would not disagree with at all.

BUT what was able to accomplish was to learn from my actual life experiences (which I had plenty) during my college days. Upon graduation I was completely unclear in what I wanted to do with my life, and most people at that point - siting with a 2.3 degree in History would NEVER even consider pursuing a career in medicine.

During this past summer I was going through career planning and staying up late during the nights cranking at ways which I could make this potentially happen...and I finally found a Post-Bacc Pre-Med Program that would take me with the grades that I had.

I am now in my one year Post-Bacc which consists of a premed schedule of (Intro Bio + Lab, Intro Chem + Lab, Organic Chem 1 + Lab, Physic 1 + Lab, and a Health Careers Course) and has a mirroring schedule for second semester. I am more focused then I have ever been in my life and I can feel it. I have almost completely isolated myself from people and spent over 7+ hours in class + lab and then another 4 - 6, hours in the library at least 5 days a week. This has been more rigorous for me ( as a non science backgrounded student) then working on a fishing boat in the Bearing Sea. BUT it feels good and I am genuinely feeling like the top student in all of my classes. I know I can get a 4.0 throughout this year and I know that through hell and back someday I will become a doctor.

With that said - I really am new to this...and I need help with more directions that I can take my studies and focus on developing my career. I am the first person in the family history to ever go to college so I have close to zero direction from my family and I grew up in an impoverished household so I have limited resources available to me. I have no criminal records - and have completely parted ways with drugs and alcohol. BUT I still fear that when application time comes around even with my diligence and the turning around of my life, I will still face the applicants with zero strikes and perfect grades...What should I do so I can stay competitive with these applicants? and how else may I improve my academic profile (aside from getting A's in all my classes from here on out)...

THANKS for the read and please help provide input if you have any!

 

[isoquin]

The best way to start is to produce a turning point where you can say "everything that came before today was bad. I won't make excuses for it, but instead have simply moved on to prove I can be a successful medical student." It sounds like you're already on that path. Keep going, and increase your clinical experiences so you understand what the field (and not simply the study) of medicine entails.

 

[mafunk]

As cliche as it sounds I believe that the best thing to do is to put the past behind you and strive for your goals. As you do so, your unique experiences (the 'good' and the 'bad') will make you an interesting applicant that will appeal to certain schools.

I think if you spend your time second guessing yourself and worrying about your past, you will burn energy that could otherwise be channeled to more productive pursuits.

 

[knowledge777]

I have been setting up shadowing for the following:

PA
DO - Primary Care
DO - Onocology
MD - Pediatrics
DPM - Sports Medicine

I also have joined all the service organizations offered around me. I am also currently signed up for premed conventions to be held at local my state's medical school. Aside from these are there other things I should be doing?

Help and suggestions are always appreciated!!! 🙂

 

[hitchhiker]

i was in your shoes 2 years ago. Your best bet are DO schools, as my gpa recalculation was an entire point higher than what AMCAS was showing. (2.x -> 3.x)

The second biggest hurdle will be the MCAT.

Also, avoid the laundry list of organizations, get a leadership role and make a difference.

pm me if you want, i can elaborate on a lot more stuff that is more personal if you'd like

 

[ChE04]

I have been setting up shadowing for the following:

PA
DO - Primary Care
DO - Onocology
MD - Pediatrics
DPM - Sports Medicine

I also have joined all the service organizations offered around me. I am also currently signed up for premed conventions to be held at local my state's medical school. Aside from these are there other things I should be doing?

Help and suggestions are always appreciated!!! 🙂

I would caution you to narrow your focus as far as service organizations go. It is better to be deeply committed to a few activities than to be superficially involved in a multitude, therefore you should only join an organization if it means something to you. For applications and interviews, you need to be able to explain in detail your commitment to the cause, and also comment on how the experience has affected or influenced you. By spreading yourself too thin among too many organizations, you also run the risk of being perceived as someone who is trying to pad their resume, rather than someone who takes a genuine interest in what they are involved in. Think quality over quantity.

Also, remember that PA's and DPM's are not medical doctors, and so shadowing them will have no bearing on your medical school application. Still, it's always good to see another facet of the healthcare industry and keep an open mind towards other professions.

 

[xadmin]

rock your MCAT and post bac and you are set. 2.3 won't mean much then since many years would have passed.