Regarding the future...

[ItzYaYa]

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I've perused these forums for quite some time, and I would like to think myself somewhat well informed as far as the whole medical school excursion goes. Forgive me if my question seems old and tired.

So, I am currently entering into my junior year, and it would seem that I have ~2 years left (not counting this one), so basically I'm in it for the 5 year run (switched majors). I was currently juggling 2 ideas around. Should I A.) Take the MCAT my senior year and apply for the 2014 cycle (DO/MD schools), during these years I figured that after retaking many of my pre-reqs (see thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=834181), I would take upper division science classes e.g. Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbio, etc... or B.) Graduate, and apply to a post-bacc/master's program in order to bolster my application, and make me a more competitive applicant?

Either way I'm determined to actualizing my dream. Any advice is welcome. 🙂

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Either way you're going to have to retake all of the courses in which you got a C- or below in, regardless of what you're going to do next. After retaking all of those classes you'll basically be in the position for a few paths of which all will require you to basically show an upward trend, I'm talking straight A's from now till graduation. So basically after doing that, you'll be in the position to either go for an SMP, but only if your MD gpa is above 2.8 only and mcat is extraordinarily high, or if your DO gpa is above a 3.3 and have a high mcat and have done extraordinarily well in your upper level classes and shown an upward trend, then you'll probably be good to apply, and I'm talking applying your 4th/junior year so that you'll be able to start medical school right after Ugrad . However if your gpa is still somewhat low then you might want to consider putting off application till after your senior year is over, and if it is still bad then, well then consider a post-bacc.

 

[ItzYaYa]

Sorry, I meant after re-taking my pre-reqs.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Sorry, I meant after re-taking my pre-reqs.

Alright, I'm done editing and making a through response to what you can do to get into medical school. All I can say is you need to really start getting your head in the game and if you find yourself trying your hardest and still not being able to make a B, then I sincerely recommend you either have yourself examined for ADD/ADHD, switch undergrads or consider a different career.

But anyways good luck with this endeavor, I wish you luck in your journey for penance. Btw what is your CumGpa?

 

[ItzYaYa]

Alright, I'm done editing and making a through response to what you can do to get into medical school. All I can say is you need to really start getting your head in the game and if you find yourself trying your hardest and still not being able to make a B, then I sincerely recommend you either have yourself examined for ADD/ADHD, switch undergrads or consider a different career.

But anyways good luck with this endeavor, I wish you luck in your journey for penance. Btw what is your CumGpa?

Trust, it has nothing to do with a lack of effort. Currently I'm sitting quite uncomfortably on a 2.4

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Trust, it has nothing to do with a lack of effort. Currently I'm sitting quite uncomfortably on a 2.4

Is there any reason you believe, which might have caused you to fail almost all your classes? It's obviously not the class/teacher as in terms of statistics an average class is curved around to a C+/B- and a C- is around 1 standard deviations away from the mean and D's & F's are upwards of 2-3 SD away from the mean.

 

[misssciencenerd]

Trust, it has nothing to do with a lack of effort. Currently I'm sitting quite uncomfortably on a 2.4

If you are truly working hard and putting in adequate study time, you need to be re-evaluating why you are failing. Are you not understanding the material? Not testing well? Not paying attention in class? Missing assignments?

Furthermore (and I hate to say this...) but if you are struggling so much in undergrad it is going to be close to impossible for you to maintain in med school.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

If you are truly working hard and putting in adequate study time, you need to be re-evaluating why you are failing. Are you not understanding the material? Not testing well? Not paying attention in class? Missing assignments?

Furthermore (and I hate to say this...) but if you are struggling so much in undergrad it is going to be close to impossible for you to maintain in med school.

Not everyone is cut out for medicine, that's just the truth. Find your own special niche in life, you'll be a lot happier doing it than going into a field which you don't even really like all that much.

 

[misssciencenerd]

Not everyone is cut out for medicine, that's just the truth. Find your own special niche in life, you'll be a lot happier doing it than going into a field which you don't even really like all that much.

I feel bad telling people that if their heart is set on it. But I agree, medicine is not for everyone.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I feel bad telling people that if their heart is set on it. But I agree, medicine is not for everyone.

Yah, well honestly if the OP is trying his hardest and getting D's & C-'s then he's probably either not trying as hard as he thinks or simply is not cut out for medicine. And honestly, I'd be happier if someone told me that up front and then I could go out and find a major/career that I'm simply better at or will likely be more satisfied in than run around to an inevitable failure and be stuck in between places. ( OP, this is not towards you, I'm not telling you to forget about your dreams and search for another career, give it another try and if it doesn't work out then, well I recommend looking for a new career then.)

 

[willen101383]

Either way you're going to have to retake all of the courses in which you got a C- or below in, regardless of what you're going to do next. After retaking all of those classes you'll basically be in the position for a few paths of which all will require you to basically show an upward trend, I'm talking straight A's from now till graduation. So basically after doing that, you'll be in the position to either go for an SMP, but only if your MD gpa is above 2.8 only and mcat is extraordinarily high, or if your DO gpa is above a 3.3 and have a high mcat and have done extraordinarily well in your upper level classes and shown an upward trend, then you'll probably be good to apply, and I'm talking applying your 4th/junior year so that you'll be able to start medical school right after Ugrad . However if your gpa is still somewhat low then you might want to consider putting off application till after your senior year is over, and if it is still bad then, well then consider a post-bacc.

Funny thing is dude there were PLENTY of things I got C-s in that I never repeated...physics 2 D- calc 1 D- organic 1 AND 2 C-. Granted I was 4 years out from college and had a graduate degree between undergrad and med school but still...they like to say C-s or lower wont count but they very well may....(obviously not advocating that OP chance it...im just providing my own anecdotal example!)

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Funny thing is dude there were PLENTY of things I got C-s in that I never repeated...physics 2 D- calc 1 D- organic 1 AND 2 C-. Granted I was 4 years out from college and had a graduate degree between undergrad and med school but still...they like to say C-s or lower wont count but they very well may....(obviously not advocating that OP chance it...im just providing my own anecdotal example!)

Are you sure you didn't do a SSMP? A secret special masters program . But yah, I don't know, OP should call 2 or 3 medical schools and see their opinion of this.

 

[ItzYaYa]

Read the link I included in the original post. It explains everything. During the first two years, I couldn't attend school regularly due to some extenuating circumstances. After the earthquake in Haiti, my mom had a nervous/mental breakdown which left her damn near impaired. To me, its always family first, so sadly, I neglected my academic duties. :/ But, I am not one for excuses, so I'll say that its my fault for letting things get to that point.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Well, have the familial problems and other problems which could potentially distract you been resolved? If they are then go ahead and start retaking classes, if not then I recommend taking a year off and helping out the family and building up your EC's. But given the situation, as long as you can start getting better grades you can easily overcome the past.

 

[willen101383]

Are you sure you didn't do a SSMP? A secret special masters program . But yah, I don't know, OP should call 2 or 3 medical schools and see their opinion of this.

haha my MCAT was >3 years old too.....oops.