rejections

[jasveen]

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Hi guys,

I just wanted some advice. I'm a fourth year chem major at UBC (Vancouver). My GPA is ~3.3 (but it was ~3.1 when I applied). I took the MCAT 2x (1st:23 2nd:25). I have done a lot of extra-curricular activities, but no research. I applied to 15 schools and got rejected from all 15 without any interviews. I tried my best for the MCAT the second time, but you can see my mark, so I don't think I can improve if I do it for the 3rd time and I don't wanna waste another summer. So, I decided to go into teaching, but both my parents are extremely upset. I think they are going to force me to do something I don't wanna do and I don't know what I wanna do anymore. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to handle the workload and will be a crappy doctor. Can somebody please offer some advice?

Thanks,
j

 

[Bo Hurley]

Hi guys,

I just wanted some advice. I'm a fourth year chem major at UBC (Vancouver). My GPA is ~3.3 (but it was ~3.1 when I applied). I took the MCAT 2x (1st:23 2nd:25). I have done a lot of extra-curricular activities, but no research. I applied to 15 schools and got rejected from all 15 without any interviews. I tried my best for the MCAT the second time, but you can see my mark, so I don't think I can improve if I do it for the 3rd time and I don't wanna waste another summer. So, I decided to go into teaching, but both my parents are extremely upset. I think they are going to force me to do something I don't wanna do and I don't know what I wanna do anymore. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to handle the workload and will be a crappy doctor. Can somebody please offer some advice?

Thanks,
j

The solution to your problem involves a rope and a high ceiling rafter.

 

[erin682]

If being a doctor is your passion then you can figure out how to make it work. DO schools and carribean schools are a good option. Everybody has fears about whether or not they will be a good doctor. Teaching is not exactly the easiest choice either. Being a good teacher is at least as hard as being a good doctor. Anyway don't give up if its what you really feel called to do.

 

[digitiminimi]

So, I decided to go into teaching, but both my parents are extremely upset. I think they are going to force me to do something I don't wanna do and I don't know what I wanna do anymore.

If it is medicine that you think your parents may force you into and you don't want to do it then for goodness sake ... don't do it. If you haven't even started med school yet and are already convinced that you are going to be a crappy doctor, then it's probably not for you. You aren't supposed to start doubting yourself until AT LEAST half way through first semester gross. If you know you don't want to be a doctor (or a teacher, which I commend you for trying to do), try to think of something else. If you really want to do something in the medical field what about grad school, PA, or Nursing school? Or like erin682 said ... try a DO school or something.

However, if you DO truly want to be a doctor ... go for it. Don't get discouraged about not getting in. Get a job doing research or just about anything else at the school where you want to go or think you might have the best shot at getting in. Befriend some people in admissions and around the med school and get them to help you figure out what you need to do to get accepted. Or start out doing nursing or something like that and then if you get your degree, start work and like it ... if you decide to go back to med school later then good for you. We have several nurses/PA's in our class who decided to go back, some of them not very old either. Their experience helped them get in.

Whatever you decide to do remember, YOU are the one that has to live your life and be happy with it ... NOT your parents. You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you let them bully you into doing something you don't want to do.

 

[MechE]

Did you apply to any D.O. schools or only MD schools?

 

[jasveen]

just MD

 

[rpkall]

Apply to DO schools!

If your passion is to teach, then teach. If you have a passion for medicine, apply to DO schools, and sell yourself at the interviews. You will be competitive at some of those schools if you have a committment to diversifying your life experiences (i.e., more extracurriculars, volunteerism, new interesting activities) and a genuine love for helping people.

Just my 2 cents.

Best wishes, and good luck in whatever you decide to pursue. 🙂

 

[thackl]

The solution to your problem involves a rope and a high ceiling rafter.

nice....... 🙄

 

[daniquepasa10]

Very true with other options...MD is not the only way to go. DO schools are also competitive, but you can probably atleast get some interviews and then wow them with your charm. If that doesn't work, some caribbean schools are actually worth it and reptuable in the states.

Gluck.

nice....... 🙄

 

[wam_256]

Follow your heart...think what would make you really happy. Don't try to please the people around you...after all, it's your future. If you really want to be a physician then do whatever it takes. Good Luck!!!

 

[doc05]

(1) apply DO; (2) stay away from the carribean; (3) don't bother with nursing, as it won't help you get in; (4) don't get too disappointed, since medicine isn't for everyone. there are many other worthwhile things to do with your life. maybe teaching will work out.

good luck!

 

[docbill]

Hi guys,

I just wanted some advice. I'm a fourth year chem major at UBC (Vancouver). My GPA is ~3.3 (but it was ~3.1 when I applied). I took the MCAT 2x (1st:23 2nd:25). I have done a lot of extra-curricular activities, but no research. I applied to 15 schools and got rejected from all 15 without any interviews. I tried my best for the MCAT the second time, but you can see my mark, so I don't think I can improve if I do it for the 3rd time and I don't wanna waste another summer. So, I decided to go into teaching, but both my parents are extremely upset. I think they are going to force me to do something I don't wanna do and I don't know what I wanna do anymore. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to handle the workload and will be a crappy doctor. Can somebody please offer some advice?

Thanks,
j

1. If you are doing medicine because of your parent.. KNOCK IT OFF.
GO to teaching.

2. UBC is a difficult school. YES. Did you think of doing a second BSc or a BA. Try a different Univer. SFU or UVic are much more enjoyable and you might actually enjoy studying there. 2nd degree is only 60credits (2 years).

3. Make sure you improve your overal GPA and your last 60credits and redo the MCAT, take Kaplan this time. And do better. 2 years is a short time.

4. Consider a DO school. I am from BC, I am going to do a DO degree. If you go to Carib kiss coming back to Canada goodbye. If you do DO you can come back and work after residency.

5. LIke someone else said. You ahve to improve your application. DO schools are not going to take you if you have no "life experience". The average there is 3.45-3.55 or higher depending on school. But they all do require EC and participation.

 

[Benzo4every1]

Hi, I would definitely recommend taking the MCAT the third time and this time, put MORE effort into it. I think this is the key to your success. Your GPA is not bad, but I think to be competitive, you need a higher MCAT score. DO NOT THINK of it as WASTING your SUMMER. Think of it as an investment into your career. If they want a high MCAT, you show them the cards and give them a HIGH SCORE. Don't give into it. Also, only pursue this if this is what YOU want to do, not your PARENTS. They can be very influential, but you know what? THEYRE NOT GOING TO BE ON CALL, GET LONG HOURS, GET THE SATISFACTION OUT OF TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE: But do you know who? YOU WILL. So think about it now before it is too late. If teaching is your calling, you go for it!!!!
Anyhoo, another GOOD ADVICE was to apply for DO schools. I did not apply for any DO schools, (no good reason why I didnt), but I think that will help you with your mission. Good luck!

PS. edit to add: Im not sure if this is wise or not, but perhaps contacting the schools you were rejected and find out what was the reason they did not want you in? Is it the GPA, MCAT, or just excurricular activity? Ive known folks to be sent back into the community and try again next year because even though they have the grades, they never worked in the 'health care' field, so they truly didn't experience what could potentially be in store for them. Take some time, volunteering at the hospital, working at a free clinic, or just do some clinical work. It could be anything medically related. That was all 😉 Ill stop running my mouth now.

 

[FloridaMadame]

The solution to your problem involves a rope and a high ceiling rafter.

Nice compassion in a future doctor. Obviously in it for the money.

 

[fang]

Take a year or two off, do some research, and use that time to think about if *you* want to go to medical school or if you're doing this because your parents want you to go to medical school. If you're not sure what you want, take some time to figure that out first because medical school can be a huge drain.

I can't imagine doing this if my heart were not in it. Right now I'm poor, I'm insecure about how much I know and whether I'll be able to do well on the boards or do a good job in my 3rd year, I have little contact with people outside of medical school (and when I do I feel guilty for not studying), and my cat is probably my best friend at the moment. I still don't regret the decision though-- even if I barely pass boards, get straight passes next year and wind up doing Family Practice in Nebraska, this is what I want to do.

Another thing... I initially DIDN'T apply to medical school because my parents were against it. Use their opinions to weigh one side of the decision in your mind, but in the end do what makes sense in your own life.

 

[Shangal]

A lot of people out there get in after taking the MCAT's more then twice, and sacrificing another summer isn't a big price for getting a job you will be proud of for the rest of your life, so that shouldn't be an issue. Just aim on getting a 30, getting a 27-28, should be able to get you interviews.
As of being confident of being a good doctor, I think most of us think of the same thing. I mean you really have to be cocky to think you are going to be a good doctor while you are even in med school, I am toward the end of my first year and it still didn't hit me yet that I am going to be a doctor. I kind of feel like a fraud to be honest.
Good luck with everything, and be confident that you can get in wherever you want to as long as you put the effort. Life usually goes your way if you are dedicated enough.

 

[Giving My .02]

Medical school is hard enough. If you don't really want to do it, don't.

 

[JakeHarley]

Hi guys,

I just wanted some advice. I'm a fourth year chem major at UBC (Vancouver). My GPA is ~3.3 (but it was ~3.1 when I applied). I took the MCAT 2x (1st:23 2nd:25). I have done a lot of extra-curricular activities, but no research. I applied to 15 schools and got rejected from all 15 without any interviews. I tried my best for the MCAT the second time, but you can see my mark, so I don't think I can improve if I do it for the 3rd time and I don't wanna waste another summer. So, I decided to go into teaching, but both my parents are extremely upset. I think they are going to force me to do something I don't wanna do and I don't know what I wanna do anymore. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to handle the workload and will be a crappy doctor. Can somebody please offer some advice?

Thanks,
j

Here's is some very serious advice. The most important thing in life is to be happy with yourself in a SELF VALIDATED manner.

I'm guessing that you are around 21? It may be time for you to pursue the difficult process of differentiation from your parents. This will be the most important thing for you to do. Think carefully about what YOU would like to do, form your own AUTHENTIC choice, and follow through with it. YOU ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS. I know it is difficult to see from within the relationship, but you have to develop your own sense of self and stop letting your parents define your "self" for you. Also, they must differentiate and develop their own "self" that is not defined by you. In the current pattern, they judge your choice to become a teacher negatively and experience it as a personal failure.

Regardless, you can't do their growing for them, you can only pursue your own growth. The way these enmeshed family relationships work, they will rebel against you becoming an authentic, self-defined individual. But stay strong!!! This process will allow you greater happiness down the road in every single relationship you become involved in. You plan on getting married someday? Having kids?

If you choose to throw yourself at the admissions process again at your parents demand, you are setting yourself up for a life patern that will make true happiness very difficult.

If through careful examination of your own authentic needs and desires you find that reapplying is the right thing for you, then go for it. If you decide that another career direction is a better fit for you, then go for it.

If your authentic choice causes excessive confrontation in your relationship with your parents, check out counselling. Seriously, I can not say enough about the help a therapist can give in redefining/creating boundaries in relationships, and how much that can affect one's life experience.

Ultimately, we don't just want to be doctors here, we want to be truly happy and MEANINGFULLY successful people, right?

Check out these books if you are interested:

Boundaries and Relationships
A great introduction to family systems theory

Good luck my friend!

 

[peterson]

The solution to your problem involves a rope and a high ceiling rafter.

this is not funny. 👎

 

[cynthia08]

The solution to your problem involves a rope and a high ceiling rafter.

Bo Hurley:
For someone that wants to be a physician, you sure have no compassion.

Jasveen
My advice to you would be first: if you want to be a teacher, that is a great profession. You can't be too worried about what your parents want you to do. You're an adult and you have to live your own life. second: if you really want to become a physician, you might want to do a master's program and retake the mcat the year before you finish. that way you can prove to the admissions committee that you can handle graduate level courses and i'm sure the program will help you on the mcat. hope this advice helps! my mom always says "if you can dream it, you can do it". Good Luck

 

[gschl1234]

Hi guys,

I just wanted some advice. I'm a fourth year chem major at UBC (Vancouver). My GPA is ~3.3 (but it was ~3.1 when I applied). I took the MCAT 2x (1st:23 2nd:25). I have done a lot of extra-curricular activities, but no research. I applied to 15 schools and got rejected from all 15 without any interviews. I tried my best for the MCAT the second time, but you can see my mark, so I don't think I can improve if I do it for the 3rd time and I don't wanna waste another summer. So, I decided to go into teaching, but both my parents are extremely upset. I think they are going to force me to do something I don't wanna do and I don't know what I wanna do anymore. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to handle the workload and will be a crappy doctor. Can somebody please offer some advice?

Thanks,
j

Whether or not you'd make a good doctor seems irrelavent since you describe the situation as yoru parents FORCING you into something you'd rather not do. Don't do it (unless your perception has changed). There are too many personal sacrifices and you'll just end up unhappy if your main reason to go down this road is to make other people happy (or keep them from being "extremely upset").

 

[NIQ]

Stay away from Caribbean schools unless you really have no interest in specializing and dont mind being stuck somewhere in Miami afterwards. Try and improve your MCAT and apply for more DO schools