Shark Feeding Frenzy?

[LupaCupcake]

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I have a good GPA at this point, but I still have to finish up my chemistry and physics classes which are a little daunting. In a period of 1-2 years (depending on school I take rest of science courses) I have to finish up science, job shadow, get clinical hours, volunteer more and prep for Mcat.

I act confident and sure of myself, but inside I am worried sometimes. I don't admit it to others around me because they are so sure I will do well and I don't think I have ever admitted it on here either. My husband believes in me so much, but he doesn't know the amount of students that don't make it..he doesn't understand the competition..he has never seen the pre-allo forums . I wonder sometimes if I will really get accepted anywhere....what if I don't get an acceptance? What if I let everyone down including myself? What if chemistry and physics ruin my GPA?

It is my dream and I am dedicated along with my family so I have no intention of backing down, but some days I do feel a bit intimidated. I feel like I am going to jump into an ocean full of hungry sharks and we are all aiming for the same tasty fish.

Shark feeding frenzy=premeds trying to get into med school

So, it is nice to see others that went against the odds, some of which that had it more difficult than me, and for them to succeed. Good thread

 

[rguil15]

This may or may not help you in the least...but I know the feeling you are talking about. I'm an almost 30 year old non-trad, graduated undergrad 4 years ago with a 2.9 gpa in engineering. The odds were def. stacked against me going back and trying to get into medical school, but my particular state school view post-baccs differently, if we go back and take 32 science hours or more, we have a new gpa, to them.

So, since returning to school in Jan. I've turned into the student I never was nor could have been in undergrad. I guess some in my classes would say I'm a "gunner". Whatever that means, to me, I'm just a guy who is focused, has a spouse who is counting on him, and knows exactly what I want. I've been finishing out in the top 1% of all of my classes consistently. If we're going to be sharks, let's be the best sharks we can be, and take care of our business. It really has nothing to do with competing with other students to me, I'm competing with an idea of myself. I want something, and I think I can do what it takes to get that, I just have to prove it to myself...everyday. Let the adcoms wade through who is who, you just kick ass on everything you put your hands on, because at this point, why wouldn't you?

 

[dmf2682]

I wouldn't say we're gunners unless we actively go out of our way to make others look bad. Just doing well makes you smart.

 

[ejw5075]

I feel like I am going to jump into an ocean full of hungry sharks and we are all aiming for the same tasty fish.

Shark feeding frenzy=premeds trying to get into med school

So, it is nice to see others that went against the odds, some of which that had it more difficult than me, and for them to succeed. Good thread

At least you aren't the fish?

 

[didanawisgi]

This may or may not help you in the least...but I know the feeling you are talking about. I'm an almost 30 year old non-trad, graduated undergrad 4 years ago with a 2.9 gpa in engineering. The odds were def. stacked against me going back and trying to get into medical school, but my particular state school view post-baccs differently, if we go back and take 32 science hours or more, we have a new gpa, to them.

So, since returning to school in Jan. I've turned into the student I never was nor could have been in undergrad. I guess some in my classes would say I'm a "gunner". Whatever that means, to me, I'm just a guy who is focused, has a spouse who is counting on him, and knows exactly what I want. I've been finishing out in the top 1% of all of my classes consistently. If we're going to be sharks, let's be the best sharks we can be, and take care of our business. It really has nothing to do with competing with other students to me, I'm competing with an idea of myself. I want something, and I think I can do what it takes to get that, I just have to prove it to myself...everyday. Let the adcoms wade through who is who, you just kick ass on everything you put your hands on, because at this point, why wouldn't you?

I'm in a similar situation (sub 3.0 undergrad engineering degree). If you don't mind me asking, what state school are you referring to?

 

[dsoz]

From my perspective, I am 41 and applying this year. I only have one chance at this. The kids that are 22-30 have another year that they can apply, I don't.

Lupa, don't despair, work hard in all your classes. Make sure that you know your stuff. Get great grades in chem and physics (although, 90% is still an A unless your school has +/- grading system). Totally crush your O-Chem. Make your application the best it can be and you will do fine. 🙂

dsoz

 

[johnnyscans]

I'll share what is probably my favorite quote of all time.

"On the contrary, next to heroes like Odysseus and Penelope, the gods seem oddly flat. They are bigger, of course, and they live forever, but their presence seems diminished . . . . The gods of The Odyssey aren't alive, just immortal; and with immortality most of the qualities we cherish become pointless. With nothing to risk, the gods need no courage."

You're doing something most could only dream of. Every night I fall asleep satisfied knowing that I worked my ass off in the lab, in the classroom and while volunteering. Keep up the hard work. You're going to be a-ok.

 

[rguil15]

I'm in a similar situation (sub 3.0 undergrad engineering degree). If you don't mind me asking, what state school are you referring to?

Engineering was such a rediculous major...

Anyways, I'm refering to LSU. But there are others, apparently a couple of schools in Michigan do this also.(there is a thread in this forum on it) I'd contact your the Medical Schools you are interested in and bring it up, see what they have to say. At some places this seems to be an official policy, at others it seems to be unofficial. Either way, it does happen which is great news for us.

 

[rguil15]

You're doing something most could only dream of.

This is true in many ways. In between career changes my wife and I moved abroad for 4 months, when I told some people in France what I was doing they couldn't believe it. Mostly because this is not an option for you in countries like France. Somewhere toward the end of high school, their paths are more or less defined and you can only deviate by dropping out, not by changing paths. (when it comes to Medicine). Not to mention all the other countries where you are what you are born into.

 

[didanawisgi]

Engineering was such a rediculous major...

Anyways, I'm refering to LSU. But there are others, apparently a couple of schools in Michigan do this also.(there is a thread in this forum on it) I'd contact your the Medical Schools you are interested in and bring it up, see what they have to say. At some places this seems to be an official policy, at others it seems to be unofficial. Either way, it does happen which is great news for us.

Thank you for that. I'll have to track down that thread and modify the list of schools I'm applying to.

And yes - engineering was not easy. Brain surgery in my second year certainly didn't help either.

 

[rguil15]

Here ya goes...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=926596

 

[NightGod]

I wonder sometimes if I will really get accepted anywhere....what if I don't get an acceptance? What if I let everyone down including myself? What if chemistry and physics ruin my GPA?

If you don't know about it, check oldpremeds.org, they're good for helping us old folks deal with the Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt (FUD) that comes along in this process. It's one of the most common topics in the pre-med forums over there.

And don't stress about chem and physics. As long as you have decent study skills, it's pretty easy stuff. From what I saw, the people who had trouble with it were the younger kids who went in expecting it to be like high school-for many of them, these were their first taste of "real" college classes.