Should I even bother...

[tastywithmilk]

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I'm sure you guys get this all the time, but it has been a question eating me up for the last few days so I thought I would ask.

I wanted to be a doctor through most of high school, however by the time I got to college some how my sights had shifted and I went down a different track. Over the two years I spent in college my grades got progressivly worse until finally last fall I left school (and consequently failed all my classes) to take advantage of an increadible oppurtunity ( a staff position on a presidential campaign was offered to me) and to gather my thoughts and figure out where I was heading.

I worked through most of the spring until my canidate dropped out of the race at which point I applied back to my school and was re-admitted for this fall. Now I find myself once again wanting desperatly to be a doctor but worried and fairly certain that the option is no longer available to me.

With 2 years left in my undergraduate (not counting summer and winter courses I plan on taking to help pad my GPA) I stand here with a 2.4 GPA (cum.), virtually no science GPA and no MCAT scores.

My question now is this, is it still possible for me to become a doctor? I have a number of F's on my transcripts as well as a whole host of W's. I don't have a real good reason for this except to say I just wasn't mature enough yet to understand what I wanted and how to go about getting it.

My plan/goal is to graduate with a GPA in the range of 3.00 - 3.20 with a double major in Bio and Political Science. The idea being to score at least a 3.8 per semester from now on. I know that I wouldn't have a snow balls chance in hell of getting into any med school straight out of undergrad but is there anything I can do to make it a possiblity afterwards? I would be willing to do almost anything, be it a postbaccalaureate program, a masters, a PhD, whatever it takes, and I would of course being aiming towards med schools of a lesser caliber, be it for an MD or a DO.

So what do you think? Is this something I should abandon now? Or with the right amount of work is it something I could accomplish? Thanks for listenign to me and sorry for the super long post.

 

[dfn27]

If becoming a doctor is something you are determined to become, then yes, you should bother. It is still possible, just be sure to get the best grades possible over the next two years. After graduation consider doing a post-bacc (if you didnt complete the pre-req's in undergradute) or a MS program.

 

[adpitan]

If becoming a doctor is something you are determined to become, then yes, you should bother.

I agree, if it's your passion why would you simply give up or do something else? Why? You will be unhappy and you will never be fulfilled. Yes, it's a lot of work but when you get there it will be worth it. Don't settle for something because you're afraid of putting in some hard work and then being rejected. Life is full of rejection at times, our job is to find ways around it. Don't let something so small stop you, if you truly want this then you better work your ass off to prove it not only to yourself that this is in fact what you want but to prove it to those who will be reviewing your work. Be honest, don't over load yourself, don't look at "how old I will be when I am done and finally able to work in my field of choice" Think about how many ppl work in fields they hate, no matter how much money you make it's not worth you being unhappy.

Bottom line, you must ask yourself, is this a passion? Will I be happy doing something else? (The answer must be no or you wouldn't be here, right? 🙂 ) So, if it's a passion, go grab it.

Good luck!

 

[tastywithmilk]

Thanks for the replies. This is definetly something I want to do and something I am both ready and willing to work towards. I just wanted to be sure that it wasn't a futile excersie and that someone with my initial grades could actually make into med school eventually.

Thanks again.

 

[medanthgirl]

I graduated undergrad with a smattering of F's, D's, and C-'s here and was able by the end to pull my overall GPA to a 3.1. I went to grad school for public health and got a 3.8 and even though I loved public health, it gave me the confidence and desire for med school again. I think you should totally go for it. I'm still working and taking classes and preparing for the MCAT, and in making up my mind to do it, the ONE question I had to answer was if I spend all this energy, time, money, emotion, etc into these classes to repair my science GPA and take the MCAT, and I still don't get in is it worth it?? I said yes, and haven't thought about it since. Nothing in life is a guarantee, but I don't want to be 60 and wondering what if.

Some of the post-bacc programs out there are great, you'd be taking virtual med school classes, and that will give the best answer to any admissions committee seeking to question your ability and drive.

 

[ockhamsRzr]

I followed the "something" else--but you can't outrun what's deep inside of you.

After being overpaid, feeling really self-important, owning income properties, great wife, two sweet babies, and a front front yard to mow--the desire to be a doc never went away.

Now, all of the above is on hold while my family supports my desire to chase my dream. DO IT NOW~!

🙂 Ock

 

[emeraldpool]

All is not lost. Get focused and get all A's from now on. Get good recommendations and get some experience. There is no one-way to get to medical school ( speaking from experience) . If you want it badly enough, it will show in your application and interview and you will make it. Don't be your own worst enemy.