Should I even try? Given my past?

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I went to a top ivy league school years ago- and messed my life up pretty badly. Horrible grades (essentially flunking out- and it was a few semesters of F's/W's before they actually kicked me out).

Anycase, I took a series of low paying jobs and moved on with my life. and never went back to school. But ever since I've had an increasing interest in psychiatry. My own problems dealt with depression, suicidal tendencies, motivation, anger, alcohol abuse and that's what interested me in the field. It sounds presumptuous- but I think I have a lot to offer others in this area.

Today I randomly thought I'd take a serious look- once and for all- whether a career in psychiatry is ever possible for me. I come from a family of distinguished doctors (ironically which made me never want to consider the profession when I was younger and "follow" in other's footsteps).

Assumming I go to a crappy college, earn good grades, finish a bachelors with a pre-med reqs, and do well on the MCATs - what are the chances of me getting into some US medical school? I honestly don't know. We're talking about a past transcript filled with F's. And I'm in a point in my life where I can't easily take a chance and spend a lot of money/time without a payoff (well I could- but I really have to be realistic).

 

[mspeedwagon]

Firstly, if you are truly thinking along the lines of psychiatry, consider clinical psychology. It'll be an easier path and it may give you what you want much faster.

If you really want to go down the med school path, start by repeating all the classes you failed, do well, get a decent MCAT score and you should be good for osteopathic schools. It'll likely take you 4 years to get a degree, repeat all classes and get into a med school.

Texas also has a fresh start program if it has been more than 10 years since your undergrad.

If you really want it, it's there for the taking.

 

[Goro]

I've seen a good number of my own students reinvent themselves with a second BA or BS, so yes, it's doable.

Keep in mind that for DO programs, AACOMAS' grade replacement policy does wonders for a cGPA. For MD programs, you're going to need to get that cGPA >3.0 to get past the autoscreens that most of them use.

Assumming I go to a crappy college, earn good grades, finish a bachelors with a pre-med reqs, and do well on the MCATs - what are the chances of me getting into some US medical school? I honestly don't know. We're talking about a past transcript filled with F's. And I'm in a point in my life where I can't easily take a chance and spend a lot of money/time without a payoff (well I could- but I really have to be realistic).

Do NOT think about a medical career unless you get a clean bill of [mental] health from your therapist or psychiatrist. Medical school is very stress inducing.

My own problems dealt with depression, suicidal tendencies, motivation, anger, alcohol abuse and that's what interested me in the field. It sounds presumptuous- but I think I have a lot to offer others in this area.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

How many credits have you taken so far and what is your GPA? One way or another, it will be possible for you to go to medical school. It may take some work to dig yourself out of the hole you're in, but it is possible.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Firstly, if you are truly thinking along the lines of psychiatry, consider clinical psychology. It'll be an easier path and it may give you what you want much faster.

I will respectfully agree with that. Getting to become a Clinical Psychologist may take 5+ years of PhD training and in exchange you'll be earning significantly less than an MD/DO and be told by the MD/DO what the action plan will be. Yes, one could become an MA/MS/MFT level psychologist, but given the current climate with the overwhelming amount of psychologists, you risk unemployment and making no more than a bachelors-level graduate with significant graduate student loan debt.