SnowBall in Hell

[GrapeApe]

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What up my Pre-med peeps? So, I'm in need of some feedback regarding my situation.

Here is the background history, w/ specifics:

Pre-med student starts course work and gets a C average, chemistry, math, and bio. Discouraged by his grades he decides to switch to English Literature. B/c of the auto-didactic nature of the coursework said student starts to get straight A’s. And yet his innate desire to study medicine draws him back to repeat some of his pre med coursework (decided to let a few C's stay where they were and focus on improving in new coursework). Also, we should mention to the audience that the student has struggled in school b/c of ADHD.

This time around the student decides to take an ADHD medication. And, wouldn’t you know it he starts getting A’s in his premed courses; chem., o-chem, histo, cell, biochem, physics. So, now the student has gone from having a 2.08 g.p.a. to a 3.4 g.p.a and a science g.p.a. of 3.2. No MCAT yet. The student asks himself, what are the admission committees going to say to a student that retook 18 credits, and spent 7 years as an undergrad, assuming they even look at the student’s application in the first place?

The student, would like to mention, he first learned about Osteopathy while conducting research into nonfiction writing from the 19th century and became fascinated by it. He is currently in the process of putting together a publication on the history of the D.O.

How realistic are a student’s chances with this kind of background?

Should the student even mention to the admissions committee his ADHD and how medication has apparently resolved his learning deficits? Will it even come up?

What suggestions do you have for our frustrated student?

 

[Taus]

In all honesty....just get a decent score on your MCAT you should be fine. Just curious...but what exactly were you researching that brought your attention to Osteopathic Medicine?

 

[rgerwin]

I'm in the same boat. Finished undergrad in Biochem/Neuro in 4 years, but with a sub-par GPA. Worked in research for 4 years, decided med school was the way to go. Retook one chem course, and am studying for the MCAT (didn't study the first time, got a 24). My biggest problem was I always felt I was in a fog, couldn't concentrate, and didn't have the mental stamina it takes to really learn science. I started taking Wellbutrin a few months ago, and it was like the fog cleared, and I am very much able to comprehend and retain complicated info. My suggestion to you is to not mention the ADHD. You never know what kind of stigma it place on you, and they might feel you are an unacceptable risk. make up some other true, but fairly vague and generic answer to that question, get some clinical experience(very important), do well on the MCAT, and apply early!

 

[GrapeApe]

In all honesty....just get a decent score on your MCAT you should be fine. Just curious...but what exactly were you researching that brought your attention to Osteopathic Medicine?

The course was 19th century American nonfiction. I had to choose a topic from the 19th century and write about it. I chose medicine, and while doing some research hit upon Osteopathy. I had known about prior, but had not done any involved research.

 

[MikeyLu2010]

the student needs to stop referring to himself in the 3rd person...sorry .pet peeve

 

[GrapeApe]

the student needs to stop referring to himself in the 3rd person...sorry .pet peeve

I know; I figured someone would burn me for using third person.

I almost went with second person narrative. And, first person! Well, everybody's using that these days.

 

[Bill_Brasky]

Med school admissions in general, and especially osteopathic schools I have found, will forgive youthful indiscretions in the way of GPAs if you have shown an upward trend on your grades. You have definitely done that. As long as you make 25>= on the MCAT you should be just fine, better than that and you will probably have a choice of at least a couple of DO schools. Keep doing what you are doing and you'll be getting alot of interviews.

-Bill Brasky
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"First friend of Brasky: The market...the market's up eighty points.

Second friend of Brasky: I'll never figure out this market. One day she's up. [pause] The next day she's up...

First friend of Brasky: Hey, do you fellas know a guy by the name of Bill Brasky?

Second: Yeah, I know Bill Brasky. He's a 10 foot-tall beast-man, who showers in vodka, and feeds his baby shrimp scampi.

Third: Best damn trader on the floor.

Second: He orchestrated the merger between UNICEF and Smith and Wesson.

Third: Brasky went public with his own buttocks and made 7 million.

First: To Bill Brasky."

 

[FS-Pro]

Med school admissions in general, and especially osteopathic schools I have found, will forgive youthful indiscretions in the way of GPAs if you have shown an upward trend on your grades. You have definitely done that. As long as you make 25>= on the MCAT you should be just fine, better than that and you will probably have a choice of at least a couple of DO schools. Keep doing what you are doing and you'll be getting alot of interviews.

==."

I totally agree. I showed upward trend after bad start and had no problem being accepted to several schools with 25 MCAT.

 

[HunterGatherer]

It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again!

I know; I figured someone would burn me for using third person.

I almost went with second person narrative. And, first person! Well, everybody's using that these days.