so, what can I do?

[Chamahk]

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-graduated from undergrad w/ 2.12 (General Studies) started out as bio, so I have some pre-reqs under my belt.

-wanted to go pursue a hard physical science masters, but no one wants me! (about 5 rejects already)

-I have about 5 takes for chem I w/ my highest grade being a C and 5 takes for Chem II with my highest grade being a C-.
I got a C in Physics I and Bio II. I failed orgo and got a D in Bio I.

-should I enroll in a 2nd bachelor's, retake all prereqs, and forget about the masters altogether?

Would really appreciate your advice.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

Do you want to become a doctor?

 

[Rachie615]

Retake some of those classes and prove that you are capable of doing well. You need to look back and determine why you weren't achieving the grades you wanted and address that problem. Was your study schedule not adequate? Did you try to take on too many classes and extracurriculars at the same time?

 

[Chamahk]

I wouldn't have made this thread 😉

 

[Chamahk]

Retake some of those classes and prove that you are capable of doing well. You need to look back and determine why you weren't achieving the grades you wanted and address that problem. Was your study schedule not adequate? Did you try to take on too many classes and extracurriculars at the same time?

I just didn't study and in some cases bother showing up to class for exams, etc.,

 

[doapplicant2015]

-graduated from undergrad w/ 2.12 (General Studies) started out as bio, so I have some pre-reqs under my belt.

-wanted to go pursue a hard physical science masters, but no one wants me! (about 5 rejects already)

-I have about 5 takes for chem I w/ my highest grade being a C and 5 takes for Chem II with my highest grade being a C-.
I got a C in Physics I and Bio II. I failed orgo and got a D in Bio I.

-should I enroll in a 2nd bachelor's, retake all prereqs, and forget about the masters altogether?

Would really appreciate your advice.

Unless you had some major, traumatic life events going on at the time that you received these grades, you need to take a step back and reevaluate what you're doing wrong before you decide on your next steps.

You need to retake all of these pre-reqs regardless, so if your goal is DO school, forget the masters and make a plan for your retakes. At 5 retakes for Gen Chem and a C and C-, you need to sort out what the problem is before you start taking any classes however

 

[mathnerd88]

I would say your chances at medical school are done. You should pursue another career. 5 retakes and only getting C's is a MAJOR problem for them. Your excuses for that is that you didn't study and didn't bother showing up to class for exams. That's not reflective of a medical student and shows a complete lack of maturity.

I'm not saying this to discourage you, but you have to be realistic in your goals. Being a physician is not in the cards for you.

Even if you got a perfect score in your MCAT, no med school will admit you unless you had some crazy life changing story. The key thing is to convince them you can handle workload that is more than twice credits you're taking each semester in college AND not having to retake any classes. Trust me, these classes are going to be WAY harder than chemistry, physics, bio, and orgo.

 

[Goro]

Are you ready to take responsibility for your actions now?

Then retake all F/D/C science coursework, and ace MCAT.

If you have depression issues, get them fixed first.

NOte: IF even after trying really hard this time around, you're still getting C's, then it's time to do something else.

I just didn't study and in some cases bother showing up to class for exams, etc.,

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Cut your loses, get a degree in business or if inherently needs to be medical then a degree in radiological technology and move on with your life. You will not enjoy medical school anymore than you enjoyed undergrad and if you didn't figure out that medicine was not the right field for you after 10 retakes then It's time for me to sternly tell you to move on with your life and stop wasting your time and money.

You will be happy not being a doctor and chances are any existence that has you far the hell away from a curriculum will make you a healthier individual.

 

[Chamahk]

I guess what I really want to know is, despite my poor record the first time around, will a 2nd degree (maybe not even to completion, but just to take enough classes to bring up the GPA) help me get in? Or will I still need to go on to do a masters even after going back as a 2nd degree student and retaking classes?

Sorry if my thoughts are jumbled together. I'm just asking if a 2nd degree --which will afford me a chance to retake classes -- will be enough or I would have to go on and do masters work in addition to that.

 

[Chamahk]

Cut your loses, get a degree in business or if inherently needs to be medical then a degree in radiological technology and move on with your life. You will not enjoy medical school anymore than you enjoyed undergrad and if you didn't figure out that medicine was not the right field for you after 10 retakes then It's time for me to sternly tell you to move on with your life and stop wasting your time and money.

You will be happy not being a doctor and chances are any existence that has you far the hell away from a curriculum will make you a healthier individual.

I've wrestled with this thought sometimes, and me making this thread should give you an idea which decision won 😉

I can't stop you from having an opinion though...

 

[Giovanotto]

Out of curiosity, would you mind explaining your thought process through retaking g.chem 1 and 2 that many times, over and over, and not succeeding? I'm fascinated.

This is coming from someone who nearly scrapped his entire premed career over having to retake G.chem 1 ONCE. Never let it happen again, for any class.

 

[Giovanotto]

You will be happy not being a doctor and chances are any existence that has you far the hell away from a curriculum will make you a healthier individual.

Pretty sure this applies to everyone.

 

[Giovanotto]

woops

 

[IslandStyle808]

I am sorry but I have to be the guy to say this. Have you ever seen a learning specialist or psychologist? If not, I would suggest this route and truly understand how to study and find balance in your life. I find it difficult to swallow that you didn't try for all 5 retakes of chem.

Are you really sure you didn't try? Because understanding this point will help us know whether to give you the general advice or the specially tailored advice.

 

[wxman393]

Do not pursue a Masters degree. Focus on fixing/modifying any academic issues with the help of a learning specialist or counselor. Did you do all these retakes at one school? I'm surprised that a single school would allow you to keep retaking the same class that many times. While I get that they are a business, this is definitely the first time I've heard of someone taking the same chemistry course five times.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I've wrestled with this thought sometimes, and me making this thread should give you an idea which decision won 😉

I can't stop you from having an opinion though...

Hence why it's an opinion and a sincere recommendation. The one thing I can tell you is that people who don't find pleasure in learning are the ones who suffer disproportionally in medical school from things like burn out and depression. I'm not only skeptical of your ability to get in, but I'm skeptical of your ability to stay in, thrive, and be happy. Hell even from my class we had a few people drop out after the first week of biochem because they simply understood that it was going to be a rough ride for them and one that wouldn't make them happy.

My recommendation still stands. You've spent years doing retakes and you graduated college with a degree that doesn't actually confer any notion of specific skill training. Be happy and stay away from medicine by doing another degree in some other field that is quick or even part time.

Pretty sure this applies to everyone.

Well, that's a given by a long shot. No one goes to medical school to be healthy. I'm pretty sure med school is the time where I actually will need to go on an anti-acid because I can legit feel stress opening up an ulcer.

I am sorry but I have to be the guy to say this. Have you ever seen a learning specialist or psychologist? If not, I would suggest this route and truly understand how to study and find balance in your life. I find it difficult to swallow that you didn't try for all 5 retakes of chem.

Are you really sure you didn't try? Because understanding this point will help us know whether to give you the general advice or the specially tailored advice.

He should see someone about this, but honestly, no therapist is a miracle worker. You'll attend to be taught how to use the things you already have to make your own path. If you have a sincere disdain or dislike of schooling or simply have no interest in it, then no therapist is going to turn things around and make you love it.

OP, I'm not trying to be mean here. Sure, go think about it for a while. Though regardless of what you do, you need to spend some time off from schooling before you get back in if you decide to. Give it a year or two, see if you can't do something else.

 

[Chamahk]

Out of curiosity, would you mind explaining your thought process through retaking g.chem 1 and 2 that many times, over and over, and not succeeding? I'm fascinated.

This is coming from someone who nearly scrapped his entire premed career over having to retake G.chem 1 ONCE. Never let it happen again, for any class.

Yeah. For Chem I:

Very very first time I withdrew and didn't finish. Second time around, I stopped going / attending once the procrastination piled up and just took the F. Third time around, I started out real well; was pulling about a B+ during midterms and just gave up from that point. Don't quite recall what led to me giving up, but it was definitely something silly / immature. Fourth time was summer school. I did well in the beginning and then again, didn't put in much effort and only managed a C-. Fifth time I was pulling a B and the final was make-it-or-break-it. I didn't show up for the final. Got into a mess with a girl some nights before and I just couldn't keep my head in the books. Missing the final left me with a C, so I can only imagine what taking it would have done. Also my school averages the grade after the third time....


For Chem II:
-stopped attending class
-didn't open a book.
-2nd attempt I started out making 70-80s then I stopped attending class. Got into it with a girl (this is an overlap from when I pulled the C- in Chem I); was the same semester.
-3rd time, I just wasn't studying because I was concerned about financial situation and things fell apart (I withdrew!)
-4th time C- couldn't devote as much time to studying due to part time nightshift job. Pulled a C- which could have been higher with a few more hours of study
-5th time, working again, so I couldn't study. got a D (due to not submitting homework assignments; couldn't meet the deadlines by midnight)!

Orgo (took it just once)
-NEVER cracked open a book
-was also going through financial hardship at the time; had lost my fin aid so food and rent was a prob. Good luck studying on an empty stomach. I managed to pass physics with a C that semester

So basically, it's just immaturity and it's not really academic / learning issues. It's just outside of the classroom issues. And if you're wondering how one has so many retakes and doesn't remember the matieral, well I don't learn it to begin with. Remember, I didnt open a book / show up for exams during some of these retakes. So it might look as if I'm seeing the material over and over and still can't pass, but that's not the case.

Hope that answers all of it. If there's anything else, let me know.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Yeah. For Chem I:

Very very first time I withdrew and didn't finish. Second time around, I stopped going / attending once the procrastination piled up and just took the F. Third time around, I started out real well; was pulling about a B+ during midterms and just gave up from that point. Don't quite recall what led to me giving up, but it was definitely something silly / immature. Fourth time was summer school. I did well in the beginning and then again, didn't put in much effort and only managed a C-. Fifth time I was pulling a B and the final was make-it-or-break-it. I didn't show up for the final. Got into a mess with a girl some nights before and I just couldn't keep my head in the books. Missing the final left me with a C, so I can only imagine what taking it would have done. Also my school averages the grade after the third time....


For Chem II:
-stopped attending class
-didn't open a book.
-2nd attempt I started out making 70-80s then I stopped attending class. Got into it with a girl (this is an overlap from when I pulled the C- in Chem I); was the same semester.
-3rd time, I just wasn't studying because I was concerned about financial situation and things fell apart (I withdrew!)
-4th time C- couldn't devote as much time to studying due to part time nightshift job. Pulled a C- which could have been higher with a few more hours of study
-5th time, working again, so I couldn't study. got a D (due to not submitting homework assignments; couldn't meet the deadlines by midnight)!

Orgo (took it just once)
-NEVER cracked open a book
-was also going through financial hardship at the time; had lost my fin aid so food and rent was a prob. Good luck studying on an empty stomach. I managed to pass physics with a C that semester

So basically, it's just immaturity and it's not really academic / learning issues. It's just outside of the classroom issues. And if you're wondering how one has so many retakes and doesn't remember the matieral, well I don't learn it to begin with. Remember, I didnt open a book / show up for exams during some of these retakes. So it might look as if I'm seeing the material over and over and still can't pass, but that's not the case.

Hope that answers all of it. If there's anything else, let me know.

So about seeing a therapist.... You really need to do it.

 

[Chamahk]

Do not pursue a Masters degree. Focus on fixing/modifying any academic issues with the help of a learning specialist or counselor. Did you do all these retakes at one school? I'm surprised that a single school would allow you to keep retaking the same class that many times. While I get that they are a business, this is definitely the first time I've heard of someone taking the same chemistry course five times.

Yeah, all at one school. Thanks for the advice. I guess the masters is off the table then

 

[Chamahk]

So about seeing a therapist.... You really need to do it.

Hahaha 🤣🤣

I don't have that kind of money, bro 😉

I'll be applying as a second bachelor's degree student for the spring. This will give me time to save some money, so I won't have to work when I get back into school. I've sorted out some of my financial issues that hindered me at some points during college, so can't use that excuse anymore. If things don't work out this time, then I guess it'll be a sign to consider another career. But if I destroy Chem, Physics, calc come this spring, then it's med school all the way!

Thanks for you input, serenade!

 

[Chamahk]

I am sorry but I have to be the guy to say this. Have you ever seen a learning specialist or psychologist? If not, I would suggest this route and truly understand how to study and find balance in your life. I find it difficult to swallow that you didn't try for all 5 retakes of chem.

Are you really sure you didn't try? Because understanding this point will help us know whether to give you the general advice or the specially tailored advice.

Yes, I did not try. I regret it now, but the show must go on!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Hahaha 🤣🤣

I don't have that kind of money, bro 😉

I'll be applying as a second bachelor's degree student for the spring. This will give me time to save some money, so I won't have to work when I get back into school. I've sorted out some of my financial issues that hindered me at some points during college, so can't use that excuse anymore. If things don't work out this time, then I guess it'll be a sign to consider another career. But if I destroy Chem, Physics, calc come this spring, then it's med school all the way!

Thanks for you input, serenade!

I don't recommend going back right now honestly. Until you take some time off, figure out how to do well, I don't recommend going back into the fray. Go get a job, make a bit of money, take care of your self and then if you feel like you still want it then go back. But honestly there's no reason to believe that you'll suddenly improve when you have a severe history of basically self-sabotoging yourself.

 

[trev5150]

I normally wouldn't sell the military as an option but in your case it might be a great idea to go in, get a med tech MOS, find out if you actually want to spend the rest of your life in a medical environment, put yourself in a position where you absolutely have to work hard to succeed or suffer actual consequences, set a fallback skill set, learn how to work harder and smarter, and you'll have money to pay for your education on the other side of it after you've learned how to stop frankly fkng around and do what ya gotta do.

As of right now no one is going to look at what you've done so far and decide you're worth the risk.

Trust me, I speak from experience.