Some perspective (and maybe encouragement) needed

[steveo1012]

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Hi Everyone,

I wanted to briefly highlight my path to medicine and was hoping someone could offer a story of a similar situation that ended in success. Given my current situation, knowing someone similar who succeeded would be invaluable to me.

I was a stellar student growing up as many folks on here. However, in college, my gpa got progressively worse over time. Every semester, I told myself I would turn it around, but every semester this did not happen. I was always in the library with my pre-med friends but had only a fraction of their focus. I couldn't figure out why I could not focus and began adopting an "I don't care attitude" as a defense mechanism. It was demoralizing.

I got a job at Johns Hopkins doing research after college. This was when "my problem" came into the open. I was diagnozed with depression and put on medication after I realized I was having trouble keeping a work schedule. I was actually in the middle of a Kaplan MCAT class when this happened and had to put things on hold so I could properly deal with things. I was still of the mindset that things would just change (ie - I'd get a 35 on the MCAT and that would be that). The worst part about the timing was that every day I was at Hopkins, my passion for medicine grew. I got to consent patients for clinical studies, draw their blood, witness countless hours of surgery (boss was a CT surgeon) and was soaking up every minute of it. I used to round with my boss on Sunday mornings b/c nothing charged me up more than the hospital. I felt as though I could not acknowledge this growing passion because I was concurrently coming to the realization that my depression would prevent me from ever getting there. Again, the defense mechanism.

It's 4 years later, and I can say that my depression is accepted, extremely well understood, and properly managed naturally (no caffeine, no alcohol, impeccable diet, and exercise) after 10+ medications. I'm ready to pursue medicine and am taking my MCAT June 18th. (I understand this is a big piece of the puzzle, but let's assume it's over 30 for our purposes here).

I currently work as a management consultant requiring travel, constant deadlines, and of course pandering to clients. I work part time as a personal trainer and nutritional coach, volunteer 3-6hrs/week in the ER and spend another 20 per week studing for the MCAT. The downside is that my GPA is as follows: science:2.85, nonsci-3.15, total-2.95. I retook 3 classes from undergrad and got 2 A's and a B.

I know my capabilities and would put my passion for medicine up against anyone's. One of my pubs includes NEJM. I've seen patients die on the table, befriended cancer study patients that I got close with and watched die, and sometimes study in the hospital late at night to observe the residents. I don't need any more clinical exposure to know I want this. I need an adcom to take a risk on me and was wondering how much an incredible interview, great EC's, and LOR's could offset a gpa that I frankly can't do anything about now. I'm applying all DO. I'm older and have extensive interview expereince, and believe in my ability to convey my passion to the adcom. I know they take chances every now and then, I and I want to be one of those people.

Does anyone know of a similar type situation that they'd be willing to share? I would love to hear about it. Thanks for reading, and my apologies for the length. It's a lot to blurt out in a coherent fashion!

Thanks
Steve

 

[canjosh]

While my nontraditional experience is not like yours, I'd like to say that you have a compelling story. Your major hurdle will be getting through the first screening, so crush the MCAT. Make sure your personal statement is up to snuff. Apply broadly, and be willing to go just about anywhere you could stand to live for 4 years.

 

[computerdorkdan]

My undergrad GPA was actually worse than yours: 2.7. I did the consulting thing as well for several years before going back and doing a formal post-bacc. In my pre-med committee interview they pointed out how nice it was to see such a difference between my undergrad GPA and my post-bacc GPA (3.8 post-bacc GPA). They also liked the number of post-bacc classes I've taken (almost 60 hours).

So, I'd be curious what undergrad classes you re-took. I think the adcom would consider that. I'd also say you should be willing to re-take more of the classes you struggled with before just so adcoms have more of an idea what you're like "now" vs "then". The whole goal for folks like us is to demonstrate a clear difference between past and current performance. It might take another year, but it'll payoff.

The rest of your stuff sounds good - good volunteering, research, and spending time with patients, doctors, etc.

Just my 0.02.

 

[EBAMom]

Hi, Steve!
I also suffered from depression during my undergrad years, resulting in a less than stellar academic preformance. But, I did major in English, so I had no BCPM to speak of. However, I want to encourage you to re-take a few classes and some new ones too, maybe ones that reflect your interest in medicine. It feels so much different to take classes now than it did then. I'm excited, and I have that fire-in-my-belly feeling. Not only that, I'm older and I'm able to enjoy learning without looking at it as a chore or a burden. So, take classes. Try to enjoy them. Get good grades and you can prove that you can handle medical school.

 

[steveo1012]

I appreciate the responses everyone!

I re-took physics I and II and zoology from undergrad (Got A's in phys I and Zoo and missed it by a couple points for phys II). While at Hopkins, I did enroll in a Masters in Biotechnology but only completed 2 classes (Biochem and Cell Bio - B's in both). I also took 2 courses at the School of Public Health. Most of the undergrad and all grad courses were taken before I was treated, so the mindset was still "this time will be different." I have not continued the Masters b/c my current employer will not pay. Everyone's financial situation is different, and when you supported yourself through undergrad and are completely on your own afterwards, the thought of acruing more debt before you've actually entered med school can be unsettling.

If I were to re-take courses, should I just start with the C grades from undergrad or pursue more of the masters? I'd love for someone to just write me a check for $50K so I could devote a year of my life to excelling in a post bac without worrying about how I'm going to provide for myself. It's a shame that the only way to improve your competitiveness for med school is to spend more $$. I feel like a charity case. Many post bac programs have GPA cut-offs above mine anyway.

I was actually planning on applying now with the hope that I'd get a great score on the MCAT. I know conventional wisdom would say to wait, but does anyone out there think I could get a spot with a low 30's MCAT now?

 

[canjosh]

It's possible you'd be okay with a good MCAT, but I think they'd like to see some recent substantive coursework to prove that you've mastered your depression issues. I'm not saying that you haven't, but it'd be nice if it is in black and white. Note that DO schools do grade replacement, so retakes of your science prereqs could significantly improve your GPA. The allopathic schools count everything, so if you retook a C and earned an A, the real effect is the average--B. However, the osteopathic schools would delete the C and insert the A. Sorry if this is old news to you. In other words, you could be a significantly more attractive applicant (GPA wise) for the class of 2015 if you replace some science grades in the meantime. If you feel you're ready for the MCAT, take it this year and put it behind you.

 

[punkiedad]

I appreciate the responses everyone!

I re-took physics I and II and zoology from undergrad (Got A's in phys I and Zoo and missed it by a couple points for phys II). While at Hopkins, I did enroll in a Masters in Biotechnology but only completed 2 classes (Biochem and Cell Bio - B's in both). I also took 2 courses at the School of Public Health. Most of the undergrad and all grad courses were taken before I was treated, so the mindset was still "this time will be different." I have not continued the Masters b/c my current employer will not pay. Everyone's financial situation is different, and when you supported yourself through undergrad and are completely on your own afterwards, the thought of acruing more debt before you've actually entered med school can be unsettling.

If I were to re-take courses, should I just start with the C grades from undergrad or pursue more of the masters? I'd love for someone to just write me a check for $50K so I could devote a year of my life to excelling in a post bac without worrying about how I'm going to provide for myself. It's a shame that the only way to improve your competitiveness for med school is to spend more $$. I feel like a charity case. Many post bac programs have GPA cut-offs above mine anyway.

I was actually planning on applying now with the hope that I'd get a great score on the MCAT. I know conventional wisdom would say to wait, but does anyone out there think I could get a spot with a low 30's MCAT now?

Stevo,

sounds as if you have your mind made up and just wish you could skip the whole post bacc thing and just focus on the now (not being sarcastic just paraphrasing). So, if you want to push hard now and apply now get some stellar LORs. Sound slike you have some great contacts at JH so this should not be a problem for you. Then, crush the MCAT. Enough said. Finally, get an interview. I know that sounds odd, but that is really what you are trying to do. You will be fine once you get an interview and they see what you are about. You just have to get past the pre screen so to speak. The LORs and killer MCAT should help. Also, don't underestimate the power of networking. A nice phone call helper from the right person to the right person could go a long way. I know no one wants to hear that, but "I'm just saying...."

Best of luck to you........even if it takes another year or so, it will fly....

 

[steveo1012]

Hi Punkiedad,

You are right that I have made up my mind to push through now, but I certainly realize that it may not happen this go around. Through posting on here, I figured I'd get a good general consensus on whether or not I was crazy to go forth and conquer right now.

Everything you indicated is exactly what I've been thinking. I need to crush the MCAT (33-36...would be soooo sweet!) and just get myself an interview. If I can get that far, my probablilty for admission is much higher. If I have heard nothing but pre-secondary rejections by the fall, I will most likely enroll in 2 undergrad courses in which I got C's. I'll have good letters from Hopkins folks, ER folks I volunteer with now, and about 3 DO's from back home that have known me since I was in my teens. I will be meeting with my former mentor at Hopkins at the end of the month to re-connect. Lastly, I have 4 very good friends who are currently in or recently graduated from DO schools that are willing to talk with admission folks on my behalf.

I sincerely appreciate yours and everyone else's 2 cents and encouragement and am hopeful that it WILL happen...but just maybe not this year. I'm going to be a realist, but I'm aslo not going to give up anytime soon. Good luck to you all as your make your way through this process!