Sticky situation

[jackfibi]

Hey all, I am in a very sticky situation. I don't know what to do with my career thus far...I want to go to med school directly or through a post bac program. However, I am a manic depressive and as a result my GPA sufferred before I started on medication. I recieved two F's and a C+ during one particularly bad quarter. Also there is a major dip in my grades. At one point my cummulative GPA dropped below a 3.0.

On the flip side I did very well before my bipolar episodes, receiving two A+'s and a B+ in the same quarter, all in upper division bio classes. Also, after stablizing I received almost all A's including two A+'s and an A in my final quarter before graduating, all in upper division classes. I was thus finally able to raise my GPA back up to 3.54 before graduation. Also I have other extra-curricular work and volunteer work plus some other junk.

Now for the question. WHAT THE HELL SHOULD I DO NEXT? This can't be good for med school committees to see but how do I prove that this won't happen again and that I am able to withstand and thrive in the stress put on both med students and residents? So far seems like I'm hopeless. Please send me some much needed advice.

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[iw]

Hey all, I am in a very sticky situation. I don't know what to do with my career thus far...I want to go to med school directly or through a post bac program. However, I am a manic depressive and as a result my GPA sufferred before I started on medication. I recieved two F's and a C+ during one particularly bad quarter. Also there is a major dip in my grades. At one point my cummulative GPA dropped below a 3.0.

On the flip side I did very well before my bipolar episodes, receiving two A+'s and a B+ in the same quarter, all in upper division bio classes. Also, after stablizing I received almost all A's including two A+'s and an A in my final quarter before graduating, all in upper division classes. I was thus finally able to raise my GPA back up to 3.54 before graduation. Also I have other extra-curricular work and volunteer work plus some other junk.

Now for the question. WHAT THE HELL SHOULD I DO NEXT? This can't be good for med school committees to see but how do I prove that this won't happen again and that I am able to withstand and thrive in the stress put on both med students and residents? So far seems like I'm hopeless. Please send me some much needed advice.

well, I think you might be in a litle trouble, I wish you good luck. sorry i have no advice for you.

 

[firebird69guy]

Hey all, I am in a very sticky situation. I don't know what to do with my career thus far...I want to go to med school directly or through a post bac program. However, I am a manic depressive and as a result my GPA sufferred before I started on medication. I recieved two F's and a C+ during one particularly bad quarter. Also there is a major dip in my grades. At one point my cummulative GPA dropped below a 3.0.

On the flip side I did very well before my bipolar episodes, receiving two A+'s and a B+ in the same quarter, all in upper division bio classes. Also, after stablizing I received almost all A's including two A+'s and an A in my final quarter before graduating, all in upper division classes. I was thus finally able to raise my GPA back up to 3.54 before graduation. Also I have other extra-curricular work and volunteer work plus some other junk.

Now for the question. WHAT THE HELL SHOULD I DO NEXT? This can't be good for med school committees to see but how do I prove that this won't happen again and that I am able to withstand and thrive in the stress put on both med students and residents? So far seems like I'm hopeless. Please send me some much needed advice.

I'd do a post-bac program, only to prove that you are capable of consistently good grades. In the meantime, take the MCAT (like next year). If you really want to do this medical school thing, it will all work out and adcoms will see that you are passionate about medicine through your work ethic and extracurriculars. Those dips in GPA don't mean too much if you can prove yourself over the course of a couple of quarters. The problem you have is that you only have a few quarters of excellence (and they are all spread apart). It would be nice to have those good grades all together, and you can do that in the post bac.. This should help the committee evaluate whether or not you can withstand the stress of med school and physician work.

 

[owenmichael]

I wouldn't worry. Take the time to explain the situation in your personal statement. Don't dwell on it, but discuss how being a patient, in a sense, affected your academics.

You show an upward trend which is great, and 3.54 is perfectly fine (I believe the average matriculant has a 3.5)........

I wouldn't worry..... just explain your circumstances.

 

[Dr. Who MD]

I wouldn't worry. Take the time to explain the situation in your personal statement. Don't dwell on it, but discuss how being a patient, in a sense, affected your academics.

You show an upward trend which is great, and 3.54 is perfectly fine (I believe the average matriculant has a 3.5)........

I wouldn't worry..... just explain your circumstances.

Exactly what I was thinking. Definitely explain in some way in your essays and/or interview what happened and how you've grown from it as a result. Owen's bit about medicine from the patient's perspective is an EXCELLENT suggestion.