Stop before I start?

[JonahSpeaks]

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Hi everyone.

Been lurking for a very long time, read all the first time posters asking "do I have a chance?" , and as unique as I'd like to think I am, I am no different in this case.

Warning: Semi long, and full of these> 🙁

So I went to undergrad fully expecting to go to med school afterward.Wound up having a very colorful college experience instead. Bio major, then changed to psych before I took orgo chem and physics. I did manage, however, to take and do horribly in most of the sciences I took, along with a select few others. Got suspended for a semester 🙁 , and left school before I finished. 🙁 Ok.

Fast forward 15 years, corporate gigs in sales went south, feeling philosophical, all the career guides say to look at what you wanted to be as a child, and honestly, the only thing I have ever wanted to be is a physician. I've made a bit of money in my career, but I was there by default, because I didn't apply myself like I should have. Period. No excuses.

So here I am, trying to do what I should have done from the beginning. I've figured out my options as such, plus questions:

1) Take all my science classes over, plus the chem and physics(turned out to be a blessing I didn't take them back then, because I'd have bombed them) to get my gpa up. Is it better to take everything I need in undergrad beforehand or get the degree, get out and go to a smp or postbac(if I can get in)?

2) Take the MCAT over. I took it before and actually did better than some people I know who are now doctors. I hadn't even taken orgo or physics yet. The irony.

3) Give it up. Be the only person in my group who knows where the insertion and origin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is and hope it comes up in a meeting.

Thanks for reading. Now tell me what you think. 🙂

 

[Sundarban1]

Hi everyone.

Been lurking for a very long time, read all the first time posters asking "do I have a chance?" , and as unique as I'd like to think I am, I am no different in this case.

Warning: Semi long, and full of these> 🙁

So I went to undergrad fully expecting to go to med school afterward.Wound up having a very colorful college experience instead. Bio major, then changed to psych before I took orgo chem and physics. I did manage, however, to take and do horribly in most of the sciences I took, along with a select few others. Got suspended for a semester 🙁 , and left school before I finished. 🙁 Ok.

Fast forward 15 years, corporate gigs in sales went south, feeling philosophical, all the career guides say to look at what you wanted to be as a child, and honestly, the only thing I have ever wanted to be is a physician. I've made a bit of money in my career, but I was there by default, because I didn't apply myself like I should have. Period. No excuses.

So here I am, trying to do what I should have done from the beginning. I've figured out my options as such, plus questions:

1) Take all my science classes over, plus the chem and physics(turned out to be a blessing I didn't take them back then, because I'd have bombed them) to get my gpa up. Is it better to take everything I need in undergrad beforehand or get the degree, get out and go to a smp or postbac(if I can get in)?

2) Take the MCAT over. I took it before and actually did better than some people I know who are now doctors. I hadn't even taken orgo or physics yet. The irony.

3) Give it up. Be the only person in my group who knows where the insertion and origin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is and hope it comes up in a meeting.

Thanks for reading. Now tell me what you think. 🙂

It's difficult to give you advice as to whether you should re-take your classes or MCAT if you do not tell us what they are.

As a rule of thumb, if you've earned less than a "B" grade in any of the 4 pre-reqs you should repeat those courses. If you are interested in allopathic schools the average matriculant GPA is around 3.5 and 30 MCAT. Your chances vary depending on state of residence, race, etc., in addition to GPA and MCAT.

Good Luck.

 

[medicalbound]

I was in a very similar boat Jonah , except my lag was 10 years instead of 15. I opted to retake all of my sciences for a number of reasons. First, I wanted to prove to myself and the adcoms that I could excel in the sciences. I also wanted to earn a competitive score on the MCAT, so I wanted to concentrate on the classes that would be tested. I also had a less-than-stellar GPA from my academic indiscretions from years past that I wanted to help boost.

You also should check with the medical schools you are interested in. Some will only accept MCATs that are within 3 years and some require prereqs to be within a certain time period (e.g. 5 years).

Regarding your third option, only you can determine if it is an option. Worst case scenario, you start down the path and let time decide for you. As with many non-trads, you may change your mind after you get back into it. I say go for it - you'll never know otherwise and will question the decision for the rest of your life. Best of luck Jonah!

 

[Dr Trek 1]

1) Get lots of clinical experience.

2) Apply to a post-bacc program- I'm sure one will accept you if you look around.

3) When finished, retake the MCAT unless you got over a 29 less than 3 years ago.

4) Apply to schools. If all else fails, there's always SGU.

Good luck!

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Hi everyone.

Been lurking for a very long time, read all the first time posters asking "do I have a chance?" , and as unique as I'd like to think I am, I am no different in this case.

Warning: Semi long, and full of these> 🙁

So I went to undergrad fully expecting to go to med school afterward.Wound up having a very colorful college experience instead. Bio major, then changed to psych before I took orgo chem and physics. I did manage, however, to take and do horribly in most of the sciences I took, along with a select few others. Got suspended for a semester 🙁 , and left school before I finished. 🙁 Ok.

Fast forward 15 years, corporate gigs in sales went south, feeling philosophical, all the career guides say to look at what you wanted to be as a child, and honestly, the only thing I have ever wanted to be is a physician. I've made a bit of money in my career, but I was there by default, because I didn't apply myself like I should have. Period. No excuses.

So here I am, trying to do what I should have done from the beginning. I've figured out my options as such, plus questions:

1) Take all my science classes over, plus the chem and physics(turned out to be a blessing I didn't take them back then, because I'd have bombed them) to get my gpa up. Is it better to take everything I need in undergrad beforehand or get the degree, get out and go to a smp or postbac(if I can get in)?

2) Take the MCAT over. I took it before and actually did better than some people I know who are now doctors. I hadn't even taken orgo or physics yet. The irony.

3) Give it up. Be the only person in my group who knows where the insertion and origin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is and hope it comes up in a meeting.

Thanks for reading. Now tell me what you think. 🙂

Don't Fret. We have all made mistakes in our past that me regret. I personally know of someone who had to drop out of college before he was kicked out due to his 1.2 GPA. He is now an anesthesiologist. So, is it possible? You Betcha. Is it going to be tough? Definately. Should you give up? Not unless YOU want to.

PM me and I will give you more information that will help you.

 

[medworm]

I think I hold a unique position as the hesitant non-trad who is as intrigued by medicine as anyone else, but is substantially more concerned about impact of the career change on family, finances, age, lifestyle, and the whole nine yards. 😛 So far, it's the finance/debt part that makes me most ill. But looks like you have that taken care of through savings. You should question whether you want to make those sacrifices to your existing lifestyle before you jump. In my opinion, you don't need a post-bacc program and if your finances can hold up, you should go full-time b/c time is against you. Another guy lurked around and say good-bye after 30 hours of volunteering. He had family and didn't want to make the trade-off. And I'm sure that's the best decision for him. Ultimately, it's about what you want. If you're 80% content with your existing lifestyle, then maybe you should just concentrate on your current activities. Gosh, there's plenty outside of medicine to keep you entertained until you retire. But if w/o medicine, you're going to mope around all day, then start retaking your prereqs.

Anyway, blah blah. Good luck.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

I think I hold a unique position as the hesitant non-trad who is as intrigued by medicine as anyone else, but is substantially more concerned about impact of the career change on family, finances, age, lifestyle, and the whole nine yards. 😛 So far, it's the finance/debt part that makes me most ill. But looks like you have that taken care of through savings. You should question whether you want to make those sacrifices to your existing lifestyle before you jump. In my opinion, you don't need a post-bacc program and if your finances can hold up, you should go full-time b/c time is against you. Another guy lurked around and say good-bye after 30 hours of volunteering. He had family and didn't want to make the trade-off. And I'm sure that's the best decision for him. Ultimately, it's about what you want. If you're 80% content with your existing lifestyle, then maybe you should just concentrate on your current activities. Gosh, there's plenty outside of medicine to keep you entertained until you retire. But if w/o medicine, you're going to mope around all day, then start retaking your prereqs.

Anyway, blah blah. Good luck.

Very good post. There are endless careers to explore- even those where you help people all day other than medicine.

 

[JonahSpeaks]

I was in a very similar boat Jonah , except my lag was 10 years instead of 15. I opted to retake all of my sciences for a number of reasons. First, I wanted to prove to myself and the adcoms that I could excel in the sciences. I also wanted to earn a competitive score on the MCAT, so I wanted to concentrate on the classes that would be tested. I also had a less-than-stellar GPA from my academic indiscretions from years past that I wanted to help boost.

You also should check with the medical schools you are interested in. Some will only accept MCATs that are within 3 years and some require prereqs to be within a certain time period (e.g. 5 years).

Regarding your third option, only you can determine if it is an option. Worst case scenario, you start down the path and let time decide for you. As with many non-trads, you may change your mind after you get back into it. I say go for it - you'll never know otherwise and will question the decision for the rest of your life. Best of luck Jonah!

@ the boat reference.

Thanks for the reply, I am going to start down the road and see where I end up. At least I can say I tried right? Most people don't try at all.Much success to you.

 

[JonahSpeaks]

1) Get lots of clinical experience.

2) Apply to a post-bacc program- I'm sure one will accept you if you look around.

3) When finished, retake the MCAT unless you got over a 29 less than 3 years ago.

4) Apply to schools. If all else fails, there's always SGU.

Good luck!

Short, sweet and to the point. Thanks!

 

[JonahSpeaks]

Don't Fret. We have all made mistakes in our past that me regret. I personally know of someone who had to drop out of college before he was kicked out due to his 1.2 GPA. He is now an anesthesiologist. So, is it possible? You Betcha. Is it going to be tough? Definately. Should you give up? Not unless YOU want to.

PM me and I will give you more information that will help you.

I know it will be tough, but I have to at least try. I'll always wonder if I don't. I'll PM you. Thanks!

 

[JonahSpeaks]

I think I hold a unique position as the hesitant non-trad who is as intrigued by medicine as anyone else, but is substantially more concerned about impact of the career change on family, finances, age, lifestyle, and the whole nine yards. 😛 So far, it's the finance/debt part that makes me most ill. But looks like you have that taken care of through savings. You should question whether you want to make those sacrifices to your existing lifestyle before you jump. In my opinion, you don't need a post-bacc program and if your finances can hold up, you should go full-time b/c time is against you. Another guy lurked around and say good-bye after 30 hours of volunteering. He had family and didn't want to make the trade-off. And I'm sure that's the best decision for him. Ultimately, it's about what you want. If you're 80% content with your existing lifestyle, then maybe you should just concentrate on your current activities. Gosh, there's plenty outside of medicine to keep you entertained until you retire. But if w/o medicine, you're going to mope around all day, then start retaking your prereqs.

Anyway, blah blah. Good luck.

I certainly can appreciate the hesitation to up-end your entire life. That is certainly a valid point to consider, and I am weighing everything in this process. I don't know if it's age, but I am becoming more concerned with the what ifs and the why didn't I's in life. I don't want to fall victim to feeling that I could have done more, been more in any aspect of my life if I had simply tried. Just made the effort. If I fail, so be it. Broke? I've been broke, I can deal and overcome. I do think that not even trying will be a source of regret. So prereqs, here I come. Thanks for the advice.