Student Question

[monaarts]

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Hey everyone,
I'm new here, although I have been looking at posts for a couple of weeks now. Anyway, I have been thinking about going to school to either become a Cardio or Neuro Surgeon.. I have been looking very deeply into either career and have found myself absolutely infactuated with each.
What I need to know though, is if it is likely for me to be able to get accepted into a med school (hopefully a decent one atleast) and more importantly into a residency (also a decent one hopefully)... Here is my situation... I dropped out of HS about 4 years ago because it wasn't my thing... Since then, I have matured MUCH more and decided to get my GED about a year ago and go to college. I have attented a community college in Georgia for the last 4 months just until I figured out what I truely wanted to goto school for... I am going to transfer to Richard Stockton College in New Jersey for atleast one semester and then I may try to get into UMDNJ after than to finish my BA degree... Like I said, I have been thinking about doing either a cardio or a neuro surgeon. I have a VERY strong work ethic though.. for example I have a 3.85 GPA right now and I am used to working about 70-90 hours a week (hey, thats the restaurant business for you).
So please tell me what you think the odds of me being able to get into a medical school (is a good one possible??) and a residency (is a good one possible) afterwards... Thank you in advance.



-Joe

 

[bustbones26]

Your odds, good and bad!

I actually know an ER doc who was a GED'er and he did very well in college, much like you, and he did well in med school.

But, he went to an osteopathic school (nothing against DO's, I am one too) that was just opening up its doors at the time.

Here is what I would honestly expect for you. If you do well in college, you can get accepted to a mediocre medical school, don't expect Harvard or Yale, you'd be kidding yourself, expect Joe Schmoe State School or an osteopathic school. If you do outstanding in medical school, top of 5% of your class, you'd then stand a chance for something competitive like neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery, but do your research! Keep in mind that you are posting this question on a neurology forum and asking about neurosurgery, there is a difference. Also, keep in mind that to become a cardiothoracic surgeon would require you to first train as a general surgeon and most likely pay your dues before you would obtain fellowship into a cardiothoracic program.

Lastly, don't propose your high school drop out experience as, "It just wasn't my thing", even if this is true. Beef up your story to those interviewing you in the future, make it sound like you were against all odds and you showed everybody. Quite a few people I knew that dropped out of high school did it for very personal reasons, mostly lack of family support or living in a terrible home situation all together. If you had a story like this, and then showed that you got your GED, rocked community college courses, and college, and then killed medical school once you got in, this would open up some eyes and show your determination.

 

[mysophobe]

Like the above post said, keep in mind that you don't match into cardiothoracic surgery. You have to match into a general surgery program first, which is way easier than matching into neurosurgery. If you go to a place with a CT fellowship and don't be a phantom during your residency, you shouldn't have a problem.

Neurosurg on the other hand is very competitive. I'd say you're more likely to be a CT surg than neurosurg. Just my $0.02.

 

[Hard24Get]

Three questions.
1)How could someone tell you your chances for RESIDENCY when you haven't even completed 1 year of college (residency programs don't ask about your hs diploma, anyway)?
2)Why are you on the Neurology forum to ask about Neurosurg and cardiothoracic SURGERY (should be on the surgery forum)?
3)And, finally, how could you possibly have any clue what you would want to do your residency in at this point when you just now decided on medicine? You haven't been exposed to enough to make these types of decisions 👎

Hey everyone,
I'm new here, although I have been looking at posts for a couple of weeks now. Anyway, I have been thinking about going to school to either become a Cardio or Neuro Surgeon.. I have been looking very deeply into either career and have found myself absolutely infactuated with each.
What I need to know though, is if it is likely for me to be able to get accepted into a med school (hopefully a decent one atleast) and more importantly into a residency (also a decent one hopefully)... Here is my situation... I dropped out of HS about 4 years ago because it wasn't my thing... Since then, I have matured MUCH more and decided to get my GED about a year ago and go to college. I have attented a community college in Georgia for the last 4 months just until I figured out what I truely wanted to goto school for... I am going to transfer to Richard Stockton College in New Jersey for atleast one semester and then I may try to get into UMDNJ after than to finish my BA degree... Like I said, I have been thinking about doing either a cardio or a neuro surgeon. I have a VERY strong work ethic though.. for example I have a 3.85 GPA right now and I am used to working about 70-90 hours a week (hey, thats the restaurant business for you).
So please tell me what you think the odds of me being able to get into a medical school (is a good one possible??) and a residency (is a good one possible) afterwards... Thank you in advance.



-Joe

 

[PainDr]

I think it's really too early to know what your chances are for med school and certainly too early to know your future specialty. Wait until you've taken your premed courses as the material is much more demanding. If you can maintain your current gpa AND do really well on the MCAT, you shouldn't have any trouble getting into a good med school...probably not Haaaaarvard...but lots of upper/middle tier schools would be interested in you. Numbers talk! Believe me...high school is grossly over rated. Interviewers will be much more concerned with how you're doing now. However, I do agree that you should think long and hard about how to discuss your past. Saying it "just wasn't my thing" is completely unacceptable and will only plant the idea that you had no respect for the system and preferred taking a shortcut. Medicine is a centuries old system that does not tolerate disrespectful behavior and certainly doesn't allow shortcuts!

Regarding your current situation, don't hop around from school to school...it looks bad. Stay at the community college for a year or two then transfer to a good school to complete your premed courses. Do WHATEVER it takes to maintain your gpa, even if it means moving home so you don't have to work. Also, the MCAT will make or break you. Do everything you can to make sure you get really good scores. I can't emphasize it enough...numbers talk!

Lastly, it's WAY too early to focus on your specialty. You very well may change your mind...most people do. Also, you'll need some volunteer experience. One of the best resources is your local emergency department. They almost always welcome premed volunteers and it's a great way to get up close and personal exposure. Once you're immersed in premed studies you should consider getting involved in some type of research project. It would look great on your application.

I do know how you feel. I despised high school and graduated second from the bottom of my class! The only reason I even graduated was because of my mother. She literally dragged me out of bed every morning. When I skipped class, which was often, she would come looking for me and physically take me back to school. Several years later, I finally got my act together and went to college, then med school. Now I'm a neurologist, two months from finishing my subspecialty fellowship (interventional pain management) and have a sweet job waiting for me! You can do it, but it's a long and difficult road. You ask, what are my chances. Intelligence is only part of the equation. You must also possess determination, perseverance, flexibility and patience. Good luck! 😀