The Under M1 Club: Come on in! part 01

[tae]

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I've been browsing this forum for a few months and have been dissapointed by the lack of activity\threads from those of us working on our pre-req's. It seems to me that they should keep this (Pre-Allopathic) forum for us and create another for those that are actively APPLYING to med school..because that's really what this forum is or has become. So anyway, Count me in as a member of The Under M1 Club!

I'm 35 and after a not too stellar initial undergrad degree, I went to work for a software company and was fairly successfull in some technical positions and then, ultimately as an Account Executive. Long story short - I got tired of the back-stabbing and lies and vowed to get out of that world and fulfill my dreams of becoming a doctor come hell or highwater.

I'm completely freaked out right now. I haven't cracked a book in over 10 years and this week I started Physics, Inorganic Chem, and Pre-Calculus. I'm just studying as much as my brain can handle and hoping I can condition my noodle to absorb much more mass quantities as time goes on. (Can someone say Ginko?)

I am volunteering at MUSC Hospital and at a local Crisis Stabilization center for psych patients (It helps keep them out of the ER when it gets cold out.) Oh, and did I mention that I'm taking the EMT course as well. That's all day Saturday until June.

MCAT April 04!

Cheers!

Tom

 

[LadyLuck]

Originally posted by NIYO2K2
BTW I would like to make a suggestion to this thread, If you could as just add what college or university you are currently attending.

University of WI Milwaukee 🙂

Originally posted by PhT
And as far as the whole school prestige issue goes, it's something I've been thinking about ever since I began to consider a switch to pre-med. I don't think that I'd have too much trouble transfering to UW-Madison, which is incidentally my first choice in both medical and pharmacy school. Mark

I don't know about Whitewater, but Milwaukee applicants don't seem to have any trouble getting in as long as you stay serious about going to med school (keep your grades above 3.5, have a well rounded life outside of school stuff, and get a decent mcat score.) Plenty of our folks have gone on to Harvard, Yale, and Hopkins just to name a few. Most everyone who attends in Milwaukee though (because it is more of a "commuter" school) plan to stay in the area, and therefore opt to go to Madison or MCW for med school. I was concerned about the name prestige thing too, but now I know there is no reason for me to be. I'm sure Whitewater is fine, and if you have doubts, talk to the premed advisor and he/she will probably be happy to give you contact names of students that have gone on to good Med schools from there. Find out about a Pre med mentoring program, try to shadow some local physicians in your area of interest, they too can advise you as to what you should and shouldn't be stressing over. Good luck!! 🙂

 

[samenewme]

Originally posted by LadyLuck
University of WI Milwaukee 🙂

Hey, me too! I'm a non-trad, just starting my prereqs part-time.

 

[agent]

Originally posted by tae
I've been browsing this forum for a few months and have been dissapointed by the lack of activity\threads from those of us working on our pre-req's. It seems to me that they should keep this (Pre-Allopathic) forum for us and create another for those that are actively APPLYING to med school..because that's really what this forum is or has become. So anyway, Count me in as a member of The Under M1 Club!

I'm 35 and after a not too stellar initial undergrad degree, I went to work for a software company and was fairly successfull in some technical positions and then, ultimately as an Account Executive. Long story short - I got tired of the back-stabbing and lies and vowed to get out of that world and fulfill my dreams of becoming a doctor come hell or highwater.

That's very similar to my story. I currently work for a software company that has been going through hard times. I'm sick as hell of this corporate environment and hope (nievely) to make a difference with my life someday.

In response to all of those currently at CC's. I can't wait to leave my CC as well. It'll be a longer drive to my new school, but I'll finally feel like I'm getting closer to my dream. 🙂

 

[CJLaw]

Originally posted by Sarah Kerr
Hey everyone...

Since we've gotten on the topic of schools trying to keep us in as long as possible to get more money, I would like some feedback from you guys on the situation I'm in:

Because I received my GED, my college requires me to take nearly a whole semesters worth of classes to "catch up", so to speak. I had not been in a math class for almost 3 years, so I am now in a "pre-algebra" math course, which gives me a grade, but no credit for graduation (or, any bearing on my med school app, either). Of course, not remembering ANYTHING from HS math, this isnt necessary a bad thing, just a little time consuming. So now, I have to wait to take any chem & lab, even general, until the middle of my sophomore year when I get to college algebra, as algebra is a pre-req for any chem. I also need 2 credits of a foreign language, performance art, etc...basic stuff you take care of in HS.

Question is.....should I surrender another years worth of college tuition (as the school, OF COURSE, suggests), or work to the bone during summers, and take overload credits, to finish on time and get my career as a doc started? I don't mind the hard work...but I dont want to risk my grades, MCATs, and my sanity to finish ON TIME. Im just so torn on what to do, and Im looking to be fellow SDN'ers to help me out! Thanks bunches and sorry for taking up so much bloody room..lol 😛

Graduated from Alvernia College, May 2001---taking my pre-req's at Reading Area Community College ($59.00/credit or $415.00/credit hmmmm. . . easy choice)

Now, as far as overloading to get out on time. IF you can handle the workload for an extended period of time go for it. However, in my experience those who overload more than one or two semesters get burned out quickly, or their GPA suffers because the amount of work. One thing I have learned from SDN is that GPA matters when applying to med school. So if the choice you must make is between taking the normal load and getting a 3.8, but graduating in 5.5 years or getting a 3.2 and graduating in 4--I think is an easy choice. Take the 3.8 and run. You can be one of the people on this site who lists 4 acceptances or be like me and probably be sweating over 1. Once you get to 2nd sem soph or junior year, it is HARD turn your grades around. (I had a 1.8 after 2 years, had a 3.6 the remaining 3 years and graduated with a 2.5)

BTW, if you had Algebra I in HS before you quit, you should be taking a college level Algebra NOW because its equivalent to HS Algebra II. So if you did have Alg. I, your school is screwing you (no shock).

 

[LadyLuck]

Originally posted by samenewme
Hey, me too! I'm a non-trad, just starting my prereqs part-time.

heh heh....wouldn't it be funny if we've already met but didn't know it because of our sdn secret identities???😉 Seriously though, that's great that you're pursuing your dreams. Making a career change like that is a tough decision. What classes are you gonna take in spring? I'm in Math 225, Bio 152, Chem 104 for prereq's......maybe I'll see ya there!

 

[gdk]

hey all, I'm a non-trad going back to get my pre-reqs. I also work 40+ hrs/wk but my supervisor is pretty good about allowing for time off to attend class (alhtough he might not be if he new it wasn't related to my current job at all).
samenewme, sounds like you and I are in similar boats. By Fall semester I probably won't be able to work and go to school due to class/lab scheduling. Early pre-reqs are taught late enough or at night but the labs are the biggest challenge. A 2.5 hr lab takes 4.5 hrs to attend.... By them I'm thinking about taking a job in the med field with flexible hours and to get more exposure.
I'm taking 2 classes while working but I did a lot of studying on my own before taking classes so I don't feel overwhelmed (yet).
Good luck you guys.

 

[samenewme]

Lady Luck, I PM'd you, but since the discussion is headed this way...

I confided in my boss. Not everyone can do this, but my boss is pretty supportive. She's letting me juggle my schedule enough to take a class at a time. Good thing, because it seems you can't take any of these darn prereqs at night here. So I'll take Chem 102 (Chem I) this spring, 104 (Chem II) in summer, start Organic in the fall, then hold my nose and jump in the deep end in spring, quitting my job to sprint for the finish line. I have half the physics already from my long-ago BA.

My husband is in a master's program, studying molecular biology, and we're really hoping he'll be done and working full-time by the time I quit. Otherwise, either we'll live on savings a while, or I'll add yet another year to my application cycle. We'll just have to see.

 

[agent]

Oh to be able to live on savings. How nice that would be.

I just told my boss that I'm a bio major. She sounded excited for me, but it could also be bad. I don't know if they are looking for people who aren't going to stay in the technical field to get rid of 🙁

 

[samenewme]

Originally posted by agent
Oh to be able to live on savings. (

Oh, to be 25 again. We all have our challenges.

 

[scamp]

hey everyone...I'm a junior at University of Texas-Arlington and I just started the pre-reqs last semester. So far so good! This semester I'm taking Chem 2 w/lab, Bio 2 w/lab, another Bio and a self-defense class (long story). I'm also taking an EMT course in Dallas that's about 10-15 hrs/week. (It should be fun, Tae!) I'm 23, married, and moved back to Texas this summer after living in NYC for four years. Any other UT-Arlington pre-meds out there?

School starts TODAY! This should be a great thread to find help and support throughout the semester...let's keep it going!

 

[agent]

My classes start today as well. I don't have any pre-reqs this semester, but am taking Pre-Calc and Intro to Psych(retake to raise gpa)

Next semester is when I'll get back into taking the rest of my pre-reqs.. gawd i feel so far behind 😉

 

[PhT]

LadyLuck, thanks for your input. My only worry as far as this matter of "school prestige" is that all of my hard work and effort will be dismissed by adcoms because I don't attend a top-tier institution. Of course, the great equalizer in situations such as this is the MCAT, but I'm sure you can understand my concerns (as you had similar ones of your own). As far as I know, Whitewater is considered to be on par with Milwaukee as far as academic competitiveness, so that is somewhat encouraging. I spoke with my boss last week about shadowing physicians (for those of you who are familiar with downtown Milwaukee, I work in the inpatient pharmacy at Aurora Sinai Medical Center), and she has attempted (unsuccessfully so far) to find a doc who will return her calls, much less oblige my request. Talk about discouraging 😕 . Oh well, there's always spring break!

 

[scamp]

I just met with my pre-med advisor. I kept finishing his sentences and he was like "geez, you already know everything! you've done your research about applying to med school, huh?" and I was like, "Have you ever heard of the Student Doctor Network?"😉

Anywayz, I thought I'd add to the topic of undergrad prestige. I asked the advisor and he said that (from his experience, and conversations with the deans of various TEXAS med schools) it's really not the school you go to, it's what you do there. Now this is based on his experience advising students in TEXAS...prestige may play a bigger role in other places.

 

[LadyLuck]

Originally posted by PhT
I spoke with my boss last week about shadowing physicians (for those of you who are familiar with downtown Milwaukee, I work in the inpatient pharmacy at Aurora Sinai Medical Center), and she has attempted (unsuccessfully so far) to find a doc who will return her calls, much less oblige my request. Talk about discouraging 😕 . Oh well, there's always spring break!

You could call the Medical Society of Milwaukee County and try to get set up with a physician through them. I actually had to fill out an application and have my advisor reccommend me though..... But this way you get to choose which areas interest you and get matched with a physician who is happy to volunteer to do this for you. Many of these physicians have ties to the medical college or are even directors who train residents at the hospitals. Good connections to have, not to mention a good source of advice, encouragement and experience. Call your advisor or call the Medical Society, I'm sure someone can help ya! 🙂 By the way, that's really nice of your boss to try and set you up. As far as the school prestige thing goes, good luck in making a decision.

 

[poochiethedog]

Hello everyone!
This is the second time I take the time to post something on the forum. This under m1 club is a good idea Agent, it can be quite beneficial for those who haven't quite reached the application process. I too, am a long, long time from even applying to Med. school. I only recently decided on a medical education--about a year ago, and have been attending my local CC since. I plan to transfer to UIC this coming fall. I've been in the Air Force since I was 17 and now I am 22, married and with a two year old daughter. I will finally be out soon. I'd be stupid not to get out and go to UIC for free! You just can't beat that! I have the full support of the wife and the rest of my family. I've noticed that support really comes in handy in this situation. The spring semester just started at my local CC, I'm taking 13 hours, and Bio. is one of 'em. Kind of excited haven't seen bio. since h.s. Well hope this semester goes well for all of you taking the pre-reqs.

Miguel

 

[sunkizt]

Hey Everyone!

Biodude: About full classes, have you tried emailing the professors? I guess this depends on how big your school is, but this or going on the first day of class can usually get you in (from my experience at least). BTW, I had a similar biology situation to you, are you going to retake it this summer or next year?

-Danielle

 

[Biodude]

BUMP AGAIN!!! 😀

Yeah, I e-mailed the professor, but she didn't respond. Maybe I should try again. 🙁

Anyways, I decided to post today because I just checked my grades...and I guess my optimism held out-my biology grade was a full grade better than I expected it to be! Yippee!!

Well, actually, I expected a D, so it's not so great. Still, I had pretty much slacked off during Fall semester and I was not used to how college works exactly. See, the thing is, I didn't study during my free time, which was a lot more than I expected. I was still in the "high school" mindset (block schedule, most of the work and studying done at school, little free time, etc.) so when I had a lot of free time, I didn't study like I was supposed to.

Now I've learned. I'm going to study more now because I realize that the extra time you get is for I'm not worried about the fact that my GPA is currently 2.5. It's only the first semester. I still got 7 to boost it up. 😎

I'm still quite excited and ready for more. Also, since I am addressing pre-meds here, this is one thing y'all should not forget to do: enjoy college. Enjoy the freedom that it allows, enjoy (some) of the social events and parties. College is meant to be fun. Enjoy it.

But, on the other hand, try to find a BALANCE. Obviously, it is not smart to go to a party every single Friday night, unless you're one of THOSE people (which I am not by the way) that can do a whole bunch of outside stuff and still kick butt in your classes. I think it's ok to go to one occassionally, just to socialize and have fun. Take your mind off of studying for a little bit. Don't be pure type-A, or else you might lose that compassion and humanity that you can bring to medicine. I've seen it happen, in my fellow pre-meds, and in pre-meds from other schools. 😳

College is FUN! I love college! 🙂

 

[agent]

Originally posted by poochiethedog
Hello everyone!
This is the second time I take the time to post something on the forum. This under m1 club is a good idea Agent, it can be quite beneficial for those who haven't quite reached the application process.

Thanks 😉

I have the full support of the wife and the rest of my family. I've noticed that support really comes in handy in this situation.

Definitely, don't take it for granted. Good luck at UIC!

It seems we have a good number of people from around the greater Chicago-Milwaukee area.

 

[UCLAstudent]

Hi! I'm a sophomore at UCLA (majoring in biology). I am scared to death to think that I will be studying for the MCAT a year from now! 🙄 😉

 

[samenewme]

Yesterday I took my first steps towards helping out with a research project. My husband (working on a master's in molecular biology) works for a bio professor here, doing genetic research on tobacco horn worms. Last night, with his boss's blessing, he took me into the lab and began teaching me to dissect them.

It was fun! (He says the first 20 worms are a lot of fun. I've only done 3 so far). You anesthetize them with ice, cut off their little horn-shaped tails, cut them open with little scissors (called "big scissors because they're bigger than the iris scissors you use for the fine work), and pin them out in a petri dish. Then you pull out the intestine that is the bulk of their body mass, using a pair of forceps. This exposes (more or less) the nervous system. The goal is to take out the brain, subesophageal ganglion, the three thoracic ganglia, and the eight abdominal ganglia, preferably along the line of nerves that tie them all together, so it's one long, sparse, string of beads. So far my record is 5 ganglia. Not bad for the first night.

That's all you have to do for RNA analysis. For in situ hybridization you also take the intact nervous system and pin it out with tiny pins. Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll learn to do that. Actually, the hardest thing is adjusting the intraocular distance on the dissecting microscope.

I understand now why my sweetie occasionally leaves the house to work at the lab "for a couple of hours" and isn't seen again until long after dark. You really do lose track of time. Maybe I have an inner science geek after all. I sure hope so.

 

[agent]

I'm not into dissecting worms, but I'm glad you are getting involved.

Involvement is key! 🙂

 

[LadyLuck]

ewwwww, worms. Just kidding! 😀 That sounds like a really interesting project 🙂

 

[PhT]

That sounds like a great opportunity! I wish I could get involved with something like that. I guess research is just one of those things where you kind of have to know the right person/people to get your foot in the door. Congratulations and good luck!

 

[agent]

Someone once gave me great advice saying that if you could even just do that for just one day, you'd probably have plenty to talk about at your interview.

I haven't had the opportunity yet, but I think asking your instructors and keeping your eyes and ears open should land you something, even if its an extra credit independent research project 😉

 

[scamp]

AHHH! My Bio 2 prof. is so awful. I had him last semester, too, so I knew what I was getting into...it was the only class that fit into my schedule! He is incredibly sweet, but SO BORING! Last semester I skipped class a lot and basically taught myself the material. The problem is that this guy is on the premed committee at my school, so this semester I was going to make myself go to class and get to know him- but it's so BORING!!! I swear, I don't know what I'm going to do.

 

[samenewme]

Originally posted by scamp
AHHH! My Bio 2 prof. is so awful. I had him last semester, too, so I knew what I was getting into...it was the only class that fit into my schedule! He is incredibly sweet, but SO BORING! Last semester I skipped class a lot and basically taught myself the material. The problem is that this guy is on the premed committee at my school, so this semester I was going to make myself go to class and get to know him- but it's so BORING!!! I swear, I don't know what I'm going to do.

Maybe you can play the "rewrite" game in your head. Look at the syllabus and read the chapter before the lecture so you know what it's going to be about and what he's supposed to teach. Then, as he's lecturing, pretend YOU'RE teaching the class and try to think of a better way to explain each thing. If you come up with a pithy way of saying what he's saying, and you can do this with charm, raise your hand (not TOO often) and say, "So does this work like blah-blah-blah?"

IF you can sincerely pay attention and get into the material, asking questions that reword the lecture can help the class and make the professor feel listened to. And you can keep from dying of boredom. But be careful not to be condescending about this. The idea to convey is that you think you get what he's saying but you've put it into your own words to check your understanding.

And of course, if you don't get what he's talking about, ask a question about that.

I did this in cataloging class in library school. I loved the professor but hated his lectures, but I got into the material this way. And the letters of reference he wrote me later have followed me throughout my library career. They positively glow.

Oh, and the unpaid lab job? I got mine through this obvious connection, but my husband got *his* foot in the door just by talking to professors and asking around. If you're willing to work free, there's always a way to get your foot in the door, even if it's washing glassware to start. And don't overlook the TAs. They're almost all grad students, they're almost all doing a research project, and they have no helpers.

 

[PhT]

Sorry to change the subject, but I have a question for those of you who have a few years of undergrad experience. Is the second semester generally harder or easier than the first? Obviously, one might say that it's harder because second semester classes are more advanced than their first semester counterparts (i.e. Bio. II vs. Bio. I), but there must be some other factors. Is the second semester a bit easier because you know that the year is more than half way over, or because you can look forward to spring break? I'm just curious, because this will be my first experience with a "college" second semester. My course load is the same, credit-wise (17 vs. 17), so I'm just wondering if there are any other variables to consider. Thanks for your input!

 

[agent]

I'd say each semester has its own unique difficulties IMO.

Take things one semester at a time and try not to look ahead too much (you lose focus) if you do well consistently each semester, then you will be fine 😉

 

[Biodude]

BUMP YET AGAIN!!! 😀

Hey everyone. I managed to sign up for classes today to fill up my schedule. So, now I have 14 units:

Chemistry 120A (General Chemistry w/ lab) 5 units
English 101 3 units
Political Sceince 100 3 units
Psychology 101 3 units

I unfortunately couldn't fill up on pre-med classes, so instead I opted to fill up on GE classes, and get those out of the way. I wonder how difficult my second semester of college is going to be.

So, anyways, I hope that everyone's doing well. I'll be back to this topic every night to bump it up.

I'd like to comment more on my school before I go. I find that most of the pre-meds here are very supportive and really try to help eachother out. Contrary to the stories that I've heard of regarding the "pre-med mentality," I've yet to find one that cheats, sabotages everyone elses' labs, etc. But maybe it's because there aren't just pre-meds in my classes...there's pre-dents, pre-pharmacy people, pre-veterinarians, pre-optometry students, etc.

Also, I think that one of the reasons that I didn't do so well in my first semester related to my not listening to my pre-med advisor. He said that most pre-meds volunteer...well, yeah, of course we do. But some of us volunteer too much of our time and energy. So we don't really get the best grades in the world. I didn't think that I was one of those types and ended up doing volunteer work whenever I could (relating to health care and medicine whenever I could). I sacrificed study time and homework time to do that, so yeah, my grades suffered. Now I'm sure to heed my pre-med advisor. 😳

I've asked this question before, but received no responses...I'll be asking again. Any pre-meds out there go to CSU Fullerton? If so, please send me a PM, maybe we could chat and find eachother when the 2nd semester starts (February 3rd). Ah well, there must be somebody from my school that comes to SDN. I'll just assume that you're a lurker. 😉

So, in closing, let's all perservere! We've got to have an intensity of focus more than an average college student, for the most part, due to the competitiveness in applying to medical schools. 🙂

 

[agent]

Originally posted by Biodude

Hey everyone. I managed to sign up for classes today to fill up my schedule. So, now I have 14 units:

Chemistry 120A (General Chemistry w/ lab) 5 units
English 101 3 units
Political Sceince 100 3 units
Psychology 101 3 units

I unfortunately couldn't fill up on pre-med classes, so instead I opted to fill up on GE classes, and get those out of the way. I wonder how difficult my second semester of college is going to be.

So, anyways, I hope that everyone's doing well. I'll be back to this topic every night to bump it up.

Congrats, I bet you feel better now. That looks like a decent 2nd semester lineup. You can always take a pre-req or two at a local CC over a summer if you want to play catch up, but I think you'll have plenty of time in the future to get it all in 😉

 

[sunkizt]

Hey Everyone! I hope all the beginning of second semester is going well. Anyways, I am currently a freshman at Smith College (in Northampton, MA) and I was wondering if anyone here did/does ROTC at their school? Is it possible with the pre-med expectations?
Well, I will be taking Organic Chem, Calc I, English, and Latin next semester, so if anyone has any advice on chemistry, I would greatly appreciate it!
There seem to be a lot of people going the non-traditional route to med school and I just wanted to say that you guys rock! That's about it...
Danielle

 

[CJLaw]

Well, my first exam in Gen Chem is Wed. The prof has been absolutley boring. She reads from her overheads verbatum(which are in paragraph form) all class long. I don't think she has seen my face yet--AND I SIT IN THE FRONT ROW! Anyway, I have taught myself more through reading the chapter and writing outlines than in her lectures. The test shouldn't be that hard. Its only 50 multiple choice questions, which include 15 definitions, 10 simple equations using the operational rules, 10 compound nomenclature questions, 10 balancing equations, and 5 stoichiometry questions (1 formula mass, 1 molar mass, 1 percentage composition, 1 molecular formula, 1 quantative information for balanced equations). Anybody else have exams yet?

 

[agent]

My first pre-calc test is next week. Its mainly review from college algebra so I should do fine.

 

[CJLaw]

I'm not worried either. Just a bit perterbed about the teaching style. That's all.

 

[agent]

I've had instructor's like that and I know how hard it is. Having a good instructor makes all the difference.

For those instructor that just read or throw facts at you, I feel like I'd rather just do independent study at home.

But like someone said here sometimes you have to be creative. Someone (maybe you) suggested read the material before hand and pretend like you are teaching at the time. That's worked for me before as well. make games out of it and its a lot more tolerable

 

[Sarah Kerr]

I am wondering, how often do you all REALLY study, on either a daily/weekly basis? Every prof I have recommends atleast 2 hours of study for every hour of class time, I imagine it's kind of the same all over. But do you all follow that recommendation, ignore it, or exceed it?

Nothing of great importance, just curious. 🙂 I want to get a feel for whether I'm about on par with some others, or if I'm way off course and just have NOOOO idea! Someone suggested keeping a "study log" (most likely, someone from SDN and I just cant remember who), and I've decided to start doing that. It FEELS like I'm studying for a good emount of time...but of course I've been out of school for a while, so any amount of studying feels like a lot. 😕

Hope you all enjoy your weekends coming up....I had a SNOW DAY today and I'm hoping for the day off tomorrow too, for "safety purposes" and all that....😉

 

[agent]

Personally I just study till I know the material well enough to be confident for the test. Sometimes that means 4 hours the night before a test, sometimes it means every night of the week for 4 hours.

Right now it looks like I might have to get a 2nd job so I'm sure my study time will go down significantly. I just found out that my wife who was supposed to be doing the finances hasn't been doing a very good job and we're about 6000 in credit card debt and running out of credit fast. Oh and she threatened divorce tonight, that's just great, she wants me to quit school...

 

[CJLaw]

During HS and undergrad, I didn't study at all. I would look over the material about an hour before a test (I never took notes either). I have to admit that it wasn't the smartest of techniques (don't try this at home kiddies).

Now, I take copius (million dollar word) notes in class. About 3 days before the test, I transfer my written notes onto the computer using an outline format. This way, I am refreshing myself on the material AND making a study guide. I then review the study guide until the day of the test. I recommend that no one does any hard core studying on test day. This leads to overload and often blanking out during the test. Rather, skim over your study guide breifly on test day. My motto is, that on test day if you don't know the material--you never will.

 

[Sarah Kerr]

Oh and she threatened divorce tonight, that's just great, she wants me to quit school...

Hang in there agent. 🙁 I know how tough it can be with a spouse and so many other responsibilities. I'm sure she's trying the best she can, too! But just from the way you talk about your family, I can tell there's a lot of love in that house. Ill be thinking about you!!

I'm having family trouble, also. My husband is away for the next 7 weeks and I can't have any contact with him...and we're waiting for his deployment orders to come down. 🙁 So anytime within the next month he could be shipped off, and I have to spend all this time away from him now, while he's still here!! It's making it really hard to concentrate on anything. But, there's nothing I can do about it, so I have to just keep on keeping on I suppose.

 

[2badr]

Ok I am late responding.If I go to school this summer I will be classified as a jr for the fall.This summer I will take Chemistry I (& maybe II) and a class I really like American Literature. .I am looking forward to my Microbiology calsses in the spring.If all goes well I will taking the April MCAT 2004 and appling for the entering class of 2005.So I guess we will see how it goes...

 

[agent]

True.

Before I was trying to balance everything, now I'm just trying to keep my head above water. I really love my babies and I really don't want to lose the family, but should I completely give up my academic studies?

 

[Sarah Kerr]

Agent please don't give up your studies. I know at the end of the say it's only your decision to make, but I just know you can handle it. I'm sure its tough right now, trying to juggle family life and your academics. Im sure with some trying, and some tears and frustration, you'll be able to find a proper balance.

I come to this thread every day and read what you have to say because I am truly inspired by what youre doing to become an MD. And thats not just BS to make you feel better, its the honest truth. You help all of us frazzled and nervous premeds calm down, and have provided a sounding board for all of us to come together and share those anxieties. I can sympathyze with the things youre going through, and knowing that you can do it makes me feel that we ALL can do it. We all know how hard youre working. Im sure your wife knows that too, and maybe she just feels a little neglected and stressed. I know my husband did. Just have faith in yourself, and faith in your family, that everything will turn out the way its supposed to. Dont look down the road 20 years from now with regrets.

 

[agent]

I think she does feel a bit neglected but she won't really admit to that.

Sometimes women are difficult I tell ya. Us men aren't mind readers 😉

Honestly, I've always been able to make things work in the past. It's that whole "buckle-down" type of mentality. When things get tough, you just dig in deeper, get more involved etc.

I read your story about the whole malpractice issue, and I'd like to say I'm sorry. I've had my share of misfortunes as well (i.e. death of only brother to drunk driver, my being diagnosed with crohn's after pathology from surgery) but I tell you perserverence is an empowering mechanism.

Your (and others ) ambition also drives me as well. Thank you.

edit>>

This just in.

I just talked to my wife and she was suprisingly chipper, oddly enough.

But then comes the hitter. She says she wants me to see this psychologist friend of hers just so I can vent once a week and her sister is paying for it. Her sister could just give me the money its going to cost instead and then maybe I wouldn't need to get a 2nd job. That'd alleviate a good deal of stress for me.

I'm like wtf! My issues aren't psychological, they are real and I'm busting my ass to get it all done. It don't have an extra 3 hours a week to drive to, discuss, and drive from said Psych's office. I need the 3 hours to do homework, etc.

So I guess we are getting chinese tonight. I'm thrilled, I guess.

She did say that she was looking for jobs though as well. She said she didnt find anything. So mayhps the entire burden won't be on me??

 

[Sarah Kerr]

I was poking around the UF website today, and I came across this....

http://medinfo.ufl.edu/~dcme/5011/index.html


It's pretty much a "pre-med" course that UF offers online. It's taught by medical students, and it gives you 3 UF credits that are transferable towards your degree (what schools it would actually transfer to, I have no idea). Apparently, it just gives you a good look at the profession of medicine, what to expect during med school and residency, etc. I don't know if anyone has seen this or not yet, so I thought I would throw it up here. Its $295, so I wouldn't take it unless someone else had some REALLY positive feedback (and my school accepted the credits 🙂 ) but it seems kinda cool, and maybe someone is interested. And if anyone has taken it, please let me know!!

Also, this thread needed to be bumped. 🙂 It's too helpful to get lost in the shuffle of everything else.

 

[LadyLuck]

Agent: I wish I had something better to say, but I just wanted you to know that I hope everything works out for you. I havent' looked at this thread in awhile so I am a little late responding. Maybe you could try the psych thing for awhile just to make her feel better. Women can be very stubborn 😉 and like it when you try their ideas. The whole time and money issue that goes along with it really bites though. Please keep us updated and try to hang in there 🙂

 

[2badr]

Originally posted by Sarah Kerr
I was poking around the UF website today, and I came across this....

http://medinfo.ufl.edu/~dcme/5011/index.html


It's pretty much a "pre-med" course that UF offers online. It's taught by medical students, and it gives you 3 UF credits that are transferable towards your degree (what schools it would actually transfer to, I have no idea). Apparently, it just gives you a good look at the profession of medicine, what to expect during med school and residency, etc. I don't know if anyone has seen this or not yet, so I thought I would throw it up here. Its $295, so I wouldn't take it unless someone else had some REALLY positive feedback (and my school accepted the credits 🙂 ) but it seems kinda cool, and maybe someone is interested. And if anyone has taken it, please let me know!!


Also, this thread needed to be bumped. 🙂 It's too helpful to get lost in the shuffle of everything else.

thanx for the link sarah!
🙂

 

[CJLaw]

bump

 

[agent]

Thanks for the support!

I might have to get a part-time job on the weekends, but I'm going to keep on truckin to try to get my bio degree.

Right now though I have to focus on my pre-calc and psych course. In my pre-calc class they hand out like 300 problems to do twice a week. uggh.

 

[vixenell]

I'm an undergraduate pre-med/MSTP biochemistry & molecular biology major (freshman). Last semester I had 16 credits (second semester General Chemistry, Calc I, english, Fundamental Philosophical Questions, and Hispanic Themes: Latin America (spanish lit)). I had a 3.36 GPA, which was enough for me to get First Year Honors at my college. This semester I'm taking 17.5 credits (Calc II, Intro. to Cells, American Politics II, Folk Dance (random, but i need some PE credit), Chem 32 lab, Biochemistry of Human Nutrition, Modern Law & Medieval Past, and intro. bio lab.).

I haven't had any clinical volunteer experience since early high school, but I have recent research experience, and I plan to continue that this summer.