Thoughts, Comments, etc...

[InHIShand]

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I have been on SDN for awhile, eventhough I have been reading and learning more than posting. I am 29 years old male, with two step daughters and three of my own children. The oldest just turned 14. I have been aiming towards med-school for the last four months or so, but I find myself wondering if it is fair to the kids. We live comfortably, but don't have that extra little to do whatever, whenever we want. The other thing is that I have a cumulative GPA of 2.85. I know its not good enough for Allopathic schools. I am currently working on my pre-med courses, but even if I get a 3.30, I would need a very high MCAT score. Reality is starting to kick in...my passion is medicine, but perhaps being a doctor is not the best option. I am starting to look at PA programs. Hate to leave my dream, but also not fair of me to delay spending time with my children, or letting them enjoy good things in their life. Thanks for listening! God Bless!

 

[NeuroChaos]

Certainly, It would be very difficult to pursue a career in medicine with your situation. And its good that you realize that . But know that many others have been in similar situations. It will take unmatched determination on your part, but it is doable. If you have the desire to succeed you will get there, no matter how. Both you and your family will have to make compromises. But the end product will overshadow the sacrifices you and your family will have to make during the journey.


You will be ~ 38 by the time you are done with residency, which is fine. You are going to be 38 anyways, why not become a medical doctor on your way there!!

 

[InHIShand]

Certainly, It would be very difficult to pursue a career in medicine with your situation. And its good that you realize that . But know that many others have been in similar situations. It will take unmatched determination on your part, but it is doable. If you have the desire to succeed you will get there, no matter how. Both you and your family will have to make compromises. But the end product will overshadow the sacrifices you and your family will have to make during the journey.

You will be ~ 38 by the time you are done with residency, which is fine. You are going to be 38 anyways, why not become a medical doctor on your way there!!

Thank you for the response, and the kind words. I keep questioning myself...I would love to keep pursuing it, but with a low GPA, and the family counting on me, is it worth me being away from them 14 hours a day? I am taking a year of Chemistry this summer, and working 40 hours a week. I leave the house at 6 am, and return at midnight--Monday thru Friday. If I want to pursue being a doctor, thats my schedule for the next nine years!

Thanks again!

 

[rkaz]

You might be an excellent candidate to check out osteopathic medical schools. Their average GPA and MCAT are about 3.3 and 26 (this was for 2005, though the stats have certainly increased since then as all medical schools seem to be getting progressively more competitive). Although it's somewhat lower than allo schools, they also are VERY non-trad friendly and really look at people's life experiences as well. At the school I'm starting this year, our average entering age is 26-27... which is a few years older than the average allo matriculant's age, plus there are people in their 30s or 40s as well who are career changers. The other great thing about DO schools for applicants is that they let you replace a low grade if you take the course over and score higher - so it's much quicker to increase your GPA. If you do very well this year in coursework, you could certainly have a shot of applying to DO schools next June for Fall 2011 start.

 

[InHIShand]

You might be an excellent candidate to check out osteopathic medical schools. Their average GPA and MCAT are about 3.3 and 26 (this was for 2005, though the stats have certainly increased since then as all medical schools seem to be getting progressively more competitive). Although it's somewhat lower than allo schools, they also are VERY non-trad friendly and really look at people's life experiences as well. At the school I'm starting this year, our average entering age is 26-27... which is a few years older than the average allo matriculant's age, plus there are people in their 30s or 40s as well who are career changers. The other great thing about DO schools for applicants is that they let you replace a low grade if you take the course over and score higher - so it's much quicker to increase your GPA. If you do very well this year in coursework, you could certainly have a shot of applying to DO schools next June for Fall 2011 start.

Thank you for the response. I have looked at DO schools, and their philosophy. You are right, it is a good option. I am still bothered by the fact that the family would have to delay their enjoyment because of a dream I want to pursue. Is that right of me to do? Yes, their life would be better by investment in OUR future, it just seems to weigh me down. Maybe its just me!

 

[ensuii]

Follow your passion. My mom was a single mother with 3 kids that dropped out of high school to work two menial jobs to support us. She's a strong and powerful (but short as hell --like sub 5-foot short) and sometimes I get depressed like crazy thinking about what she had to give up for me and my little sisters to do well. Apply DO, be genuine and admission won't be a problem. GL to you sir.

 

[ensuii]

Thank you for the response. I have looked at DO schools, and their philosophy. You are right, it is a good option. I am still bothered by the fact that the family would have to delay their enjoyment because of a dream I want to pursue. Is that right of me to do? Yes, their life would be better by investment in OUR future, it just seems to weigh me down. Maybe its just me!

If you're talking about spending time with your family during med school, it really shouldn't be too much of a problem. Plenty of students have their own families in med school. The schedule is rough, but it won't be as bad--it really is a full-time job however. With respect to financial considerations, your son will be starting college when you start your residency. Depending on your specialty, you should be in a very financially secure spot to pay off your loans, your son's student loans (should you chose to do so) and whatever other expenses you might have.

 

[NeuroChaos]

Thank you for the response, and the kind words. I keep questioning myself...I would love to keep pursuing it, but with a low GPA, and the family counting on me, is it worth me being away from them 14 hours a day? I am taking a year of Chemistry this summer, and working 40 hours a week. I leave the house at 6 am, and return at midnight--Monday thru Friday. If I want to pursue being a doctor, thats my schedule for the next nine years!

Thanks again!

This is a very difficult decision to make. It is no wonder that you are perplexed. No one can make the decision for you. You have to weigh out what is important to you. How much do you value being successful in personal life vs professional life. There are a few scientists/physicians who said, 'hell w/ having a happy family', I want to reach my true potential and not waste my time on things that come in my way. There are others who will give up an opportunity for professional development just so they can spend an extra day/month/week w/ their families.

Clearly you have the determination there. I applaud you for following the schedule as you described.
Discuss it with people who know you as a person, who know your family situation, to help you with this decision. It is impossible for us to give you any meaningful advice without having the entire picture (which we can't know of on an online forum)

 

[InHIShand]

Follow your passion. My mom was a single mother with 3 kids that dropped out of high school to work two menial jobs to support us. She's a strong and powerful (but short as hell --like sub 5-foot short) and sometimes I get depressed like crazy thinking about what she had to give up for me and my little sisters to do well. Apply DO, be genuine and admission won't be a problem. GL to you sir.

Thank you, that is a very interesting perspective! Appreciate your response. Btw, I am not too much taller than her! 😀

 

[InHIShand]

If you're talking about spending time with your family during med school, it really shouldn't be too much of a problem. Plenty of students have their own families in med school. The schedule is rough, but it won't be as bad--it really is a full-time job however. With respect to financial considerations, your son will be starting college when you start your residency. Depending on your specialty, you should be in a very financially secure spot to pay off your loans, your son's student loans (should you chose to do so) and whatever other expenses you might have.

For some reason I was comparing working full-time and taking a full-load with med-school. But, you are right, I won't be working on top of going to school once I get in. Thank you so much for your help. I am starting to think there still is hope!

 

[InHIShand]

This is a very difficult decision to make. It is no wonder that you are perplexed. No one can make the decision for you. You have to weigh out what is important to you. How much do you value being successful in personal life vs professional life. There are a few scientists/physicians who said, 'hell w/ having a happy family', I want to reach my true potential and not waste my time on things that come in my way. There are others who will give up an opportunity for professional development just so they can spend an extra day/month/week w/ their families.

Clearly you have the determination there. I applaud you for following the schedule as you described.
Discuss it with people who know you as a person, who know your family situation, to help you with this decision. It is impossible for us to give you any meaningful advice without having the entire picture (which we can't know of on an online forum)

For some reason, I excel when challenged. Put myself through undergrad working full-time, and with having a family. Problem is when I talk about this with the people around me--they say I can do it, but are they saying that to be supportive or are they being genuine? I don't know. Thank you again for your response. I am going to stick it out--take the rest of the pre-med courses, continue with my volunteering, and prepare for the MCAT.

Thank you for the responses!