Thoughts on term withdrawal due to illness

[altamont850]

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Hi Guys!

This semester I was registered for Honors Chemistry, Biology and Calculus. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have to do a term withdrawal. This bring my grand total of W'S to six. If I continue school and accrue no more W's will I be acceptable (particularly for MD/PhD)?

While I'm out, I plan on CLEPing some of my courses so I can demonstrate that I am committed to my education. In addition, I might try to volunteer.

 

[Morsetlis]

6???

Stop withdrawing so much. Whatever is wrong with your life, FIX IT before continuing with school.

And DON'T CLEP out of courses. BAD MOJO. Not only do the easier courses boost your GPA, med schools like to see a history of doing well in the sciences. Graduating earlier does not give you any points.

There's no "might try" to volunteer. DO volunteer, DO get clinical experiences, and DO research.

 

[LizzyM]

Obviously, if you are ill and have dropped an entire course load, it is not as bad as dropping one or two classes in each of 3-6 semesters.

It is obvious, too, that if you are dropping due to illness that you might not be in any shape to volunteer. If that's the case, then focus your energy on getting well. If you have time, do some intense reading to think about science, medicine and society. Keep up with current events particularly around health policy. Your first priority should be to get well & get back to school. Don't worry about the Ws, there is no avoiding them if you are too sick to stay in school.

 

[altamont850]

If I register for the same courses next semester and do very well in said courses (A's) will this negate the effect of the Withdrawals?

In addition, why would CLEP be detrimental? If I take higher level science, and I earn good marks what would be the difference?

 

[GetThePointe77]

I have 15 credits (5 classes) W'd in one semester due to illness, and a single W in a semester I completed. Although I have a very good reason for the second W (funeral caused my to miss a test, professor gave me a 0 :/) they are looked at very differently, and the first really has never been an issue (to my knowledge) I asked at one of my interviews if they wanted to know anything further about my Ws, and they asked questions about the second (wanted an explanation which I had but hadn't given on my secondary cause there wasnt a place) but didnt want to know anything beyond withdrew due to illness for the first. Just my experience for you...

 

[altamont850]

If I register for the same courses next semester and do very well in said courses (A's) will this negate the effect of the Withdrawals?

In addition, why would CLEP be detrimental? If I take higher level science, and I earn good marks what would be the difference?

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Since we are talking about CLEP, I am planning to CLEP out of a Pre-cal Course. I don't really need it as I've satisfied my math courses for my Bachelors and I've taken Pre-cal in high school. Should I do it or would it look bad?

 

[altamont850]

Bump

 

[CopaceticOne]

Bump

Have you talked to your school's pre-med advisor? That is likely a good reference for this specific, and possibly unique, situation as opposed to anonymous people on the internet guessing, most of whom have NO knowledge on how CLEP is viewed.

 

[Morsetlis]

Have you talked to your school's pre-med advisor? That is likely a good reference for this specific, and possibly unique, situation as opposed to anonymous people on the internet guessing, most of whom have NO knowledge on how CLEP is viewed.

I'm not just guessing...

Example:

https://meded.ucsd.edu/asa/admissions/faqs/

Do you accept CLEP credits?
No.

AP credit with a score of 4 or 5 will fulfill some of the requirements:
The full year of Math
One semester of Physics (meaning you would need to complete ONE semester or TWO quarters to complete the requirements)
One semester of General Chemistry (meaning you would need to complete ONE semester or TWO quarters to complete the requirements)
AP credit can NOT be used to meet the Biology or Organic Chemistry requirements.

Obviously it varies from schools to schools, and using CLEP for pre-calc to qualify for the next year of calculus and statistics would probably be ok, since the grades in calculus and higher math are what's important.

However, I would not CLEP or AP out of a core prerequisite class (bio/chem/ochem/phys/english).

 

[myronnie]

Well I took a semester off last year (Spring 2011). I had been battling with depression as well as anxiety that severely impacted my ability to focus and just live normally. Taking a semester off was the best thing that I could have ever done! I'm now completing fall with great grades and I'm doing better than I've ever done in my entire life!
A word of advice though: Complete the paperwork early. If you have any scholarships that you will lose as a result of taking a semester off, petition for reinstatement ASAP. I had to petition for one of my scholarships and it took 3 MONTHS to get reinstated...ugh. Feel better 🙂