Torn between careers. Really need feedback/advice!

[ash22]

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Hi everyone, I was having a real career change crisis/indecisiveness going on, and I thought I'd try posting a thread here to see if I can get any insightful feedback. I hate to make my "question" into something like a long story, but it kind of is, unfortunately. I'm at a point in my life where I need to be making some serious decisions about my career path (I'm 22). Some people say I still have a chance at med school, but I'm not too sure about that. If someone can just outright tell me there's absolutely no way I can make it, it would make it easier for me to drop everything and go ahead onto my alternative career path.

I never took academics seriously, and I was somewhat of an immature student in college. I graduated with a mere 2.0 GPA with a major in Sociology. I finished my courses in 2008, but my diploma was officially mailed to me this year--2009. The reason for this is because I had a grade adjustment/communication failure with a previous professor who did not fix my grade until way later. This fact itself looks really bad to the adcoms already.

I did take some pre-med courses, but did horribly. The highest grade I ever got in the sciences was a B (in General Bio). I took General Chem and got a D the first time, retook it and failed, retook it for a 3rd time and ended up withdrawing because I was about to fail again. I got a C- in Organic I, and failed a few other courses, including Physics 101. (These were all intro level courses). This was a couple of years ago, and I know that med schools don't look at grades after they've been 5 years old.

Now that I am working (nothing career-related, just something to pay the bills) and I've grown up, I don't mess around anymore and I feel like I can be more mature about academics now at 22 years old. It's not that I was stupid or academically challenged, I just didn't take school seriously back then. That said, is it even worth it for me to try taking all the pre-reqs all over again from scratch? It's going to take me 2 years. I've already taken Chem 101 about 3 or 4 times now, and that already looks horrible on a transcript.

I know that DO schools only count the last repeated grades (but they still see all your grades anyway), and I'm willing to apply to all 20-something DO schools out there if I have to. However, I can't help but think that even with a perfect MCAT score, I won't have a chance at any DO school (or MD schools that count only the last repeated grades).

I do have a passion for medicine and healthcare, and I always felt that I was meant to be a doctor. Academically speaking, I royally f***ed up, and I am completely aware of this. However, I'm living a different lifestyle now (working, not being supported by parents anymore) with a different mindset about life, and I've learned to take things seriously. I have a good head on my shoulders, and I know that if I wanted to prove that I am a good student, I could --the only question is, is it worth spending the next 2 years taking expensive pre-req classes?

My alternative career path was to become a social worker and put my undergrad Sociology degree to use. I would still have to go to grad school for this, but I have a better chance (and would take less time) getting into grad school than med school. While I would enjoy doing something within the field of Sociology, I would always be asking myself that "what if" question for the rest of my life. (Unless someone tells me right now to cut my losses, then I guess I would drop the idea of med school and never look back).

I know if I start taking pre-reqs this fall semester, I'm going to be starting a really long, hard, tiring, and grueling path. Sorry for the long post, but thanks so much for bearing with me here.. Any thoughts?? I would really appreciate your feedback and advice. Even if you respond with, "you don't have a chance in hell", I'd appreciate what you have to say. I'm not being pessimistic here, just want to be realistic.

 

[rddoms]

You definitely have a tough road ahead of you, but you can do it. Do well in the pre-req's for starters. You may want to look into some of the MS degree programs that a lot of DO schools offer. It is a chance to prove yourself, prepares you for medical school, and the degree can be quite useful by itself (I did the MS program at KCOM, and am currently a 2nd year DO student).

Taking the pre-req's and taking the MCAT will show schools that you are serious and have pulled a 180. I bet you would have to do a post-bacc or MS degree before med school, but you can definitely do it. If you want it bad enough, it will be totally worth it.

 

[DaTruMD]

Realistically, your chance is very, very slim.

If you didn't care, why did you repeat it the science courses so many times?

With a perfect MCAT score and a 4.0 GPA, I think you will have a shot but it is probably going to take you more than two years... Also, don't count on getting a perfect MCAT because if you had the ability to do that then you wouldn't have failed so many classes.

Anyway, I think you're still young and have plenty of time to improve you chances. The only question is, how hard are you willing to work to fix what you probably broke?

 

[ash22]

Realistically, your chance is very, very slim.

If you didn't care, why did you repeat it the science courses so many times?

With a perfect MCAT score and a 4.0 GPA, I think you will have a shot but it is probably going to take you more than two years... Also, don't count on getting a perfect MCAT because if you had the ability to do that then you wouldn't have failed so many classes.

Anyway, I think you're still young and have plenty of time to improve you chances. The only question is, how hard are you willing to work to fix what you probably broke?

Thanks rddoms, for your reply. I'll be sure to look up some MS programs.

DatrueMD, Why do you say it will take more than 2 years? I was estimating 2 years because I would be taking 10-12 pre reqs. Am I wrong about this? With the Chem, Org, Physics, and Bio sequences, I don't think it will be more than 14 courses at the most.

I know the MCAT will be really tough for me unless I really kick butt in these classes. How long did you prepare for your MCAT for? And what does it take to get a near-perfect score?? I'm assuming I'll be taking classes while preparing for the MCAT, and hoping this is do-able.

 

[facetguy]

You are young, so you've got time to do all of this if you so choose. Choosing will be up to you.

I also wondered about why you did poorly even in the repeated classes. You've said you were not into it back then, but 3 times?? You may have your answer after the first few classes this fall. If you do well, you're probably back in action. If you bomb them again, I'd give it up.

As to the near-perfect MCAT score, that's going too far. Get through this fall semester.

Good luck.🙂

 

[BassCaster]

Take it one step at a time bro. Don't even think about the MCAT yet. If you do well 1st semester, continue. If you find the material difficult and can't pass the 4th time, I think you know the answer.

Getting an A in a science course is completely different from doing well on MCAT science. I did well in school fairly easily, but busted my butt for an entire year studying the MCAT to score 11's on both science sections. It was Way more difficult.

 

[Kayla]

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[ash22]

Thanks everyone, for all your encouraging words. At the same time, I want to be realistic-- What do you think the DO schools will think of all my past repeated courses? Is it true that they care only about the last repeated grade?

I did some thinking last night, and realized for all 11 or 12 of my pre-reqs, I can spread it out over the course of one academic year (including summer) starting this fall, and apply to schools during the Fall of 2010. Would it affect my chances greatly to apply a little bit late (around August, when my summer classes are over), but still before the deadline? If I wait one more year to apply, I'll be 30 when I graduate med school. I would just hate to be way behind in the game and do residencies until I'm 40, if you know what I mean.

Any admission committee members or med students have any opinions about the previously repeated (3x) courses?? Please help!

 

[Kayla]

.

Thanks everyone, for all your encouraging words. At the same time, I want to be realistic-- What do you think the DO schools will think of all my past repeated courses? Is it true that they care only about the last repeated grade?

I did some thinking last night, and realized for all 11 or 12 of my pre-reqs, I can spread it out over the course of one academic year (including summer) starting this fall, and apply to schools during the Fall of 2010. Would it affect my chances greatly to apply a little bit late (around August, when my summer classes are over), but still before the deadline? If I wait one more year to apply, I'll be 30 when I graduate med school. I would just hate to be way behind in the game and do residencies until I'm 40, if you know what I mean.

Any admission committee members or med students have any opinions about the previously repeated (3x) courses?? Please help!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

DatrueMD, Why do you say it will take more than 2 years? I was estimating 2 years because I would be taking 10-12 pre reqs. Am I wrong about this? With the Chem, Org, Physics, and Bio sequences, I don't think it will be more than 14 courses at the most.

bro it isn't the fact that you can't get them done in 2 years. the issue is raising your GPA enough to have a possible chance. You have a 2.0 with a degree so i assume approx 120 credits. If you get a 4.0 GPA for another 24-32 credits it will raise it sure, but not to a 3.5 GPA or somewhere the is competitive.

 

[NRAI2001]

Thanks everyone, for all your encouraging words. At the same time, I want to be realistic-- What do you think the DO schools will think of all my past repeated courses? Is it true that they care only about the last repeated grade?

I did some thinking last night, and realized for all 11 or 12 of my pre-reqs, I can spread it out over the course of one academic year (including summer) starting this fall, and apply to schools during the Fall of 2010. Would it affect my chances greatly to apply a little bit late (around August, when my summer classes are over), but still before the deadline? If I wait one more year to apply, I'll be 30 when I graduate med school. I would just hate to be way behind in the game and do residencies until I'm 40, if you know what I mean.

Any admission committee members or med students have any opinions about the previously repeated (3x) courses?? Please help!

22 is not old at all. The avg entering age at my school (not a DO school) and most DO schools is around 25ish..

I just get the feeling you are still not too serious regarding the whole process. Thinking you can fix the huge mess you ve dug yourself into in a single year is very immature. You re situation is dire and will take IMHO atleast 2 years of solid grades to demonstrate that you are now a serious student.. meaning that it will be atleast 3 years till you marticulate at some school; lucky thing for you is that you are still young.

 

[NRAI2001]

If you are 22 how will you be 30 by the time you graduate medical school??

You will be very lucky to enter any med school anywhere in the world in the next 2 to 3 years...with so many applicants to go around why would a medical school take a chance with some one who has a proven track record of failure??

I knew people with 2.5 -2.7ish GPAs who got into medical schools (DO and carribeans) but they all had 1.5 to 2 years of post bacc courses with almost straight As and they all scored close to 30s and above on their MCATs...

 

[droogdoc]

You seem hell bent on finishing all this stuff up in two years. If so, you are going to repeat your earlier mistakes by jamming your schedule up because you are so worried about finishing up and then doing poorly because you rushed it.

If I was you, I would definitely retake your pre-reqs, even at a community college if you can because PLENTY of people do that as long as they arent 100-level courses, then you may have to go to a 4 year to do it.
Also, enroll in a post-bacc program. There are two-year MS programs but some schools have 1-year programs, specifically designed for people in your type of situation.

Dont worry about time. Who cares how old you will be? I am 28 and will be 29 when I start next year when accepted somewhere. And yes, the average age of a first year is 25-26, so dont worry. Just do your best and apply when you truly think you are ready.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Thanks everyone, for all your encouraging words. At the same time, I want to be realistic-- What do you think the DO schools will think of all my past repeated courses? Is it true that they care only about the last repeated grade?

I did some thinking last night, and realized for all 11 or 12 of my pre-reqs, I can spread it out over the course of one academic year (including summer) starting this fall, and apply to schools during the Fall of 2010. Would it affect my chances greatly to apply a little bit late (around August, when my summer classes are over), but still before the deadline? If I wait one more year to apply, I'll be 30 when I graduate med school. I would just hate to be way behind in the game and do residencies until I'm 40, if you know what I mean.

Any admission committee members or med students have any opinions about the previously repeated (3x) courses?? Please help!

In all honesty, if you really pull it together and do very well with the pre-reqs plus pull off a 30+ MCAT score, I do think you have some sort of chance to at least get yourself into a post-bac program where you can demonstrate your commitment to the profession. A classmate of mine is in his 40s and had to apply to UMDNJ 4 times before he was finally accepted...and his best MCAT performance was a 26. So if you're really willing to pursue it, you've got a fleeting chance. But you're going to have to take an awful lot of classes to get your overall/science GPA up to an even remotely competitive level, and with medical school admissions becoming more and more competitive with each passing year you're facing a steep uphill battle (at best) for admissions.

Otherwise, have you considered any other options? Caribbean schools? Becoming a PA?