Urgent, need advice please

[Cofo]

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My mother was diagnosed with cancer during this past fall semester and had to have multiple surgeries. To make matters more difficult, I have a 30 year old brother with cerebral palsy who cannot take care of himself, who still lives/will always live at home with my parents. He requires special care 24/7.
My father literally couldn't possibly take care of my mother, brother, and go to work at the same time. My father needed help taking care of them, so I had to make a choice and be there for my family. I had to drive home Thursday evenings to take care of my mother and brother until Monday evenings. I could only attend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday classes.
I tried to not let the situation (that was out of my control) effect my grades, but my family had no other means of support. I know I made the right choice in choosing to take care of my cancer-stricken mother and brother with cerebral palsy. If it weren't for my help, my father wouldn't have been able to work and make money for my mother's surgeries. So, I know I did the right thing.
However, the unfortunate circumstance hindered my ability to attend 80% of my classes, causing me to make a D in pharmacology and an F in neuroscience... and brought my sciGPA down to either 2.9-3.0. My cumGPA is now about 3.2. I have over 600 volunteer hours.
Here's another little thing: I used to be pre-dental, and even had an interview at a dental school in September. I have not received an acceptance yet, which I am actually happy about because I want to do podiatry now instead (I didn't even know about podiatry until last month).
I have taken the DAT already and received 18AA/19TS.
Given my family's circumstance and my incongruous semester of bad grades...What are my chances for NYU or Temple this cycle?
I really love surgery. From other semesters, I've made A's in both Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, an A in Advanced Physiology. Also, I made an A in Biochem 1 (so schools should know I can handle the material). I am hoping NYU or Temple would take note of my situation into consideration. I graduate this spring 2013, and would love to begin podiatry school.

 

[dyk343]

My mother was diagnosed with cancer during this past fall semester and had to have multiple surgeries. To make matters more difficult, I have a 30 year old brother with cerebral palsy who cannot take care of himself, who still lives/will always live at home with my parents. He requires special care 24/7.
My father literally couldn't possibly take care of my mother, brother, and go to work at the same time. My father needed help taking care of them, so I had to make a choice and be there for my family. I had to drive home Thursday evenings to take care of my mother and brother until Monday evenings. I could only attend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday classes.
I tried to not let the situation (that was out of my control) effect my grades, but my family had no other means of support. I know I made the right choice in choosing to take care of my cancer-stricken mother and brother with cerebral palsy. If it weren't for my help, my father wouldn't have been able to work and make money for my mother's surgeries. So, I know I did the right thing.
However, the unfortunate circumstance hindered my ability to attend 80% of my classes, causing me to make a D in pharmacology and an F in neuroscience... and brought my sciGPA down to either 2.9-3.0. My cumGPA is now about 3.2. I have over 600 volunteer hours.
Here's another little thing: I used to be pre-dental, and even had an interview at a dental school in September. I have not received an acceptance yet, which I am actually happy about because I want to do podiatry now instead (I didn't even know about podiatry until last month).
I have taken the DAT already and received 18AA/19TS.
Given my family's circumstance and my incongruous semester of bad grades...What are my chances for NYU or Temple this cycle?
I really love surgery. From other semesters, I've made A's in both Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, an A in Advanced Physiology. Also, I made an A in Biochem 1 (so schools should know I can handle the material). I am hoping NYU or Temple would take note of my situation into consideration. I graduate this spring 2013, and would love to begin podiatry school.

Maybe you should take a year off to be with family?

If no, them I really suggest thinking about the MCAT. It will help with acceptances.

 

[ilovefeet]

Maybe you should take a year off to be with family?

If no, them I really suggest thinking about the MCAT. It will help with acceptances.

I agree, I think you should take care of personal and familial issues before you matriculate. Your grades are not terrible compared to that of the average, but I think you wanna sort out these issues before pod school, as it will not be easier than undergrad.

 

[PrePodPolice]

I just met someone on interview day that said nycpm didnt accept their dat score and would only tAke an mcat. (Btw, the podiatry school is NYCPM, not NYU). However, I'm pretty sure temple still takes DAT scores.

Best of luck to you and I hope your mother beats the cancer.

 

[feet2017]

I agree, take some time off. If your grades suffered that much in undergrad you will get slaughtered in podiatry school.

 

[EK18]

I also agree with the above posters. I think you should study for and take the MCAT as it will dramatically increase your chances and opportunities.

However, my concern is whether or not you will be able to commit yourself full-time to studying if/when you attend Podiatry school. Do you have to continue caring for family members once you begin Podiatry school? If so, how will you be able to balance that with a professional level curriculum? I can guarantee this will come up in your interviews. Don't assume that because you managed to get by in undergraduate that it will work in Podiatry school.

I think it's very noble of you to pursue an education while taking care of your loved ones and I feel that Podiatry will be a better profession with you in it. Just be realistic and understand that this is a very expensive and time-consuming commitment and you may have to do some soul-searching before you make any big decisions.

 

[Cofo]

Thank you everyone. I haven't made anything below a C since my freshman year, and it was only one F in general chemistry which I retook and made a B; on the DAT I scored 91st percentile on Gchem section with a 21. I was hoping Temple would still consider me as they could see my last semester's grades are incongruous due to family issues. Does anyone think they would? (Btw, my grandfather is retiring this month, so no, I will not be distracted from podiatry school if my mom were to get sick again).

 

[HopefulSpartan]

Thank you everyone. I haven't made anything below a C since my freshman year, and it was only one F in general chemistry which I retook and made a B; on the DAT I scored 91st percentile on Gchem section with a 21. I was hoping Temple would still consider me as they could see my last semester's grades are incongruous due to family issues. Does anyone think they would? (Btw, my grandfather is retiring this month, so no, I will not be distracted from podiatry school if my mom were to get sick again).

Contact Temple. http://podiatry.temple.edu/singletopic/contact_us/contactus.html

I had to go through my mother being diagnosed with cancer my sophomore year, my sympathy goes out to you.

 

[rushrhees]

I think your grades are still good for any of those schools, plus you have a reason for these grades that can be adressed. If I were you I would still look into the dental aspect if that is something you want, talk to your prehealth advisor as to what to do from here. If you want podiatry your numbers are still good, I would take the MCAT to open up more schools to you. Above all finally though, when you do get into podiatry school, it is going to take a lot of hard work and dedication. Are you in a position that your dad or whomever can take over your mom's and brothers health needs. I understand the drop in grades because of this, but if this happened when you were in pod school, you might have failed out and ended up with 50K in debt. From here on what you dedicate with your family is something you have to figure out, but do not go into pod school thinking you can do both and handle it this time. Best of luck and pray for the best outcomes of your families health challenges right now.

 

[hughesn2]

Wow, I really hope your mother and brother get through these tough times.
Your grades are well enough to get accepted in my mind if you have shown that you can get a 4.0 in Physio1&2 and BioChem, which in my mind are usually two (or three or four depending on how many semesters you took them) of the hardest/most challenging courses you will take in undergrad, unless you are an engineer.
Again, stories like this are the reason there is your own profile or whatever we call it like the personal essay (or something on that lines). Mention in that essay your situation.
But if a DPM school would reject someone who got an A in Physio and BioChem then I feel then that is complete BS!

Now back to your applying. In my mind, I think that being around your family for these times may be what you need to do. If you have this issue with undergrad (most likely in state). But I think taking a year off and be with your family may be the best idea. Based on past statistics from school there are more people who drop out for family/personal issues than failing out.

Study and take the MCAT just in case if you do plan on advancing to DPM for the cycle

I do hope that if you do apply these schools will completely understand your situation because that is just really tough to handle. BEST OF LUCK!!!!