WAMC Chef to Doctor Low Overall but otherwise competitive

[pbairdakts]

Hey fellow community,

I am going insane; here are my stats.
Florida resident, 33 years old
Professional chef since failing out of college circa 2013
Overall GPA 2.51, Since returning to school last year 3.87/BCPM 3.85 in 55 credits
Worked in Michelin kitchens in NYC
Father of 2 small children, currently working as Luxury hotel chef working on my BS in Microbiology at UF
Volunteer/Clinical approx 92 hours at a free health clinic for very underserved
Expecting a high MCAT 518-522
Shadowing: approx 40 hours with nephrology, ortho, cardiology
Have a third-degree black belt
IMO a Strong Personal Statement
My school list is about 26 schools, All Florida State schools and some selected based on mission statement. I am a string student and will also apply to the Caribbean. Please let me know if you need additional! Thank you!!!

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[Faha]

You should accumulate another 100 hours of clinical volunteering before you apply in June 2025. Also 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering (homeless shelter, food bank, etc.).

 

[pbairdakts]

You should accumulate another 100 hours of clinical volunteering before you apply in June 2025. Also 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering (homeless shelter, food bank, etc.).

There is really no other way of doing more. ( I support my household) I have also done some things in the past such as organize, order, cook and deliver over 1500 Thanksgiving dinners for those that lost their homes in 2022 Hurricane in Ft. Meyers. I was salaried but used my position of power to donate 3 full days of my time and make this happen. I've done lots of volunteer and community work in the past but I don't have records. I never assumed I would go back to school to be a doctor. Such as free meals delivered to first responders during COVID.

 

[Faha]

There is really no other way of doing more. ( I support my household) I have also done some things in the past such as organize, order, cook and deliver over 1500 Thanksgiving dinners for those that lost their homes in 2022 Hurricane in Ft. Meyers. I was salaried but used my position of power to donate 3 full days of my time and make this happen. I've done lots of volunteer and community work in the past but I don't have records. I never assumed I would go back to school to be a doctor. Such as free meals delivered to first responders during COVID.

The activities you describe should fulfill the non clinical volunteering hours as long as you include them in your application. You do need more clinical volunteering hours with a minimum of 150. Otherwise you could be screened out at schools.

 

[pbairdakts]

The activities you describe should fulfill the non clinical volunteering hours as long as you include them in your application. You do need more clinical volunteering hours with a minimum of 150. Otherwise you could be screened out at schools.

I appreciate that. I am building a very selective school list now. I am annoyed that grades haunt you but it is what it is. I am hoping the “holistic” review will get me there as both my passion and extreme dedication should be exactly what most schools are looking for. I doubt many students have put a sick 8 month old to sleep at 3 am, laid in bed for 2 hours, dressed a toddler and sent them to day care then completes and organic final, then went on to work 14 hours in a high pressure leadership position. If it’s rigor and grit, I have that in spades

 

[Faha]

Post your MCAT score here when available and I can advise about schools to apply to.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I appreciate that. I am building a very selective school list now. I am annoyed that grades haunt you but it is what it is. I am hoping the “holistic” review will get me there as both my passion and extreme dedication should be exactly what most schools are looking for. I doubt many students have put a sick 8 month old to sleep at 3 am, laid in bed for 2 hours, dressed a toddler and sent them to day care then completes and organic final, then went on to work 14 hours in a high pressure leadership position. If it’s rigor and grit, I have that in spades

Not many, but there are some.

Why is medicine now your calling as opposed to being a chef? How do you see yourself using your chef experience as a physician? Have you talked with admissions staff at the Florida medical schools you are interested in? I presume you're NOT looking to move "anywhere" because of your family responsibilities... including the Caribbean (which would be a horrible option IMO). Here's a starting list that comes to mind: Medical Schools Using the HmF Curriculum

I'm also assuming you have had opportunities in your culinary career for community service (supplying food kitchens or shelters). Maybe with the free clinic you have been working with? Keep building your clinical experience,

Your MCAT provides missing information to determine your chances. As far as I know, many Florida schools should give you a shot with a strong result.

 

[pbairdakts]

Not many, but there are some.

Why is medicine now your calling as opposed to being a chef? How do you see yourself using your chef experience as a physician? Have you talked with admissions staff at the Florida medical schools you are interested in? I presume you're NOT looking to move "anywhere" because of your family responsibilities... including the Caribbean (which would be a horrible option IMO). Here's a starting list that comes to mind: Medical Schools Using the HmF Curriculum

I'm also assuming you have had opportunities in your culinary career for community service (supplying food kitchens or shelters). Maybe with the free clinic you have been working with? Keep building your clinical experience,

Your MCAT provides missing information to determine your chances. As far as I know, many Florida schools should give you a shot with a strong result.

Thank you so much! And as for the change, it’s more of a revisiting. I wanted to be doctor after my father had a successful surgery for multiple cerebral aneurysms as a child. I was the first in my family to go to school, I come from a humble background and grew up in the worst city in New York State (literally an article about it being #1 worst city). I failed out and failed like 10 classes straight, hence the unrecoverable GPA. However being a chef is high stress, high pressure, 70-80 hours weeks, nights, weekends, holidays, pursuing excellence, leading people, etc all for the ego. I’ve done a lot here and there to help the less fortunate.
Also, we are dedicated to this path, so we will
Move anywhere. I plan on applying to about 35 schools, Texas, some DO and the Caribbean. I want to go MD over DO as Id like to pursue orthopedic or oncologic surgery. My ideal school is University of Florida, as they were the only 4 year school that allowed me to attend for undergrad. I’d like to finish my MD there.

 

[LunaOri]

DO would give you a much better shot at a competitive specialty than any Caribbean school would, and I definitely wouldn’t apply to Carib this cycle (if ever). For Carib, you are guaranteed to get in, but graduating is much less likely, so you could end up with a mountain of debt that you will never clear working as a chef.

 

[pbairdakts]

DO would give you a much better shot at a competitive specialty than any Caribbean school would, and I definitely wouldn’t apply to Carib this cycle (if ever). For Carib, you are guaranteed to get in, but graduating is much less likely, so you could end up with a mountain of debt that you will never clear working as a chef.

I actually make quite a bit of money as a chef and could pay off med school in totality now. However, from what I’ve seen is that if you’re a strong student you can get matched. I’m sure it’s hard but just about everthring I’ve done on this path has been excruciatingly difficult. Yet I persevere for the bigger picture.