Hey everyone!
Mods feel free to remove if I shouldn't be posting this here.
So, I'm an older applicant (I will be 29 when I apply next cycle). After a really rocky start, I'm currently in the last quarter of my liberal arts BA. I'll graduate with a 3.0-3.1 GPA and a GPA of around 3.9 in my last 60 credits.
My background:
I had no direction when I started college. I had severe ADHD, anxiety, and just kinda bounced around doing whatever I wanted. Up until I was about 24, I just kind of did school as a way to stop my parents from bugging me until I got sick of it and got married and got a job. I accumulated a horrendous amount of Ws in that time (26, Yeah, I know), and a few Ds and Fs (which have mostly since been retaken for As and Bs).
Then, my wife and I unexpectedly conceived a child, and honestly, since then, I have become an entirely different person. My work ethic was born with my kid, apparently. I went back to school and have absolutely killed it, balancing that with working a good, full-time job that supports my family (non-healthcare related). I improved my issues with focus and mental well-being, and have an excellent relationship with my wife and my daughter.
I won't go into too much detail, but obviously I want to go to medical school (strongly leaning towards osteopathic programs). My aim would be to go into family medicine and practice somewhere rural and underserved.
I feel confident I can score at least 510 on the MCAT, and my science GPA should be (I think) in the range of 3.7-3.9 (pretty much all prereq courses). I could reach a hundred hours shadowing a DO by the time most apps are due, and likely around the same number of volunteer hours. I also know I could write an excellent SOP (I've worked professionally as a writer), but I'm wondering if my high number of Ws will make all of that effort futile.
My wife/family support this ambition, I think I have a good story, and honestly, I feel confident that I would do great in med school. I'd love to hear from people who know more about this process. Should I go for it? I would love encouragement, but I'm also ready to hear tough love. I own the mistakes I'veve made and just want to be the best I can moving forward.
I'll post a more organized profile below, thanks! 🙂
Stats and misc:
-Conservative GPA estimates: 3.1 GPA, 3.7 science, 3.8 last 60 credits
-Haven't taken MCAT yet, confident based on practice that I can get 505 and probably even 510+
-30 Ws—26 are from 5+ years ago
-Lots of work experience outside of healthcare, including leadership roles
TL;DR: I have a ton of Ws from over five years ago, a great upward trend. Should I still attempt applying?
Thank you all, again! 🙂
Mods feel free to remove if I shouldn't be posting this here.
So, I'm an older applicant (I will be 29 when I apply next cycle). After a really rocky start, I'm currently in the last quarter of my liberal arts BA. I'll graduate with a 3.0-3.1 GPA and a GPA of around 3.9 in my last 60 credits.
My background:
I had no direction when I started college. I had severe ADHD, anxiety, and just kinda bounced around doing whatever I wanted. Up until I was about 24, I just kind of did school as a way to stop my parents from bugging me until I got sick of it and got married and got a job. I accumulated a horrendous amount of Ws in that time (26, Yeah, I know), and a few Ds and Fs (which have mostly since been retaken for As and Bs).
Then, my wife and I unexpectedly conceived a child, and honestly, since then, I have become an entirely different person. My work ethic was born with my kid, apparently. I went back to school and have absolutely killed it, balancing that with working a good, full-time job that supports my family (non-healthcare related). I improved my issues with focus and mental well-being, and have an excellent relationship with my wife and my daughter.
I won't go into too much detail, but obviously I want to go to medical school (strongly leaning towards osteopathic programs). My aim would be to go into family medicine and practice somewhere rural and underserved.
I feel confident I can score at least 510 on the MCAT, and my science GPA should be (I think) in the range of 3.7-3.9 (pretty much all prereq courses). I could reach a hundred hours shadowing a DO by the time most apps are due, and likely around the same number of volunteer hours. I also know I could write an excellent SOP (I've worked professionally as a writer), but I'm wondering if my high number of Ws will make all of that effort futile.
My wife/family support this ambition, I think I have a good story, and honestly, I feel confident that I would do great in med school. I'd love to hear from people who know more about this process. Should I go for it? I would love encouragement, but I'm also ready to hear tough love. I own the mistakes I'veve made and just want to be the best I can moving forward.
I'll post a more organized profile below, thanks! 🙂
Stats and misc:
-Conservative GPA estimates: 3.1 GPA, 3.7 science, 3.8 last 60 credits
-Haven't taken MCAT yet, confident based on practice that I can get 505 and probably even 510+
-30 Ws—26 are from 5+ years ago
-Lots of work experience outside of healthcare, including leadership roles
TL;DR: I have a ton of Ws from over five years ago, a great upward trend. Should I still attempt applying?
Thank you all, again! 🙂
