What are my options???

[selarom22]

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Hello everyone,

I've lurked the threads for quite some time now and finally decided to take the plunge and create an account to ask the question. What are my options?

So, I graduated from UF 8 months ago with a BS in Economics and I scored in the top 1% of on the exit exam that is a requisite for all outbound Business graduates nationwide. I state this because I feel I am far from a lost cause academically, I was just lazy and reckless. I am 26 years old and would like to try and repair some damage from my late teens, early 20s.

I graduated with a 2.3 overall gpa and a 2.1 sGPA. Currently, I've moved back home to Miami and am taking some pre-reqs at the local community college and will begin at FIU this summer to finish off a 2nd bachelor's in Biology (my initial degree before I switched to Economics).

Also, I was pulled over and cited for a DUI 3 years ago. I satisfied all requisites assigned to me by the judicial system and have since stayed out of trouble; this is, however, a huge black mark no doubt but something I hope is not the end all be all of a potential career in medicine.

I am currently missing, Physics 1 and 2, Organic 1 and 2. I am registered in AnP1 with Lab as it was the only course I could get into in the spring. I plan on taking Physics 1 with Lab and Organic 1 with Lab this summer (this would be my second time taking Organic I received a D+ the first time around). I'm also considering taking Biochem and several other upper level science electives.

My question is as follows: what is the best course of action for me to repair everything that I've done wrong and to make myself the best med school candidate I possibly can. I've started volunteering at the local hospital and am trying to obtain a research position. Hopefully, this is a start but I am unaware what to do next, or if I should even pursue a 2nd Bachelor's. Should I consider going to a Post-Bac (as it is I don't believe my GPA is even suitable for that). I am confident that whatever it is I need to do I can accomplish. I'm finally pursuing the decision to become a dr. with the vigor and dedication I should have had years ago.

Thank you for your advice, I appreciate any and all criticism.

 

[sinombre]

Graduating with a GPA that low means that you have already completed a significant amount of units--even if you double the amount of units you've completed and get straight A's, you'll still barely to boost your GPA to a 3.0. It's worthwhile to calculate how high you'll be able to boost your GPA by taking all of the extra classes, with and without grade replacement (DO schools allow grade replacement, MD schools don't).

With a GPA that badly damaged AND a DUI, you're probably better off not spending the extra money to obtain a second bachelor's degree, unless it will somehow help you in another career in the likely event that you fail to get into medical school.

Anything's possible, but you have to come to terms with how unlikely it is that you'll be able to compensate for the damage that you've already done. It's probably worthwhile to contact schools directly and get their input.

 

[girlonfire]

Do well in the pre-req classes in your CC and consider doing an SMP afterward. I'm not sure if a second Bachelor's is better than an SMP--- how do they compare financially? It may be worthwhile to go do a post-bacc with a decent linkage to a med school. Discuss this with your undergrad premed committee.

 

[selarom22]

Thank you for those quick responses.

A quick google search and I found:
https://www.barry.edu/bms/admissions/default.htm

In order to get my GPA up to a 2.7 I would 29 more credits (roughly 10 lecture courses; may vary with 1 and 2 credit labs in the mix) with straight As. A GRE score would be acceptable as I am hesitant to take the MCAT as of yet, I know that's the only Ace up my sleeve per say. While a great score will not mask the GPA damage it might (fingers x) lessen the blow.

The only reason I am pursuing the second degree is due to the fact that FIU is accepting a lot of undergrad work from my previous degree, as in, English courses, Maths, Social Sciences etc. Essentially I would only need to take the missing science coursework aforementioned. They also mentioned it would give me a leg up in registering for classes as well as financial aid. Being that the Barry SMP requires I pass those classes with a grade of C or better anyways I figure why not? My logic could be wrong, open to suggestions.

I have no qualms regarding DO vs MD. My only concern is that my room for error is tiny at best. Whatever decisions I make must be the correct ones as time is not on my side. I am fairly certain I would like to do something in surgery. I wouldn't go as far as picking a specialty just yet as I know everything is subject to change once you hit your rotations. That being said, I've heard Caribbean schools hinder your chances of getting into good residency programs. I am not sure if this means it would be more difficult to get into surgery or perhaps what I've read is inaccurate. Hopefully someone can clarify this for me.

I'm not trying to get too ahead of myself, I do not have that luxury. However, I feel right now the choke point is getting into a school. If I can overcome that I hope that my performance in Med School will brush my pre-med blunders under the rug.

I understand the amount of work this entails. In a sense I'm trying to undo years of mistakes and I know it will not happen overnight.

With grade replacement my sGPA would go up to a 3.7, whoever I am aware this only applies to DO schools.

Thank you again.

 

[girlonfire]

Don't be too hard on yourself. The past is the past. I wish you the best of luck!

Random thought: a friend of mine is at a recently opened med school at FAU and they seem to really like in-state applicants. I'm assuming you're a FL resident since you mentioned Barry, maybe this will be an option for you down the line.

It'll be a steep uphill climb but you have to do what you love.

 

[selarom22]

Don't be too hard on yourself. The past is the past. I wish you the best of luck!

Random thought: a friend of mine is at a recently opened med school at FAU and they seem to really like in-state applicants. I'm assuming you're a FL resident since you mentioned Barry, maybe this will be an option for you down the line.

It'll be a steep uphill climb but you have to do what you love.

Thank you for the words of encouragement; however I am my worst critic. I'll look into FAU, thank you for pointing that out to me, didn't even realize they had a Med School. I am, in fact, a FL resident. My current state of mind is akin to walking on an ice covered pond; just not sure where the thin ice is at, so to speak. I am currently trying to figure out the best course to take to get from point A to point B. I understand the amount of explaining I'll have to do to an AdComm will be plentiful but it's a scenario I look forward to. Looking further into Barry, I notice most people have issue with the fact that they don't offer linkage to a Medical School upon successful completion of the SMP program. I understand why this may be a concern but I am not really sure how to weigh this as a con.

That being said my logic is as follows:
1- Raise GPA - atm I'm pretty sure most Post-Baccs or SMPs won't even consider taking me on at the moment. From the looks of things they want at least a 2.5-2.7 or better. Some want a 3.0 even :-\
2- Start ECs - self explanatory but if picking between explaining my new found dedication to the craft vs. showing hours of volunteer work in health related fields I find actions will speak louder than words in this matter.
3- MCAT? - While my grades may show other wise, they are not a result of the inability to learn the material. Quite frankly that which I did learn throughout my undergrad science courses I know I will never forget because I truly learned the concepts vs memorization. I reiterate, my poor performance was due to immaturity and laziness not inability to comprehend the concepts taught in Bio, Inorganic/Organic Chem, AnP etc. That being said, I am unsure what is the best way to prepare for these subjects on the MCAT. Should I bring out my old textbooks, start at page 1 and and not stop until I hit the index? MCAT prep courses? I understand a good percentage of the concepts conveyed in these courses what I never took time to learn were the nuances overlooked by applying the poor/non-existing study habits I did i.e. Sulfur can violate the octet rule etc.