What do you think?

[PharmDr.]

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I think im out of the running for med school and I really need some opinions on this. Im a junior and have a 3.1 GPA with 2 yrs to finish. I have 6 W's already for various reasons and have the nursing pre-reqs done now and was going to enroll in BSN and then become a ACNP. Im only 21 now and is it more practical to try to enter med school at 23, or do I not have a chance and go NP route and then later try to enter. I want to practice medicine any way I can really, but I could regret this decision now to become a doc.

 

[Jamers]

I think im out of the running for med school and I really need some opinions on this. Im a junior and have a 3.1 GPA with 2 yrs to finish. I have 6 W's already for various reasons and have the nursing pre-reqs done now and was going to enroll in BSN and then become a ACNP. Im only 21 now and is it more practical to try to enter med school at 23, or do I not have a chance and go NP route and then later try to enter. I want to practice medicine any way I can really, but I could regret this decision now to become a doc.

Hello,

Not totally sure what a ACNP is but a 3.1 overall GPA does not put you out of the running. The last thing you want to do now is to think all hope is lost! I am assuming that you are taking the MCAT's? However, if you really do not want to become a doctor (i.e., you lost the passion to go through with it), then maybe a BSN is the path for you. Some of the most intelligent people I have met in my life are nurses. They know more about their field then most people do (including some med. students fresh out of school!). That being said, if you really have the passion to help people but do not want to become a doctor then, I would say stay out of the running; this process is hard enough and it will only get harder if you don't truely want to do it! I hope this helps you but, I must admit, I do not know in which direction to guide you. It all comes down to what you want, truely and deeply in your heart. (I sound like a fortune cookie!).

 

[PharmDr.]

ACNP means acute care nurse practitioner. Basically ED, ICU, and surgery is where I find interesting. I could do pre-op, intra-op with first assisting and then post-op.....all as a mid-level. I am just having secong thoughts of going this route because I might regret being young and not trying for med school. The W's are what kills me and I havent takin a full amnt. of credits for several semesters now. Thanks

 

[Jamers]

ACNP means acute care nurse practitioner. Basically ED, ICU, and surgery is where I find interesting. I could do pre-op, intra-op with first assisting and then post-op.....all as a mid-level. I am just having secong thoughts of going this route because I might regret being young and not trying for med school. The W's are what kills me and I havent takin a full amnt. of credits for several semesters now. Thanks

It all comes down to that abstract word I keep using: passion. You obviously have the passion to help others but, do you also have the passion to enter into medical school? This you must find out for yourself. As a nurse practitioner you will have a lot of responsibility and a lot of control over what you do. If you are this confused, taking a year or two off may be just what you need! Have you ever shadowed a nurse practitioner just to see what it is like? You may want to think about doing that as well, just to give yourself some idea. You are, as you said, young (strange coming from me since I am only a freakin' year older then you! ). You have a lot of time ahead of you, a year off will not hurt and, actually, may help in the long run with this confusion you are facing. Good luck.

 

[HunterGatherer]

You are not out of the running. read the FAQ on calculating science and overall GPA. If you do well on the MCAT it can offset your low GPA. Have a solid GPA trend and you are going to get in somewhere if you apply broadly and have it together.

Some schools may not take your prereqs for nursing. Call around.

 

[JasonUD]

There's always a chance, do well on your MCAT and it will pull some attention away from your GPA. As for your W's, just be honest and put on your apps. why you got them. If you have a good reason they might not be taken as negativly as you think. Good luck.

 

[maxhealth]

ACNP means acute care nurse practitioner. Basically ED, ICU, and surgery is where I find interesting. I could do pre-op, intra-op with first assisting and then post-op.....all as a mid-level. I am just having secong thoughts of going this route because I might regret being young and not trying for med school. The W's are what kills me and I havent takin a full amnt. of credits for several semesters now. Thanks

Hi Pharm,
It sounds to me like you are still sure you want to be a doctor but you are about to give up and settle for something else. I was in your same situation 7 or 8 yrs ago. I gave up and and began a career in research. I thought I would find the research option fulfilling and rewarding, and it is. However, it is not my passion, not my dream and not what I've always wanted to do. So here I am 8 years later, finally getting ready to start med school. Do I look at the time spent in research as a waste? Absolutely not, but it was time that I could have spent in school following my true dream to be a doctor and out there practicing. My point is, you probably are ALWAYS going to want to be a doctor. Don't give up and don't settle for something else because it looks like it is going to be too hard for you to get into school. Bite the bullet now and do what you've got to do to get A's in the rest of your classes.

If you end up deciding you want to be an NP, you'll still have a very rewarding career but you'll probably always have that nagging thought about becoming a Doc. Don't sell yourself short and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. One thing you can never get back it time. Go for it!

 

[bkpa2med]

Pharm,

I had a 3.1 a few semesters ago due to one bad semester and right now I have a 3.4 GPA. I also have this semester and 2 more to graduate so I'm hoping of finishing with a 3.5 hopefully. Work hard and try. At least apply and let the adcoms judge if your good enough or not.

 

[Krazykritter]

Not sure what to tell you...I know that W's are a source of problems when we interview candidates. You would almost definitely be questioned about this many W's in interviews and have to have a better answer than "various reasons." Not to be overly pessimistic but I would guess that you withdrew from a few of the classes due to grade problems, and would expect a higher GPA than 3.1 after withdrawing from classes that you were struggling in.

I am by no means telling you not to give it a shot. There are all kinds of people with grades similar to yours who get accepted (and a decent MCAT score can help you show that you have the academic potential). Good luck in deciding, but as JasonUD said, you need to put these on your AACOMAS app. and include a reason in the additional comments section.

 

[PharmDr.]

I had to grow up lately and stop partying a lot...so thats why my grades are not steller. I have taken org. chem twice and got W's b/c I was accepted at Nova's BSN program last summer and dropped to free up my time..and then this last semester b/c of work scheduling and family problems. Ive only actually dropped one course for academic reasons soley. Im taking three online courses right now to finish up some classes for nursing school and gen ed and I am on track for all A's. I think I am going to suck it up and put 100% into getting good grades and MCAT score. I know I could have a satisfying career as a NP, but I know I will always wonder "what if" yrs from now. Ive been in healthcare for yrs now as a pharm tech and im going to get a EMT-B certificate this summer most likely for more hands on experience. Im on the 5 yr plan now and thanks you guys for hope at least. I guess im just like most people who are afraid of failure. Im just scared to put all my energy into something and get nowhere really with a bio degree. I was thinking maybe get a BSN so atleast I can have a degree I can fall back on. Everyone says how its a hard degree, but im more motivated with work thats of interest. Anyways..thanks for the input!!!

 

[KateGia]

You need to decide what fits you better, NP or Dr. No one can tell you this. Don't be afraid to take time off. Very few people go right from undergrad to med school. However, if you're going to go through all the work of becoming a NP just to go to med school later I think you will regret it. So sit down and think about which you want to be. Maybe shadow both, and see which you like better. However, you won't find your answer on sdn. Just remember that both are professions to be proud of, and you shouldn't feel like you're missing out for choosing one over the other. Good luck!! 🙂

 

[goodcook]

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[BradenDO]

Hi...what's a "W?"

It means you withdrew from a class.