Medical What is the best route forward for medical school?

[Goro]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Allow me to list my past before I ask my questions.
I am currently twenty-four years old. I have been in school throughout most of my time after the age of eighteen. I joined the National Guard in 2015 and have been a combat medic for them ever since. I scored a ninety on the ASVAB and well out did my fellow classmates during the training. During college I changed my degree multiple times and ended up just getting a Bachelors in General Studies, however during that time I took almost all of the science classes needed for med school applications besides organic chemistry. Also during that time I studied many different subjects ranging from world religions to Appalachian studies, which I believe has given me a much more knowledgeable view of the world. Throughout college I honestly had no drive to do well in classes since I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a career. Whilst barely trying in college here is the grades as I can remember.

Biology - C
Microbiology - A
Anatomy&Physiology 1 - A
Anatomy&Physiology 2 - A
General Chemistry 1 - C, Lab B.
General Chemistry 2 - C Lab B.
Physics - C
Modern physics - C
Abnormal psychology - A
Calculus 1 - C
Calculus 2 - B

If I had known I would've wanted to go to medical school I would've probably got nearly all As. Also during that time I was taken out of school quite a lot due to the National Guard duty. For example whilst taking Calculus 2, modern physics, and another physics course, I was taken out of class for two weeks to re-certify my basic-EMT license for my combat medic job.

Now I am a student in registered nursing school and have found it is not for me. I am easily the top of my class and I do not like having little to no medical power such as I do being a medic. Something as simple as selecting IV fluids is a providers decision and can not be done by a nurse. I plan to finish out nursing school so I may have a career for further schooling before medical school. My pre-entrance exams for nursing school I scored into the 90th percentile in every subject and I also scored in the 94th percentile in the ATI critical thinking exam.

I feel I have the intelligence and the willpower to seek becoming a physician. Medical knowledge has always came easy to me and I want to be making decisions instead of having to call a doctor over the slightest things that could just be fixed. I want to be the one preforming procedures not just watching a physician perform them.

So my questions are:

What do you believe would be the best route for me to follow? I have considered SMP programs but have also considered going to university for a year to take higher level science courses to cause an uptrend in my science grades. I have maintained almost all As in majority of my other classes.

Should I still consider M.D. as an option or purely be looking into D.O. schools?

Would any schools like my past time in the National Guard? Especially if I plan to become a military physician.

I know this is a lot to read and I don't want to waste your time, so I thank you for your feedback and time.

First off, many thanks for your service to our country.

You can help us help you by giving us your GPAs?

No, MD is still doable. Many schools believe in reinvention.

Read this:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[BC_89]

what is your cumulative & sGPA?

As a whiskey back in '15, it sounds like right after your training in Fort Sam Houston you went straight into school. Given the time frame, have you been activated or put any additional time towards your cumulative aggregate days to qualify for post 9/11 in its fullness? Some states also offer educational benefits (ie Texas and their Hazelwood act that pays up to 150 college credits) for listed military members that swore in in-state. Does your state have any related educational benefits for current guard members (without contingencies) and if so have you used them?

I ask because based on benefits vs obligation (especially during a pandemic), you may be better off doing your own DIY and starting fresh with some elective sciences leading up to (and passing) your first year of Organic Chemistry. This of course would open up opportunities to also pursue Cell Bio, Genetics, Biochem (after orgo), and Advance Molecular Bio with a possible research elective at the end. Most battle buddies I kept in contact with did just that at their own pace in preparations for the MCAT. After burning through the GI Bill and other benefits allotted them, they were prime candidates for HPSP and are just now starting residencies.

Again though, this will depend highly on what your current GPA is along with what benefits you are currently allotted.

My current GPA at the second college for nursing school is a 3.7 overall. This is when I took Anatomy and Physiology 1&2.
My GPA from the first university was only a 3.0 overall and sGPA was around 2.6-2.8. It wasn't until around my final fourth year that I really started trying in classes. During the past few years I have maintained almost all As and Bs. I feel like I was a naive kid that didn't understand the importance of grades at the time throughout . During my time at college I drew the GI bill for all four years. I also still worked during most of my time at college, my parents were not able to give any financial support. I have a Kaplan MCAT set and I plan to study for organic chem over the summer before I take the courses, so the class is more of a review. Thank you both for your time.