What the hell should I do?

[Pbfanatic321]

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Hello everyone,

I need some help. I'm currently at a community college, I just turned 22 and really had no idea what I wanted to do when I started college. So, I started taking random pre-requisites towards different majors and ended up thinking that I wanted to go into the PTA program.

Well, I was about to apply to the PTA program until I realized that I really don't want to go into physical therapy. After volunteering at a local hospital in inpatient rehab, and working as a tech at a outpatient clinic, it seems too boring for me.

Here's my dilemma, I have a 2.7 GPA. What I plan on doing (if I pursue med-school) is to transfer to a local university here and obtain a degree in Biological Sciences, or something similar. Forcing me to re take basically all my pre-recs at a university level. Obviously I would have to excel tremendously once I transfer so I can increase my GPA.

Does this sound like a good plan? Now..I know I will not pursue this until I give it some time and deep thought, however I am leaning towards it.

I need a career that is more interesting than physical therapy. Something like orthopedic surgery is very interesting to me, however I need to research more.

Please share any thoughts and feedback because I am stressing out tremendously.

Thank you everyone.

 

[Pastamahn]

Is there any reason for the low GPA? It's only going to get tougher at a 4 year university.

 

[TBV]

Your stats don't exactly jump out as ortho material to me but maybe you'll find your groove at the university. Seems like you're one to jump into things without due diligence. This trait will be your undoing if you don't learn how look before you leap.

 

[mimelim]

Hello everyone,

I need some help. I'm currently at a community college, I just turned 22 and really had no idea what I wanted to do when I started college. So, I started taking random pre-requisites towards different majors and ended up thinking that I wanted to go into the PTA program.

Well, I was about to apply to the PTA program until I realized that I really don't want to go into physical therapy. After volunteering at a local hospital in inpatient rehab, and working as a tech at a outpatient clinic, it seems too boring for me.

Here's my dilemma, I have a 2.7 GPA. What I plan on doing (if I pursue med-school) is to transfer to a local university here and obtain a degree in Biological Sciences, or something similar. Forcing me to re take basically all my pre-recs at a university level. Obviously I would have to excel tremendously once I transfer so I can increase my GPA.

Does this sound like a good plan? Now..I know I will not pursue this until I give it some time and deep thought, however I am leaning towards it.

I need a career that is more interesting than physical therapy. Something like orthopedic surgery is very interesting to me, however I need to research more.

Please share any thoughts and feedback because I am stressing out tremendously.

Thank you everyone.

To stand a realistic shot of getting into medical school, you need to demonstrate basic academic competence. For you, given your history, you are talking about about a minimum of 2 years worth of strong 3.7+ GPA classwork. Depending on the number of credits that you have already taken, you may even need to take more. While less than ideal, a GPA of >3.2 will be sufficient with that kind of strong upward trend. That coupled with a reasonable MCAT score will satisfy many committees' questions about your ability to handle the academic rigors of medical school.

In my experience, it is very difficult for 2.7 students to become 3.7 students, especially if they are trying to transition to an undergrad that is typically regarded as being more rigorous and demanding than where they are currently at. In short, you need to learn how to study and learn the habits that will allow you to succeed in your classwork now and later. Get help. Get it early. Tutors, office hours, academic development centers, whatever it is that you have access to, get on it and get on it now. Every semester that you spend getting <3.7 GPA from here on out is making the hill that you need to climb that much higher.

This is NOT an undertaking to be taken lightly. If you take 100 students in this position, I doubt that 10 end up make it through. This isn't meant to discourage you. This is meant to sharpen your focus. If you do not radically change how you have been approaching your schooling, you will not make it down this path.

After your grades and GPA are in good order, then it is time to think about the MCAT, when you will take and how to best prepare for it. For right now, do not plan on committing more than ~10 hours per week to medical school oriented extracurricular activities. It is one thing to start shadowing a bit. But, your focus for a semester or two needs to be on academics. No amount of hours can make up for poor academics.

 

[Pbfanatic321]

Is there any reason for the low GPA? It's only going to get tougher at a 4 year university.

To be honest, it's mainly my studying habits and my lack of interest for the classes I was enrolled in. I definitely need to fix my studying habits, but I know I will be able to do that.

Your stats don't exactly jump out as ortho material to me but maybe you'll find your groove at the university. Seems like you're one to jump into things without due diligence. This trait will be your undoing if you don't learn how look before you leap.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I do need to think over this thoroughly, that's why I'm posting here asking for some advice. Thank you!

To stand a realistic shot of getting into medical school, you need to demonstrate basic academic competence. For you, given your history, you are talking about about a minimum of 2 years worth of strong 3.7+ GPA classwork. Depending on the number of credits that you have already taken, you may even need to take more. While less than ideal, a GPA of >3.2 will be sufficient with that kind of strong upward trend. That coupled with a reasonable MCAT score will satisfy many committees' questions about your ability to handle the academic rigors of medical school.

In my experience, it is very difficult for 2.7 students to become 3.7 students, especially if they are trying to transition to an undergrad that is typically regarded as being more rigorous and demanding than where they are currently at. In short, you need to learn how to study and learn the habits that will allow you to succeed in your classwork now and later. Get help. Get it early. Tutors, office hours, academic development centers, whatever it is that you have access to, get on it and get on it now. Every semester that you spend getting <3.7 GPA from here on out is making the hill that you need to climb that much higher.

This is NOT an undertaking to be taken lightly. If you take 100 students in this position, I doubt that 10 end up make it through. This isn't meant to discourage you. This is meant to sharpen your focus. If you do not radically change how you have been approaching your schooling, you will not make it down this path.

After your grades and GPA are in good order, then it is time to think about the MCAT, when you will take and how to best prepare for it. For right now, do not plan on committing more than ~10 hours per week to medical school oriented extracurricular activities. It is one thing to start shadowing a bit. But, your focus for a semester or two needs to be on academics. No amount of hours can make up for poor academics.

Wow, thank you for the elaborate response! I know my current GPA really doesn't display my academic competetence, but I really need to learn how to make the most out of my study sessions and make use of tutors and academic help centers when needed.

I guess the only aspect making me weary is studying. I have so much interest in medicine, so I don't think I'll loath studying over something I'm interested in.

Thank you for the responses everyone. I'll keep thinking and see how it goes!

 

[gyngyn]

I guess the only aspect making me weary is studying. I have so much interest in medicine, so I don't think I'll loath studying over something I'm interested in.

To get to the point that you might be a good candidate will require years of study that has little to do with the practice of medicine.

 

[bc65]

If you're interested in ortho, but can't get into medical school, consider podiatry school. Podiatrists essentially function as orthopedic surgeons of the foot and ankle.

 

[Goro]

Carpentry is the same, but without the blood.

If you're interested in ortho, but can't get into medical school, consider podiatry school. Podiatrists essentially function as orthopedic surgeons of the foot and ankle.

 

[bc65]

Carpentry is the same, but without the blood.

But the pay is better in ortho. Podiatry also pays better, I think.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

Carpentry is the same, but without the blood.

You've clearly never accidentally smashed your hand with a hammer

 

[Pbfanatic321]

To get to the point that you might be a good candidate will require years of study that has little to do with the practice of medicine.

Yeah, I see your point.

I think a big part of my poor academics in my earlier years were lack of studying (and lack of proper studying), and not having enough drive to do well.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I wanted to make a post just so I had people to talk to, so I appreciate everyone chiming in.