Where are they now?

[WarningBarrel20]

I am interested to find out where those brave non-trads who've gone down the career change path into medicine are now. I thoroughly enjoy reading the progress threads of people who have overcome low GPAs, low MCAT scores, etc. However, getting into medical school is just the beginning of a long journey. If people are still around on the forum, would you kindly share the following:

1) Year accepted into medical school/age when accepted
2) MD or DO
3) Current medical specialty
4) Any other information you'd like to share/add

I'm currently an accountant in the private equity space looking to perhaps change careers into medicine--a dream that I thought was long gone with a poor UG GPA until I found this forum.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Ad2b]

@WarningBarrel20 - you are not alone in your background.

When was your last class taken? Have you shadowed any docs?

 

[WarningBarrel20]

Still in the preliminary stages of consideration with all of this; so no, I haven't done much of anything. My last class(es) were taken in 2010 but were a part of my accounting MS. Last true science courses were taken on or around 2006--I know I have my work cut out...

FWIW, I come from a family of physicians (Mom, Dad, brother, uncles), though, I'm aware that relational proximity isn't the same thing as shadowing.

 

[Dral]

2006/33
MD
Dermatology/Dermpath
I worked as a lab tech and then finished up a PhD program before med school.

 

[deleted245139]

Accepted at 26, graduated 2013
DO
Emergency medicine
Was an emt/er tech after finishing a masters degree in neuroscience

Its never too late!

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Accepted in 2007/Graduated in 2011
DO
Internal Medicine Graduated 2014
Critical Care Fellowship
Was a Research Technician and completed an MS in Biology

 

[Goro]

Paging @DokterMom! Paging @cabinbuilder!!!

I am interested to find out where those brave non-trads who've gone down the career change path into medicine are now. I thoroughly enjoy reading the progress threads of people who have overcome low GPAs, low MCAT scores, etc. However, getting into medical school is just the beginning of a long journey. If people are still around on the forum, would you kindly share the following:

1) Year accepted into medical school/age when accepted
2) MD or DO
3) Current medical specialty
4) Any other information you'd like to share/add

I'm currently an accountant in the private equity space looking to perhaps change careers into medicine--a dream that I thought was long gone with a poor UG GPA until I found this forum.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I am interested to find out where those brave non-trads who've gone down the career change path into medicine are now. I thoroughly enjoy reading the progress threads of people who have overcome low GPAs, low MCAT scores, etc. However, getting into medical school is just the beginning of a long journey. If people are still around on the forum, would you kindly share the following:

1) Year accepted into medical school/age when accepted
2) MD or DO
3) Current medical specialty
4) Any other information you'd like to share/add

I'm currently an accountant in the private equity space looking to perhaps change careers into medicine--a dream that I thought was long gone with a poor UG GPA until I found this forum.

@Goro
Graduate Univ of Alaska Gairbanks BS Biology 1994, GPA 2.7
Self Post-Bacc 1997-98 All pre-req's at once over one yr, worked full time GPA 3.9
Applied 3 years in a row (had baby #2 in the middle, took a year to recover) Studied MCAT while on bedrest and recovering in the hospital/home
1. 2001 Age 32, graduated 2006
2. DO LECOM class 2006
3. Family Practice but do locums urgent care mostly (have 6 active licenses). Graduated residency 2009 age 40
4. I have 2 kids and started medical school when they were 2 & 5
My jobs before I went to school (some jobs overlapped since I worked 2 at once):
7 years Ward Clerk/CNA
2 years Cutting fish in a grocery store
4 years in the Deli in a grocery store
2 years delivering pizza
4 years in Alaska tourism industry.
9 years in the library.

I have lived in poverty, been homeless, been an abused wife, lived without running water for 5 years, grew up in the wilderness of Alaska. Talked on the phone for the first time age 16. A friend of mine gave me the down payment to hold my spot - I paid him back with my first paycheck. Couldn't have done it without my friends or husband.

I love what I do every day, I am grateful everyday (even when it's hard and the patients complain). I will never be in poverty again. I will always have money.

NO EXCUSES as to why you "can't".

 

[Ad2b]

ugrad - too ugly to post (1989)
post grad: all premed prereqs - too pretentious to post (2009 - present)

• 25 years in business world; former executive public company reporting to BoD; former partner Big 4/little 2/middling 6/mediocre 8
• Not admitted, just withdrew my application for 2016
• Pizza driver, grocery store clerk, newspaper route, Wendy's burger flipper, writer/editor asst paper magazine, PI for work comp/insur fraud through college
• will be grateful and (there's no emoji for falling on the floor passed out) if I get in

Have been near homeless, ate homemade flour/butter tortillas with cinnamon sugar on them for 5 days until a check came so that I could buy Kraft Mac n Cheese (dogs had their food though; my choice: feeding dogs > me), raised my son on my own; first son died of SIDS...

And I am 100+% grateful for every step in my journey. It has been worth everything, even if I am always on the outside, nose stuck to the glass looking at everyone else studying for Steps.

 

[Shjanzey]

1) Year accepted into medical school/age when accepted

2014/35
Graduate 2018

2) MD or DO

MD

3) Current medical specialty

M2

4) Any other information you'd like to share/add

Undergrad Electrical Engineering Computer Science ~ 3.0
Ten year unfullfilling career
MCAT - 22, 29, 29

Currently getting A's in medical school and love the journey.

 

[WarningBarrel20]

Awesome replies--thanks, guys! Keep them coming--I'm 30 and at least 2-3 years from applying. Age doesn't bother me, in fact, I feel I'm much more equipped to handle the rigors now than I was 10 years ago (cite: poor UG gpa).

 

[LingoLaine]

1) started med school 2012, age 41

2) MD

3) Currently applying to family medicine residencies

4) Former career designing/producing e-learning. Didn't consider med school at all until I was 35. Took six years (instead of my originally "scheduled" three) to complete prereqs and get accepted. Originally planned to do ob/gyn, still love women's health. Changed to family med for a million reasons, many of which relate to husband/kids/husband's career/location/age/burnout/etc.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

1) 2012, age 30

2) MD

3) MS4, currently applying EM

4) My undergrad cumulative gpa was 2.9; thought I'd left it behind but behold, there it is on my dean's letter. haha bummer. Decided I wanted to go into medicine in my late 20's, wouldn't trade it for anything so far. Time flies when you're having fun.

 

[lunalight]

1) Started 2013, age 29
Will graduate May 2017

2) MD

3) MS3, leaning toward CCM but not sure which route to take just yet

4) I used to lurk around this forum looking for inspiration and hope because I had a laughably low UG GPA, now I'm in the middle of 3rd year. Maintaining excellent grades and did really well on Step 1. Wow, time flies!