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[wshelton]

quote:

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Originally posted by strawberry22

Hi,
I am a senior at the University of Connecticut. I am a dual degree (biology and psychology) with a minor in neuroscience. I have always wished to pursue medical school but have struggled with school my whole life…turns out I had ADHD I just got it diagnosed a month ago. I was put on my medication and literally my life has changed, I can actually listen in class and block out everything around me and not cry during exams. So if you can understand until now school has been difficult for me…I had the determination to do well and considering how severe my ADHD is my doctor was dumbfounded that I had lasted this long. My GPA is a 3.345 but my science GPA is low basically a B-. I have gotten a B- in all organic chem classes, biochem, etc, Bs in cell biology, genetics, and a C+ in anatomy last fall (that was when my ADHD got really bad and I finally went to a doctor about it). I also transferred from UDel (GPA- 3.0) and my first semester at Uconn my ADHD became significantly worse and I was hospitalized after finals because I was so sick and failed all of them- creating 3 D+ in genetics, orgo, and calc 1. I retook those classes the next semester. I havent taken my mcats yet and I am going to take the GREs in a month. I have limited clinical hours because I have worked about 40 hours a week to support myself since I was 16 and during summers I would work 2-3 jobs. My only significant things on my resume would be President of my sorority and research for the past two years in labs on campus.

I feel like this is going to be a great semester for me and I can finally live my life the way I have always wanted to. I just could use some advice, my pre-med advisor said I should try to get into graduate schools…but I dont even know if I would get in. He said that an extra year doesnt look as good as graduate school because you arent challenging yourself enough.

I just feel really lost and upset that it took this long to figure out what was wrong with me. There is nothing I want more in the world than to work hard and get into medical school eventually.

I suppose my basic question is whether I should pursue a postbac/graduate program or just stay at Uconn another year, take challenging courses (maybe retake my 2 C+s) and start with all my volunteer work etc?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Dear Strawberry22,
Thank you for contacting us. I am delighted to hear that you finally received your diagnosis. This problem is not uncommon. In spite of that barrier, thus far you have done pretty well. Now your goal is to establish a longer record of academic success to show you are ready for medical school. This is a judgment call, but as I see things, staying on for another year of college taking upper level science courses may be worth considering. Then you would be in a good position to apply to a post bac program if you needed to. I wouldn’t take the MCAT until you are ready to apply to medical school or post bac programs. So for now I would live and work in the moment and do the work you are capable of. If later in the spring you want to contact our office for a one hour consultation we could go over your situation in detail.
Best wishes,

Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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[Harper7]

Hello!
I want to do my undergraduate in MBBS. Even though, I have always been a top student in high school, medical schools are tough to get into and not to mention I really do not want too much student loans. I have heard going to medical schools overseas is much cheaper and the term is shorter. I do not want to go to a medical school where after I come back, I might have problems finding a job. I was looking at India or Europe. Can you please tell me what is a good option for me? What is the process like for going to Med schools in India or European countries? Will it be recognized here?

[wshelton]

quote:

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Originally posted by Harper7

Hello!
I want to do my undergraduate in MBBS. Even though, I have always been a top student in high school, medical schools are tough to get into and not to mention I really do not want too much student loans. I have heard going to medical schools overseas is much cheaper and the term is shorter. I do not want to go to a medical school where after I come back, I might have problems finding a job. I was looking at India or Europe. Can you please tell me what is a good option for me? What is the process like for going to Med schools in India or European countries? Will it be recognized here?

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Dear Harper7,
Thanks for contacting us. Unfortunately I am not able to answer your question about foreign schools. But I can in general say that if you want to practice in the U.S. you should try to go to a U.S. MD or DO program. Also, American students often go to Caribbean schools, so you might check out some of those such as St. George’s.
Best wishes,

Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
1.800.809.0800

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[sklein]

By the time I graduate college, my gpa will be around 3.75. I am very involved in college extra-curricular activities, including a varsity sport captain. However, due to time constraints resulting from practices and games, I do not have many volunteer or lab hours. Will this really affect me?

[wshelton]

quote:

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Originally posted by sklein

By the time I graduate college, my gpa will be around 3.75. I am very involved in college extra-curricular activities, including a varsity sport captain. However, due to time constraints resulting from practices and games, I do not have many volunteer or lab hours. Will this really affect me?

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Dear Sklein,
Thanks for your inquiry. Yes, your lack of extracurriculars in areas related to medicine could be a factor. I would encourage you to take some time after college to focus on that area and wait a year to apply. Hope this helps.
Best,

Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
1.800.809.0800

Keep up with us on:

[adityarajan]

I am in serious need of motivation since I am struggling so much in my life. I am not even sure if I can be a doctor anymore because this past semester has been my worst semester ever.

I left my old university and transferred to a new one and this was my first semester there:

I had a 2.7 GPA on a downward trend BEFORE this semester. I made some very poor decisions last semester and did not pay attention to school as much as I should have. I failed 3 classes, dropped one more and now have a GPA of 2.4.

I hate myself for getting into this position. I was extremely irresponsible and have no one to blame but myself for ruining my life.

At this point, can I still be a doctor?

What do I need to do for MD schools?

I still have 1.5 years of school left, if I show that I can turn things around with that time, and do well on the MCAT, would doing a post-bac program help?

What about a masters degree?
What other things can I do to get into a US MD school?

Please, I am looking for ways to fix this. I can’t stop hating myself for failing this much, but I need to keep going because I do really want to be a doctor, I just want to know that its still possible.

[adityarajan]

quote:

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Originally posted by adityarajan

I am in serious need of motivation since I am struggling so much in my life. I am not even sure if I can be a doctor anymore because this past semester has been my worst semester ever.

I left my old university and transferred to a new university into my third year and this was my first semester there:

I had a 2.7 GPA on a downward trend BEFORE this semester. I made some very poor decisions last semester and did not pay attention to school as much as I should have. I failed 3 classes, dropped one more and now have a GPA of 2.4.

I hate myself for getting into this position. I was extremely irresponsible and have no one to blame but myself for ruining my life.

At this point, can I still be a doctor?

What do I need to do for MD schools?

I still have 1.5 years of school left, if I show that I can turn things around with that time, and do well on the MCAT, would doing a post-bac program help?

What about a masters degree?
What other things can I do to get into a US MD school?

Please, I am looking for ways to fix this. I can’t stop hating myself for failing this much, but I need to keep going because I do really want to be a doctor, I just want to know that its still possible.

---

[AdmissionsBoards]

What does anyone who has been interviewed, accepted, or worked with Adcoms think of my chances, MD or DO.

Ok, I started out in a community college the summer after I graduated from high school I took 6 credits and got B and an A, ended with a 3.5gpa. my first real semester there I got a B and three Cs. Took my gpa down to a 2.7 I improved my gpa greatly after that disaster and continued to do so. the second semester of my junior year I transferred to university. I had taken my gen Chem, gen Bio, and first semester of Orgo, before transferring. My transfer gpa was 3.4.

First semester of university I took Orgo 2, physics and some other classes, long story short I ended my senior year with a cGpa of 3.6 and sGpa of 3.7. I got a 27 on the mcat.

My EC include Habitat for humanity, hospital volunteering over 100 hrs, and shadowing a little over 30 hrs. some reaserch but nothing spectacular. i play soccer and participated in intramural. i was also a part of some clubs where we raised money for relief funds.

thanks

[med-dreamer]

Hi, I am a 23 year old junior in college and I dream of becoming a doctor one day and am feeling very discouraged. I plan to take the mcat this summer and try my luck. My gpa is a dissapointing 3.2, I am a biology/history double major with a minor in chemistry. I have 1 year of volunteering in a hospital, 2 years volunteering in various other venues, 2 years working as a cna in a nursing home, 5 years of wroking as an Emergency Room tech at a local hospital, 2 years working as a personal care assitant with disabled and underpriviledged. And several other non clinical extra-curricular activities like starting a successfull business for my parents whose english proficiency is lacking,(we are immigrants) etc. I am looking for advice from someone who knows the med school admission process on wheather I should continue to pursue a career in medicine (where I feel alive) or is my gpa too low and I should forget about medicine and branch off into some different channel? Please help, Im really discouraged and dont know what to do.

[wshelton]

quote:

---

Originally posted by adityarajan

I am in serious need of motivation since I am struggling so much in my life. I am not even sure if I can be a doctor anymore because this past semester has been my worst semester ever.

I left my old university and transferred to a new one and this was my first semester there:

I had a 2.7 GPA on a downward trend BEFORE this semester. I made some very poor decisions last semester and did not pay attention to school as much as I should have. I failed 3 classes, dropped one more and now have a GPA of 2.4.

I hate myself for getting into this position. I was extremely irresponsible and have no one to blame but myself for ruining my life.

At this point, can I still be a doctor?

What do I need to do for MD schools?

I still have 1.5 years of school left, if I show that I can turn things around with that time, and do well on the MCAT, would doing a post-bac program help?

What about a masters degree?
What other things can I do to get into a US MD school?

Please, I am looking for ways to fix this. I can’t stop hating myself for failing this much, but I need to keep going because I do really want to be a doctor, I just want to know that its still possible.

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Dear Adityarajan,
Thanks for contacting us. There are many issues and questions in your inquiry. In general let me just say, it’s never too late to start over. But don’t project too much into the future. Start with today. Work hard and accomplish an important goal. Then do the same the day after and on and on. When you have done this each day for a year, then look back and see your progress, and start thinking about your future. But it all starts with loving yourself and thinking that you can be a physician if you so choose.
Best wishes,

Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
1.800.809.0800

Keep up with us on:

[wshelton]

quote:

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Originally posted by homes

What does anyone who has been interviewed, accepted, or worked with Adcoms think of my chances, MD or DO.

Ok, I started out in a community college the summer after I graduated from high school I took 6 credits and got B and an A, ended with a 3.5gpa. my first real semester there I got a B and three Cs. Took my gpa down to a 2.7 I improved my gpa greatly after that disaster and continued to do so. the second semester of my junior year I transferred to university. I had taken my gen Chem, gen Bio, and first semester of Orgo, before transferring. My transfer gpa was 3.4.

First semester of university I took Orgo 2, physics and some other classes, long story short I ended my senior year with a cGpa of 3.6 and sGpa of 3.7. I got a 27 on the mcat.

My EC include Habitat for humanity, hospital volunteering over 100 hrs, and shadowing a little over 30 hrs. some reaserch but nothing spectacular. i play soccer and participated in intramural. i was also a part of some clubs where we raised money for relief funds.

thanks

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Dear Homes,
Thanks for your inquiry. You have made some good progress and you are moving in the direction of become competitive for medical school admission. But it may be the case that you would benefit from attending a post bac program so you could have the chance to show that you are fully ready for medical school. If you would like an in depth analysis of your situation, please contact our office and ask about a one hour consultation.
Best wishes,

Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
1.800.809.0800

Keep up with us on:

[wshelton]

quote:

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Originally posted by med-dreamer

Hi, I am a 23 year old junior in college and I dream of becoming a doctor one day and am feeling very discouraged. I plan to take the mcat this summer and try my luck. My gpa is a dissapointing 3.2, I am a biology/history double major with a minor in chemistry. I have 1 year of volunteering in a hospital, 2 years volunteering in various other venues, 2 years working as a cna in a nursing home, 5 years of wroking as an Emergency Room tech at a local hospital, 2 years working as a personal care assitant with disabled and underpriviledged. And several other non clinical extra-curricular activities like starting a successfull business for my parents whose english proficiency is lacking,(we are immigrants) etc. I am looking for advice from someone who knows the med school admission process on wheather I should continue to pursue a career in medicine (where I feel alive) or is my gpa too low and I should forget about medicine and branch off into some different channel? Please help, Im really discouraged and dont know what to do.

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Dear Med-dreamer,
Thanks for your inquiry. From the information you provide it’s hard to know with much precision what your chances are. But a 3.2 GPA does not rule you out. It may be the case that you will have to do a post bac. But so so much depends on your desire to be a physician and your willingness to do what ever it takes to get there. If you want more specific advice please contact our office about a one hour consultation with one of our admission experts.
Best wishes,

Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
1.800.809.0800

Keep up with us on:

[adityarajan]

Thank you for the reply Dr. Shelton. I understand that I should take things by the day and focus on doing well one step at a time and I am trying my best to do so. However, I can’t help but worry about my academic situation as I am in a really bad position. It is hard for me to believe that I can be a doctor when I fail three classes in a semester……

At this point what is going to take to get into an MD school? What can I do to fix this?

[mbe08001]

Hello All,

I am a senior at the University of Connecticut and will graduate in May 2012. This past summer (2011) I took an EMT course and will be certified by the end of May. I am planning on working in a clinical setting after my certification, as an EMT or in another hospital related position. My past experiences include: 2 years of volunteer work at my local elderly home, volunteer work in New Orleans helping with the Katrina aftermath for about a week, and shadowing a PA for ~30 hours. My academic achievements include: 3.63 overall GPA, 3.59 BCPM GPA, dean’s list 4 times, as well as being a member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars (NCSC). I will be taking my MCATS on June 21, 2012, and plan on applying to Medical schools shortly after I receive my scores.

My overall question is, will I be disregarded as a strong applicant due to my lack of past clinical work…and if so, does anyone have any suggestions to improve my clinical background.

[Brandon133]

I’m a second semester sophomore at Brown University. I have not taken the MCATs and I also have yet to do any physician shadowing or volunteer/internship work. I am a Health and Human Biology major with a 3.0 gpa.

Will an Ivy League pre-med/Health and Human Biology background help my chances of med school acceptance even with this lower gpa?

Also, is there any particular internship/work/volunteering I should really look into as opposed to typical shadowing?

-Sorry if these questions have been answered before!

[Author]

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