Ever since I was a boy I wanted to be a doctor. The dream is falling apart.

I got a 3.4 gpa as an undergrad, then went to grad school, where I did better, ta'ed some classes, got published etc. Then I took the MCAT got a 26 while working in a lab to get some money. I thought about a PhD, but really soured on the idea and wanted to continue working toward my M.D./D.O. I got accepted into a year long certificate program to simulate a first year medical school load. First semester I did well, second semester I fell apart. Had to drop one class (anatomy) and just found out that I wasn't even enrolled second semester because of a hold on my transcript.

Now I have no idea what to do. Take more classes? Go to the Caribbean? I don't want to give up. I'm 27, really down on myself, and looking for direction. I know there are physicians around here so I'm looking for some advice.

[JayKay335i]

You got into a masters program? Thats what we have at our school. First year masters program. If you make it you MIGHT get into the DO school or one of the other medical related schools. If you have anything less than a 4.0 you have zero chance.

Honestly, if you fell apart in a first year masters program, you're not going to make it. I'm just being real with you. I have plenty of friends in the masters program and their workload doesn't even touch the workload for the doctorate programs. If you cant pull that, you wont make it through med school. Not to mention theres no such thing as falling apart in med school. You f up one quarter and you're out.

[immiketoo]

And for good reason ^^^ The stress of that job is substantial. It's a weeding out process for sure. Good luck though.

No man, I got the master's in physiology. I did much better (not 4.0 but a 3.8 taking physio, cell, pharm and immuno). The certificate program was a one-year deal at another school. The workload there wasn't graduate level, but medical level.

[JayKay335i]

Dont be fooled though. There are programs that MAY take you. There are programs out there who purposely let an extra 25 kids in and only plan on second year class sizes of 100. They'll cut x percentage of the first year class, failing or not, based on GPA. Its a dirtbag move and costs you a lot of money if you dont make it.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by Jonez128i

No man, I got the master's in physiology. I did much better (not 4.0 but a 3.8 taking physio, cell, pharm and immuno). The certificate program was a one-year deal at another school. The workload there wasn't graduate level, but medical level.

Doesn't matter. They like higher GPAs, A, and better MCAT scores. Your MCAT is nothing to write home about it. Most med schools wont even look at you based on it.

You couldn't pull the "certificate" program at a med level, why would you think med school would be different, easier?

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Doesn't matter. They like higher GPAs, A, and better MCAT scores. Your MCAT is nothing to write home about it. Most med schools wont even look at you based on it.

You couldn't pull the "certificate" program at a med level, why would you think med school would be different, easier?

Totally agree about the MCAT score. I know I have to take it again.

I know med school is different. It sucks because I feel that one bad semester cost me. I didn't take courses for a couple of years before I went in.

[JayKay335i]

Med school doesn't take excuses. One bad semester in school and you're done. Theres no leeway.

Pick your favorite part of pshysio, pick a research topic, get a phd, get into research and teaching.

[Hawkeye]

Man I really need to refresh before posting sometimes

[ben14142001]

I think 5-6 people in my class dropped out within the first month. And then 8-10 more have dropped or been kicked out because of grades during the course of the year. I've seen/heard of people getting into school with worse grades than yours, so its not impossible, but the workload is ridiculous and its expensive as hell. You either get the grades or they kick you out, there are really no other options. If you really want to go, then do it, but be prepared, it's all consuming (money, time, social life, sanity etc).

[BOOST3D]

just go out of the US its cheaper and its shorter, classes are still stressful and hard but its not that hard to get into med schools out of the US. AT least this way you can get in and in the end its the same when u graduate all you have to do is pass the USMLE witch is hard but its doable if you study.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by BOOST3D

just go out of the US its cheaper and its shorter, classes are still stressful and hard but its not that hard to get into med schools out of the US. AT least this way you can get in and in the end its the same when u graduate all you have to do is pass the USMLE witch is hard but its doable if you study.

And then you can come back and be that doctor you always dreamed of that most people dont want to go to.

[MediaArtist]

You're 27, and giving up a life long dream because of one bad semester and what some know-nothing says on this forum? Suck it up man. Take it on the chin, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and do better next time.

It takes effort to get a master's degree, so I know it's in you.

[Peanuto]

What about something in a parallel field like Physical Therapy?

[mpimping]

Be your own boss, learn poker,

[SantaPimp27]

Become a lawyer. It doesnt matter where you go to school as long as you are a good lawyer when you get out lol

But honestly, stick in there. One bad semester isnt shit. You'll be fine

[JayKay335i]

Everybody has nice things to say. Unfortunately, one bad quarter in med school means no more med school.

You've got a lot to think about. Doesn't hurt to apply but it can get costly.

[addy85]

First off, you're stupid if you think they only look for high gpa's. If that was the case then Med schools wouldn't bother interviewing you. My girl is in Med school and she got in with a 3.5 GPA. And I'm talking about Baylor medical school which is top notch in Texas. The only thing holding you back is you. Make the decision, either keep going and don't fall apart or just quit now and find a new path.

Good luck because its not easy but will be well worth it.

[Sephiroth]

My cousin went to the caribbean for the first year or two of med school, presumably because she couldn't get into the schools she wanted. I think its a common approach and might get you to where you need to be.

What you need to do is stay positive, get people/things around you to help nudge you and keep you motivated. It'll be daunting at first but you get used to it, you learn how to work the system and then it ain't so bad. At least thats the way it was at engineering school. From what i hear they are equally difficult to get through.

[grieverr]

As a patient, I would not go to a doctor that was trained overseas. Especially when you have doctors with exemplary grades and skills from top U.S. universities and hospitals to choose from. I would assume a doctor that took the "easy" way would most likely work in an inner-city clinic as opposed to a top-tier (or however you define it) hospital, which is where I'd assume a lot of doctors would want to work.

[zaxjax]

I think you should give up your dreams and take up gay porn!

[Peanuto]

Originally Posted by grieverr

As a patient, I would not go to a doctor that was trained overseas. Especially when you have doctors with exemplary grades and skills from top U.S. universities and hospitals to choose from. I would assume a doctor that took the "easy" way would most likely work in an inner-city clinic as opposed to a top-tier (or however you define it) hospital, which is where I'd assume a lot of doctors would want to work.

This is an ignorant blanket statement. I would have no problem seeing a doc trained abroad, given it was from a decent school/country. Exampe, you wouldn't see a doctor trained in Canada, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, South Africa etc? My foot specialist is one of the top in our country. He was born, raised, and trained in South Africa. While I may not see a doc trained in a third word country, there are plenty places abroad I would have no problem with. The USA is not the only intelligent country in the world.