Do I have a chance?

[ker68]

Hey everyone! I hope you'll excuse me, I'm a bit of a nervous nelly today about premed because of something I heard from a student at my college (I'll explain later). I just want to see if you think I have a shot at medical school.

First off, I am a sophomore at Allegheny College. I'm taking orgo my junior year, I'm already familiar with it since my friend is in it and I like to look at her notes...I've done chem and bio thus far, as well as calc and things for my major and minor. I am a Neuroscience Major with a minor (self designed) in Latin and Ancient Greek.

I had some troubles (2 major illnesses and such) my freshman year and got a 3.0 but my gpa THIS semester is 4.0. so overall, that's 3.5....and I still have 2 years and 1 semester to raise that further! I really have perfected my studying habits so I feel confident that I will continue to improve!

My BEST grades have been in all my science classes and Latin/Greek by the way.

I'm really testing well (I didn't in high school, but I am now!) so it gives me hope for the MCATS.

Here are some more things about me:

-I speak and write in near-fluent Spanish (did well on Spanish AP, lived in Spain in a native household for a month) - I have some hispanic friends and we talk in Spanish all the time so I can stay sharp!
-I've been an active hospice volunteer since I was 18. I am still doing hospice work now in the college town.
-I've been to India (summer 08) in Kolkata to do hospice work and work in a wound clinic. I'll go back there next summer as well if things go as planned...I'll be doing the same thing again, but my dad should be coming and if he does, we are going to conduct our own independent research project on how to treat terminal delirium in hospice patients in developing countries.
-There are some Neuro research opportunities up ahead that I plan to take part in!
-I am going to shadow my mom or dad (haven't decided) in the dementia unit.
-There's also a good chance I'll be an RA next year (Res Life knows and likes me and I know I would make a good RA because I am very tolerant, easy going, drug-free, and like to give advice/help!)

The medical school I want to go to is University of Rochester medical school. I have my little heart set on it. I know a couple of professors and MANY alumni. My parents (both M.D.s) attended that medical school and my father gives talks there frequently. I know so much about it. It's a great place and I would be honored to study there.

Overall, I guess you could say that I am a passionate, dedicated individual. I know what it takes to be a doctor because I come from a very medical family. It's been my dream to be a doctor since I was 6 and I am willing to work for it and be the best that I can be. I love to help people and the human body simply fascinates me. I've been described as a "hungry mind" and I love to learn.

Anyway, enough about me. The reason why I posted was because I was approached by a girl today. She was in my biology class but was failing so she dropped out of it. She lamented to me that Allegheny College "stinks" as a pre-med school for allo schools. She said only like 15% of pre-med people here get into allo schools. She couldn't provide hard figures and her math seemed off, but I still worried.

So, what do you guys think? Do I have a chance?

[CaribMD]

OK yes sure

The medical school I want to go to is University of Rochester medical school. I have my little heart set on it. I know a couple of professors and MANY alumni. My parents (both M.D.s) attended that medical school and my father gives talks there frequently. I know so much about it. It's a great place and I would be honored to study there.

This always worries me, these days you must apply to at least 10 schools to get into medical school at all.

many who apply to only one or two spend years trying to find a way to get accepted instead of putting out a net and seeing if other medical schools are interested in accepting them.

So think on this, the GPA is fine, just keep working hard and get the rest of what is needed together as well.

[ker68]

Thanks for replying!

Yes I agree...I'll need to apply to 15+ schools. I want to get into an allo school so if an allo school takes me, yay!

I just have my eye on Uni of Roch but you're right, I shouldn't get so set on it. I just mentioned it because I want to know if I'm "competitve" in getting into that school.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep working hard.

[Vonsmack]

LOL, it sounds like a pre-med gunner is trying to discourage you-maybe she thinks it will better her chances.. Don't worry, you have as good a chance at Alleghany college than just about any other school. Actually 15% doesn't sound too off. I don't have any hard numbers but if you take all the college freshmen that say they are pre-med, probably about 10-15% make it to medical school. Why? Most don't make it to the application stage as they are weeded out by hard pre-med classes and bad grades, or they change majors for whatever reason. Even if you do get to the applications stage, in 2008 only 42% of applicants found a spot in a U.S. MD school.

It's easy to freak out over those numbers, but the fact is medicine is competetive and in order to make you have to put in the work. You seem like you are on the right track. CaribMd is correct, you must apply broadly (average student applied to 13 MD schools). You do have a good shot at U. of Rochester since both parents are alumni and your dad still has ties. Schools do like to keep it in the family IF your numbers/application are up to snuff.

[ker68]

Yeah, I'm starting to think she is bitter. She was in my bio class but dropped it because she was failing.

I'm very happy at Allegheny College. The social life leaves much to be desired and I don't drink so I'm kind of "left out" but I love my profs, classes, hospice, and the school's gym.

I hope I'll do well on my MCAT and I'll also continue to study hard.
I hope having BOTH research and volunteer work will help me. I know everyone talks about research but I think it's important to do some work in a clincal setting too. You get to learn how to be professional, how to treat patients, and learn about different diseases. Because I work at a private hospice, I get to do a lot of things, like cleaning the patient, transfers, PRN meds, administering meds, bed pan duties, bathing, foley changing/emptying, checking 02 blood saturation,and...most importantly, being there for the patient. Of course, when there is a death, I immediately call the on-call nurse who calls the family, funeral home, and the dr. I've been through a training to do all of this but I'm still held accountable, and the patient's thoughts about me are also considered.

Hospice has taught me so much and I'll always continue to do it. I've learned a lot about disease and cancer processes and how to treat them. I introduced hospice as a possible community service opportunity to the pre-med club here, but I had no takers because it was "creepy". Ah, their loss. With hospice, I can give and receive in return...there is so much to learn.

I think most people could be pre-med but things get in the way (friends, parties, interests, SOs). If you can put the time and effort in, that's great. I've gotten used to studying on the weekends but I know it's for my dream. That makes it all so worth it.

Being a doctor is tough (to say the least) but I know I'm ready for it and I'm going to be the best doctor that I can be.

[CaribMD]

Yeah, I'm starting to think she is bitter. She was in my bio class but dropped it because she was failing.

I'm very happy at Allegheny College. The social life leaves much to be desired and I don't drink so I'm kind of "left out" but I love my profs, classes, hospice, and the school's gym.

I hope I'll do well on my MCAT and I'll also continue to study hard.
I hope having BOTH research and volunteer work will help me. I know everyone talks about research but I think it's important to do some work in a clincal setting too. You get to learn how to be professional, how to treat patients, and learn about different diseases. Because I work at a private hospice, I get to do a lot of things, like cleaning the patient, transfers, PRN meds, administering meds, bed pan duties, bathing, foley changing/emptying, checking 02 blood saturation,and...most importantly, being there for the patient. Of course, when there is a death, I immediately call the on-call nurse who calls the family, funeral home, and the dr. I've been through a training to do all of this but I'm still held accountable, and the patient's thoughts about me are also considered.

Hospice has taught me so much and I'll always continue to do it. I've learned a lot about disease and cancer processes and how to treat them. I introduced hospice as a possible community service opportunity to the pre-med club here, but I had no takers because it was "creepy". Ah, their loss. With hospice, I can give and receive in return...there is so much to learn.

I think most people could be pre-med but things get in the way (friends, parties, interests, SOs). If you can put the time and effort in, that's great. I've gotten used to studying on the weekends but I know it's for my dream. That makes it all so worth it.

Being a doctor is tough (to say the least) but I know I'm ready for it and I'm going to be the best doctor that I can be.

Your fine and stay the course.

I was a hospice Nurse for over 9 years..........yes a lot of perspective from that.