Any way to get AdComms to look beyond GPA?

Nontraditional Premed Discussion
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  • GinaMarie119 Said:
See if your school has an educational counselor and seek them out. What can it hurt??? Good-luck!!



Thanks for the suggestion; I have an appointment with a learning specialist next week.

I had a final today, and I don't think I did very well. To study for the test, I did frequent self-testing along the way to reinforce what I was learning. Nevertheless, I found the test more difficult than most of my classmates (I asked them about the test after it was over.)

I think I'm headed for a C once again this class. I say "once again" because I am retaking this course after having received a C the last time, albeit several semester ago and with a different professor. I think it looks bad to an AdComm if you repeat a class and don't do better in it than before.

Why didn't I do better? This is a question I asked myself after every test. I did all the homework, read the material several times, made practice tests and flash cards, went to office hours (unlike most students, said the professor). The material was supposed to be the same, yet when studying for the class, it was as if I was learning the material for the first time. I could recall very little from the last time I took the course.

  • Mary Renard Said:


So I do not think it does Nahani a service to point out that wanting it bad enough will make it happen. It's not enough.



Yes, I agree. Desire can fuel hard work, but hard work does not necessarily yield exceptional or even expected results. One can work hard and still fail.

  • Mary Renard Said:


I think pathdr2b has a very good point in saying that there is no one formula for getting into med school. The "formula" is going to be different for each individual . . .

Nahani, I have been reading your recent posts with much concern and empathy. I honestly think that you have yourself completely tied up in knots; you are thrashing around sort of desperately hoping that there will be some solution. I think you would benefit from the services of a good career counselor or a therapist, someone who could help you reflect peaceably on what your innermost desires and fears are, and how you can address those.

. I am reaching the conclusion that I am just not "med school" material. I am meeting with my premed advisor to discuss career options other than medical school.

  • Mary Renard Said:


It's time to take a long, deep breath and get yourself to a place where you can consider all this without the pressure of another grade or another performance. If that means a longer path to your destination, it is so much better than the U-turns and wrong turns that seem part of your current experience.

I wish you all the best, my friend.

Mary


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Nahani-


I hope you can update us with what your advisor says. I am certain that if it is not med school, that it is something just as wonderful. Hard to imagine right now, I am sure. I hope you try all avenues, you have worked so hard. Do know that most of us wonder about our back up plans, or what next if we hit a class that stumps us. I still am not sure of my back up plan. I might remain a degree holding flight attendant.

23

This past Wednesday, I went to a learning specialist, who did a very detailed examination on my learning skills. Most of the tips she pointed out were ones that I was already doing on my own, but her examination – coupled with my own research in the days after my finals – did point out some long-term patterns of studying that I could change for the better.


I also went to my premed advisor, who did not seem too pessimistic about my chances – at least he was more optimistic than I am. He went over other options such as physician assistant and nurse practitioner. I have worked with NPs and PAs in my past job, but never considered them as viable options because I was told that they are not universally recognized outside of the U.S. – and my goal is to do international health. But I am now reassessing this in light of greater demand for NPs and PAs.


Also, a friend of mine who is a medical resident also recommended PA. Both PA and NP have their advantages; unfortunately, there are some areas where they do not overlap. NPs can work independently in most states and have prescribing privileges, but most do general care. PAs also do general care, but there is a subset of PAs that can do surgery.


My family is much more optimistic than I am about med school; they would like me to continue the physician route and start studying for the MCAT. But I am very reticent about going that route until I am able to overcome test-taking, learning and memory problems. I am working on those now.