Started undergrad in 2006
Dropped out due to financial difficulty, want to re-enroll, but maxed out on loans already( ive paid most of my tuition for school myself aside from loans) Parent is disabled, unemployed and live in Sec 8.
I want to take the rest of my prereqs at CC because they are cheaper
Undegrad GPA 2.2,
131 credits (Health Sciences Degree w minor in Psychology), i changed my degree twice which affected my progress and grades,
have to take 12 credits to complete my degree so i am almost done
Prereq status
University
English- A
Statistics- B
Calculus- C
College Algebra- C
Community College
A/P I w lab - C
Chem I and II w lab- Cs (took these classes in one summer (2010)
Physics I with lab- A- took this class in the fall (2010)
I still have to take (want to take these at CC)
A/P II
Physics II
Org Chem I/II
Last Volunteer Activity was in 2011
Math Tutor-HS Math
Activity Assistant-Nursing Home
Salvation Army
Will start
Teaching ESL as a Volunteer in July
Jobs after my last class (2012) were mostly administrative positions
I am applying for Medical Assistant Jobs but they require certification, if i enroll, it would conflict with working and trying to take my prereqs at the same time.
I want to be in Med School hopefully by 2016
Welcome. You are among kindred spirits. The one thing you need to remember, is the mantra of this organization:
This is a marathon and not a sprint. Take the time to do things right the first time because it will be harder the second time around.
I think your best bet at this point would be to excel in your remaining classes to show a positive trend. Grades being the same, schools generally look at 4-yr institutions to be superior to CC credits. I know finances are tight from your post, but I would recommend extending your timeline to med school in order to either retake classes with lower grades (utilize the grade replacement policy of AACOM) or pursue a post-bac/SMP opportunity. GPA isn’t everything, but it’s one of the standards that all applicants are compared against.
According to AAMC data, only 4% of acceptances granted went to people with a cumulative GPA of 2.2-2.4. AACOM data shows only 4 people with a GPA in the 2.0-2.4 range matriculated in the fall of 2013. The stats don’t tell you what else went into the applications of those accepted, unfortunately. It’s not insurmountable, but it’s a steep mountain to climb. Bringing up the GPA and rocking the MCAT can only help you in your journey. In the long game, gaining more volunteer/life experiences and a stable academic showing will strengthen your chances.
I’d suggest retaking the Chemistry I and II at a minimum, and then the rest of the prereqs. If you must take it at the community college level, so be it. I’d check if you were eligible for a Pell grant to help complete your degree. Can you receive a bachelor’s degree from the community college?
The medical assistant training/job will not really enhance your application so much. Might leave that out as you seem to have lots on your plate already.
Best of luck as your pursue your dream!
Kate
You are looking at multi-year endeavor probably in the 3-4 year range to get everything right.
If I were to mount a recovery, I’d start slow with 1-2 classes and do extremely well in those and start from that base. If you have work committments you should just go part time. In terms of what school to take them at, I’d go with a local 4-yr state school.
You should consider DO as mentioned above which means that re-taking all of the pre-reqs in a good idea (for GPA repair and to learn the material for the MCAT). It is also of note that the new MCAT will have additional material covered so you should add that to you list of classes probably.
Do all that you an to bring your grades up. Your working out from under the heavy burden of poverty. I feel that. My recent prob is with my credit. I’m in, but I’m going broke mending my credit. I’m paying off collection now and it doth sucketh mightily!
Bring up your grades, and my advice, if you have credit probs fix em now! Fix em hard! Odds are, if you get your GPA up a bit, a few of the DO schools may give you the time of day after wait listing you. DO ask a minimum seat reservation fee of 1000.00 and you’ll need clear. Credit.
Luck!