Extremely Odd Application Question

[sororityandscience]

Hi everyone!

Um for starters this is a tad embarrassing for me so please hold your judgement until reading all the way through. 

I am looking for an objective opinion on how medical schools would view and extreme upward trend and odd circumstantial stuff.

I started university in 2014 and literally did not get one credit my first two years due to crippling health issues and seriously weird family stuff. I know it's absurd and such a waste, however I can surely say I was not in a sound mind at the time. Needless to say, I was released from my program. Fast forward to now, I'm a non-degree student on track to be admitted into a B.Sc by the end of the year. I received some medical treatment and honestly can say I don't even recognize my self - I'm pulling 80s and 90s in the courses I'm taking and am more organized and generally better at life than I have ever been. Here's the catch: Even though I'm going into another program, the first failed attempt will still be on my transcript. 

I'm going to be overloading and essentially completing a full degree in 2.5 years (grad fall 2019)  as I don't want to be in my undergrad any longer than that lol. If med schools see this ridiculous overload and upward trend, do you think they'd be willing to accept me? Even with my awful first stab? I'm incredibly involved on campus and a very well known leader with school admin and students, and I've accomplished some awesome things in my extra-curriculars. 

Also - I tried going for an academic appeal (where the schools basically erases your bad marks bc of health) however it isn't being decided on by the committee until September, and the policy is that ALL course must be erased, so the fantastic marks I earned this semester would be erased, so not sure if I want to go through with it.

Thank you for reading my long winded and weird situation, any input would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Easter xo

[rmorelan]

Hi everyone!

Um for starters this is a tad embarrassing for me so please hold your judgement until reading all the way through. 

I am looking for an objective opinion on how medical schools would view and extreme upward trend and odd circumstantial stuff.

I started university in 2014 and literally did not get one credit my first two years due to crippling health issues and seriously weird family stuff. I know it's absurd and such a waste, however I can surely say I was not in a sound mind at the time. Needless to say, I was released from my program. Fast forward to now, I'm a non-degree student on track to be admitted into a B.Sc by the end of the year. I received some medical treatment and honestly can say I don't even recognize my self - I'm pulling 80s and 90s in the courses I'm taking and am more organized and generally better at life than I have ever been. Here's the catch: Even though I'm going into another program, the first failed attempt will still be on my transcript. 

I'm going to be overloading and essentially completing a full degree in 2.5 years (grad fall 2019)  as I don't want to be in my undergrad any longer than that lol. If med schools see this ridiculous overload and upward trend, do you think they'd be willing to accept me? Even with my awful first stab? I'm incredibly involved on campus and a very well known leader with school admin and students, and I've accomplished some awesome things in my extra-curriculars. 

Also - I tried going for an academic appeal (where the schools basically erases your bad marks bc of health) however it isn't being decided on by the committee until September, and the policy is that ALL course must be erased, so the fantastic marks I earned this semester would be erased, so not sure if I want to go through with it.

Thank you for reading my long winded and weird situation, any input would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Easter xo

 

 

Hi there!

 

Your are going to want to look at the schools that have some form of forgiveness policy that ignore likely entire years. Places like Ottawa, Queens, Western would immediately spring to mind. Follow their rules and your earlier issues can often be a non issue. 

 

I would caution you on the overloading - this is solely for medical school admissions I mind you. Taken more than 5.0 credits per year (10 standard courses) at most places won't help and of course takes time away from other things they may care about (like extra curricular activities). Also you may need a number of years at high GPA and you are effectively speeding through. You need to spend time learning all the rules as they don't always make perfect sense initially - mostly because a school needs standardization or it cannot compare the 5000 applicants it gets on a level field to make some decisions. 

 

Also keep at the school to see what they can do with respect to course. It is amazing what high grades can do in those sorts of things - it help highlight that there was something going on earlier. 

[Meridian]

You can still be successful at overcoming your past marks at some med schools, You are still a long way from applying so don't stress out at this point.   Get some stellar grades under your belt and re-assess in a years time.  You really need 2 years of high marks completed with no grade below 80.  

 

Do feedback how you make out on erasing your grades. I have not heard of anyone being successful doing that.   In Fall/Spring 2016-17 are you carrying a full course load ?  If yes and you have a + 3.8 GPA for that year you want to keep it anyways.

 

Most med schools will not use summer term courses in their alternative weighted GPA. Keep that in mind if you have a couple of killer hard courses to take.

 

Overloading in the fall / spring semesters might not be wise as it really wont help you (other than getting through faster).  The extra workload could only hurt your overall GPA.  Pushing so hard might not work in your favour for med school.

[ThatMedGyal]

Like above stated, learn about the rules of each schools when it comes to course load. Also, be careful with re-taking previously failed classes as often, some medical schools will not consider the repeated class in the calculation of your credits and GPA of the year. Also, if you want to speed up your graduation, be strategic when taking summer classes. Most med schools will not consider grades taken in summer or in a sole semester. They only care about your grades in a full Fall and Winter year with 5 whole classes.

Once again, don't take our word for it but do make research on the school's websites. You'll be fine!

[rmorelan]

one thing I forgot to mention - western, which is one of the schools that has the best forgiveness policy, actually will take overloading into account. They will take your best 5.0 credits in a year for their GPA calculation. That may impact your decision depending on what your MCAT score is (and if you happen to be from south western ontario). Also that is a school that doesn't directly consider your ECs at least pre interview. 

[sororityandscience]

Thank you for all that everyone!