When your dream is to become a doctor, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and scared. It's easy to feel the anxious sense of ‘I must apply to 100 schools, get accepted to 50, and hopefully reach my dreams!'
Now I agree, you want to apply to multiple schools. But in the end, one acceptance is all it takes.
One school to say, ‘Yes we want (your name) in our upcoming class!’ That’s it! You’re one step closer to your dream.
I'd like to introduce you to a student whose story I think will resonate with many: She struggled to find balance with school, volunteer experience, and MCAT studying. She only got one acceptance to a medical school, but you know what, she’s on her way to becoming a doctor!
Meet Stacy.
I grew up on a traveling carnival.
At age nineteen I left the carnival and was the first in my family to attend college.
Initially I majored in Art.
I worked full-time while taking a full class load.
One of my jobs was at a live-in home for children with developmental disabilities.
I enrolled in an EMT class to be better prepared to handle an emergency if one occurred.
For the first time,
I knew with absolute certainty what I wanted to do with my life:
Practicing medicine would allow me to utilize my communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills in a very meaningful way.
I took time off from completing my bachelor’s degree to attend paramedic school.
This proved to be a key turning point in my life.
I had an opportunity to shadow a cardiothoracic surgeon.
He was performing a coronary artery bypass and valve replacement.
He took his time and explained every step.
He answered all of my questions, no matter how naïve they were.
At the end of the five-hour procedure I recalled thinking,
“I have to do this; I have to be a doctor!”
I realized that if I wanted to have this type of positive impact on patients, I'd have to be a physician.
This would give me the autonomy and intellectual challenge I desired in both a clinical and research setting.
Since then I have relentlessly pursued my dream.
A combination of paramedic work, researching (publishing) and volunteer work have led me to this point.
In addition, overcoming and learning from my many setbacks and failures has given me the opportunity to, not only grow in knowledge, but in character.
This journey has given me the opportunity to fully realize my passion for medicine,
And to prove to myself that,
“I have the ability and inner fortitude to succeed in medical school and to become a great physician.”
I graduated from college with a less-than-stellar undergraduate GPA of 2.7.
I got a 22 the first time I took the MCAT in March of 2012.
I realized I had some major work to do if I was going to achieve my dream of going to medical school and becoming a physician.
I moved to California and took a combined fifty-one credit hours of post bac classes.
I earned a postbac GPA of 3.9 while working full time and volunteering.
I also retook the new version of the MCAT in May of 2016 and earned a 504.
This had improved my score by almost forty percentile points!
All You Need is One “Yes!”
I applied to fifty-eight schools (combined Osteopathic and Allopathic).
I received a handful of interviews from September 2016 through February 2017.
So far I’ve received one acceptance, two waitlists (ultimately rejected), and I declined one of my interviews.
Of course, I was ecstatic about my acceptance.
On the other hand, the rejections were soul-crushing.
That's over 50 rejections.
Some were more devastating than others – especially the early ones before I had gotten an acceptance.
I’d poured my heart and soul into my application.
I’d worked tremendously hard for years.
Everything leading up to this moment.
It can feel really overwhelming.
I allowed myself to feel sad, angry, and overlooked.
I cried somedays, and was just angry others.
However, I feel that although it’s important to purge ourselves of emotions, it’s equally important not to dwell on them.
I’d usually allow myself one day to feel pitiful, and then get back to work.
One of my favorite quotes is “a smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.”
I reminded myself of this constantly throughout my MCAT prep, and applications, and use it as a motivator currently in medical school.
A physician friend of mine said something that really helped to give me peace of mind. To paraphrase:
‘Every medical student gets a lot of rejections.
It’s something that just isn’t talked about.
Most schools are looking for particular qualities in their students and there is no way that you will fit the profile for every school you apply to!
All you need is one “yes,” and you get to be a doctor!’
Words of Wisdom
If you are thinking of a career in medicine,
I believe, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is:
Find a great Mentor.
Talk to as many advisors and potential mentors as you can.
Ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid to tell them your story.
It’s yours after all! You have to own it.
I am incredibly lucky to have found mentors that are,
not only knowledgeable about the ins and outs of applying to medical school,
but who genuinely care about me and are invested in my success.
My mentors, along with my grit and undying determination, are what have gotten me into medical school.
The Whole Person, including scores!
Don’t assume a wealth of clinical skills and experience will overshadow a poor GPA and MCAT score!
I made this mistake when I applied to only Osteopathic schools in 2012.
Clinical experience is necessary and great.
But it doesn’t mean anything if you can’t prove your ability to succeed academically.
Becoming a physician means being a lifetime learner.
And learning how to learn will help you tremendously in the long run.
Be Humble
Becoming a medical student/physician is a humbling experience.
You WILL make mistakes as a student and a doctor.
You’re only human after all.
It’s important, however, to be able to recognize your weaknesses,
regardless of the circumstances that may have caused them,
and find ways to address them early on.
For me this meant overcoming my cognitive dissonance about my GPA and MCAT score.
It meant acknowledging and owning my weakness in that area.
Then working my butt off to improve myself.
I realized, that if I’m going to ask patients to put their lives in my hands, I had better be prepared to take on that responsibility.
I guarantee, being the ultimate caregiver for a dying or critically ill patient is much more stressful than taking the MCAT.
The stakes are MUCH higher.
Have a Life
Don’t postpone your life until you get into med school.
As a medical student and as a physician,
the work, the learning, and the struggle to always be better at your profession will never stop.
If you want to have kids, have them.
If you love painting, music, or some other outside hobby, make sure to make time for that.
Leah's Note: Not sure how to balance ‘life' with MCAT? Follow Step 4 of the Ultimate MCAT Prep Guide and learn how to create a balanced schedule.
Keep at It!
Lastly, if you know you want to be a physician and can’t imagine doing anything else with your life, don’t give up.
I was able to speak to a Dean, from a school by whom I was rejected, to go over my application:
Basically, my GPA and two low sections on the MCAT were what prompted my rejection. Though, the Dean did specify that if my MCAT had been higher I might have gotten in.
Know this: as long as you keep trying, you will succeed.
It’s only over when you say it’s over!
Everything you’re learning now will make you a better doctor.
We only get one life!
Why not spend it working towards the things we are passionate about?
Even if it means starting med school at 33 years old!
Thank you for sharing your absolutely amazing journey.
Thank you. I’m 32 and thought, its too late. My UndGr GPA was 2.9. I’m not stopping. <3
Your story just gave me a lot of hope and motivation. At times I question myself on whether I’m capable of becoming a doctor. I’m in search of a mentor at the moment as well. It would be nice if I can get some questions answered regarding medical school.
Hey! I have a combined GPA (attended two schools, not the best idea to transfer for a year when two family members were terminally ill) 2.95. I graduated with a 3.1, my SCI is 1.9 but only because I have less than 15 credits of science and it’s Bs and Ds. I’m retaking those, and doing my pre req courses (which will take two years) so I can bring up that GPA. I’m conflicted on whether doing a MS in neuroscience at my current university (the director advised me to Take one semester of bio to prove the old grades were because of my family issues) and then apply. I have a few questions about this med school path. I know I’m tardy to the party, does anyone still monitor this page?
What masters degree and what school would you recommend for a person with a low undergraduate gpa?
Hi Stacey!
Wow what an incredible and unique story! I feel your story really resonates with mine as we have similar experiences. I just completed my bachelors degree in Anthropology and midway through completing it I decided I wanted to be a doctor. Having already completed my EMT, graduating fire academy and working in the field as a volunteer firefighter as well as clinical experience in the ED, I then knew medicine was something I wanted to pursue. I then began trekking down that long and painful road of science pre requisite courses without a proper background in the physical sciences (I struggled with math and science in high school). I finished with a 2.982 cGPA and a 2.866 sGPA with several reattempts in physics and general chemistry. I have attempted to prepare for the MCAT but life tends to find its way of intervening and I begin to lose the motivation with knowledge of my prior academic record. I have since been accepted to paramedic school however, I have also applied to three post-bac programs as well as one SMP. With our shared experiences, if I get accepted to a post bac or the SMP what would your advice be? Some advise I attend paramedic school and not give up on continuing in the fire service but and others advise I skip paramedic school and attend a post-bac or SMP.
I greatly thank you for your time and it feels good for me to tell my story. I often have to distort my it due to the constant reminder of those I tell it to stating I won’t get in with my numbers and I hope that when I do become a physician my story will inspire others who have the same problems and will find motivation to achieve their dreams.
I will be graduating from undergrad in this May 2018; however, I am in a pickle. I am trying to decide if I should graduate or stay to retake some science courses for med school (College physics 1 and chem 2) over the summer. I know that once I graduate, my undergrad transcript is sealed and grades I received thenafter will not count towards my undergrad GPA but postgrad.. I know that I will still need some more science prereqs besides those two as well. After this Spring semester, I will meet all mhy requirements to graduate in May and I should be at 2.7 or 2.8 but if I retake those courses, it will help my undergrad GPA… I just do not know what to do.
I am much similar to you. Now I accept the challenge after I made it I will share mine with you guys ✌
Hi, Stacy! Your story really inspired me! My GPA is at 2.8 and I took some classes after bachelor’s but I’m not really sure what to do now. I graduated 2014 and after that i did some volunteering and shadowing and work but in 2016 i got a stable job in environmental health and just postponed it. Now i’m thinking between Postbacc or Master’s before applying for med school but I know I definitely want to be a doctor. I’d really love your advice if you can help out. Thank you!
I would do a Master’s program at a reputable school that HAS a medical school. I wouldn’t recommend a post-bac to anyone honestly because at least with a master’s you can get a job.
Rocky Mountains! Great story. I have heard similar things to what she is saying. Extracurriculars will not over shadow a low MCAT or GPA.
What an inspiring story! Love it! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
this was truly an inspiring post!
Hello, wow thank you for your inspirational story and giving other students like me someone to look up too! I as well graduated with a low undergrad GPA and I want to do a post-bacc to help my GPA. Since you mention that you did a post-bacc to help raise your GPA I wanted to know which post-bacc did you do in California. Thank you!
Hi Carmen, sorry for the late reply. I retook a large portion of my undergrad science classes at City College of San Francisco, and then took three semesters worth of graduate level science classes at the Berkeley Extension Postbacc program for a total of 51 credit hours. My postbac was self directed, the director of the program at Berkeley basically told me to that my GPA was too low and it didn’t matter how many classes I took I’d never get into med school, so I should find a different profession. Glad I didn’t listen :), don’t ever let anyone convince you it can’t be done! If you are in the Bay Area I highly recommend San Francisco State Postbacc and I still recommend the Berkeley Extension postbacc (they require a 3.0 to even be considered), the teachers were excellent and the classes I took there are really helping me in med school now.
Hello, could you please give me a way to contact you. I would for you to answer my questions and give me advice.
Hello Stacy!!
I just seen you post and I wanted to update you that I was accepted into a Post bacc called ELMS and a master program for business and science. I dont know which to choose and I was wondering what is ur advised. I have a low sceince GPA and overall low GPA how well will a 34 unit credit course help me? I am a little nervous thanks so much for your help
Just wow. Stacy’s story is really inspirational. It gives me hope and inspiration for pursuing a career in medicine.
Stacy, thank you so much for sharing your story. As someone who is on something of a “detoured path,” what you shared is very inspiring and encouraging. Thank you and all the best.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and congratulations for getting accepted! My GPA also took a plunge and I am still debating whether I need to do a postbac. I will also be about 30 years old when I apply to medical school and am very nervous. This story made me feel much better. It’s so nice to hear from someone who didn’t give up and pursued their dream, despite the many milestones encountered.
What an inspiring personal story. Not that it matters, but was she accepted into an allopathic or osteopathic school?
Your story is truly inspiring. I have a similar profile as far as academic record and plan to take the MCAT next month. Should I just switch gears and apply to a postbacc program? Do you have a personal email I can reach you at?
Thanks!
Email me through leah4sci.com/contact
I’m currently applying to newly opened schools since my gap is only 3.3 and I’m about to take MCAT on sep 9th. I literally started peeping for the MCAT last week and I’m getting a bit worried at this point. I have master in pharmacology and worked as a researcher for a few years. I also shadowed doctors in and outside of the US and had countless hours of volunteering within the field. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Selina, definitely email me! Contact me through leah4sci.com/contact
Thank you for sharing your story Stacy! It is relatable and inspirational
Which postbac program did you do?
Im the same position as you. Undergraduate class of 2017 with a GPA of 2,79
If you’re still in undergrad can you work really hard to bring up your GPA? Even if you postpone graduation so you can take more classes
I agree with Leah. From my experience most schools place a higher importance on your undergrad GPA than postbacc. If you’re still in undergrad it will be more beneficial in the long run to postpone graduation and repeat certain classes you may have done poorly in as well as taking grad level science classes if your school offers them. I don’t recommend taking fluff classes just to raise your GPA, and above all don’t retake a class until you’re certain you can achieve an A in it.