Newbie

[mledesma]

Greetings,

I'm a newbie on this site and forgive me if I'm my question seems like a broken record. I currently have ~3.4 GPA on the required courses for St. George's, have not taken MCAT (planning on taking it Jan/April), and planning on doing some research during the summer. I graduated from a University of California school in 2003 with a degree in computer science. I worked about a year in the field, but returned to my old track of being a respiratory therapist (I was this prior to going to the Univ of Calif) and have been taking my prereqs during the day since I work 6pm-6am as an RT. I have been an RT for 2 years and have interacted with physicians from all fields and have taken care of very diverse patients. I have worked in the ICU, OR, ER, PACU, Cardiovascular ICU, Neuro ICU. I have participated in IVC filter placements/lumbar punctures with radiologists, insertion of a-lines with intensivists, ventilator management, intubations/extubations, took an hour out of work time to show an anesthesiologist during an operation, and anything critical-care related.

I want to know what my chances are getting in to SGU. Any recommendation would be helpful. I cannot imagine doing anything else. I also took micro, Anat and physio, during high school for the RT program.

[Ishie1013]

Sounds like good chances, all depending on all factors, as always, including MCAT scores. Depending on your scores, with your experiences (and your overall GPA), a US med school may not be out of the question, though from personal experience, trying to get anything in CA is a nightmare (didn't get a single secondary).

**Edit: my bad... tik tok informed me they ARE changing the available dates for the MCAT.

[jaywalk81]

sounds like you have a good chance. but hard to say w//o an MCAT score.

[medic]

If you do well in your MCATs you shoudl have a very good chance. You say that you have a 3.4 GPA on the required courses...Is the "other" GPA around the same or around 2.0? Because if your GPA overall is high, I say go for a US school. They will appreciate your RT background. And, obviously, get some of the MD's you have worked with to write enthusiastic letters for you.

[mledesma]

If you do well in your MCATs you shoudl have a very good chance. You say that you have a 3.4 GPA on the required courses...Is the "other" GPA around the same or around 2.0? Because if your GPA overall is high, I say go for a US school. They will appreciate your RT background. And, obviously, get some of the MD's you have worked with to write enthusiastic letters for you.


i appreciate all the input! my computer science GPA is not all too stellar (2.6). i can't find the reason why i didn't just switch to a biological sciences major that i actually loved during my 2nd or 3rd years -- i don't really regret anything, though, since i would not have had the great experience i eventually had being an RT these past few years. hopefully my application can portray a solid, mature candidate who is eager to learn.

[stephew]

frankly, if at interview you tell this story as you just did, i dont see any problem. its a reasonable explanation most can appreciate.i appreciate all the input! my computer science GPA is not all too stellar (2.6). i can't find the reason why i didn't just switch to a biological sciences major that i actually loved during my 2nd or 3rd years -- i don't really regret anything, though, since i would not have had the great experience i eventually had being an RT these past few years. hopefully my application can portray a solid, mature candidate who is eager to learn.

[Groove]

i appreciate all the input! my computer science GPA is not all too stellar (2.6). i can't find the reason why i didn't just switch to a biological sciences major that i actually loved during my 2nd or 3rd years -- i don't really regret anything, though, since i would not have had the great experience i eventually had being an RT these past few years. hopefully my application can portray a solid, mature candidate who is eager to learn.

Always neat to see ex tech heads considering coming down here. There's more of us than you might think. I had a MS in comp sci and worked in the field for 4 yrs before coming to my senses. I personally don't think the gpa for your major will adversely affect you too much as long as your other sciences gpa and MCAT are decent. The RT stuff should look good. Study hard for the MCAT, do your best, and then re-evaluate. If you're young, you've got many options available such as doing a health related post baac to create a "new" gpa. That might be worth it if you had a really good MCAT score. If you have the time, my advice would be to exhaust your stateside options first before silently committing to the IMG route. I'm not trying to dissuade you, I just think it's a little premature to start planning for SGU this early, especially since you haven't taken the MCAT yet, but definitely keep it as an alternative. Good luck!

[orthonut]

hey, good luck. I'd say apply to US first, don't discount DO schools in the US and throw in an app or two to Carib schools if you're worried about things. You seem like an attractive candidate from what I can see, but I'm vet not med so...ya know, I'm crazy lol.

My advice: Apply. If you don't you most certainly won't get in. If you do apply, you might just be suprised and get in somewhere-and I'm sure you have a shot at down here-I've got friends in the med side that have less quals and lower grade wise than you did and they're in down here so...give it a shot!

[mledesma]

thanks everybody for all the words of wisdom, i really appreciate it. i will think about other options but im truly excited about all of this.