Best route for medical school?

State Forums
1

<p>Hello.</p>

<p>I am currently in high school, and want to become a medical doctor in the armed forces. I am aware that becoming an MD, especially in California, can be a difficult task. However, I am confident that if I remain ambitious and focused, I can achieve my goals of becoming a doctor.
However, my high school performance wasn't spectacular. I will be graduating with a 3.4 GPA, and 2 AP classes under my belt. I am in a pre-collegiate program called Upward Bound: Math and Science, which assists financially disadvantaged students in discovering their talents and remaining prepared for college. I am also the group commander of my Air Force JROTC unit, the highest position available in my unit.</p>

<p>Poor work ethic in my freshman and sophomore year dragged down my GPA. Typical, huh? However, I have turned around my ways, and am now excelling in my academic classes. </p>

<p>TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT - I am absolutely certain that I could gain admission into my local CSU, Cal State Northridge. I am not one of those ignorant, and arrogant idiots that spit on the name of CSU's. I believe them to be respectable colleges that offer valuable education. However, I do know that medical schools are selective. </p>

<p>I know that UC's are research-based, and offer better opportunities that will prepare me for med school.</p>

<p>SO THE QUESTION - Should I attend my local community college, work my ass off, and then transfer to a UC - or should I attend a local Cal State and play it safe? I have heard that Med Schools do not accept certain pre-med courses that come from community colleges, and that I may have to retake them, and I still have to meet transfer requirements, and yadda yadda yadda.</p>

<p>But I have also heard that Cal States are looked down upon.</p>

<p>PLEASE ANSWER I AM SO CONFUSED</p>

<p>Info about me [I would not release this information if I did not consider it critical to my question] -</p>

<p>-I live with my single mother, who suffers from mental disabilities and has received government assistance my entire life as she struggles with severe anxiety.</p>

<p>-My mother has had an alcohol addiction for a great length of my life, which is partially why I did poor in HS, I accept full responsibilities for my failures, but I just had some personal issues that caused me to misbehave in class.</p>

<ul>
<li>My mother and I are struggling financially, just trying to get by.</li>
</ul>

2

<p>Note that UCs and CSUs primarily use GPA calculated starting with 10th grade courses, so your GPA for those schools may be a bit better if the poor grades were in 9th grade.</p>

<p>Will you be doing ROTC?</p>

<p>Also, the military has the Uniformed Services University medical school, which is free in exchange for a service commitment of 7 years active plus 6 years reserve. If being a physician in the military is a goal, that may be something worth looking into in the future.</p>

3

<p>If you get into a UC you will likely get the best financial aid. UCR has health majors and pre health advising. You aren’t a Sr with deadlines a day away are you?</p>

<p>I can’t really answer your questions but for most things your local cal state is a good deal and Northridge is a decent one.</p>

4

<p>Personally, I would go to a CC and transfer. The UCs offer lots of opportunities beyond a name: research opportunities, strong science programs, and often programs like UC Davis’s HRI internships that link undergraduates with their medical schools. The UCs should also give you strong financial aid.</p>

<p>While CC grades don’t always receive the same recognition as university grades, maintaining your GPA after you transfer should mean no issues at all. A friend of mine completed all of his pre reqs except physics at community college and has now received interviews at all of the UC medical schools (a tough feat no matter where you come from) as well as a number of NY med schools (he only applied in those states). Spend your time at CC volunteering at a community clinic/hospital/hospice and learning Spanish (or use Spanish while volunteering if you already know it).</p>

5

<p>The comments you make above show tremendous perspective for a 16/17 year old. I am confident, Doctor or not, you will find a path to success. </p>

<p>From a cost perspective, your local CC is going to give you the most bang for your buck. It will also keep many options open for you, including top UCs if you perform really well. If in 2 years, your budget still won’t allow you to move out of town- or, you’ve changed your mind about med school, Northridge will still be there.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>