<p>I am a 27 year old, nontraditional student, about to finish up my BA in Pure Mathematics. I recently have been considering going into the medical field. I would like to know if I would even have a chance at getting into a medical program and would love everyone's opinions, feedback and/or recommendations. </p>
<p>A bit about myself:</p>
<p>I graduated HS in '02 with high honors. I have always been primarily focused in the Maths and Sciences and have always excelled here. After graduation, I took 4.5 years off to train and compete in the equestrian world. Although that was fun, I had to get back to real life - I was kinda always this under achieving, over-achiever... (please, this is my humor here!) I applied to only one undergrad university (a HUGE, not bad, but not an amazing university) after my 4 year break, got in, and didn't look back. I began as a pre-med major but after the first semester, I fell passionately in love with math and switched into Pure Mathematics. I was married and got pregnant with my first child soon after my first year. Prior to my son's birth, I was certain I would go on to do my PhD in Math - Math is just something I get. I went to school throughout my pregnancy and came back part time right after his birth. The semester I returned, I had to withdraw due to some medical issues my son faced. Not long after this - things got very, very difficult for him and my family. In total, I took 14 months off with him. I went back to school shortly after his first year. Early on my son was diagnosed wiht EE, he had seizures in the very beginning, and he was dealing (at the time) with significant sensory integration issues, feeding issues and etc.... We started feeding therapy with him when he was 6 months and I am happy to report that at this time he's 3 years old and a very healthy, awesome little guy. We will always struggle with foods and some sensory issues - but all 'n all he's amazing and has changed my world in profound ways. </p>
<p>Here's the thing.... having him has, not only sparked an interest to pursue medicine again, but it has told me this is my life's work. I am a bleeding heart for the growing number of autistic/ASD children, ADD/HD and I also have an intrinsic curiosity for the neuro/immune system and it's connection to neuro-degenerative diseases. I have a brain - but, as an undergrad, with a sick child - some of my grades took a hit. My Math GPA is a 3.7 and my cum GPA only 3.2, almost 3.3. :(Cumulative GPA, as you know --> not competitive for med school.) My math/science combined GPA is probably equivalent to my major's, though I haven't calculated this recently. My cum is partly so low, b/c I actually had to take I/Fs in 2 classes - I later repeated and got As in both these classes (Italian I and AM History).</p>
<p>There is no doubt in my mind, that if my son had not been sick, my overall GPA and math GPA would be significantly higher. I would still need to do OChems and then the MCATs. Thus far, I've focused mostly on the pure maths, but also have a heavy background in Math/stats theory, probability theory and more applicable maths such as ODEs and PDEs, but mostly theory. My math-love lies in number theory, topology etc. I've always done really well in the sciences, but only mediocre in the Literatures and such. I have a hard time doing well in classes such as upper division Shakespeare, not because my aptitude isn't there but because it's less interesting...
(by not doing well, I mean Bs and a few Cs). </p>
<p>Would this be looked at in a different light than traditional undergrads applying to med school? Do I have a chance or should I stick to math?</p>
<p>Some things I have working for me... </p>
<p>-My Math GPA is pretty damn good, as our math dept is not tooo shabby. Most math majors have a major GPA significantly lower than mine.
-I am 1 of 6 undergrads at my school chosen to teach in the math dept (usually just grad students teach - cheap labor!) and I am 1 of 2 that teaches solo, without working under a grad student. Therefore along with studying, I teach calc 1 to undergrades at my university and work in the mathlab as a tutor.<br>
-In the summers, I volunteer to work with autistic children and their therapists doing equine-related therapy (A truly amazing experience -These little people respond so well to animals!).
-Because of my son's health-related issues, I've met and gotten to know many MDs, DOs, OTRs, SLPs, NDs even, and Holistic MDs. Some pretty well.
-I've been through hell and back... and ta 'boot, I'm an amazing momma!
-I am extremely passionate about math and the health field, and have probably read just as many medical journals/studies as I have other necessary readings for my undergrad classes. (Not sure this means much, but thought I'd throw it in there!)
-I am such a people person, very intuitive and compassionate and easy to talk to.</p>
<p>Things against me..
-Have a very low cum GPA for med school. But I know I have the brains... :(
-I am older and still would have to take prereqs and the MCATS.
-I have a little guy at home and know that med school is rough, as well as residency... soon enough though, he'll be in school.
-I do better with math/logic than I do with literature/writing. (Kinda suck at writing anything but math papers.)
- My transcript/grades could be considered inconsistent. </p>
<p>I've considered the possibility of going for a DO degree... It wouldn't be too far from my central beliefs either. However, I would like to do research. Do DOs have the same opportunities in residency programs/fellowships as do MDs? I've considered an OTR degree - but, I would be limited in doing the types of things I would like to do in this field.</p>
<p>Thanks for listening to my ramble. I appreciate everyone's time and thanks for any feedback in advance!</p>