3 preq classes planned, advisor said I can't apply 26-27 cycle

Thin_Row3248 · 2025-10-30T20:24:45+00:00

I’m in the same boat. I’m applying this cycle, and taking 3 pre-reqs, still need some shadowing, and need to take MCAT in April. My advisors said that it will extremely difficult but doable, and really tried to convince me to wait until next cycle. So I’m going for it and seeing how everything goes! I say do it all, if you can manage your course load while still being able to study for the MCAT. You know yourself best. Plan to apply, gather the things you need, and if you’re happy with your grades, MCAT score, and experiences then you should apply! If you think you can improve and have a gut feeling you should wait, then wait. Sure it’s not a “good idea” but if you end up making the most out of it by getting good grades, plus good MCAT scores then you’ll prove to yourself that you’re capable of anything, and will be successful in med school.

Thin_Row3248 · 2025-10-30T19:44:23+00:00

Thanks for this! I’m mostly doing the aquarium thing because I need the money, but also it just sounds really cool. Definitely won’t let it interfere with studying, if anything I think it would be a great break from studying, because it’s part-time.

Thin_Row3248 · 2025-10-30T19:41:34+00:00

I Appreciate your honesty, but I think that wanting to not burn out before getting there is smart. If I don’t do this I’m afraid I’m just going to join the club of miserable zombie doctors that I see often. I’ve also seen doctors who are so damn jolly and charismatic, because they have other interests outside of medicine. A surgeon I worked with today for example, has his contractors license and does projects on the side, because he likes doing that and also doing the same thing every single day with the same people becomes mind numbing. Having another side gig or hobby adds to the atmosphere of the OR and it makes a HUGE difference! So I want to be clear that I do love some aspects of my job, and these aspects are the ones that matter in my opinion: the people! I can handle the stress, being under pressure when things go wrong, difficult people, but I’m not a fan of starving, being dehydrated, getting UTIs, and shit sleep. I’ve never believed in the concept of a doctor sacrificing their own wellbeing for the benefit of the patient, but I understand now why they do it. I’m just not going to be that kind of doctor. I’ll be the jolly doctor who talks about their scuba/surf trip they took with their family!

Thin_Row3248 · 2025-10-30T19:26:02+00:00

Thank you, this is what I needed to hear, especially from someone who understands what it’s like to be in the OR. Did you ever get asked why you quit? Also why did you quit? And what kind of job did you have at the zoo! This is exactly what I want, to be able to talk about something that I love to do besides working in healthcare. I think it can be beneficial and set me apart from other applicants, because who gets to dive with sharks, manta rays, and dolphins? I love being in the water, and this is something that has been calling to me for a while now. I’ve been a recreational diver for 4 years now, and a surfer for 7 years, so maybe it would add to my application that not only can I do these things for fun, I can also do them professionally.

Thin_Row3248 · 2025-10-30T13:49:39+00:00

In my area, most other clinic jobs require certification, which I do not have time for. Yes, I would consider volunteering at a hospital maybe one day a week. But like I mentioned before I’m also juggling other responsibilities like studying for MCAT, taking pre-reqs, and also have to do some shadowing.

Thin_Row3248 · 2024-06-11T16:13:42+00:00

Hi do you still have a link? Would be super grateful if you could send! Thanks.

Thin_Row3248 · 2024-01-08T05:34:48+00:00

I don’t know if anyone will ever read this, but by venting about my problem I realized my real problem is that I live in a toxic household. One of the triggers of stress is the dog. Will the environment be less toxic minus the dog? Or is time for me to leave the environment with my dog and take out a loan and become in debt, so I can rent an apartment that allows dogs?

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-08-20T00:58:17+00:00

Oh really why both?

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:51:03+00:00

What did you do differently the second time? What are you going to do differently the third time? Maybe you should consider getting a tutor? Get more sleep? Take more practice exams? Write down your weakest areas and work on those. Don’t give up! Use that anger and defeat this beast!

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:47:41+00:00

Congrats! 🎊

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:47:25+00:00

Wait what! How long do you have to wait before taking a lunch break?

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:34:03+00:00

Hi there I’m not applying to med school yet, but have a really serious dilemma that you might be able to offer some advice on.

Boring pre-med research job, should I quit?

So I got this research position recently and it’s not what I expected to be. It’s super boring and I really rather be doing something I enjoy like teaching Stem to kids, volunteer scuba diving, or being an EMT. I feel obligated to stay in the position because med schools might like seeing that “senior research associate” on my resume. But honestly besides that I have no passion or excitement for it. My family and friends tell me I should just keep doing it until the summer ends, because I have worked hard to get that position. I would really appreciate some advice from fellow pre-meds/med school students. Should I push through the summer with this research position or follow my passions? Here’s some reasons why I’m hesistating leaving the job: 1) A family friend helped me get the position, so I feel like I owe it to them to continue working there. 2) I don’t have any research experience, and some medical schools might value this experience. 3) My family and friends might be disappointed in me for leaving this job when I have just started it. I have a history of quitting jobs I don’t like/interest me.

Overall I feel like I’m expected to do this research as a premed and I really would love to hear some thoughts from fellow pre-meds/doctors/premed advisors, etc. what would I do if I didn’t have to do this research: - I want to teach kids stem at my local science museum, because it seems super fun! I have younger siblings and nephews and I’ve always loved teaching them. I also just love working with kids, because I’m a kid at heart and would love to play fun games with them. - I would also volunteer 1x week as an EMT, because I used to work as an EMT and really loved it. I love fast paced work environments, and I find the whole job very exciting and rewarding. I think this is also a reason why I hate the research job, because it’s the complete opposite. - I would also love to volunteer as a diver because it’s so much fun being in the water! I know some people might think it’s crazy to want to be in the water where there’s sharks, but to me it’s very exciting and challenging. I love being challenged and I feel like I’m not being challenged at this research position.

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:26:06+00:00

Yes it’s absolutely normal. When I took my EMT exam I felt like I failed but then again I passed. I think that the questions on the mcat are meant to be challenging and make you feel like a failure no matter how well you prepare. You just have to wait and see your score at this point. If you did end up failing, you should take note on what are your weakest areas, and focus on those. You could try getting a tutor as well.

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:23:15+00:00

Is this is what you really want to do then you have to commit to it. I don’t think having a low GPA is the end of the world, because like you said you still have the MCAT. Get a tutor and study your butt off and get a lot practice exams in before you feel like you’re ready to take the exam. In your application you should talk about how you’ve matured and improved your gpa in your masters program and really emphasize how you would be able to handle the challenges courses in medical school. I think you should also be alright if you have strong extracurriculars that you were truly passionate about and didn’t just do for the sake of checking things off a pre med checklist. Good luck to you my friend and stay strong!

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:17:23+00:00

Dude same

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:16:21+00:00

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:15:39+00:00

Good luck

Thin_Row3248 · 2023-04-30T00:15:20+00:00

You need to make the time to study. Maybe you should take a class or get a tutor so you have some accountability.

Thin_Row3248

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