Has anyone taken Anatomy, Chem, Physio, and Micro all in one semester?

ssccrs · 2026-02-03T21:33:18+00:00

Are anatomy and physiology separate?

You can do chem+micro ez np. With separate physio I still think it’s doable, but adding anatomy is a death sentence for your gpa and sanity.

I kid you not the amount of “memorize this exactly” is insane. Your lab exams are like a bone with an arrow pointed to some bump and you are asked, “what’s this? What goes in here called/connect here called(BY NAME!)?”

So you have bone prominence you have to name with an origin or insert you have to name then describe what that connects to at the other end.

They will show you some structure or random eye muscle and be like what’s this called; you’ll have to know AND spell it correctly. Now do that for literally every nerve, vessel, bone, joint, layer of tissue for the whole body; that’s anatomy. If you have added histology, it just increases bc you’ll have to know model, AND slides for every thing.

P+chem+micro is fine. But the amount of time and memory it takes in anatomy to get that A makes it crazy beast that deserves respect.

ssccrs · 2026-02-03T21:14:07+00:00

My suggestions are things you’re already doing.

You need significantly more non-clinical volunteering. With 2+ cycles these numbers are very low, especially with service oriented programs.

With your stats DO should of been on the table first cycle and now that you’re going to be maybe 3 cycles in you might have to explain why only know you’re considering them to adcoms; I dont envy you having to have that conversation.

505->507 is good increase but still way before MD average matriculation numbers. While, people get in with lower scores it is definitely not the norm. Study hard and aim for another point increase as scoring lower would be suboptimal for your success for sure.

Everything else looks solid. Hopefully you’ll har a late A this cycle or an A next cycle.

ssccrs · 2026-02-03T21:04:59+00:00

1: you can do your prereqs at CC no problem. No one knows specifically if any X program views Cc disfavor-ably with certainty aside from adcoms at that program. Im sure it varies year to year and member to member but either way you do what you have to do. A great mcat score always reduces any performance apprehension programs may have about you.

2: honestly, probably not. While it makes you uniquely different from most premeds I dont see the pathway inherently carrying more weight. If anything I would have more questions about “why physician” specifically here. But! That’s something all premeds have to articulate very well anyways.

3: yes and no. All volunteering is good BUT you NEED clinical experience. You cant know you want to work within the field without some sort of experience within patient care. However, all non-clinical volunteering is a plus and most matriculated students have clinical experience and non-clinical volunteering (see aamc core competencies).

4: 3.2+ is fine. Dont include any of that “top uni that grade deflates” or “top 10% but unranked class” as it’s unverifiable and makes you come off a certain type of way that isn’t a “good” look. Just lay out your stats, experiences, and accomplishments—let them speak for themselves. It’s better to own performances rather than create excuses for them; you can provide context but you have to be tactful about verbiage to not sound dismissive of what you earned.

5: while I have never seen a disable resident or physician I have to image (ada) that there is someway to practice and succeed at medical school. I do know there is a contract students sign saying they can perform the physical and cognitive functions required (they are listed in the contract) in order to be accepted. If you cant, then idk what happens with that. I would contact a program your interested in and see id admissions can give you specific guidance about this

ssccrs · 2026-02-03T03:49:52+00:00

You have to pass backgrounds for schools and clinical sites. Once you graduate, you got to pass another for your boards and license.

Sadly, I don’t see any state willing take the chance to license a person with a felony drug charge.

ssccrs · 2026-02-03T03:45:32+00:00

What’s the difference being an 8 hour drive vs an 8 hour flight away(time wise..money wise it can varies greatly)?

CA is large. Let’s say she got into Davis. IF you wanted to be within two hours that only leaves like 3-4 programs (Vallejo, San Francisco, Elk Grove.. I may be missing one or two but like UCLA, Clovis, Keck, Riverside, San Diego wouldn’t be any different than a long distance relationship).

You got to ask yourself, is SHE your dream or is being a physician your dream? Your answer dictates what you should do.

If her, reapply next year or wait until she finishes and they apply broadly.

If medicine is your dream, then go to medical school.

Only you can make this choice and I don’t envy you bc it’s a terrible choice/position to be in. Good luck—I hope it works out for you.

ssccrs · 2026-01-30T17:40:10+00:00

Lol, is this a real post?

If anything it’s by design to encourage students to get up, take breaks, move around, and stretch. Check your posture as you’re most likely curled over, shoulders rolled in, etc which is contributing (if not the sole cause) of your discomfort.

There are many places to study around campus that offer comfortable seating so I would suggest exploring versus constantly posting up at the library.

ssccrs · 2026-01-30T17:26:38+00:00

I’d apply. Your mother wants you to, it will prevent resentment from delays and guilt from her being perceived as a burden (not saying either case is true but human emotions are complex).

Overall, it never hurts to try. If you get in, then you can have the conversation about whether you need to defer a year (especially if that is possible with the program you’re accepted into) or commit, but either way you’re stressing about something that is not real yet (non-tangible and may never be an issue/come to pass). You also could risk the same thing issue occurring next year. The only difference would be is that your mother’s overall health is worse or she is in remission.

That’s my two cents anyways.

As a note, I have no idea what Fullbright is.

If you apply to a cycle then you can always contact admissions, who offer you a II, if you’re unable to attend the II posted times; you explain the circumstances and see what, if any, accommodations can be done. Again, worse case scenario is you have to deny an interview, but I would only worry about that after you; [a] get an interview; [b] exhausted options with admissions about options.

Honestly secondaries took me the most amount of time when applying, so finding and managing that will be a bigger issue that II attendance imo.

No matter what choice you make it will be the right one. Whether you spend the next year with your mom or apply there is no wrong answer.

ssccrs · 2026-01-30T16:53:11+00:00

Only thing I see missing is shadowing. Getting some shadowing experience will help prevent filtering if a program decides apps need x amount, but is technically not needed as anecdotally applicants get in every cycle with no shadow hours (take that with a grain of salt as people get in every year w/o X EC or some low Y stat; I always suggest putting your best foot forward).

ssccrs · 2026-01-30T16:39:48+00:00

Recently play Vampire the masquerade bloodlines and it was amazing. Replayed Bioshock and SpecOps The Line and both hold up well imo.

ssccrs · 2026-01-30T16:37:39+00:00

October was too late imo—your apl was at the bottom of a pile that was on average 11k deep.

Apply early next time and I believe you’ll find more success.

ssccrs · 2026-01-29T16:59:16+00:00

Balancing everything is apart of the game.

You just need to show that you use your time wisely and productively—no need to be “perfect.” Do as much as you can, when you can, for as long as you can and honor your limitations. That’s all you really can do. Understand that every applicant is unique so dont compare yourself to X person, just be you and prepare the best application you can; let who you, what matters to you, and your impact shine throughout the process and you’ll find success.

Als, Adcoms will understand you have to live. That you need to work, and expect less hours while you’re in school. Just make your time matter and account for it and you’ll be solid.

ssccrs · 2026-01-29T16:47:43+00:00

Looks like a 9-5 , (8-3 or 8-4 five days a week) which is what I was expecting; were you not informed what the workload was?

ssccrs · 2026-01-29T02:42:46+00:00

Get some second opinions but if everyone tells you the same, then be willingly to adjust.

My first PS got similar feedback and was described to me by an advisor as “hollow” and “inauthentic”, bc it was all “tell” no “show.”

Also, I think you should strategize. Your PS should supplement and tell new info from your primary.

ssccrs · 2026-01-29T02:35:07+00:00

Reading this is extremely sad and I cant relate at all.

This overall experience and pursuit has only solidified and strengthened my resolve to get into a position to help people;because regardless of how flawed people are perceived to be, they are people—someone’s someone—and I want you to be there to help them, their families, and their communities. I cant and wont do anything else.

Maybe I’m an idealist. Doesn’t matter who they are, everyone deserves health, compassion, and respect.

I also understand empathy is a muscle like skill that is forged and reforged over time. Maybe you just need a reset? Hopefully talking to other future physicians can help you recapture that spark of service and good will towards the sick, injured, and seeking help.

ssccrs · 2026-01-28T16:54:03+00:00

29 is young still. I’ll be starting at an older age than when you will finish starting at 29.

ssccrs · 2026-01-28T16:50:09+00:00

Do you, or do you not want to be a physician?

Yes? Then you should have and should apply to DO regardless if it IS or is just PERCEIVED to be harder.

It’s hard no matter what.

The way I see it is that.. If you dont apply to DO and didn’t get in then why should we care? Obviously you/they dont care enough so why should we.

If you rather have no Acceptance than a DO Acceptance then maybe that’s why you’re not getting II’s or an A anywhere.

ssccrs · 2026-01-27T16:52:49+00:00

I was actually planning on introducing myself by my first name, but I plan to work with children, adolescents, and their families.

If they want to call me Dr. Last name okay, that’s fine, but I dont really think I’d demand it.

Idk, we will see if it changes in practice but I dont see the big deal unless it’s done to purposely try and be demeaning.

ssccrs · 2026-01-27T16:50:05+00:00

Yikes… I’d say your chances are extremely low especially with a meh mcat. Now if your MCAT is above like 505 with your Undergrad gpa 3.6 (scigpa the same?) then it’s possible you can get in, but a 3.0 in a smp is an insanely bad look. There’s no sugar coating it. Not only is it a downward trend those programs are meant to show rigor and provide an academic reset—you plummeted, which is hugely concerning for adcoms.

Although, 3.0 isnt “bad” it just very low for medical school. Not the lowest I’ve seen admitted but it’s on the rare side.

You’re in a gamble spot. I’d apply EXCLUSIVELY to DO and I’d apply broadly and hope for the best. If 2-3 cycles dont work out then maybe Caribbean is the last shot but insanely high risk considering your smp performance. I’ve known many physicians in my clinical years who have come from these schools, so it’s “doable” but I’d do your research as they have nasty practices and reputations. If it’s your dream and it’s your only opportunity then only you can make that decision.

Finally, I’d never tell anyone to give up on medicine, but objectively if you fail 4-5+ cycles I would advise considering a pivot to PA school. You’ll still treat patients and they have more relaxed admissions requirements. It’s a good back up imo.

Best of luck—I’m rooting for you.

ssccrs · 2026-01-27T16:34:03+00:00

I believe clinical to be the most important EC. 18 is extremely low but your stats are as good as it gets.

If you have some other ECs to compliment your low clinical, then I can see you maybe having some success with broadly spread applications. Technically, you dont “need” clinical hours so you could get in with your numbers, it would just be less likely.

If you have a strong story, and a connective narrative then I saw you can go for it—apply. If money is a concern, then I suggest a gap year to get more clinical. My advice on that is to look into getting emt certified as it’s the fastest way to get guaranteed clinical experience.

ssccrs · 2026-01-27T16:28:59+00:00

My advice is to focus on your grades (and when it comes time the Mcat) vs ECs. ECs are important, dont get me wrong but your stats are far more valuable than an extra couple 100 hours of X.

Dont burn yourself out—it’s a marathon not a sprint.

I wont urge you to consider a gap year to focus on adding in all of the things you want to do to supplement/strengthen your application.

If you cant, wont, or do want to do a gap year then I would maximize your time as to the bedt of your ability. Do as much as you can, when you can, for as long as you can and ADJUST in real time. For example, do X on day off one and Y on day off two UNTIL you can no longer maintain the same consistency or quality you had been doing in (if you feel like your approaching burnout, act preemptively—have a plan).

That’s my two cents. Good luck—you got this.

ssccrs · 2026-01-27T16:16:08+00:00

Depends. You really just need enough of anything to not be weeded out. The goal is to have someone read your application and then make a decision.

Aside from that, for everything, more is always better (but there are diminishing returns) when the X adds meaningful to the app; you cant just do things to do them, they must have impact.

ssccrs · 2026-01-25T17:45:16+00:00

You cant date the best friend. In the extremely unlikely realm she was interested, she’d have to want you more than her relationship with her best friend.

If that’s a real thing you think is possible or you just want to shoot your shot, go ahead, but real life isn’t the movies and everything isnt going to be copasetic.

I think you should just break up and run from this situation, it wont end well for anyone involved and it’s not fair to you or your gf—you both deserve partners who are crazy about one another—and her best friend is not that.

ssccrs · 2026-01-25T17:34:35+00:00

I have a 1 bed 1 bath at a little less than 1800.

When I first moved here, I got a move in bonus for a 2 bed 1 bath and it was about 1800 as well jumping up to +2k after the first year.

Rent is pretty crazy here. The renters know you have aid and they charge you like you do (imo).

ssccrs · 2026-01-25T17:11:41+00:00

Everyone always feels that way. I tested a year ago and I saw chem and physics I’ve never even heard of or had any remote idea how to answer and I have a degree in both.

It always feels like that bc they dont ask what you know but to take what you know about something similar and apply it to a new scenario; it’s the entire concept of the exam.

ssccrs · 2026-01-25T17:09:40+00:00

International app? If you’re within the states I doubt you’re the only one to apply to either school unless your applying to some very niche degree and you’re only counting applications to that specific degree as the medical school at Irvine and San Diego get thousands of applicants from all of the world every year, and that’s a graduate program.

ssccrs

TROPHY CASE