- Joined
- May 12, 2016
- Messages
- 4
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Forgive me, this is a little lengthy.
I began undergrad in 2006 and am finally graduating in June. It took me a long time to finish undergrad because I was assaulted a couple times in my freshman year, and it mentally and physically wrecked me. Instead of doing the right thing and temporarily leaving school, I foolishly decided to stay and keep registering in courses, despite it being too difficult for me to attend classes. I became depressed and withdrawn, and my academics took a noisedive. My 3.7 gpa dropped to a 1.9. I was put on academic probation for two quarters, and, at the beginning of my sophomore year, was dismissed from the university after failing to raise my gpa. So I waited two quarters, reapplied, and was readmitted to the university. Again, this was premature. My gpa did not improve, and after two more quarters of academic probation, I was dismissed again in my junior year.
At this point, I was mentally drained and couldn't bear the thought of returning to campus. I finally went to my primary care physician for medical attention (my first time seeking care for the chronic pain that developed after the events). I sought therapy, and took a full year off to heal. During this healing process is when I realized I wanted to become a physician. My primary care physician is the person who motivated me to get back on my feet. From 2010-2016, I have done extensive grade repair, raising my gpa to a competitive level for medical school admission. I never reapplied to my home university after the 2nd dismissal, but I took full course loads during summer sessions there. During the non-summer semesters, I also took courses at multiple JCs and universities. I have a total of 14 transcripts. I was able to build enough credit and transfer them all to my home university, and I will be graduating from there in June.
Yes, I made an egregious series of errors by not removing myself from academia. It took me years of reinvention, but I have finally made myself competitive for medical school. BUT, I'm at a loss for how to explain my troubles (foolish stubborness, declined gpa, 2 IAs) and my reinvention in my personal statement. I do not want to make excuses for my behavior, but I sincerely need help trying to paint my situation in a more positive light.
Please help?
TL;DR: It took me 10 years to complete undergrad. Was assaulted, gpa tanked, 2 IAs for poor academic performance. Years of reinvention later, competitive to apply for med school. Don't know how to address all of this in my personal statement...
I began undergrad in 2006 and am finally graduating in June. It took me a long time to finish undergrad because I was assaulted a couple times in my freshman year, and it mentally and physically wrecked me. Instead of doing the right thing and temporarily leaving school, I foolishly decided to stay and keep registering in courses, despite it being too difficult for me to attend classes. I became depressed and withdrawn, and my academics took a noisedive. My 3.7 gpa dropped to a 1.9. I was put on academic probation for two quarters, and, at the beginning of my sophomore year, was dismissed from the university after failing to raise my gpa. So I waited two quarters, reapplied, and was readmitted to the university. Again, this was premature. My gpa did not improve, and after two more quarters of academic probation, I was dismissed again in my junior year.
At this point, I was mentally drained and couldn't bear the thought of returning to campus. I finally went to my primary care physician for medical attention (my first time seeking care for the chronic pain that developed after the events). I sought therapy, and took a full year off to heal. During this healing process is when I realized I wanted to become a physician. My primary care physician is the person who motivated me to get back on my feet. From 2010-2016, I have done extensive grade repair, raising my gpa to a competitive level for medical school admission. I never reapplied to my home university after the 2nd dismissal, but I took full course loads during summer sessions there. During the non-summer semesters, I also took courses at multiple JCs and universities. I have a total of 14 transcripts. I was able to build enough credit and transfer them all to my home university, and I will be graduating from there in June.
Yes, I made an egregious series of errors by not removing myself from academia. It took me years of reinvention, but I have finally made myself competitive for medical school. BUT, I'm at a loss for how to explain my troubles (foolish stubborness, declined gpa, 2 IAs) and my reinvention in my personal statement. I do not want to make excuses for my behavior, but I sincerely need help trying to paint my situation in a more positive light.
Please help?
TL;DR: It took me 10 years to complete undergrad. Was assaulted, gpa tanked, 2 IAs for poor academic performance. Years of reinvention later, competitive to apply for med school. Don't know how to address all of this in my personal statement...
