So I have been coming to this site for a while, since about 2005. And figured I would start a journal to talk about my journey, reading others really inspired me so why not.

A little about me.

I am currently in my Pre-med days.

I am 27 (I think) :scratchchin: 28 in August.

I am a single parent; I have a 6 year old baby girl, who is AMAZING of course.

We just got through our first Dance Recital last night; apparently she goes to one of the larger dance studios in our city. There are over 1500 students. The recital goes over 2 nights... Thank goodness both our performances were on the same night.
But anyway I digress...

So I have a 6 year old, I am currently a Systems Engineer for the largest (I think) government contractor in the US.

I decided to go to medical school about 3 years ago.

I assumed that it was not really an option for me until; I went to an Open house at TCOM, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

There I realized the dream, there was no mold for what makes a medical student, and if you had the will, determination, and abilities you can go for it. So I began my journey

I finished up my pre-reqs over about 2 yrs of night classes at UTA, and just took my MCAT in April.

Not really sure how that went, I studied pretty hard, and felt pretty comfortable with the material, but I didn’t really study strategy.

I could not afford one of those pricey prep classes, so I didnt it on my own.
We shall see how that turned out in a couple of weeks.

I don’t want to make this painstakingly long, so I will talk more about my back ground in the next post...

Ok, SO I couldn’t wait to update, I think it’s been a Whole 10 minutes.

So anyway back to my background.

I graduated from college in 04 with a BS in Business Computer Information Systems. I actually love computers and hope to some day participate in research or advisory boards that develop medical technology.

So as I mentioned before, I have been on the Med School journey for a while.

I had planned on applying last year, but did not get my MCAT done in time.

So I once again hope to apply this year, but am awaiting my results.

But I won’t be terribly discouraged if I do not receive the results I wanted.

I actually am considering a Masters program preferably TCOM's PostBacc program, to strengthen my application.

Trying to complete this journey while working full-time and being a mom, has somewhat put me at a small dis-advantage to others.

I have not been involved in any research projects, or spent a lot of time with physicians.

I did get to shadow one physician, and I volunteer at the hospital.

But I don’t really have any LOR's from any Drs or professors. I was always scared to ask.

I did get up the nerve once to ask, but it never worked out.

I think that’s going to be a challenge in my application, but I have prayed about it, and hopefully something will work out.

Ok, so I will stop there until I have something more interesting to talk about. But that’s a brief synopsis of My Journey so far.

So I am back... Well first off I just realized I made a mistake in my first post. I am actually already 28 !!!

Wow... how did I make a mistake on my age? I think time is starting to all run together.

So any who...

Just had my 6th Mother's day... it was cool didn’t do much, went to my moms house and had lunch. And then went home.

U know I should probably organize this a little better instead of just randomly running my mouth.
I will break it up into personal / work/ Pre-med.
I know this is about my pre-med journey, but I think they all kind of tie together. So if I discuss them all it helps me to look back up and see the inside from the outside and not get so overwhelmed. Maybe

So let’s get started...

Pre-med...
Well not a lot has changed on that front.
I volunteered last Friday in the NICU at one of the larger hospitals in our area.

I only get to volunteer every other Friday, because that’s when I am off from my full-time job.

I really enjoy it. I used to volunteer at a different hospital, and they were really nice, but there was little to no patient interaction, I kind of just answered the phones. But I was helping out, and that was nice.

Volunteering is kind of a challenge for me; I hate to feel like I am in someone’s way. So it took me a while to actually start asking the nurses if there was something I could do for them.

I am also a little concerned for my application because I have no LOR's from any doctors. I have had the opportunity to shadow once, but I didn’t get an LOR. So I am a little concerned on how that will affect my application. I hope it does not.

It scares me to death to ask random Drs if they would let me shadow them. I guess it’s a personal thing; I have a major fear of rejection.

I guess that’s enough on that... I may come back.

Work

So it’s Monday morning, and I at work. I feel really bad that I don’t care much for my job, since I am getting paid to do it.
But I refuse to spend the next 40 years of my life barely being able to get out of the bed in the morning, because I don’t want to do what I am doing.

But I have had a interesting journey here, and I still have more to come, (Until I get accepted to Medical School) :wave:

I can go on forever about it... so i will move on...

Personal

So I have been kind of struggling in my personal life. Being a single parent has been a challenge in these trying economic times. It is getting more and more difficult.

.... ok so i stopped typing in the middle of that thought to go do some work, and its been a few hours now.. :guilty:

so i dont remeber my thought.

well i guess i will bring this entry to a close, and get back to the J O B :rolleyes:

So, time has been passing slowly in some areas, fast in others...

Premed---

So I got my results back on my MCAT, I didn’t do as well as I would have liked, but I think I am going to go ahead and apply.

i have actually started all the apps, but have began to allow doubt to creep in, and so i have began to procrastinate.

I also was inputting my grades, in the 3 application websites, ( Tx,MD,DO) and start to get concerned about my grades. My first year in college wasn’t very good.

And on top of that, I do not have any LORs from any Doctors, and most of the DO schools require one from a DO. Now I have had exposure, and even shadowed. But no LOR's just never got up the guts to ask.

So I am a little concerned, I am going to make a big investment in the application process. And i would hate to do that if i need to spend another year making myself stronger. But thats a year without work, incuring more school debt. I have faith that someone will see my potential and work, and give me a chance to prove myself. :crossfingers:

If it’s meant to be it will be. Right

But if its not, then I have plans to go into a full time POST Bacc program, because I cant really make myself a stronger candidate keeping the full time job that I have right now.

But I guess we will see...

Personal---
My personal life is about the same I guess. I just moved this weekend. I moved in with my mom, which is a challenge, we are totally opposites, and u add in a 6 year old, its just becomes even more interesting.
It was kind of a hard decision to make, but to afford the application process I had to. And hopefully (God Willing) there will be some interview travel cost associated , so I just had to have a way to maintain my expenses and get through this...

So once again we shall see...

Still Single, But I Did meat the man of my dreams last night…
Only problem he was still in my dreams…

Hopefully I will run into him again on the outside..

Work -----

Work is still work. I guess as long as i get Paid on Friday... there are no complaints..

Well, we are almost at a month since the last time I made an entry, how fast time passes.

So I guess I will get started.

Premed -------

So how have premed things been going for me?

Well I got my TMDAS, AMCAS, and AACOMAS applications filled out, but not submitted yet.

It seems like every time I think I am going to have enough money to do them, something else comes up. But I guess I will talk about that in the personal section.

Anywhoo, I am so glad I finally got all of the classes filled in, and primary essays completed, when you first start that it seems like it will take forever.

I guess I could start my secondary essays, but I guess I should wait to see who request on from me.

I used Interfolio to collect and submit my LOR's. Got all the addresses, but yet again, waiting for the funds to finance the delivery of them.

I actually kind of miss taking classes; I enjoyed learning new things, and doing some critical thinking. Now I kind of just go home, cook dinner, and then watch TV.

Its kind of funny how some of my family keeps asking me am I out of medical school... LOL...

And when I say applying to medical school, they are like WHAT, I thought u were in medical school.

I guess when I said I was talking pre-reqs to apply to medical school, it sounded like,

"I am taking medical school classes” who knows...

But I guess that’s about it on the Pre-med front for now

Personal

Now I on the personal side I could go on forever but I will keep it short, as I mentioned before I moved out of my place to stay with my mom to help her out and to "save money" for myself and so far, I am just as broke as before,

It has only been a couple of month, and it seems like one thing after another happens,

My mom was in the hospital for 2 weeks, so that’s two weeks without pay for her, and my car broke down, and that’s going to be about 600 bucks to fix, and that’s only to get it driving, not fix everything else that needs to be fixed. But I guess is if take care of everything I am supposed to it may last me longer, It will be paid off in February. I was hoping it would take me through medical school, because goodness knows I can not afford a new car.

It’s kind of frustrating, but I know things could totally be worse, so I am grateful, that I have a roof over mine and my daughters head and we have food to eat, (not always what we want) but food to eat non- the less.

I am truly blessed

On another note.

I was also kind of hoping I would be a little "less" single by now, but so far that’s a no go...

you know its sad, when your uncle ask you are you still single, and then when you say, Yes, he is like "how old are you?" lol... and then ends it with a laugh... :crossfingers:


Work

Work is still WORK... I mean it’s a bit frustrating, but it giving me a pay check, that I eventually shell out to other people, but a pay check... :rolleyes:

We actually have to work mandatory over time for the next couple of months, so I am not able to volunteer on my off Friday s like I had been. But once again, I can use the money.

to be honest, they day that I get a letter of acceptance :crossfingers: , I will begin crafting out my letter of departure, even though I wont be submitting it until 2 weeks, before classes start, ( I need all the money I can get).. lol..

But as I said before, it is defiantly not the worst job, I ever had, but it is just a stop on the Journey that is MY LIFE, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

I guess that’s about it for me,

I hope that anyone who reads this has an AWSOME day or evening

Not a lot to say today... I am hungry only had popcorn for lunch, and I worked out this morning, so I think i am out of energy for today.


Premed

Well I finally submitted my Texas apps. That was very exciting, now still have two more to submit.

I must admit i am little nervous, but i will keep faith, that if it’s my time, it will happen


Personal

Nothing much going on hear stayed at home over the July 4th weekend. Watched Tv. Read a bit.

Work

About the same here. Oh yea. Today is my 5th anniversary here. I guess that’s an accomplishment. Its the longest i have ever worked in one place. But this is also my first professional Job. soo...

Have a Super Day

Premed

Well I submitted my AMCAS yesterday.... u know I really thought I was doing my apps early, but I failed to calculate in the time for the application service to review my file. I should have submitted in June.... But to be quite honest with myself, I couldn’t afford it; I still can’t really afford it. But at least I am progressing. Thank you Jesus.

Personal

Well I am starting not to be a fan of the weekend; I really miss having my own space with just me and my daughter. My mom is a sometimes a challenge. We are very very different people, with different goals and choices. But this arrangement is a benefit to us... mostly her, but u can’t tell that... Anywhoo...

I really wanted to get in better shape before my birthday... In one month... But I have fallen off this weight loss horse so many times; it’s hard to get back up... I mean I try just to eat right and exercise and stay away from those crazy fad diets... but its a challenge sometimes especially living here with my mom, she cares little to nothing about the outcome of what you eat. And when she cooks dinner at night, I hate to be like no I am not going to eat that... because I don’t want to hear response. So anyway... just another complaint I guess...

Work
What can I say... nothing much is different...? I am still employed, so that’s a good thing.... We had to work this Friday, and had free pizza so that was cool...

That’s about all for my simple life., :0 ) Hopefully I will have some great news to come about completed apps, and interviews, and best of all :yes: acceptances...

Hello,
So today is an ok day so far,
Premed

I was actually having a crappie day yesterday at work, but then got to my desk after a disappointing meeting, and got the Email from Texas App system, and my app had been Verified, and sent to schools. I was literally clapping and laughing at my desk. lol... so that’s super awsome

Not much else going on the pre-med side, still have not submitted my AACOMAS, something is always due, or something comes up. So hopefully by August First. :wave:

Premed

My AMCAS and Texas has verified, and I still have not submitted my AACOMAS
I have finished all my Texas Secondaries, 1 of my AMCAS, and just got 2 seconderies today, hoped to have the $ to submit them by Friday after next.

Still have not received a secondary email for 6 of them, hope to get them soon.

I must say I am a little bit nervous, I know that my credentials are not as good as most of the other applicants.

I do I have a back up plan, and will plan to reapply but I would really like to get in this year.

I am going to have to take a class this fall, there was a class that was not offered in the evening, at my university, and I needed to take it at a CC, but for some reason never did, so I will be taking it this fall....

Personal


Things are kind of just going in this area. School is about to start in 2 weeks, so gotta start getting my little one ready for that, and myself of course...

Work

Well I am blessed to have a job, let me start out with that.

But, it’s a challenge, and it doesn’t seem like the environment I would thrive in, but I am sure that the things needed to survive there are needed in most areas to some degree...

Good Morning...

So first off Happy Birthday to me. :boggled:

This life is crazy, MY life is crazy. sometimes its so challenging to be around those others with their "Perfect Lives" and you wonder, why me.... what did I do, to get the crappy cards... ?
I
n the end it doesn’t really matter, all I can do is stay in the game, and play the cards I was dealt... :yes: