u/ben_twiener

Thinking about who to ask for an LoR from my time in the Navy. Options are my division chief and ship’s captain. I think both would write me a strong letter. Ironically, my captain is part of the reason I want to get into medicine despite him having no ties to medicine.

I worked with my chief on a day to day basis and he knows me much more personally. My captain knows my work and approved awards for me, but he doesn’t know me too much personally. My chief was enlisted and retired during my time onboard while my captain is now an admiral and still serving if rank matters at all.

Welcome both veterans and non-veteran perspectives. Thanks.

Visiting for the next few weeks and looking for some pickup basketball. Preferably chill indoor runs with adults.

I failed out of school 10 years ago due to poor discipline and lack of motivation. I joined the Navy and was successful in the most academically rigorous program and served as a nuclear mechanic on subs. I got a nuclear engineering technology degree, got out of the Navy and started working in consulting. I realized I missed doing important and challenging work. I decided to start pursuing my original dream of medicine.

I am halfway through 39 post bacc credits and am fairly certain I can finish with a 4.0, which would only raise my cGPA to 2.8 (many credits for my undergrad degree were accepted from 2 years of Navy training which don’t have grades).

I have been studying for the MCAT and got a 510 on my first FL and I haven’t taken Orgo 2 or Biochem yet. I don’t even plan on taking the MCAT til 2027, so plenty of time to study. Assuming I get this to a 517+ (big assumption, I know) am I still able to be competitive for MD? I’ve read about people here with low GPAs getting in, but was wondering if anyone has any specific info on how screening works? What do you think helped you get a human to read your application?

I am limited to Colorado (my current in state), Florida (lived there from birth-2024), and California due to my wife’s preferences. Due to my limited areas to apply, I am definitely open to DO, but would prefer MD to keep as many doors open down the road for residency.

It sucks that the lazy person I was 10 years ago is still biting me in the ass, but here we are. Wish I dropped out one semester earlier so I could get to 3.0 with my post bacc, but we move.