<p>In years 8 and 9 I did pretty well (year 8- A’s and B’s, year 9 -A’s B’s and a couple of C’s) but in year 10 I had a lot of health and family problems that severely affected my time at school - I had LOTS of time off and pretty much gave up. In year ten I ended up with a couple of A’s and B’s with C’s and three D’s.
Due to this I ended up quitting school, moving out and working to support myself for the past 5 years. Now at 21 I am desperate to go to University and hopefully get into med school. I volunteer for people with disabilities and also at a children’s hospital in my area so it’s clear that I am passionate about my career choice…but am I kidding myself that any University in the USA would actually admit me? even if I ace the standardised tests, I’m a high school drop out and a mature age student.
I want to go to University that will give me a good chance of getting into Med School…have I blown my chance?
Another problem is that I am not a US resident, I will be applying as an International student from Australia and US Universities take preference to citizens don’t they?
I don’t want to have to do my degree in Australia because it is not recognised in many countries and the standard of teaching and opportunities for internships etc is very low.</p>
<p>I need to know honestly if I am wasting my time and living in a dream world.</p>
<p>My suggestion would be getting all your information from whatever high school you went to together, see if you can get some Recs from your superiors (especially at the hospital), take the standardized tests (study first), and get your GED. You can definitely still go to college and med school, it just might take a bit more work on your part. There’s no reason at all to lose hope.</p>
<p>I agree with khaefre, don’t give up. There are some great schools in the States that accept high school drop outs.
You should checkout Reed College in Portland, OR. they’re quite known for taking students who have drop out, basically giving people a second chance. They also have a good record for the % of people going to medical schools (one of the highest I think… not sure)</p>
<p>Contact some admission officers of schools that you’re interested in, and see their take on your condition</p>
<p>I just had a wonderful discussion with a British gentleman about the British university system and how much it differs from the American. He told me that in England, at least, only about 10-15% of high schoolers are admitted to university. The student is admitted to a course of study, and that course of study is fixed. If the student changes his or her mind about what to study (say, switching from chemistry to biology), he or she is removed from university; such changes are rarely tolerated. And “going back to university” is also rarely allowed. I’m assuming this may be similar in Australia.</p>
<p>So no, don’t give up. Do a lot of research on the Net to see where you might be able to go. As noted, although it’s difficult from Australia, contact the admissions offices of the schools you might be interested in and have some long, frank discussions with them.</p>