Dude, you've wanted this since forever, and you're probably still in with half a chance through the rural category (or a great chance through grad entry if you went and did that MPH you were talking about). Don't give up just because your grades in your first semester weren't quite what you were hoping for - take the opportunity to really analyse what you could change to improve your grades in future.
Judging by your posts and hatbox comments over the last couple of years, you would seriously regret giving up now. You hate the desk jobs, and you'd probably be back trying for med in a year or two anyway. So take this semester's grades on the chin, have a good hard look at your own study methods/how you write assignments/your exam techniques, and get back on track.
Think of it as a great opportunity for serious self-reflection, so that you can start to build on some of the skills you need to succeed in medicine.
Thanks, Frooty. I needed 85 in two exams to get an "A" overall in two core papers; I got 80 and 81. I am pretty crushed considering I thought the exam questions were very reasonable and I answered them without thinking "I have no idea" ... I have even requested a copy of my exam script (free at UOA, score!) because I don't understand how on earth I got 82! And that is literally sitting here going "what on earth went wrong there?" not "I'm so smart, I'm so awesome, how could I get such a low mark?".
I found out you can't do an MPH or MHSc without a health-esque degree, and my biz degree don't cut it. At worst I might be able to get into the PGDip with Year 1 of the BHSc and my previous degree and relevant work experience ... but let's not talk about that, bad vooju.
And yes, re RRAS, you're right. The UOA rumour mill has said of people getting in with a 7.0 core GPA because they just don't fill the seats and am told they haven't filled the seats for the last couple of years, but I'll see it when I believe it (I will ask the FMHS if it's indeed true!). I have heard of Grad RRAS'ers getting in with a 6.0 GPA.
I remember one of those stupid personality tests I did for a job once; the only thing I can remember was they said about me I throw passion (or some similar HR buzzword) being pretty much everything I do but do not take disappointment well. That's pretty much true truth be told, personally at least. If Mrs Smith who is 900 years old with ESHF and an EF of you know, 3%, dies in my ED well, so be it (as long as she got her CPAP within six hours!) but you know, I'm not one for personal disappointment ... mainly because I do not consider I've had a lot of success ... but I guess it's a learnt skill; I'm better than I used to be at least. I've been pretty mute the last week or so; barely looked at anything for UMAT and just been sleeping lots (cos it's been so cold as well). I'm not really enjoying the thought of trying to get an A+ in Medsci when I absolutely busted my ass and got two A-
I guess struggling on is probably a good idea. Maybe. Sort of. Who knows. Why am I doing this again?
#ThereIsAlwaysWaikatoMedicalSchool .....