4.0 Math major switching to pre med, and I have a few questions.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Binghamton University - SUNY
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I go to Binghamton University. I am a dual degree student, B.A. Mathematical Sciences and a B.S. in Management. I am finishing my 3rd year in college.</p>

<p>I have over 1500 hours of volunteering over the past few years, some in related to medical things (EMT) and some not.</p>

<p>I finished all required math classes (10) with a A's in all of them, I also took statistics, but this didn't count towards the math major.</p>

<p>I have 4 classes left to finish management classes.</p>

<p>My overall GPA is above 3.95.</p>

<p>I took Physics I (with lab) and got an A already.
I took 1 semester of English and got an A</p>

<p>My plan is to take the following</p>

<p>Physics II (with lab) this summer</p>

<p>English in either the fall/spring
Chem I (with lab) + Bio I (with lab) next fall
Chem II (with lab) + Bio II (with lab) next spring</p>

<p>Orgo I and Orgo II + Lab after that. (Either in the summer or the following year).</p>

<p>Do you think this is a good schedule? What would you change in the schedule?</p>

<p>If I take Orgo over the summer, I would have about 45 days to study for the MCAT and take the last possible MCAT that is offered in September. Is that crazy?</p>

<p>I want to finish this as quickly as possible. I know this isn't necessarily a good way to judge how I will do in the rest of the science classes, but my average in Physics was #1 in a class of 100+ people, and I found it not challenging.</p>

<p>Any advice you guys have would be great. Thanks for your help. I would really like a response only from people who have a connection to the med school/med school application process.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Having completed most lower level math courses, Phys I, Calc I, II and III as well as differential equations I can see where you are coming from. Applying for transfer this coming Fall 2011 for Bioengineering at Binghamton, I am looking to go down the premed route as well. Let me just say that going into classes like BIO I and II out of differential equations I thought it would be cake, and well, I suppose it was. But its a different beast. Some people like numbers and can work all day with them and at the same time can’t do basic cellular processes for the life of them. I would suggest first of all to think long and hard about what medical school is, 7 more years of your life minimum. You have to love the idea of being a doctor and not just for the cash.</p>

<p>If your confident in your decision I don’t see anything wrong with your BIOL I, II and CHEM I, II semesters. If your looking to get done quicker, I would NOT take orgo chem in the summer, especially if its from Binghamton. I would suggest to do the following:</p>

<p>BIOL I, II and CHEM I sequentially in the fall term, you will need professor permission but it wont be an issue. The biology’s do not build off of each other but rather just continue in the back half of the text book with completely different topics, especially with your grades (I did something similar). I would take Orgo I in the spring (leaving a fairly open schedule for MCAT studying, shadowing, volunteering, internships, etc) and orgo II in the summer if available. This would give you additional time required to study for the MCAT given very little information from orgo II is actually on the MCAT. I would be sure to brush up on physics as well before taking the MCAT, I’m doing a few practice ones now and that’s where I’m struggling more because I forgot the basic formulas -_-.</p>

<p>On a side note, its rare anyone ever does better taking the MCAT more then once given at that level everyone is prepared for it. Its not like people bomb it, then decide to study up. For this reason don’t worry about taking the MCAT at the last available date, just be sure your there on time. The student doctor network is where you need to become quite active, check out the forums, you’ll get all the info you need.</p>

<p>I hope to get involved in the premed counseling when I enter Binghamton in the Fall (if this stupid acceptance package ever arrives -_-), I hear both good and bad things about it, maybe I’ll see you around.</p>

<p>All the best.</p>