Advises for Pre-Med Student?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>I know it's long, but please finish reading it.</p>

<p>Hi everyone. I'm a high school senior looking forward to attend college this fall. I always want to be a surgeon or some kind of specialist, so I'm thinking about majoring in economics (or computer science) while doing my pre-med requirement at a state college (Stony Brook).</p>

<p>After a bit of researches, I realized that most med schools want their applicants to take 2 semesters of general chem, bio, physics, organic chem, English, along with 1 semester of calculus and statistics. However, I have and will have taken AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Physics B, AP Physics C (both mechanics and E&M), AP English (both language and literature), AP Calculus BC (along with AB sub-score), and AP Statistics by the time I graduate from high school. In fact, I have already taken AP Chem (4), AP Physics B (5), AP Statistics (4), and AP English Language (3) last year. According to the school's AP policies, I should be able to get out of the most intro level general requirement classes if I'm not doing pre-med. However, since most med schools don't take AP classes as part of the pre-med requirement, I guess I'll have to take these courses again in college.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, despite the fact that I'll be well-prepared when I go to college, I don't know if it's worth it to take upper level classes. For example, I'm pretty confident that I'll get a 5 (or at least a 4) on AP Calculus BC. If I did that, I'll probably have the opportunity to take calc 3 when I go to college. But the question is: does it worth it to risk my GPA and take calc 3? Or should I "play safe" by taking calc 1 and bore myself to death so that I can "guarantee" myself a good grade in math? Also, am I even allowed to take calc 1 if I passed the AP or the replacement test in college? Same thing for stat. Should I take stat 1 or stat 2 in college? Since there isn't technically bio 3, or general chem 3, or physics 3, or English 3, I guess I don't really have to worry about those. Additionally, what about classes like social studies/social sciences? I have taken AP World (3) and AP U.S (4) over the past two years. I'm also taking AP Euro and AP Economics right now. Besides AP Economics (since I'll be an economics major), I should be able to get out of the social studies/sciences requirement. However, do med schools want students to take some kind of social studies/sciences classes in college to see if they're "well-rounded" academically? What about foreign language? I'm fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English (listen, speak, read, and write). I'm also taking AP Spanish this year. If I get a 3 or above on AP Spanish, then I don't have to take any foreign language in college anymore. However, will I be better off if I take some language classes in college (in term of med school acceptance)? In all seriousness, I just personally believe that I don't need any foreign language classes if I can speak three of the world's most popular, influential, and practical languages. Maybe Latin can help a little bit for med school terminology, but all I really care about is the vocab/root words part, so I'm planning on self-studying the root words anyway.</p>

<p>Additionally, I have heard things like volunteer/community services, researches, MCAT, and other things about med school, but I don't really understand how they work. Do I just walk into the hospital and ask for volunteer? Is there like a school-organized club like the way you do volunteer in high school? Should I also volunteer in community services outside of the hospital? What about researches? Even though I want to go to med school because I want to help people (instead of being a researcher in medicine), I guess I'll have to do some researches if this is what med school wants. How do I do it? Do I just walk up to a professor and ask for research opportunity? Or is there like a recruitment proposed by professors? And finally, the MCAT. Should I start preparing for MCAT as soon as possible? Is it a good idea to start preparing it in the freshman year (since I knew most of the stuff except maybe for organic chemistry)? I'm looking for at least a 35/45 on that dreadful test that seems to be a nightmare for every single pre-med student.</p>

<p>I have poured 4 years of my high school preparing myself by taking countless number of AP and honor classes. Since I knew that I'm going to a state college, I didn't really mind about grade (even though I do have an over 90/100 unweighted GPA) and extracurricular activities. However, I think college is really about getting a top GPA, having an excellent MCAT, and involving in a lot of volunteers (at least for people like me). I really dream about going to Johns Hopkins or any of the top med school for internal medicine, so I better start organizing now before I have the chance to regret.</p>

<p>I know it's long, but I'll really appreciate it if anyone could share some advises with me!</p>

2

<p>Just to be clear, I know that the prestige of med school doesn’t really matter in term of education. However, I still want to go to Johns Hopkins because I will have better chance of getting into the internship I want (give that I have the same stat as someone who goes to a less-known med school) and I will probably get hired more “easily” than other med school graduates (even though the education is the same everywhere in medicine). I want to go to Johns Hopkins solely for the opportunities it provides, not necessarily for its prestige. So, please don’t misunderstand me. Thank you!</p>

3

<p>You need to repost on the pre-med forum, here: [Pre-Med</a> Topics - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/]Pre-Med”>Pre-Med Topics - College Confidential Forums)</p>

<p>Also, just two little corrections to your English: It’s “advice”, not “advises” and “volunteering”, not “volunteers” (the former is the activity, the latter are people who volunteer).</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

4

<p>It’s better if you take Calc2 and some other classes similar to the class you took for AP. You will also need to take Psychology and Sociology and/or diversity-focused classes. You’ll need to take a statistics class for Economics, too. In all likelihood, you’ll also try to get involved in clubs and volunteer, so even if 2-3 of your 5 classes/semester are repeats from your AP classes during your first year, you won’t be bored. :)</p>

5

<p>I say skip the biology year requirement and take upper-level bio classes instead (genetics, physiology, molecular/cellular bio). Those classes often come very recommended for admissions and the typical advice is to take higher-level courses for classes for which you placed out. I would recommend retaking everything else, trying for good grades, and looking for a challenge elsewhere if you need it. No one ever scoffed at A’s in the pre-reqs. As for Hopkins, come back to the idea after you get some A’s. Prepare to work hard, as Stony will have other students retaking these classes in hopes of getting a good GPA. </p>

<p>Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</p>

6

<p>I am premed at Stony Brook and am very familiar with the procedures there for premed students. I also know the requirements for CompSci majors so you’re in luck! For CompSci you will have to take up to Calc 4, in addition to upper level Stats (the AP only gets you out of the lower level class). I would recommend retaking Calc 2 unless you are completely comfortable with the material, because Calc 3 is a totally different beast. In terms of Chem, you can go into the advanced sequence of Honors Chem with two semesters of Honors Orgo that they just started this year. You will take Orgo 1 as a freshman and Orgo 2 in the Fall of sophomore year. For Bio, the “intro” classes are the premed classes, with molecular biology and animal physiology being the two recommended classes for the MCAT.</p>

7

<p>First of all,</p>

<p>Do not start studying for the MCAT until you completed almost all of your pre-reqs for medical school. If you think your AP classes cover all the same material in a college level class, you are very, mistaken. Organic chemistry is a science that compromises tens of thousands of chemical reactions and compounds that are very complex and takes great dedication to learn, you talk as if it’s just a small portion of the MCAT. </p>

<p>You will have to take the new MCAT, the one coming out in 2015, so there will be biochemistry and psychology/sociology on it. You need to have completed up to those courses before studying for the MCAT.</p>

<p>Besides that, volunteering does not have to be in a hospital. You can consider medical missions, neighborhood clinics, nursing homes, homeless clinics etc. It should be something that involves patient care though. If you choose to sign up at a hospital for volunteering, you will need to have a TB test prior to that, and undergo a volunteer orientation.</p>

8

<p>Thank you TheBombingRange:</p>

<p>First of all, are you a computer science major premed student? If so, could you tell me more about computer science major? I’m still struggling in between economics and computer science. I knew that I’ll have an easier time getting a good GPA if I’m doing economics. However, if I couldn’t get into med school for some reason (maybe my MCAT is not good enough or I change my mind or whatever), I’ll be better off with a computer science degree. So, it’s kind of like a trade-off between good GPA and a safe fallback. For Calc 2 and Calc 3, will I be able to maintain the similar grade if I choose to take Calc 3? In my school, my teacher over-prepared us for the AP. He told us that all of his BC students got a 5 on both BC and AB sub-score (except two who got 4 on BC). So, I think I should be okay with the calc 3 material. But in term of maintaining a good GPA, that will be a different story. Additionally, would you recommend taking honor chem (both general and organic) or just the regular ones? Since I’m going to prepare for MCAT on my own anyway, does it worth it to take honor chem? Will honor chem impress the med school? In other words, if I got a 3.7 in honor chem vs. a 4.0 in regular chem, which one does med school look at first: GPA OR honor vs. regular?</p>

9

<p>I am a Biomedical Engineering major but I know that we have a great CompSci department, one of the best in the region. I believe AdComs look at GPA first over honors vs. a regular course, though I could be mistake . You advisor can tell you whether to take Calc 3 or 2, 2 would be an easy A if you are really that prepared which might be worth it. Gen Chem 1 might be worth it to skip if you are comfortable with the material, again speak to the advisor. Are you admitted yet, and are you planning on attending?</p>

10

<p>OP: even if you’re perfectly prepared for Calc 3, don’t do that to yourself and your GPA. Your admission to med school will depend on your taking these “easy” first year classes. Don’t skip them while others take them, as it’ll only hurt you.
Just take Calc2 and breathe. Spend the time on your other classes and make sure to get A’s. Take Psychology 101, the freshman seminar or a Diversity-focused class, Econ 101, and a Science pre-req, and your schedule will be quite full.
To do well on the MCAT you’d need to take Honors Chem and to get into med school you’d need to have as many A’s as you can. So if you take Honors Chem and have A- (or, as is often the case, B or B-), you’ll need to have a “cushion” of A’s.</p>

11

<p>@TheBombingRange:</p>

<p>I have applied to Cornell and varies other top schools as well. However, I don’t think I’ll attend those because of the high tuition (unless they give me a big package). Also, I like the setting of SBU since I always dream about living in Long Island. In fact, if I ever going to be a doctor, I want to work in Manhattan and live in Long Island. Anyway, I have not been accepted to any of the college yet. I applied all of my colleges through regular decision, so I won’t know the result until April 1st. However, I think I should be able to get into SBU with the stats I have right now. Since I need to save money for med school, I think that SBU will be my best bet.
Secondly, is there a lot of research opportunity available at SBU? Will I be able to get involved in the first year? I also knew that SBU has its own hospital right next to the campus (another reason why I want to go there), so what can I do to take advantage of the resources available at SBU? Do I just walk into the hospital and ask for volunteering?
Additionally, when should I start preparing for MCAT? Is it a good idea to start preparing during the first year?
Also, do you think this kind of schedule will overwhelm me (see below):
Freshman Fall:
Bio 1
General Chem 1
English/Composition 1
Macroeconomics (or any equivalent intro class for computer science)
Calculus 2 or 3
[other electives if applicable]</p>

<p>Freshman Spring:
Bio 2
General Chem 2
English 2
Microeconomics (or computer class if I’m doing computer science)
Stat 1 or 2</p>

<p>Sophomore Fall:
Physics 1
Organic Chem 1
Sociology or Psychology
Intermediate Macroeconomics (or anything equivalent)
[other major-related courses]</p>

<p>Sophomore Spring:
Organic Chem 2
Physics 2
Sociology or Psychology
Intermediate Microeconomics (or anything equivalent)
[other major-related courses]</p>

<p>Junior and Senior:
Major-related upper division classes along with maybe molecular biology and physiology</p>

<p>Lastly, would you recommend taking foreign languages in college? Do med schools favor students who take foreign languages? Even though I’m fluent at Chinese and English with an advanced proficiency in Spanish, I’d hate to have to deal with language classes in college. What about classes like art/music/gym/health? Are you REQUIRED to take those at SBU? I think that these classes can be fun to take, but they have no practical value whatsoever (at least for people like me).</p>

12

<p>Are you an int’l? or do you have a green card or citizenship?</p>

13

<p>@mom2collegekids:
My parents and I are the first generation legal immigrants to the U.S. I’m a permanent resident of the U.S. and I’m currently a green card holder. I’ll become an U.S citizen in the next few months. Why? Does it have anything to do with college or med school?</p>

14

<p>it matters for admissions and financial aid, but especially for med school since internationals are not allowed in American med schools (with very few exceptions). However if you’re a permanent resident you’re allowed to apply wherever you want. :)</p>

<p>Art or music are likely to be required. They may not be practical but they make you a well-rounded, educated person. You don’t want to sound like a doofus when you’re a professional, involved in professional circles; plus, it’ll also give you some sources of enjoyment. :slight_smile: Roughly 1/3 classes will be outside your major.</p>

<p>Re: your schedule, since you’ll be done with Physics C, I’d take it right away the first year (physics 1 or Physics 2). You’ll probably test out of languages.
I’d take Physics your first year because it’ll still be fresh in your mind and it’ll give you an easier schedule when you’re taking Orgo, which is a beast.
You won’t likely take more than 1 CS or Economics class your first year, and Intermediate Micro or macro will likely be taken Junior year (unless you can take a prereq over the summer at community or local college - it’s not advisable to take premed classes over the summer, med schools don’t like it, but they don’t see any problem in taking other, non-science, classes over the summer.)
This is the list of distribution requirements at SB:
[Stony</a> Brook Undergraduate Bulletin - Spring 2014 - State University of New York General Education Curriculum](<a href=“http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/bulletin/current/policiesandregulations/degree_requirements/suny.php]Stony”>http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/bulletin/current/policiesandregulations/degree_requirements/suny.php)</p>

15

<p>Thank you, it’s not necessarily that I don’t like art or music, I just believe that I’ll have other priorities in college if I’m a premed student. Anyway, if the school requires me to take whatever it needs, then I guess I’ll just have to take it.
For physics vs. bio, however, I believe that I should take bio first because organic chem may require some bio background. Secondly, I’m better at physics than bio, so I want to get the “hard” ones done as early as possible.
Lastly, do you think it’s a good idea to start preparing for MCAT now? I don’t want to wait until last minute and be unsatisfied with my score.
By the way, thank you for your link!</p>

16

<p>You can’t take Bio until sophomore year as a non Bio major. Even Bio majors have to wait until their second semester. Don’t try to set out a schedule in advance because there are various prereqs for certain classes. Don’t worry about the MCAT until the end of sophomore year, honestly.</p>

17

<p>You cannot prepare for the MCAT until the summer before your junior year at the earliest. Most students start prepping during the Spring of Junior Year, some during the Fall. You should post this on the med school forum.</p>

18

<p>Anyone wants to commend on something?</p>

19

<p>As a physician, I want to commend you for aspiring to be a physician. But as a physician, I want to tell you that you are getting WAY ahead of yourself.</p>

<p>Becoming a physician is as similar to what it took to get to where you are right now except a lot tougher. While you could have planned all of the grades you were in, you could not have planned your life experiences. Similarly in medicine, you can plan your college education and have an idea what you will learn in medical school, but you can’t plan the experiences you will obtain from here on end. You need those life experiences to mature and become a true caring physician. Otherwise, you will find your life in medicine completely unfulfilled. </p>

<p>The most important advice I have is to surround yourself with competent mentors, specifically physicians as soon as you can. Volunteer at a hospice or hospital. Gain as much intangible experiences as you can and use your premed advisors. You have a lot of questions that can not be adequately addressed here. But slow down, enjoy the moment, or you will drive yourself crazy with all of the planning.</p>

20

<p>@frugaldoctor:
Thank you for your advise! I’ll enjoy myself because I know that I’ll have to deal with all kinds of stresses when I go to med school. However, my concern is that I may not be able to get into a med school if I don’t organize my plan right now. While I know that enjoyment is a big part of life, I also don’t want to lose my main and ultimate goal: get into a med school I want (preferable Johns Hopkins for internal medicine) and become what I always dream of.</p>

<p>@TheBombingRange: I always thought that you can take intro level bio as a freshman. Even if I’m not a bio major, I thought intro bio is kind of like a general requirement class for graduation. And I’m assuming that I only need intro bio to fulfill my premed requirement. I could be wrong, but I’ll appreciate it if you can expand a little bit more on that. Since the science sequences usually goes like: bio, chem, physics, in high school, I thought it would be more reasonable to take bio before physics in college.</p>