<p>Hi, I'm aware of how important advising is when it comes to getting into medical school and also just in general, getting through college. Is there anyone who can comment on the quality of advising at Pitt?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Before you declare your major, you have to advise with the School of Arts & Sciences (unless you are nursing, engineering, business, etc.). My experience with them was kind of awful. I found my adviser to be unhelpful and not very knowledgeable. However, once you declare your major you get an adviser in your department. I am a chem major so I have an adviser who is a chem professor. He is very helpful and knows exactly what classes I need to take, and is good at answering my questions. Once you’re in a department, you adviser will have a much better idea of your needs. However, you still have to take it upon yourself to keep track of your courses and ask questions in order to stay on top of things–there are so many people at Pitt that your adviser cannot just figure out everything for you.</p>
<p>Pitt also has a pre-medical adviser in the Honors College. Her name is Andrea and she is very helpful. She is a good person to consult if you have questions about getting ready for medical school–when to take the MCATs, how to get involved with research/shadowing/volunteering, how to start your personal statement. I would definitely suggest taking advantage of her because I have found her to be great.</p>
<p>Oh thanks! That’s really helpful and good to know. I’ll make sure I go talk to Andrea. If you know so much can I assume you are or were pre-med too? How did you find the required classes? Was there grade inflation or deflation?</p>
<p>I am a chem major, still undecided about med school. I won’t lie–the required classes are very difficult. I was the girl in high school who barely studied and did fine on all my tests, so I really had to learn how to step up my study skills to do well my in my science classes. This isn’t to scare you though. If you are a diligent student, you will probably do fine. Study regularly, go to office hours when you have questions, (attempt to) pay attention in lecture and do lots of practice!! Med school classes test your endurance, but they’re not impossible.</p>
<p>Also, I’m not exactly sure about grade inflation. In my experiences, my classes have been curved. Some professors curve up the individual tests, while others curve the final grades at the end. Normally if you do at or above the class averages for tests, you do reasonably fine in the class.</p>