An obstacle

<p>I have always wanted to debate...like go big in debating...and i know i have the potential. The problem is that being pre-med would take time away from doing that...right? Has anyone experience with this? I would like to try out for the debate team...In the case that i do make it, it would be very hard for me to personally deny such an offer. However, if it means keeping the security of my future in terms of my goals, I guess there's no way i can say yes. I assume debating takes up time. This is college and i thought i would have time in the world to do the things i wanted but i realize the workload for pre-med is curtailing my exploring inclinations. OR is it possible? ....and i honestly don't give a crap about what med school adcoms think about debating...I don't care if they think debating is inconsistent with my goals...</p>

<p>Well, are you the type who will need lots of time for studying? Will you also have some kind of work-study job (from FA package) or some other part time job for pocket money? All those things take time.</p>

<p>Why not email your schools’ debate directors and ask about the time commitment?</p>

<p>Ask about the travel commitments involved too and whether they will be mostly scheduled on Mondays and Fridays or if you’ll be missing weekday classes.</p>

<p>Another issue to think about–do you want to get involved in lab research? (Not necessarily as a freshman, but perhaps next year.) That will be another significant time-sink. (Allow 5-10 hours/week.)</p>

<p>That said, if you think you can manage the demands on your time, I’d say go for it!</p>

<p>I do not know how much time debating takes. However, I would like to point that most of pre-meds at D’s UG were at least having one minor. Some had more than one and one girl was triple major (2 majors comletely unrelated to medicine). All of them graduated in 4 years (we do not knoe engineers, engineering normally takes 5 years). D. had 2 minors and had to drop one being only 2 classes short. She graduated in 4 years, never took single summer class. She was doing all EC’s like everybody else, job, Med. Research, volunteering, shadowing, sorority board, every single being multi-years commitment.
She has worked very hard for her grades. She has never mentioned anybody who took academics lightly, those were out of pre-med track right after first Bio, weed out killer class.</p>

<p>I think it’s absolutely possible. I know a few kids who considered themselves pre-med who were athletes, traveled during the season, and they still graduated with great gpas. Others were involved in music performance or theater. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Enjoy your undergrad years. If you find that your interest in debate interferes with your studies, you can always cut back or give up something else.
(some of the above gave up heavy partying…;)</p>

<p>Exactly, stay flexible. D. had to drop athletic club (lasted only freshman year) and then she dropped one of her minors because of one Med. School on her list added requirements after D. has applied. Good thing that she took those additionally required classes, great help at her Med. School (not the one that added requirements).<br>
But the point is, nothing should be cut in stone, try whatever you want and be prepared to change in a middle (or even at the very end) of the road.</p>

<p>Great ideas and insights! I think i’m going to email the debate directors and ask about the time commitment. In fact, I’m thinking of trying out. ANd yes, I will be doing lab research starting in the fall. Also, my schedule will (hopefully) be the following at a state public: stats I, aty childhd development, gen chem, and science tech writing…I’ve had AP credits in alot of subjects and i’m just repeating these again…It’s possible right?</p>

<p>I guess we’ll see…haha</p>

<p>^Looking reasonable to me!</p>