Biopsychology B.S, What Next?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>I've been undecided about whether or not I wanted to get into Clinical Psychology, or become a Physician. My hybrid major gave me the great opportunity to take both sciences and get a feel for which one I liked more. Problem is, I love them equally. I very much enjoyed Organic Chemistry, but I enjoyed Abnormal Psychology just as much. Its really coming down to the wire for me; Fall Semester I will be taking my last Psychology course (Undergrad) and last Chem. I have the great option of looking into medical school, or B.A in Psychology. </p>

<p>I can no longer afford -time and money- to do both, and I was interested to hear if anyone went through this same decision; and if so, what did they go with? I've always had an undying need to take care of others. </p>

<p>So far I've been a bit more geared toward psychology. I'm an officer in my schools chapter of Phi Thetta Kappa, volunteer at a mental health institution, and have a better GPA in it (4.0, vs 3.8). I personally suffered from mental illness through out my child hood, so I've always wanted to help others with the struggle. At the same time, I've always pictured myself as a Physician; everyone I know assumes I'm going to be. I'm the go to person among my friends when any injury, or sign of illness arises; and I love it. </p>

<p>So once again, I ask for any insight. I understand the futures in both, especially the hardship of medical school; and I'm prepared to face either.</p>

2

<p>Are you currently at a CC? </p>

<p>Have you taken all of your pre-med pre-reqs there?</p>

3

<p>Be a Psychiatrist? Duh?</p>

4

<p>That’s not a “duh” at all. A Clinical Psychology PhD with an emphasis on eventual practice is a much easier track than a Psychiatry track, which involves medical school and then residency. Presumably the fields also pay differently and have different lifestyles. I don’t know enough to comment intelligently, but it’s hardly an obvious solution.</p>

<p>In any case, I suspect the OP will have a hard time making important life choices off of a message board, but I’ll be curious to see what gets written.</p>

5

<p>I elected to do my pre-med reqs at a CC due to the cost being cheaper. I’ve taken all but my last year of Ochem.</p>

<p>I mentioned wanting to be a clinical psychologist, its warranted psychiatry wasn’t a consideration. Duh?</p>

6

<p>I’ve been mauling it over for years now blue, I’m pretty much just probing any and all insights I can on the matter :/</p>

7

<p>What decisions do you have to make right now? Are you trying to decide whether to start preparing for the MCAT?</p>

8

<p>I don’t really have any decisions to make until fall registration. At which time I will take either my final psych class, or final chem class. I can’t take both due to my time and money being on a real tight leash. I got ahold of ExamKrackers MCAT Prep and have been working on those rather early, just in case. </p>

<p>Its come down to being an OB or Emergency Physician as far as being a Physician goes, though I know thats more than likely to change during medical school. I just can’t picture myself not doing both. I enjoy psychodynamic’s, and most of the psychology models. I’ve loved my work with the mentally ill, but everytime a patient has to go to the physicians on staff; I watch them work in absolute awe. I feel like my personality matches that of a Physician, rather than a psychologist. I excel under pressure, take charge naturally and I love the nature of the work.</p>

9

<p>Medical schools actively require chemistry. Do PhD’s in clinical psych have any requirements? If not, then take chem.</p>