This fall, I will be transferring to UCF for their pre-Accoutning program. Before, I had attended FSU as a French major on the Pre-Med track for 2 semesters with the motivation and belief that I was going to become a doctor since I was 13 years old. However, due to bad advisors, bad roommates, loneliness, and extreme anxiety and depression, I wanted to return to my hometown and take a break by attending the community college there. Because of the whole ordeal, it made me think that I was unfit to become a doctor and made me hate the medical field overall, resulting me in changing my major to something “practical” and “safe” like Accounting. After spending 2 semesters studying business, although I like it, I do not have that same drive and motivation that I did when pursuing medicine and realized that I still want to continue my path as a doctor. With a 3.8 GPA, My plan is to still major in Accounting while being on the premed track. My worry, however, is that I’ve only taken Bio I and Chem I w/ Lab and I would be a Junior by the time I re commence my pre reqs. I mapped it out myself and believe that I can definitely finish the pre reqs before finishing college but I would like to know if I can declare it or would it be in my best interest to stick with only Accounting?
There isn’t really such a thing as “declaring pre-med.” UCF might require you register with their pre-med advising office (or whatever they call it) so that they know who they need to help but every school is different in terms of what they might ask of you. I recommend you do that because I don’t know anything about UCF and their accounting requirements and it sounds like you are limited in terms of course planning options so you need guidance from people there.
Pre-med is an intention; it’s not necessarily a major; (Although at UCF, it appears to be.) You don’t need declare pre-med status to anyone unless you’re changing your major.
You can be an accounting major and a pre-med at UCF if that’s what you want to do. You don’t need anyone’s permission–although as business major you may find yourself last in line to get a spot in science classes.
Really, the decision to pursue pre-med or not is entirely up to you. Just realize that applying to med school is big risk for everyone, with only about 40% of applicants getting an acceptance. Have a Plan B.
Also, remember getting a med school acceptance is not a race. Take as much time as you need to do well in coursework and to develop the expected pre-med ECs (physician shadowing, clinical volunteering/employment, community service with the needy, clinical or lab-based research, and leadership roles in your ECs.) Med school will still be there you’re ready.
Side note–I hope you have your mental health issues under control. Medical school is a pressure cooker and the #1 reason why med students drop out (and fail out) is mental illness.