Difficulty of Pre-Medicine and Getting into Medical School

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>I was wondering how difficult pre-med was in college, and alternative majors that are good if you are considering a job in the medical field but I am unsure what I want to do. Also, how difficult is it to get into medical school? I am starting college and I am considering being a doctor, but don't know if I am smart enough. However, I am really willing to work hard.</p>

2

<p>I am just a little nervous for college, and want to do well in college. If you had any tips for college that are helpful that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.</p>

3

<p>Except for a few colleges (Penn State comes to mind), there is NO “pre-med” major so you can major in anything you want. You will have some required classes to fulfill the requirements for medical school and if you can complete those with above a 3.5 GPA (and overall), you will have your answer. Those requirements at most medical schools are:</p>

<p>1 year of Biology (with lab)
1 year of General Chemistry (with lab)
1 year of Organic Chemistry (with lab)
1 year of Physics (with lab)
1 or 2 semesters of Math (typically Calculus and or Statistics)</p>

<p>New requirements for 2015 will be Intro Psychology and Sociology also.</p>

4

<p>Nationally about 1/2 to 3/4ths of all pre-meds drop out of the track before applying. (Drop out rate varies by school.) Most drop out for reasons other than academics, though for some poor science grades are an issue. Of those who hang in there, acceptance rates vary depending on their GPA and MCAT score.</p>

<p>Look at this chart to see acceptance rates by GPA/MCAT score.</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.aamc.org/download/270906/data/table24-mcatgpagridall0911.pdf[/url]”>https://www.aamc.org/download/270906/data/table24-mcatgpagridall0911.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Medical school is a long haul. It requires smarts, good people skills, excellent time management and the willingness to jump thru the many required hoops to get there. </p>

<p>The best way to find out if you want to pursue a medicine is to shadow some doctors and see what their day-to-day worklife is like. Many high school students have this idealized vision of what medicine is and shdowing can help provide you with a more realistic and balanced view.</p>

<p>~~~~</p>

<p>And for the 2015 MCAT add biochem to the list Kdog provided.</p>