<p>I attend a UC and there is only one advice counselor for all the Bio majors. During my sophmore year, after looking at other majors, I decided I was interested in pursuing a medical career. So I declared my Bio major and went to see him. I'm rather laconic and after a few minutes and learning that my father is a MD the counselor assumed I wanted to go to med school only because of parental pressure and told me he thought I should not be a doctor and to do something else. He sited his own experience with his parents as a basis.
Now his snap assumptions were exactly opposite of my situation. My parents actually wanted me to look at other careers and stressed the disadvantages of being a doctor almost to the point of being discouraging. My father works 13-14hrs a day, 5 days a week plus rotating weekend and evening clinics and some holidays. I have a real desire to help people and make a difference in their health. I'm also willing to work hard and make the honor roll. I spent 2years considering what I wanted to devote my life to before making my decision. This counselor probably sees hundreds of "pre med" students but because I'm not one of those who are enthusiastically bubbling over with my devotion to humanity he dismissed me.
I am continuing on my own but feel I need personal guidance from someone who understands the system in order to stay competitive. I try to find time to research it between studying but would really like to have a good advisor or mentor to discuss whether my academic career is on the right track. Does anyone have suggestions on how to find a Yoda for a "pre med"?</p>
<p>No matter who is advisor, communication between you and advisor is the key. It appeared from your own post that you did not communicate important points to your advisor. Discussion appeared to be waste of time since it was relying on incorrect assumptions in place of solid facts that were supposed to be provided by you. Lacking facts during discussion will prevent you from getting good advice no matter who is advisor. I would try the same advisor making sure to communicate all important facts that involve in you decision.</p>