<p>i'm currently at nyu studying linguistics and economic theory. over the past few years i've had one night stands with many different career interests. but a recent volunteer stint at a hospital along with encouragement from my old pediatrician has convinced me that i was not born to be a venture capitalist/philanthropist. and i don't even think that's possible. the point is, i have finally found a career that interests me.</p>
<p>is it too late for me to jump on the premed requirements? i still need to take about 5 courses for my linguistics major (i've recently decided to drop the economic theory major). can a 3.5-3.7 student handle biology, chemistry, orgo, and physics in the last two years of college? please tell me yes</p>
<p>you also have to take all the labs for those courses. that’s 8 full (semester-long) courses + 8 lab courses. it’s probably possible, but certainly not easy.</p>
<p>It’ll be a rough go, but it’s doable. If you can swing it, an extra semester or two would be helpful, though finances may prevent you from doing that.</p>
<p>I’d continue volunteering, and I’d do some shadowing of other physicians - your pediatrician sounds helpful so perhaps ask if they know some other docs who would be amenable to letting you follow them (don’t follow your pediatrician though because you need someone who is less focused on helping you). Given your frequent flirtation with many different career fields, I think you need to keep getting exposure to medicine to make sure it’s what you think it is. </p>
<p>Also given your lack of science up to this point, you need to see how you handle/enjoy the science. It’s important, and the first two years of medical school are simply more intense, more difficult versions of undergrad courses with greater competition and a smarter cohort. If you can’t find at least some interest in these subjects, then…well yikes.</p>
<p>Assuming that you’ve had a year of math/stat and english you should be able to take bio and chem junior year and orgo and physics senior year. i’d study for the MCAT the summer after you graduate and take it in the fall. you could then look into entering a two year post bac program to do research while also taking an upper level bio class on the side each semester your first year. you’re still in a better position than one of my friends who started premed requirements his senior year and is looking into 2 extra years of college.</p>
<p>you can always take the rest of the premed courses after you graduate. There are “post baccalaureate” programs designed for people who decided on medicine too late to take all, or any, of their requirements while in college. Do not overload yourself trying to cram everything in during the last two years. You risk being overwhelmed, inappropriately deciding medicine is not for you, and perhaps ruining your GPA.</p>