<p>My daughter is a doolie and is contemplating attending medical school after graduation. Which major at the academy will best prepare her for medical school and maximize her probability for selection for a medical career? Her initial thought was to major in chemistry but others have recommended biology and biochemistry. Thanks.</p>
<p>I've heard of a lot of people doing biology and biochem.</p>
<p>There's a seminar this wednesday to talk about opportunities in medical careers if she's interested.</p>
<p>Hornet may want to jump in here but I would say major in what she finds most interesting - while being mindful of course requirements for medical school including chem through organic. In my experience being a cadet is already a big hook ( since there so few within the overall candidate pool they're truly unique ). I took about 70 hours of chem (my major) and biology as an undergrad but then found the first to years of medical school to be somewhat repetitive and dull. In retrospect, I should have taken less science.</p>
<p>Biochem (my major) is usually said to be best. Over the years, a FULL 100% of qualified biochem majors who applied to med school were able to go. However, plenty of biology majors have too. The major doesn't matter as much as long as you take the requirements (biology, organic chemistry, etc. ) and have the grades (3.5+ realistically). She needs to choose the major she wants to do though. I will say that last fall, 50% of the people that took organic chem (100+ people took it) got a D or worse (1/3 failed). Organic is the main wall for med school wannabes here. If you'd like, I have a couple long PMs that I have sent to people in the past on my experience, purpose, and the med track here. PM me if you'd like those.</p>
<p>missmuff and gasdoc, thanks for the replies.</p>
<p>Missmuff: can you tell me the time and where the seminar will be? As a doolie she is finding it difficult to approach upperclassmen for advice, hence I'm asking some questions for her.</p>
<p>Gasdoc: I told her to look up some med schools and see what their entrance requirements are. There is also a publication on the American Association of Medical Colleges that might be worthwhile to get. I think she enjoys chemistry but she has heard there are opportunities to shadow physicians for biology majors which may demonstrate her motivation for the career.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Hornetguy, sent you a PM. Thanks.</p>
<p>"To all cadets interested in going to dental school, medical school or nursing school after graduation from USAFA:</p>
<p>WHO: YOU!!<br>
WHAT: Seminar – Introduction to the Health Professions
WHEN: 1950-2043, Wednesday 20 August
WHERE: 2P358, Fairchild East
WHY: Come learn about health care opportunities in the Air Force.
SCA: 03-52</p>
<p>Dr Helen Pigage and Maj Tim Filzen
Health Professions Advisors"</p>
<p>AFA in the big scheme of things resides within a minority of colleges and universities where grade inflation isn't the norm. That said an applicant from AFA or a ivy in NJ for example will be given serious consideration with a GPA <3.5, but ideally you need to try keep the variance a small as possible. I loved organic Hornet...P Chem for me was the real challenge.</p>
<p>Indeed. I loved orgo. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the Shrodinger equation!</p>
<p>My favorite chemistry courses were Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis. I enjoyed the hands-on aspects of using NMR, gas chromatography, mass spec, etc and the "CSI" aspect of the challenge. P Chem was the most difficult course in my opinion, and my grade proves it.</p>
<p>lol, I have a feeling it will be the same here. I did the NMR, GC/MS, FTIR, and all that jazz in organic, in the analytical we only used vis specs, titrations out the wazoo and a little of some other stuff. I finally understand Shrodinger's equation as of today. Good class!</p>
<p>Ah, titrations...
"Why did this solution just turn black? I haven't done the titration yet..."<br>
"You just poured the indicator into what it indicates."
"Well, at least we know it works!"</p>
<p>...and now you know why I'm a Military History major.... ;)</p>
<p>Organic Chemistry is the make or break course for premeds while Physical Chemistry weeds out those who will not succeed as Chemistry majors. I loved both courses and delighted in finding ways to do P. Chem problems in ways that were shorter than those of my professors. Now, as a college chemistry professor, I try to impress upon my students the need to work at Organic Chemistry EVERY day to build a repertoire of organic reactions that is used in synthesis. I love synthesis and enjoy teaching students retrosynthetic analysis - the need to work backwards in planning a synthetic scheme of a compound. </p>
<p>To all Organic students, do not panic but practice - your hard work will be rewarded! </p>
<p>Good luck to all premeds! Go Air Force!</p>
<p>Orgo seemed so logical for me. I got the reactions down fast and applied them well. Synthesis was my favorite, especially when we had to do synthesis in the lab. Good times.</p>
<p>First time I've ever seen the words "orgo" and "Good times" in the same post....;)</p>