Non-Science Major best for Med School

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
41

Since you have everything else lined up and are willing to go to a Caribbean or other out of country med school where it’s super easy to get acceptance, the only question seems to be which major?

Anything. Med schools do not care about major.

You really shouldn’t be even a little bit peeved at other folks posting. They don’t know you at all. They only know what you posted as you posted it. I’ve yet to see any of their advice be out of line except for taking online classes and that was quickly corrected.

I’ll add my own comment that if you get peeved so easily at something absolutely no one could understand ahead of time (no one can know what wasn’t written), I really hope you’re never a doctor I encounter, even overseas. I prefer at least halfway decent bedside manners.

42

@Creekland I’m leaning more towards med schools in Europe or Australia, as that’s where I’ve done campus tours. I am not annoyed or offended personally. But I don’t like some of the attitudes towards community colleges, I know for a fact that community colleges can be just as intense and are not “watered down” college classes. I have met many of students while attending cc and most of them were embarrassed to be receiving an education at a cc as opposed to a university because of the stigma surrounding ccs. Even as a dual credit student I was downscaled and was insulted for attending a junior college. I see the same attitude towards ccs present in some of the responses. As I’ve mentioned, I already work at a clinic, and even the toughest patients that I’ve encountered adore me. It’s a bit rambunctious to assume that I lack “decent” bedside manner. You’ve never experienced my bedside manner, and those that have has sent me thank you notes and small gifts.

43

@Beangoals
I just saw this thread and did not read all the comments.
But if you think you can get admitted to med school with what you have now, go ahead apply and if you like your aunt, got accepted to med school and become an OB/GYN without a college degree, more power to you. My question is why you waste all this time to refute all the suggestions we gave you? It sounds like you have your mind set already.
Please let us know with a posting title like:
“I got admission from Harvard or XXX med school, with non-science med school pre-req.”
BTW, I thought I was a gunhole by taking 6 credits each for summer I and II when I was in college 40 years ago, good luck with your 15 credits for each summer session plan, in addition to your around the world clinical service.

44

I didn’t think anyone put down community college here.
No one is saying you don’t work hard. But no, on an online forum of strangers, all we know is what any OP writes- and the attitude they convey.
Sometimes, it doesn’t match the reality we know of, including med school admissions. Think about it.

45

@lookingforward I agree.

46

@artloversplus it’s not that I have my mind set, I have a direction that I’m following. Any positive suggestions are greatly appreciated, however, being told that I may have ruined my chances at being admitted to a med school or that I need to take another year when I can barely afford what I’m doing now is not supportive or helpful. Also, all of this additional information had nothing to do with my initial question. I did learn something from this forum, which I am grateful for. But now I’m wondering if my chances are really ruined?! I came here for some sort of guidance, not to worry.

47

I wrote RAM before clinic (the former would be better but you could volunteer at the clinic where you work). Look into RAM.

Taking all classes quickly shouldn’t be less expensive unless your University has a fixed rate regardless of how many credits you take; Pell now covers summers but one summer counts as one semester. Rather than taking classes year round, save the money from the winter and summer session; during the winter session, volunteer full time; during the summer, find a medical internship or research position.

You’ve been lucky with your CC but you can’t assume all CC’s are rigorous; most are not, and/or are overcrowded and underfunded, and/or offer ‘watered down’ courses. Some are excellent, especially in California, and some other states have good systems too (like Virginia). Those are more the exception than the rule though.

In terms of academic rigor, our opinion or your reality don’t matter. Medical schools don’t consider CC courses as equivalent to 4-year university courses. You must have all science pre-reqs or an advanced class taken at a 4-year university. Not our rule - not one I’d make since it effectively discriminates against lower income students who are more likely to start at a CC. But it’s their rule. They have lots of them and every single one can be your downfall, in particular because the algorithm that does the first cut will look for specifics. If you don’t have the basic requirements the algorithm that eliminates about 90% applications will eliminate yours. Your accomplishments and story will never come into play. Your first task is to get your application to human eyes.

You’re wise not to consider medical schools in the Caribbean. With the system starting this year these students are likely to be entirely locked out.

In Europe and Australia though med school is a post-high school program. In the UK, it means you need to take the admissions test in June 14months before you hope to attend (ie., If you take the test in June 2020, you must apply by October 2020 to start in September 2021). Germany’s out of reach due to its waiting list system, France has just ‘renovated’ its system so nobody knows how it’ll work (and obviously you’d need to be fluent in French).

How old are you?

48

I told myself not to respond…but here I am.

Nobody is putting down CC’s. The reality is that if you want to attend a US medical school you can’t take your premed science classes at a community college.

It seems that you are very willing to attend medical school outside of the US.

49

I am curious, you stated in one of your posts that you have relatives who are doctors, so why are you not asking them questions, instead of asking questions on a forum and getting answers from total strangers that you think are providing you answers that you think are discouraging. From your posts, I get the impression that you’re trying to brag about what you have accomplished and that you think medical schools will want you. Also, since you want to go to medical school in Europe or Australia, what the folks here are telling you might only be applicable to US med schools.

50

RE: Europe or Australia for med school

Where you plan to practice medicine eventually? The US? Australia? Europe?

I have an immediate family member who is a practicing physician in Australia so I am familiar with the medical education pathways in that country.

In Australia, there are 2 education pathways for physicians: one for AUS/NZ citizens and PRs that begins immediately after high school, and one for foreigners that requires some college (but not necessarily a full bachelor’s degree). Due to recent (within the last 2 years) changes in immigration policies, foreigners attending AUS medical schools are no longer guaranteed a work visa upon completion of medical school. Visa exceptions are only granted to foreigners who agree to work in healthcare shortage areas (rural, often remote from major cities) for a minimum of 10 years. Non-citizens/non-PRs are not eligible to enter registrar (specialty) training. Foreigners are not allowed to change their citizenship status while they are enrolled in medical school. (You can be expelled if you do.)

Australia has a declared that physician is no longer considered as employment need category for immigration purposes. Australia has a physician surplus (and really bad physician maldistribution problem).

Australian educated US citizens who wish to practice medicine in the US must apply for a US residency through ECFMG and are considered IMGs, with all issues inherent to that status.

51

The fact medical schools have stringent requirements - and some posters point that out - is not a putdown.
Imo, better to find that out now.

The original situation of not getting credit for four courses is a flag. Not a slam.

52

I agree with twogirls. Medical college admissions are going to focus on two things - First (and probably most importantly): how did you perform in the prerequisite classes. Second: what else about your college experience and resume tells the personal side of you. Remember being a physician isn’t just about being academically stellar; it’s about being compassionate, resilient, curious, and kind.

53

Another post by @WayOutWestMom that should be pinned. Really good stuff, thank you.

54

When we visited med school admissions programs designed for high schoolers - this would be about 8 years ago now - one head of the (Top 10) med school told the whole group of kids he’s glad he’s not the one heading that direction now. He feels he’d have never gotten in given today’s standards - he’d be lucky to be the janitor. Those were his words, not mine.

Keep it in mind if planning on following the path the generation older than you took. Times change.

Some of the best advice you’ve received on here is to go to your own college’s pre-med or pre-health advisers and talk with them about your situation to see what they suggest. You could also check with admissions at your state med school (or probably any med school of interest). My lad found them pleasant to work with and very helpful when he needed a specific question answered - one not answerable on the website.

Regarding cc’s vs other schools. They all vary. Ccs around us are generally not as in depth as their counterpart 4 year schools. One of my lads took Bio 101 at the local CC and sat in on his brother’s Top 30 school Bio 101 (not honors - just regular Bio pre-meds and others take). He forever called his own class “Bio Lite” afterward. I asked him the difference. He told me, “In our class we were told ‘An enzyme helps with this process. In the 4 year school class they were talking about 8/9/11 (forgot the number, but multiple) enzymes, by name, and what each one did in the process.’”

All three of my lads took English 101 at the local cc. All three went to 4 year schools afterward. Not one considered their cc class to be as rigorous as what their 4 year peers had - not even when they got credit for it by the college (one college gave credit).

Personally, I can see why med schools are wary of cc classes - esp science classes. There very well may be some that are on par or better than their 4 year counterparts, esp when at lower level 4 year schools vs Top Whatever schools, but it’s really difficult to tell. Around us they are not. Around you they may be.

Not everyone needs super rigorous in classes, so having Bio 101 be Bio 101 Lite is no big deal for most folks. Ditto that with English (mine were fine having had the easier class - English in depth was not their “love”). However, if med schools decide they don’t care for those credits - well - it’s their school and their decision to make. It’s not our place to tell them how wrong they are. It seems they’ve made the compromise of merely wanting higher level classes at the 4 year to “prove” a candidate is competitive GPA-wise, so no one’s chances are ruined by it. They just need to do a little more.

FWIW, this is where it helps to have knowledge going in vs finding out after the fact. We tell our pre-med wannabes (at the high school where I work) to avoid getting cc/DE credit for pre-reqs. They should take a good class for a solid pre-req foundation, but get the actual credit at their 4 year school even if they start out at a cc first.

55

@collegehuh I am in no way trying to brag. I was asked about my background information, and I provided some minor details. I have asked my relatives, however, I wanted to hear some of the answers from the responders on this forum because I assumed they would have some current information that could possibly help. I never said that I wanted to attend an international med school, I said that I was willing to consider. Plus, it seems like a great experience overall.

56

@lookingforward It’s not that I didn’t receive credit for two classes. They could not be used to fill a core requirement for my major. However, upon speaking to my advisor today, I can use them as electives. Does that make any sense? The stem classes at my cc fill up extremely fast, and when I was trying to enroll as a dc student the only open option was biol for non-sci major. It worked in my favor as far as gaining admissions to the stem program and the college bio placement I took. But per the suggestions of the posters on this forum, I have enrolled in the BIOL I and II for sci majors at my uni. :smile:

57

I know it’s stressful to run into a pothole and hope this thread did help you. Where US med school is concerned, they hold the cards, they set the expectations, not us. See how it goes.

58

@Beangoals I just looked at the prerequisites for one of our instate medical schools. This is what I found:

English- 6 semester credits
General biology including labs- 8 semester credits
General or inorganic chemistry including labs- 8 semester credits
Organic chemistry including labs- 8 semester credits
General physics including labs- 8 semester credits
One year of college math- strongly recommended
Biochemistry- strongly recommended
At least one year of advanced science classes- strongly recommended
Other desirable courses- anatomy and physiology, cell biology, genetics, neuroscience, social sciences, statistics, biostats, sociology, psychology

AP credits are awarded if these classes were accepted by the university and if they are listed on the transcript. It goes on to say that a BA is required from a four year, accredited university.

Did you take these science classes…the ones that are recommended…physics with labs, organic chemistry 1 and 2 with labs, genetics, biochemistry etc? It doesn’t seem like you did…I have reached the point of confusion TBH.

This particular school also goes on to say that the admissions. committee seeks individuals who have a demonstrated commitment to non-medical community/social service outreach programs. I know students who attended this school…they specifically mean local community outreach type programs ( not abroad).

They make the rules. We don’t.

59

I am currently taking genetics and physics at my uni for summer 1. I have done plenty of volunteer/outreach work in my own community as well! My family has donated an acre of land to the local hospital to use for a program they’re running to help children that are at risk of diabetes and obesity learn about the importance of planting and eating healthy. I have spent about 150 hours supervising and instructing the children (accredited). I also volunteer as a tutor with the school district in my area. In addition to that, I frequently volunteer at the elderly center. The work that I’ve done abroad is accredited and has helped me as a person. While traveling, I was exposed to so many different cultures and social norms. Traveling made me secure in my decision to become a doctor, seeing all the people that lack basic resources made me realize that I need to find a way to do more for others.

60

Check the medical schools. You will need all of the classes that THEY list. You will also need all of the necessary activities, and this doesn’t include anything you did while abroad ( that type of work is not seen as a positive). And not to sound like a broken record, but you need to meet with an advisor to help you sort through all of this.

Have you taken orgo 1 and orgo 2…with labs? Biochemistry? General bio and chem ( I cant keep track anymore)?