<p>So Ive asked around a lot and basically the main answer is, "Prepare early". People say, "Start working in clinical areas." some say "You should shadow a doctor" other say "Biomedical research isn't worth it". Now I want to ask all ucla students some questions for their opinions and suggestions...and any answers to any questions would be helpful for me and many of us. Thanks</p>
<p>What kind of major is good for medical school AND/OR for non-medical school (like bio-related fields?)</p>
<p>Shadow a doctor or work in a clinical area, how? when? where? which is more beneficial?</p>
<p>is a minor in Biomedical Research worth it only if you get published? or even if you dont get published. (and dont give me, "oh the experience is worth it" cause u get experience from anywhere really)</p>
<p>Should you really study for the MCATs by Junior year and submit by the end of Junior year? of take a "5th year" to study?</p>
<p>How is the Public Health Minor? and is it better than a biomedical research one? What are its benefits? What does it really do???</p>
<p>Is it better with two majors instead of one? and how hard will that be to manage? and should the majors be related or different?</p>
<p>Majors: double major, minors…doesn’t matter for medical school. Most important is to pursue a major that aligns with your passions; once you do so, it’s easier to perform well in the associated upper-division classes, you’ll have an easier time communicating your passion for it in essays/interviews, etc. Of course, pick a major that satisfies medical school admissions requirements (1 year of math, bio, general chem, orgo chem…)</p>
<p>Shadow/Clinical: both are good. look up the enormous activities fair during your zero week. shadowing gives you insight into what medical care/health care actually involves from the viewpoint of a physician, clinical allows you go directly contribute to health care. </p>
<p>Research: always helpful. the foundations of medical knowledge are made through basic/translational research, while medical advances can be studied through clinical research. SRP/individual school of medicine departments. </p>
<p>MCAT: if you wish to go on to medical school immediately after undergrad, take MCAT after 2nd year and apply after 3rd year.</p>
<p>Would the large gap from taking the MCAT to filing admissions be weird? Or are you saying to keep taking it until you’re satisfied after second year and then apply by 3rd year?</p>
<p>generally people take the MCAT after their second year because you’ve just finished all your prereq classes by then so the material is still somewhat fresh in your mind. i personally don’t recommend taking a year off. you can retake the MCATs.</p>
<p>MCAT scores are generally good for 3 years, I believe (or 5. check with individual med schools). what terranoxic said is true; taking it after 2nd year also allows you some time to retake if you want to. </p>
<p>my advice would be to take that whole 2nd year summer off to study for the mcat, and get it over with. juggling class and mcat is brutal. try taking a class like princeton review or kaplan to get a good study schedule and material.</p>