<p>I am glad to know that at W&M students have access to many different research, internship, and employment opportunities. However, I am interested in finding out more about the actual academics. As a pre-med student, I really want to focus my attention on classes like bio, chem, physics, and math. I was surprised to discover that W&M has very structured general education requirements. I would like to ask any current pre-med / bio students about how they manage their science classes with the core curriculum. Does it seem overwhelming? I realize that the academics at W&M are demanding and, as someone who wants to earn good grades, I am worried that I may be putting myself at a disadvantage by spreading my attention between my pre-med courses and less useful (yet equally demanding?) classes such as history and creative arts.</p>
<p>W&M has excellent graduate and medical school placements, so the students are successful and not overburdened with GERs (core curriculum). W&M prides itself on the GERs and producing well rounded graduates. I wasn’t a science student, so I can’t help you with specifics… but you should rest easy knowing that tons of W&M students before you have been successful in their science classes, completed their GERs, and gained acceptance to excellent post-undergrad programs.</p>
<p>That said, I’m sure some pre-med students feel overwhelmed at some points like exam season, but I don’t think that is unique to W&M (and not unique to pre-meds either).</p>
<p>you can also get credit for some GERs through AP/IB exams, if you are taking any of those.</p>
<p>The General Education Requirements take only one-third of the course work that students need to graduate leaving you 2/3 of your time for your pre-med courses and other electives (keep in mind most majors also require only 1/3 of the course work you need to graduate although bio is an exception to that). Additionally, 3 of the GER classes are in the math/science area so they can count towards both your GERs and your pre-med course work.</p>
<p>Additionally, successful results on AP exams can give you credit for some GERs as an incoming freshman so you may not have to complete every single course.</p>
<p>One thing you can do is search through the Course Schedule and choose classes that fulfill two GERs; for ex., ANTH 342 counts for both a GER 3 and a GER 4B. You might also choose your Freshman Seminar the same way and find one that counts for both the Freshman Seminar AND a GER. For GER 6, you can take music lessons (for example, a group guitar class) and get that out of the way, even though you have to pay extra for music lessons, $300 or so a semester. </p>
<p>You actually might enjoy some of the GER classes, but if you are worried, then try the above shortcuts and think about going to summer school, too.</p>
<p>You can also contact the pre-med advisor, Dr. Bev Sher. She can explain to you how most pre-med students tackle the GERs and their pre-med requirements. I think most students do it with relative ease as long as they are thoughtful planners in terms of course selection each semester.</p>
<p>I have a son and a daughter both interested in going to med school. One is a WM grad, one is a current WM student. Both have been able to work in a hospital to get first hand experience in the medical field while taking the required classes. It is possible! The oldest was able to graduate in 4 years and is now deciding between med. school admission offers. While going through the interview process admissions people would often comment on being familiar with the programs and rigor of WM. I am not going to say that their college years were easy but both of my students knew the work was going to be hard. They are both also involved in clubs as well as greek organizations on campus on campus so they were able to also have fun while working towards their goals. General Education classes added to their overall program instead of getting in the way.</p>