Questions about PreMed at Notre Dame???

<p>Fruff,
The amount of time you'll have to do other things outside of academics will depend on you and how much time you need to study. It takes most people a TON of time. To my knowledge, many biochem kids around the country and at ND do participate in heavy research. Although I'd say that if you're that interested in lab stuff are you sure you want to be an MD? Are you really interested in PhD programs? Medschools love students who do research, but most of my friends who have been accepted haven't done any. It's just as important to have community service/ ECs. </p>

<p>I think I have pretty much chosen a medschool. While WUStl was a nice school, it wasn't my favorite and the students seemed really competitive and cut throat. I'll post when I make my final decision. Why would you choose WUStl?</p>

<p>Princess,
You would probably know more about this than me, but apparently when you are applying to medical school you need some type of recommendation from your undergraduate school. I believe some schools have a committee that does an interview and then the committee writes the recommendation and some schools have you as an applicant develop a personal relationship with one person who will then write a more personalized letter. How does Notre Dame handle this recommendation?</p>

<p>Further, I know that some schools don't even recommend all of their students who want to apply to medical school. They only recommend students with certain GPAs or MCATs and then, when those students are all accepted to medical school, the undergraduate school gets to say that some huge percentage of students gets accepted to med school; essentially they inflate the percentage of accepted students by limiting who can actually apply. Does Notre Dame do anything of the sort or have you found them to be exceptionally helpful to you and all of your peers as you go through the application process?</p>

<p>One last thing; i know this is getting really long. At many schools competition among the premed students is very high. Does the "family feel" of Notre Dame apply to these premeds as well? Do you feel that your premed peers have been helpful to you or that you have competed with them for positions in medical school?</p>

<p>@princess:</p>

<p>WUStL has very good research opportunities, is ranked very highly in all lists for med schools (3 on USNEWS).</p>

<p>Any med school is cutthroat in some way. If you're at the #3 med school, expect a lot of smart people in challenging atmosphere. WUStL's undergrad is consistently hailed as one of the most cooperative/friendly atmospheres for undergrad. I don't know how this translates to their med school though.</p>

<p>Feedme,
Your worries are all very legitimate, but I must reassure you that at ND these things aren't really an issue. Notre Dame's premed students are naturally competitive; they're very driven people and sometimes this leads to some friendly competition. But, I feel that I have been quite supported by my premed friends, faculty, and our advisors. They want you to get into medical school, end of story. At Notre Dame your advisor wants to get to know you. You fill out an intent to apply form in your junior year and your advisor interviews you and writes your letter. Everyone gets a letter that is applying during that application cycle. You add 3-5 other letters to your advisor's to complete your recommendation "portfolio". </p>

<p>In addition, it is important to note that ND is a very competitive premed school, and most students score well on the MCAT. Also, even a student with a 3.2 at Notre Dame is more likely to get in than a student with a similar GPA at a less competitive school because of our reputation. Our advisors are quite honest with ND students, however, and will let you know during your interview whether or not it is smart for you to apply during a particular cycle and provide pointers for improving your overall portfolio. I think it is in this way that ND is better than most other schools. </p>

<p>I am testament to the success you can achieve in the premed program at Notre Dame, it's a fantastic program. :) Oh, BTW, got into UCLA too.</p>

<p>afruff:
Rankings provide little satisfaction if you're in a school you hate. I have dozens of friends at prestigious schools who are miserable. </p>

<p>Another thing, when you're applying to schools, you actually get a chance to visit all of them for interviews. As such, I was able to form MY OWN OPINIONS about every school, and Wash U wasn't for me for the reasons I specified above. You absolutely cannot judge a medschool by its undergrad attributes. In addition, for me personally, I wanted a med school where students worked as a team. Of course a healthy level of competition among the oh-so-driven is fine, but it is an absolutely incorrect overgeneralization to say that all medschools are cutthroat. If you're lucky, in a few years you'll be in my shoes and make your own decisions. :)</p>

<p>I agree with you, but I hope you understand what you're getting yourself into by going to med schools which are not ranked/prestigious as WUStL. Unless you're trying for one of the easier residencies, it will be a pain to get placed into the residency of your choice unless you have EVERY advantage possible (high USMLE, good med school, good research, good GPA,etc.).</p>

<p>What do you plan to specialize in? I think that would be my biggest factor when choosing a med school.</p>

<p>how was your financial aid for the past four years at ND?</p>

<p>someone,
My EFC was pretty high so I didn't receive much. How did you make out?</p>

<p>hey princess. i officially sent in my enrollment to ND this past monday. i was wondering if you think it's possible to complete a double major in biology and music and maybe complete an STV minor. do you know people who have done such a thing and if so were they extremely stressed out with no free time whatsoever or no time to volunteer and do research?
thanx for your time.</p>

<p>PrincessND,</p>

<p>What, in your opinion, is an acceptable GPA coming out of ND and going into Med School? I'm just curious :)</p>

<p>Hi Chinesehog,
I think that's an excellent combination, and I would say that med schools would be impressed with your diversity of interests. I would recommend you trying it out first. Take some music classes and an STV class with some sciences and then decide which route you want to declare. Experience is the best gauge. :)</p>

<p>You might want to think about doing ALPP/music with a minor in STV. This might be an easier combination and give you more time.</p>

<p>lh2007,
At Notre Dame, 95% of people with a 3.5 (overall) or above got into a med school last year. If you're looking for a top medschool though, bump that up to 3.8 and above. If there's a particular medschool you're interested in, let me know and I can get you that info.</p>

<p>thank you very much.</p>

<p>Hi Everyone,
I'm back from all of my post-NDgraduation travelling and I've noticed that there are some pre-med related posts on here. I'm going to ressurrect this pre-med forum, so please feel free to ask any questions and I will respond. Also, I will be posting some PMs i have received and responded to (pending approval from their original senders, of course) that I think will help some of you prospective premeds. Peace. :)</p>

<p>Yay! Hope you had fun! :)</p>

<p>Hi PrincessND, I intend on pursuing ALP2 at ND and I had some concerns/questions. </p>

<p>1) I've always wanted to become a doctor and I don't think that will change, but my concern is if I have what it takes. I know that where there's will, there's way and stuff, but I've heard many instances where many students choose to drop out of med school or during their residency for whatever reasons. My humble dream is to become a surgeon. I've been to open heart surgeries, I ocassionaly watch surgical videos on the Internet, and have dissected animals (in ap bio class!). However, I know that's not what it takes to become a doctor. </p>

<p>So my questions is, am I alone in this? </p>

<p>2) What major is more advantageous per se for med school? some say that non-science major pre-med student stands out more and therefore might have better chance of being accepted than a science or math major. Is that even true?</p>

<p>3) How hard is keeping up with ALP2? I think I will join choral clubs at ND since I've been in chorus since middle school. Does pre-med studies affect social life? How challenging is studying?</p>

<p>Thanks SO much for helping me out! I really do appreciate your offer to help pre-med students!!!</p>

<p>Welcome back PrincessND! I still have yet to receive my schedule, but I'm just glad that you're back to help us :) Have you decided on your med school yet?</p>

<p>YAY!!! You have made an excellent decision by persuing ALPP in my completely biased opinion. Your first question is amazing, because you are keenly aware of the closet insecurities we all have. What are you coming down with here is called "the imposter syndrome" and it's very common among the super-talented. When you're competing with so many amazing people, it's easy to feel as though you're not cut out for it. But you are. :) Let your passion set you apart and let it drive you. You'll do great. </p>

<p>It's hard to say what's "most advantageous" for medical school. Different schools place different priorities on different things. I would say that with my background, I did very well. But again, med schools are looking for academic excellence, so make sure you choose something that you will do VERY well in. In my opinion, we do the best when we do what you love. Trust me on this one. Let me just tell you that i have pre-med friends from all different academic backgrounds, and I personally only know one person who didn't get accepted to at least one medschool. ND will get you there. STOP WORRYING. </p>

<p>Does a non-science premed stand a better chance? I would say, maybe, that is, if they're excellent at whatever they majored in. Most people applying to medical school are science majors, especially those coming from the huge state schools like Berkeley. Therefore someone who is a Theology major stands out automatically. Would a theology major with a 3.4 get in over a Biology major with a 4.0? Probably not. </p>

<p>ALPP can be difficult, but it's much more doable than the other tracts IMO. ONe of the most difficult adjustments you must make in coming to college from high school is time management. BUt there is plenty of support availble at ND for you, which sets it apart from most other top schools. (First year of studies gives free seminars and personalized help in time management.) Once you get that time mgmt. down, you will be able to partcipate in ECs. Premed does involve some sacrifice socially. IF you have a chemistry test the following week, you might find yourself studying through the weekend. But then the next weekend, you will be able to have fun. It's probably fair to say that pre-meders party less than most others. BUt we're an exclusive club. :) </p>

<p>Your science classes (most of them) will be tough. BUT YOU WILL BE FINE!</p>

<p>I will be attending University of Chicago. :) So excited.</p>

<p>congrats princessnd!! i've been reading through this post--you've been a blessing</p>

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<p>Hi Princess-been reading this post over the months and now have a question for you...freshman daughter home on fall break and is wondering with a SCPP and Music double major, what kind of GPA do you think is needed for the big four Chicago med schools? (Northwestern, Loyola, Rush and yours, Chicago) Any thoughts on this would be so appreciated, especially in light of the recent mid-semester grades just posted!!! And, best of luck to you!</p>