I pretty much started over because my post was so hard to follow and understand. I got all excited and just blurted a bunch of crap out and it didn't really make a ton of sense.
Anyway, I am a junior in college and I am trying to finish up my medical school pre-reqs in order to matriculate in the Fall '10. The reason for this is that my boyfriend will be applying and moving too, so it would be best if we could apply and move together.
What I am worried about is if this is a good decision. I have to say that the bug to go on to medical school has been in me for awhile, but I've been too much of a coward to try because historically, I'm not very good at math. And of course, my poor math skills have made me not so great at chemistry, and I probably wouldn't rock out in physics, either. I am a psychology major and if I went that route I would only have a year left, but I would still be waiting for my boyfriend.
As I mentioned, I believe that finishing my classes in time to start in '10 would require that I take organic chemistry with physics. If I don't take this route, I am looking at becoming a nurse practitioner or a psychologist- but there are things about both of these careers that create misgivings within me, and I feel almost no misgivings about being a doctor, except that I can't handle the classes. I am lacking confidence about my academic ability and wondering if this is just a bad idea and a GPA destroyer.
You don't have to finish all the requirements before graduating you can do a post-bacc if that is a financially palatable option for you. The workload doesn't get any less though so your priority should be working on study effeciency and effectiveness. Don't rush yourself unless you are financially constrained to do so, you will only hurt your chances and stress yourself out.
You got in college without trignometry? Or are you in high school? I'm confused.
Regardless, you sound like you have it planned out already. Stick to the plan. This will not be the most difficult thing you ever do, just make sure to keep up with the material and don't fall behind. Chemistry isn't that hard. You could try to get a Princeton Review AP CHemistry review book, which I think would help a bit.
I had to start over a couple times... didn't follow some of it, but I think the first response is good advise - just getting the courses done is not enough, you have to do reasonably well on them. Might be wise to spread them out in a fifth year...
Chem isn't that hard, but it will be kind of difficult if you don't have a basic grasp on math. If you are a junior this year and haven't applied then you are going to have to take at least a year off between undergrad and med school.
You don't have to have all you prereqs done before you apply, just before you matriculate, so use that time to finish off your final few prereqs. Don't rush or you'll end up with bad grades that could ruin your chances of getting into med school.
Ok, I edited my original post for coherence. So that might make this a little better.
Still, I completely agree that to do this well, I should take more time. Thing is, I am only a junior in credits but I am actually a senior- this is my 4th year of college- and next semester I will be a senior in credits as well. I am mainly only talented at communicating with others and writing. (Hard to believe from my online blabbering, I know.) In high school I wanted to be a biologist or an english professor/writer. Right now all I know is that I want to help people, find intellectual stimulation...and that I want to do research, write, teach, and practice clinically. As a nurse, I could do this. As a psychologist, I could do this. I guess my issue with nursing is that I don't get to be 'in charge' and I'm such a bitch that I just hate to feel like other people can tell me what to do or look down on me. As a psychologist, I will not have the best focus on biology- neurobiology- and I really strongly feel that treatment of mental illness is not complete without psychotherapy and medication, ro at least a well developed understanding of neurobiology/medication.
So those are my qualms with the alternate career paths I am thinking of. As a nurse- eventually an NP- I am mainly interested in becoming a nurse midwife, a neonatal NP, or a pediatric NP. So my two major interests are in mental illness as well as women and childrens health.
Wow, the post is much more clear now. Thanks. My opinion is that you won't know if you can do it if you don't try. No school will accept you if they feel you won't be able to handle medical school. That would be a waste of time and money on their part, neither of which they want to lose. If you're planning to matriculate in fall of 2010, you won't be applying for 2 years almost, which gives you plenty of time to spread things out and take what you need to do well and be competitive. Of course, if money is an issue, then spreading it all out is not a good idea. If you have misgivings about being a nurse practitioner or psychologist (I am also a psychology major, and I considered getting a Ph.D. in clinical psych as well, but decided medicine was the route for me, so I know how you feel), then those aren't the fields for you. If you're sure medicine will make you happy and that it is what you want to do with your life, I think you should work hard and try to achieve that. Maybe start with one or two classes you need next semester, along with whatever else you need to take that is not premed, and see how you handle it. Also, don't be afraid to hire a tutor if you're having trouble with math. Lots of people need help, and if you can't admit it and get the help you need when you need it, you're only hurting yourself. I had a tutor the summer I took the MCAT because I wasn't great at physics and I hadn't taken physics II yet, and thanks to her I got a 12 in the PS section! Good luck!
