I'm 25 and just starting to go back to college I was at a community college for about a year and a half, almost 5 years ago and had to drop out due to family. I'm ready to go back and was wondering if taking Cell bio, Chem, Chem lab, Psyc, and Math would be to much. I've read that med schools like to see 16 to 20 cr/hrs per semester. If this helps, I just got laid off from my full time job, and can finally devote myself to school. Kind of a blessing in disguise i guess. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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1st year undergrad ?'s
- Thread starter zking
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deleted36260
Do as much as you can do, while keeping your GPA up. When going back, I would take the first semester light and ramp it up assuming you get all A's.
With that said, with no job, you should be doing a lot of class and EC's. You have no excuse not to 🙂
With that said, with no job, you should be doing a lot of class and EC's. You have no excuse not to 🙂
thanks I was hoping to transfer to a four year university as soon as possible. What EC's are good to start out with?
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deleted36260
Anything that interests you.....
volunteering (medical and non medical), shadowing, tutoring once you get some classes under your belt, anything leadership based, and research later on (if you are interested in that. I have none and don't plan to when I apply this year).
Med schools want to see you are a good student and a good person. Do stuff you enjoy, so you can speak with a passion about it later on, and do things that set you apart. 🙂
Especially now that I have lost my job, I was thinking about becoming an EMT this summer. My CC offers an accelerated 8 week course in the summer. I've heard mixed feeling about whether it is worth the time to get certified or not. What do you think? Should I not and just take more classes?
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deleted36260
Your choice. I am jealous of those that became EMT's. Not because it looks good on a application, but because it would be an AWESOME experience, even if you are dealing with some morbid (and sometimes degrading) scenarios.
Become and EMT if you want another job, and you think you'd like that.
Don't become one to pad a resume. The trick with classes is to keep moving on them, but don't overwhelm yourself. You'll always be able to take another one the next semester, but sometimes you get EC opportunities that aren't as adaptable.
Good luck! 🙂
I noticed that you listed shadowing as an EC and was curious how I could set that up. Have you done it? Did you like it?
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deleted36260
I LOVE shadowing. It's like watching the learning channel in person. "Bone saw, CCCCCCZZZZZZZZZZZzz..... (OMG blood everywhere!) How cool!!". I have found most of my shadowing experience by calling around in the phone book, and then when you get one doctor, ask for recs to other doctors. Let them know how you much you'd appreciate following anyone of any speciality.
Some will argue shadowing doesn't give you a good idea of the lifestyle, and that is true to a point, but it gives a better idea than everything else besides working in that lifestyle for real. 12 hours of surgery shadowing gives you a pretty good idea of what your days could be like. And your back and feet remind you too 😉
Are the doctors pretty compassionate about your school schedule? I also have two young children to tend to in my free time. How many hours do they expect you to devote to it?
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deleted36260
The doctors themselves don't care, and the only guide line that AMCAS or any school sets is the unspoken rule of "do it until and as long as you get something out of it"
Some people setup time with a doctor reoccuring. Some, like myself, hop around more.
I mentioned my surgery day. I stayed from 7am-7pm, but that's because I wanted to.
The surgeon told me that if I needed to go at anytime I could. Other times I spent only 3-4 hours in pathology.
Just call them up, get an okay to shadow, and then get a few dates that are good for them, or give a few that are good for you 🙂
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I'm happy to hear that, I could actually call doctors in the phone book. Cause I wasn't sure about how to start shadowing, since I don't have any connections. Thank You for that post.
I'm happy to hear that, I could actually call doctors in the phone book. Cause I wasn't sure about how to start shadowing, since I don't have any connections. Thank You for that post.
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I agree with the other posts, but this is just my two sense....Yes, it is certainly good to show you can handle a full work-load of classes. BUT, my opinion is that you're better off making sure you have the highest grades possible. When I returned to school, I had some D's on my transcript and only took a few semesters of 12 units and worked very little. My only goal was to start boosting my GPA up. If you do take on 16 or 16+ units, make sure you have a balanced load of "hard" and "easy" classes.
BTW, I was never questioned about having some semesters of 12 units....I got A's in every class, though.
BTW, I was never questioned about having some semesters of 12 units....I got A's in every class, though.
You might also consult with the Pre-Med advisor at your school. UT, where I attend, has introduced a mentorship program through one of the local health organizations. Good luck in your endeavors.
I'm currently taking 14 hrs / same as last 2 semsters. In your opinion, will I be hurt taking less than 16 or so? I currently maintain a 4.0 and really don't want to overdo it. I work a full time job, have a large family and attend classes full time, PLUS I study. If I have to take more, I don't think there's any more of me to stretch!
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deleted36260
Please note my caveat, and I hope the OP did as well
Do as much as you can do, while keeping your GPA up
🙂
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I'm currently taking 14 hrs / same as last 2 semsters. In your opinion, will I be hurt taking less than 16 or so? I currently maintain a 4.0 and really don't want to overdo it. I work a full time job, have a large family and attend classes full time, PLUS I study. If I have to take more, I don't think there's any more of me to stretch!
No. I did this as well and am now about to graduate from an upper tier medical school. My strategy was to show what I could do--get A's. But I need to add that I had a little bit to prove b/c during first trip to a CC I gathered some D's. I'm not sure that would be so necessary if it I didn't have to bring my GPA up. So, I felt like I had to show my ability to get A's when I returned 5 years later. It is true that the more units you take, the better it will look. But if you're taking 14 units AND work full-time AND getting a 4.0, by opinion is that you're doing absolutely great! 👍 Just make sure you let programs know that in your personal statement and on your application. PLEASE ask others for advice on this, though...this is just my experience.
Keep up the awsome work!!! 🙂
(BTW, my point in saying I'm at an "upper tier medical school" is not to brag, but to let you know that you can take less then 16 units and go to a "competitive" medical school. I think the rankings are a bunch of BS...)
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Well School starts today. First time I have been back in 5 years. Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm think I am ready to finally start pursuing my goals! Good Luck to everybody!
