A Little Advice

[americanangel]

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Hey all,
I'm new here and actually I just found the site last night while I was looking around the net for some good pre-med info and job down in FL for the fall....
Let's see, right now I'm waiting for college to start. I'm a freshman in FL and I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on what to do and when????
Well I guess what I'm trying to say is, WHAT A GOOD PLAN OF ATTACK??? 😕 Everything that I've learned about getting into med school I read on the net and I was wondering if you guys could give me some real advice??? How do you go about getting research opportunities??? How early is too early to start studying for MCATs???? Does quality in out of school activities really count more than quanity??? Oh yeah and how important is your major??? I knew that I wanted to major in bio (not to be boring or anything) but I always liked bio....Also I want to minor in Spanish...Do you think its better to have a double major or the minor and major is alright????

I have a lot more questions were that came from but its a start....

I really love this site and I know I will be posting a lot more during the next 4 years!!! Early thanks to all those that relpy!!!!

 

[Kovox]

You don't have to be a science major. If I had known that, I would have been a theatre major and just took the pre-req. Major in what you enjoy and make sure you do well in your
pre-reqs.

In terms of activities, quality is better than quantity. Do something you're passionate about. I never did like the pre-med socieites on campus...complete waste of time. Be innovative in your activities - don't be a follower, and not just be a leader - be a leader that steps out of the traditional "President" role of roll calling or coming up with everyday activities like trips to visit med schools - be a leader that finds a problem you are passionate about and make a change. It will give you something to talk about during interviews and your motivation will shine through.

During the summer, experience some things. Try Cornell's pre-med seminar program. Apply for Yale or NJ's program that will give u a taste of what med school will be about. It's a great way to give u an idea of waht you'll be doing as a physician and you'll get to meet admissions people and speak to them...obtain first hand knowledge of what they want and who they seek.

If you're totally sure you want to be a doctor. Look into accelerated med program that will allow you to transfer over to their 6 year med program as long as you are under a certain amount of credits. An example would be Boston U's Med Program.

I think a good time to begin studying would be summer of the year before you want to take the exam. I took a prep course that summer, and during the semester, studied on my own.

In terms of studying in your pre-req classes, aim to understand. Ask your professors if they need a lab assistant. Apply for HHMI fellowships. Do an Honors Thesis. Research was one of the most important things that I've done. It really helped me to interpret data and analyze them....which in my opinion, was an important part in doing well on the MCAT along with constantly asking why why why and why.

 

[americanangel]

Hey Thanks for the reply....
Yeah I've always liked bio thats why I decided to major in it. I know that everyone says major in something you like but I'm really not into history or english. I guess the only other topic I was interested in is Spanish, but I would much rather have a science background...
Thanks for the info on the research programs...I really never knew that they were many out there...I guess its really search and find...Hopefully I'll find one!!!!
Anyway for the six year programs and things, I did want to enter an acclerated program but I ran into a couple health problems and it sort of directed me to Florida...The only program I beleive in Fl was Miami and I really did not want to attend a large university...Thats why I choice a smaller school....Anyway I guess I'm lucky though...In high school I took college classes so now even though I'm a freshman I have sophmore standing...I still plan on taking the four years to finish college since I really do want to volunteer during the year and find enough opportuties to put a nice application together!!! I figured that I might as well you the time wisely since I have!!!!
Anyway thanks again for the input!!! The info on the research really helped I'm going to keep that in mind!!! Thanks again!

 

[Kovox]

If you look on the bullentin boards in the science buildings, researchers are always posting for lab assitants. However, when you inquire about the position, make sure that you're given a research project or you're taking part in a research project. Don't do it if your sole job is to wash glassware or run to the library to look up information for the researchers.

Another thing, check out Yale Biostep summer program. It' a great program and the mentors they hook you up with are people who are really interested in you learning and excelling. It's hard to express just how wonderful these mentors are...

 

[JM.]

Study hard, keep an open mind, choose a few EC's you really enjoy, do well on the MCAT, submit everything on time, and have fun.

 

[Explosivo]

Originally posted by americanangel
I'm a freshman in FL and I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on what to do and when????

Make contact with a pre-med advisor during your first year. They will help you significantly in this regard. Also check out amazon.com for books on applying to med school.

How do you go about getting research opportunities???

Talk to your science professors and see what they do. There are also plenty of summer research opportunities through programs like Howard Hughes. Also, many schools offer course credit for doing research. Usually there is a list of labs looking for undergrads. Again, ask your pre-med advisor about this.

Not everyone does research but try it once to see what it's like if you can.

How early is too early to start studying for MCATs????

Well, since you're just starting college, the word MCAT shouldn't even be in your vocabulary right now. It's way too early. My advice would be to finish your pre-reqs Bio, Gen Chem, Organic, and Physics and then start studying for it about 3-4 months before you plan to take it. Some study less, some study more, but I think 3 months is a good rule of thumb.

Most take it in the April of their Junior year. Most are usually just finishing Physics II by this point so it's convenient as the physics part should be somewhat fresh for you.

Does quality in out of school activities really count more than quanity???

I'd say yes. Don't spread yourself out too thin. Involve yourself in activities that you truly enjoy and that you really want to make an effort in. This way you'll get something out of them and will be able to talk about them in depth when it comes time to apply.

Oh yeah and how important is your major???

Not particularly important. Major in something you like and pursue it. Just make sure to include your pre-med requirements in the course of your studies.

I knew that I wanted to major in bio (not to be boring or anything) but I always liked bio....Also I want to minor in Spanish...Do you think its better to have a double major or the minor and major is alright????

Major in bio then.

Also it's not a question of what I or anyone else thinks. What do YOU think? Is a double major something you want to do? Consider the time committment of doing such a thing and ask yourself if you feel it is worth the effort.

Learning spanish though is a major plus but you need not major in it to learn how to speak it.

My major piece of advice for you is to stay in touch with a pre-med advisor to help you build a plan for the next few years. I cannot stress this enough. I didn't decide to go pre-med till my Jr. year and it was a complete train wreck the first time I applied. There was just so much I missed out by not being on the pre-med track from the beginning that I had to take time off and go back to address things I missed.

The other piece of advice i can give you is do not tailor your pre-med years for the sole purpose of getting into med school. THe key is to be active and involved in activities you enjoy, do well in the classes that you take, and get clinical exposure through some volunteer work to make sure medicine is right for you. Beyond those things, the ball is entirely in your court to do with what you will. Beyond the pre-req courses, there is absolutely nothing you *have* to do.

I know it sounds corny but follow your gut. I came into college thinking I'd go into computers b/c it was a very lucrative field at the time but that was my mind talking and not my heart. Trust you're gut, you'd be surprised how well things turn out when you do that.

Also, stay away from gunner pre-meds. If you find that the people that surround you are only able to converse on subjects relating to pre-meds or medicne, change your scene. They will drive you crazy and add anxiety and doubt to your goals. There is nothing wrong with doing well in school or scoring well on the MCAT or publishing a paper...the problems comes when one enjoys telling everyone else about it endlessly.

Good luck 😎

 

[PimplePopperMD]

Another idea is to get your hands dirty; do some clinical work as an undergrad. That way, you'll have a leg up on your fellow applicants as well as really knowing what you're getting into.

You can take an EMT (emergency medical technician) course in about 6 weeks in many community colleges. You can become a phebotomist. Patient care tech... you name it! That way, you can see what doctors really do.

Some of my collegues are unhappy with their career choice. I was lucky; even though i didn't have ANY clinical experience, and i had NO idea what a doctor did, i'm really enjoying it. Many are swept away by the presige, or "when i was small a doctor gave me a lollipop". Which is fine, but it won't sustain you through med school, or through your career.

My suggestion to all who are considering medicine as a career choice is to get into the field and experience it. Even for a week. Because you'll be dedicating quite a large chunk of your life to it (undergrad pre-med, then med school, residency, etc)... Just make sure that the WORK is what you like. Remember, not all patients are thankful... last night i had a patient curse me out because he wanted to go home. (he was pretty ill, and i admitted him for pneumonia). No thanks there!

Well, there's my two cents. All the best!

 

[americanangel]

Thanks everybody for the advice....There is a lot I have to keep in mind!!! But it sounds like its not too bad!!! I'm really looking forward to college...I'm looking forward to start a new life or sorts!!! Anyway there is a lot I still have to do and a lot I have to learn before I start panicing!!!
Once again thanks everybody...I'll keep everything you said in mind because there is a lot of good experience here that I can learn from!!
Thanks again