Advice

[JReneeM86]

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Hey I would likes some advice.. I'm a freshmen now at Wayne State University doing premed. I dont have a bio major in mind like most, I want to have a mathematics major. But I also want to take Japanese becuase I would like to do genetics research there (much later on though). I was wondering if thats to much work? Also what's a good med school to prepare for if I want to have a focus on genetics??? What are some of the things that you guys are doing as premeds or wish you would've done????

I would appreciate the advice!

 

[dr.z]

Hey I would likes some advice.. I'm a freshmen now at Wayne State University doing premed. I dont have a bio major in mind like most, I want to have a mathematics major. But I also want to take Japanese becuase I would like to do genetics research there (much later on though). I was wondering if thats to much work? Also what's a good med school to prepare for if I want to have a focus on genetics??? What are some of the things that you guys are doing as premeds or wish you would've done????

I would appreciate the advice!

I'm sure you can handle your plan if you plan carefully. If you do want to research, I would recommend you to do some research while you are undergrad (doesn't have to be genetics). Also gain strong back ground in molecular biology and biochemistry. I don't know who has strong programs in genetics, but I would say look into research oriented med schools listed in U.S. News to start with.

Interested in doing research in Japan? That will be very different. I'm from there.

Good Luck!

 

[myodana]

math and japanese? sounds like a good combination, and definitely sounds doable to me. nobody can tell you if it'll be too much for you to handle, though. if it starts to be too much and you're not doing as well as you could be, you'll know you have to cut back. as far as pre-med coursework, get those courses out of the way. you'll have no problem with the physics, but try to get your bio and chem done unless you want to do a post-bac program later on.

 

[Rendar5]

don't worry about being a pre-med. Take whatever classes you like. I took a ton of Japanese at college because I loved it. The only thing pre-med should mean is that you plan on taking basic bio, physics, chem, and english while at college, and getting an advisor. Other than that, just focus on what you're interested in and forget about the application process for the next couple years. It's a waste of time, honestly, to be focusing on med school in your first two years of school. volunteer at a hospital or shadow a doctor because you enjoy it. do research because you're interested in it. Do well in school, take subjects you like, have a fun social life. That'll be the best thing you can do toward a future as a doctor. Only start focusing on the application process after you've experienced healthcare in some way (something which reaffirms your commitment and enjoyment of medicine) and are getting toward the time you need to take MCATs.

 

[swifteagle43]

That is a GREAT choice.

Japanese and Math are GREAT majors to have for med school. See any major is good as long as you have a STRONG GPA.


And you will have a STRONG GPA if you do major YOU LIKE!

 

[Fermata]

That is a GREAT choice.

Japanese and Math are GREAT majors to have for med school. See any major is good as long as you have a STRONG GPA.


And you will have a STRONG GPA if you do major YOU LIKE!

Agreed.

Take what you like while you still can.

 

[ddmo]

Actually, Wayne Med has a very strong genetics and molecular medicine research program. One of Wayne's research focuses other than neuroscience and cancer is perinatology/genetics/ob-gyn. In fact, it is ranked #1 in the country in terms of NIH ob-gyn funding, so that is something you might want to look into. It's possible you could even do some research as an undergrad.

 

[deleted50541]

This is right up my alley. I earned a math degree with a concentration in Japanese. But I think majoring in math while turning your focus toward genetics may not be the best option. For one thing, a lot of the math you learn to get a math degree won't be useful for anything other than theoretical work. Why math by the way? What math have you already taken? Do you have any previous japanese course work?

Depending on your curriculum, my advice would be to double major in molecular genetics (or whatever they call it at your school) and japanese (if you're serious about going to Japan). Then throw in your remaining premed reqs and what ever else you need to graduate. It sounds like your already at a good school for genetics anyway.

Genki de ne!

 

[zpdoc]

Hi, I just stumbled on this thread, and I agree with others who think your idea is a good one. I was a biology majory, but I took 4 semesters worth of japanese. I ended up taking MCATs the April of my senior year, so I had and extra year during which I'd be going through the application cycle. I ended up going to Japan for that year and working in the Oncogene division of the NCCRI in Tsukiji, Tokyo. I have to say this was the single best choice I have ever made - not only did I get my name on several publications, I had a great time, improved my Japanese, and now have an instant conversation piece for any interview.

Benkyou ganbatte ne

 

[JReneeM86]

This is right up my alley. I earned a math degree with a concentration in Japanese. But I think majoring in math while turning your focus toward genetics may not be the best option. For one thing, a lot of the math you learn to get a math degree won't be useful for anything other than theoretical work. Why math by the way? What math have you already taken? Do you have any previous japanese course work?

Depending on your curriculum, my advice would be to double major in molecular genetics (or whatever they call it at your school) and japanese (if you're serious about going to Japan). Then throw in your remaining premed reqs and what ever else you need to graduate. It sounds like your already at a good school for genetics anyway.

Genki de ne!

I LUV math! I know a lot of pre meds are bio majors and I know medical schools look for students who stand out. I want them to say "oh, this one's a math major and not a bio major." Not saying that its anything wrong with bio majors. I want to be different. The most math I have taken, is Calculus AP in high school, didnt take the AP test though (kinda expensive). I think Im pretty decent in math. As for the Japanese, I have never taken any japanese classes. I have done lots of research online though. To me, its not so much the language ( though I do find it quite interesting!) I really love Japan! I want to be able to live there, commute there, experience it, anything. I think Japan is very beautiful and I hope to be able to live there or even visit there some day. Thats my motivation for my Japanese classes, in hopes that one day I will be there!

But I do thank all of you for your relplies. I just want to make sure that I dont mess up anyting that could have easily avoided..

 

[deleted50541]

Maybe I'm not understanding something, but why do you want a medical degree? It seems you would do fine to go on to graduate work in genetics research. You should probably do some searches on this site concerning working in Japan too.

Start looking into study abroad programs. There are plenty of opportunities to live and study in Japan as an undergrad.

 

[JReneeM86]

Well, for the type of genetics research that I want to do requires a medical degree. Besides if I change my mind later on down the road, my next career option would be to become a physician (not sure what type though since right now my main focus is on research). Either way, I think I'd still end up in med school.