Advice

[yodzavid]

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Hello, I'm new to this forum. My name is David and I am a high school student who is interested in Anesthesiology. It is almost the end of my junior year and I need some advice from a professional. First of all, I would like to know which classes will benefit me the most in the end in high school. Next year I'm planning to take English ACE, Economics ACE, Spanish 5 ACE, Spanish 6 AP, Anatomy, Health, Trig., and Pre-calc. My second question is what I should major in college. I read a book about getting into medical school and it says that English and Journalism majors receive the highest acceptance rates. I was thinking of majoring in either Spanish and minoring in a science, or majoring in Pre-med and minoring in Spanish. Thirdly, what extra-curricular activites or jobs will help me prepare for medical school or becoming a doctor? In June I will start my volunteering at my local hospital, but I would also like to do more that involves hospital work or medical work that does not require a degree of some kind.

Thank you for your time,

David.

 

[jennyboo]

I would like to know which classes will benefit me the most in the end in high school.

The most challenging ones available to you. That's pretty much it. Don't drop any math or science if you can help it -- just take whatever math and science classes are available to you for all four years of high school and you'll be fine.

My second question is what I should major in college.

Whatever you like. I did English. Many others do sciences, languages, music, etc.

Thirdly, what extra-curricular activites or jobs will help me prepare for medical school or becoming a doctor? In June I will start my volunteering at my local hospital, but I would also like to do more that involves hospital work or medical work that does not require a degree of some kind.

That sounds pretty good. When you get to college, continue with that kind of stuff and maybe look into a research project.

 

[Gimlet]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. My name is David and I am a high school student who is interested in Anesthesiology. It is almost the end of my junior year and I need some advice from a professional. First of all, I would like to know which classes will benefit me the most in the end in high school. Next year I'm planning to take English ACE, Economics ACE, Spanish 5 ACE, Spanish 6 AP, Anatomy, Health, Trig., and Pre-calc. My second question is what I should major in college. I read a book about getting into medical school and it says that English and Journalism majors receive the highest acceptance rates. I was thinking of majoring in either Spanish and minoring in a science, or majoring in Pre-med and minoring in Spanish. Thirdly, what extra-curricular activites or jobs will help me prepare for medical school or becoming a doctor? In June I will start my volunteering at my local hospital, but I would also like to do more that involves hospital work or medical work that does not require a degree of some kind.

Thank you for your time,

David.

Hey dude,

Congratulations on being way ahead of the game and having a goal to work toward in life. It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders, so if you stay dedicated you will go far. That being said, you really don't need to worry about a lot of this stuff because it won't matter when it comes down to it.

As for your classes next year in HS, I would try to ask someone who graduated from your school and now goes to the college you want to go to. They will have a better idea than anyone on here of what you should take, and will know what classes will benefit you the most and get you the most college credit. In terms of med school admissions/anesthesiology, the only thing that might come into play is if you get a buttload of college credit from your AP tests. I came into college with 16 AP credits and 16 retroactive credits from having 5 years of German, which meant I got to register earlier than all the other people in my class and get the sweet classes that start late in the day.

College Major: Don't pick a major based on its percieved benefit to med school admissions...(this is important)...JUST PICK A MAJOR THAT INTERESTS YOU. As long as you have all of the pre-reqs for med school & good EC's under your belt by the time you graduate, your major will not matter AT ALL. Pick something that is fun, and that will give you a skill set to get a good job that you could do for the rest of your life. I was a Bio major in college, and it was a poor decision. If I hadn't made it into medical school I would have been stuck with some crappy laboratory job for the rest of my life and hated it. If I could do it all over again, I would have been a Wildlife Ecology major or something cool like that.

Volunteering at the hospital is GREAT...make sure you are doing something with patient contact and not just filing paperwork or something menial like that. You could also try to get a job as a transporter in the hospital if that service is done by employees and not volunteers. I did that for a summer in college and it was an awesome way to get a lot of exposure to all the areas of the hospital, as well as getting to talk to many patients. If you are interested in Anesthesiology, you should try to shadow an anesthesiologist a few times throughout your undergrad to see if it's something you really like. Also, read the FAQ's at the top of this forum, they're great.

 

[ultm8frisbee]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. My name is David and I am a high school student who is interested in Anesthesiology. It is almost the end of my junior year and I need some advice from a professional. First of all, I would like to know which classes will benefit me the most in the end in high school. Next year I'm planning to take English ACE, Economics ACE, Spanish 5 ACE, Spanish 6 AP, Anatomy, Health, Trig., and Pre-calc. My second question is what I should major in college. I read a book about getting into medical school and it says that English and Journalism majors receive the highest acceptance rates. I was thinking of majoring in either Spanish and minoring in a science, or majoring in Pre-med and minoring in Spanish. Thirdly, what extra-curricular activites or jobs will help me prepare for medical school or becoming a doctor? In June I will start my volunteering at my local hospital, but I would also like to do more that involves hospital work or medical work that does not require a degree of some kind.

Thank you for your time,

David.

David,
Senior year in High School......ahh the memories. First of all if you are a virgin I strongly recommend getting laid in high school. Nobody wants to be the "Big V" going into their freshman year of college. Second thing alcohol, expirement with it some now as well. Nothing is worse than the college freshman who is getting drunk for the first time (lots of vomiting,punching holes in walls, and making out with "Butther-face" girls). All kidding aside, just get good grades do some ec's and the rest will work itself out. Good luck,
Frisbee.

 

[yodzavid]

Haha, thanks everyone. I really feel like something in a medical position is the right career path for me. I believe that if I do work hard enough I can do what I've wanted to do for a while now. Right now school isn't really a challenge for me, so I'm hoping next year will a little more challenging so I can experience a bit of how much harder college may be. Anyways, thanks again.

 

[lvspro]

David,
Senior year in High School......ahh the memories. First of all if you are a virgin I strongly recommend getting laid in high school. Nobody wants to be the "Big V" going into their freshman year of college. Second thing alcohol, expirement with it some now as well. Nothing is worse than the college freshman who is getting drunk for the first time (lots of vomiting,punching holes in walls, and making out with "Butther-face" girls). All kidding aside, just get good grades do some ec's and the rest will work itself out. Good luck,
Frisbee.

I'm being serious when I say that this is the most sound advice I've read.

Do whatever interests you in undergrad, just do it well. Study your behind off for your pre-med classes, and MCAT, and blow them away. Once your in med-school, just concentrate on learning the material, and doing well on USMLE 1.
I have to reiterate the importance of having fun b/c you won't have much time in med school, and residency to do those things.
G/L man, and way to be on the ball.

 

[ThinkFast007]

hey david

most of the advice given above is solid. I especially like the part about drinking alcohol and getting laid (hahah i was the big V in freshman yr in college, i'll admit....I'll just say, things turned around real quick! )

anyways...I think you are doing a great job right now looking aheard. as stated do something fun as a major in college. Do business or somethign like that, that's out there. Believe us when we say that everyone is practically a bio major which doesnt mk for much variety. i think admissions ppl at med schools like to see 'different' college majors....but just mk sure that if you go down that road that you do well in the 'core' medschool pre-reqs.

Next...right now anesthesiology is a very competitive field. perhaps by the time you graduate from med school it will be underwater medicine...who knows? my suggestion to you is this.

kick as s on the MCATs, get good grades, apply widely to med schools. Make sure you get into a US Allopathic School. This will open a lot more doors and mk things a lot more easier down the road. Especially if you want to get into a 'competitive' specialty going to a US Allopathic School will definitely allow you to have some 'wiggle' room when it comes down to residencies and what they look for.

otherwise, keep up the good work 👍

 

[crys20]

College is all about getting a good GPA (or at least ok) and gettinga decent MCAT. Most people major in a science in ugrad because it makes life easier - the classes all overlap. But if you don't like a science, don't major in it, just make sure that when push comes to shove you're getting As and Bs (though a few Cs won't kill you, or even a D in my case), particularly in the science/math classes you take and you research the MCAT in advance - like on SDN! You'll be able to find out what methods worked for others, and be able to find a game plan for yourself that will work.

Apply to lots of schools. If you have gone through 3 years of college and you messed up a little (it happens), research osteopathic schools. My former boss was a DO anesthesiologist who even did an osteopathic res and was kicking a** and making major bank in the field. It can be done but go in with the attitude that you will have your CHOICE of med schools when the time comes. That doesn't always happen, but aim high. Just don't get discouraged if things don't go according to plan. Getting into med school is nowhere near as hard as people say, but you do need to be very focused and committed and dilligent in undergrad, which can be hard b/c there are lots of potential distractions.

Good luck!