Advice?

[HeatherB1192]

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So.. I need some advice on what to do.
We have a program at our school where we are able to go to this other school called Central Campus. They offer different programs to be in like health care, fashion, mechanics.. etc.

A lady came and talked to us today and was telling us how we can sign up for the health care program. On Mondays and Fridays we would be in class, learning, taking tests.. and Tuesday through Thursday we would be at hospitals.. shadowing, asking questions, etc. You rotate through different departments.. so I could be in the ER, watch a open heart surgery, be in the delivery room.. etc etc..

The thing is it will take up 3 class periods and there is only 7 in a day..
So I would have to give up some of the classes I was going to take..

Here's what I was going to take..

AP English (Required/College Credit)
Pre-Calc (Required)
Government and Weightlifting (Required)
Then I can pick only one class from the ones I wanted to take..
Anatomy and Physiology (College Credit)
Bio-tech (College Credit)
AP Chemistry
AP Spanish 4 or AP Physics..


So.. Would it be worth it to go into that program? Or Take all the classes I wanted to and get college credit..

I want to do both but I can't.. and if you think the program would be more of a benefit which one class should I choose from?
Thanks!

 

[Maygyver]

Hey, we had a program at our school like that but I didn't know anyone that did it. Honestly, I would probably just do your regular schedule. I say this because you can always shadow on your own time, and by doing AP classes and other college credit courses, you can save time in college to do more than just shadowing. With the time saved you would have more free time to study and do research if you were interested. Just my perspective though.

 

[pressmom]

Given what I've heard all the med people say on here is that HS shadowing experiences don't go on your AMCAS. (Am I correct on this one guys?) So, that being said, I'd go with taking your regularly planned schedule. You can always make contacts and do shadowing on your own. (Your family doctor or any parents' friends or friend's parents that are doctors would probably be a good place to start.) Missing 3 hours that frequently sounds like an awful lot!! Plus, once your in college and over 18, shadowing, research, and other experiences will be easier to come by and hopefully your college load will be lighter because of what you have done in HS.

 

[Maygyver]

Given what I've heard all the med people say on here is that HS shadowing experiences don't go on your AMCAS. (Am I correct on this one guys?) So, that being said, I'd go with taking your regularly planned schedule. You can always make contacts and do shadowing on your own. (Your family doctor or any parents' friends or friend's parents that are doctors would probably be a good place to start.) Missing 3 hours that frequently sounds like an awful lot!! Plus, once your in college and over 18, shadowing, research, and other experiences will be easier to come by and hopefully your college load will be lighter because of what you have done in HS.

👍
The shadowing could be useful just to see if you enjoy the job of doctors, but I don't think it's worth it to miss out 3 class periods. Very good point Press.

 

[cajunchrisbu]

don't do it. High school is completely meaningless in the medical school admissions game. Now that is not saying that what you are considering doing or what you are learning is in vain. You are obviously a good student or you wouldnt be considering doing all of that but in the end it is pointless in medical school admissions.

Seriously the biggest favor you can do yourself is take it easy in highschool and enjoy the last fleeting moments of your childhood before you are forced to grow up in the pre-med track. Seriously don't do anything in your time before college but focus on keeping your grades up and doing well on ACT ect...

be a slacker

(I got accepted to medical school this year and this is how i handled highschool)

 

[MilkmanAl]

I'm gonna go with chris on this one, for the most part. I'd stick with your planned schedule - which looks great - and get your clinical experience (shadowing, volunteering, and/or working) going in college.

 

[RemiJP]

So.. I need some advice on what to do.
We have a program at our school where we are able to go to this other school called Central Campus. They offer different programs to be in like health care, fashion, mechanics.. etc.

A lady came and talked to us today and was telling us how we can sign up for the health care program. On Mondays and Fridays we would be in class, learning, taking tests.. and Tuesday through Thursday we would be at hospitals.. shadowing, asking questions, etc. You rotate through different departments.. so I could be in the ER, watch a open heart surgery, be in the delivery room.. etc etc..

The thing is it will take up 3 class periods and there is only 7 in a day..
So I would have to give up some of the classes I was going to take..

Here's what I was going to take..

AP English (Required/College Credit)
Pre-Calc (Required)
Government and Weightlifting (Required)
Then I can pick only one class from the ones I wanted to take..
Anatomy and Physiology (College Credit)
Bio-tech (College Credit)
AP Chemistry
AP Spanish 4 or AP Physics..


So.. Would it be worth it to go into that program? Or Take all the classes I wanted to and get college credit..

I want to do both but I can't.. and if you think the program would be more of a benefit which one class should I choose from?
Thanks!

I agree with what others have said - missing a lot of class for this experience wouldn't be ideal if you are interested in going the med school route. However, if you are considering any other career paths in health (nursing, rehab therapies, etc.) this is experience would be SO worth it. It's common in high school to not understand much about other health professions and to think that being a doctor is the only way to have a rewarding career in healthcare. (I certainly thought that way back then!)

 

[huskerdye]

I'd go with the regular schedule, it will give you a better background before college and this will be useless when you apply to a medical school, pt school, whatever you want to go into..

Just my two cents..

 

[HeatherB1192]

Thanks guys! I do think I'm going to stick to my regular schedule!

 

[EyEnStein 07]

if you are an aspiring pre-med student, then you have to evaluate which program will get the better science background from,