Am I in the right place?

[encyclo1782]

Hi SDN,
I am currently a freshmen attending Northeastern University for those who are familar with this college you would know that it is typically a five year undergraduate school due to its emphasis on Co-op, which gives you workforce exposure in your major. My dilemma in attending Northeastern is that, I wonder if this the place for me, a student who is pursuing a career as a Pediatric Surgeon.? The vibe that i get is not as supportive to those who are "pre-med" this is in quotes because pre-med is not a true major here. You just take the required courses and major in anything else. I am thinking of transferring to a college that has more supportive services for pre-med majors and that is not 5yrs. I would like anyone's input in this present situation that I am in. Also some suggestion on colleges that are geared to my intended aspirations and are also in the Boston area, Thank you all. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

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[SMW]

Stay right where you are! You really don't need "supportive services" to be pre-med, and you certainly don't want to be anywhere where they let people major in "pre-med." (SDNers: Do such places really exist? I certainly hope not!!) Taking the required courses and majoring in anything else is what you're supposed to do! Really, do what you want to do, go where you want to go (hey, wasn't that a Beatles song?). I think people who major in non-sciences even have a slight edge statistically in acceptances. As long as you do well in the required courses and the MCAT, and add in a fair amount of extracurriculars and volunteering (OK, maybe research too, but that's not my thing, and lots of people get into med school without it), you'll be just fine. Do what you want to do because you want to do it, and not because it will get you into med school, and everything will fall into place. (I think )

Oh, and welcome to SDN -- where you'll find all the supportive services you'll ever need!!

 

[serpiente]

Seriously, most schools are not that "supportive" to pre meds. In example a liberal arts college will force you take extra requirements on top of pre med requirements. Also many premed advisors (like the one I had) are really not that informed or supportive. Some schools won't even allow you to be premed or wont write you a letter of recommendation to medical schools when the time comes because your GPA isn't high enough. Some schools offer MCAT prep classes on campus, many don't. There is no pre-med major at ANY school. Anywhere you go, you have to choose a major and take bio, chem and physics. That's the way it is. Also the five year thing is not a big deal, it;s actually better. Medical schools appreciate slightly older candidates with real world (ie your co-op ) experience. So if you're thinking of transferring do it for the right reasons, YOU don't like your location, the school, etc.. I live and attended school in the greater Boston area and I loved it. But there are plenty of good premed programs throughout the country.

 

[pre-hawkdoc]

Originally posted by serpiente:
•There is no pre-med major at ANY school.•••

This actually isn't true. There ARE schools that offer a "pre-med" degree. I echo SMW in that I really don't understand/agree with it, but I am aware of a few schools at which it does exist. It seems to me as if it's setting students up for failure (what type of job do you get with a degree in pre-medicine if you don't get into medical school???) but the fact remains that it is out there. Just wanted to set the record straight. Peace.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

I think I have good advice on this--listen in.

AFTER I applied to my undergrad institution (top 3 in primary care) and got in, I realized much to my dismay that they don't offer a "pre-med" major. I actually spoke to a premed advisor about this issue. She said that this university DOESN'T WANT to have a pre-med major in the interest of it's premed students. You see, if you MAJORED in pre-med, and applied to med school and didn't get in, where would that take you in life on a tangible career path? What sort of a job can a "premed" get in the work force?? They wanted to make sure that in the event that we don't get in, and have to take a year or two off, having persued (sp??) another major would benefit us more in terms of having a temperory direction. Hope that makes sense.

Having said that, I think you are in the BEST situation. Not only do you have a good program that will offer you premed classes, but it also allows you to do internships etc. Most of us have to do search for these experiences on our own. I assume you will be able to pick which place you want to work at, and get credits for it on your transcript, much like I did.
Anyway, just my two cents--stay put where you are!

Tweets

 

[Mango]

You're getting good advice. Premed majors are offered at very few schools. U. of Dayton has the only one I know of, and we have a handfull of graduates from there that have told stories about Premed majors who didn't get in anywhere. That is a big problem. Better to have majored in something you are interested in. That may be Bio or chem, but if you like literature, or history, nothing should stop you from majoring in them.

Also, use that extra year to your advantage. Can you study abroad during it? Or maybe get a job that involves biotechnology or research. All of those would considerably increase your chances of getting into med school. Good Luck

 

[encyclo1782]

Hi,
Thank you all for your suggestions on my dilemma. I feel that I must clear something about my situation, I do not feel Northeastern is unequipped for pre-meds like mysef, due its lack of a pre-med major, but due to its 5yr graduating time, the lack of interaction amongst my peers on campus, the amount of student as well as my roommates' substance abuse, and to what I see in Tuft, their advisors truly cares for the whole of the undergrad class unlike Northeastern University's advisors.

 

[Nikki]

Wait a minute wait a minute . . .

I too attend Northwestern and am suprised by your perception that this is a 5 year institution. Yes, Co-opers are here for 5 years, but co-opers are a minority of the student body and do so by choice. Double majors might be here for 5 years but pre-med is not a double major. It can be easily incorporated into many majors. What exactly is your major? Are you in tech? If so, it's simple. Do not co-op. Almost everyone that I know is graduating in 4 years unless they're double majoring, are co-op, or messed up royally. Feel free to Private message me if you want any other opinions of mine. But first hand, do not worry about finishing in 4 years. I know a lot of people that finish in less than that even.

 

[Katie]

Northwestern=school in Chicago area
Northeastern=school in Boston area

To the person from Northeastern; I think that you have several issues with the school that you may need to think about in making a decision to transfer elsewhere. I gather from your message that you are thinking about transferring to Tufts; their undergrad is great and many pre-meds from Tufts get into Tufts med. So that might not be a bad option for you if you want to stay in the Boston area. Neither school offers a pre-med major; I think that issue has been explained very well. good luck to you.