Art student want to be doctor, possible?

[phoebelee]

Hello,

My name is Phoebe and I'm new to this site.

I recently decided/realized it would be my dream to become a doctor/surgeon(not sure), just, I would like to enter the medical field. However, I'm in undergrad film school right now in NYC, random I know. I understand the normal procedure to become a doctor is go to a undergrad university and do pre-med or take lots of bio and chem classes then take the MCAT and apply to Med school.
In my case, is it possible for me to finish up my undergrad bachelor of arts(aka film) degree and study for the MCAT, take it and then apply to meds school? Would I get in even though I didn't do a pre med program or take bio/chem classes?
Or would my best bet to be quit film school now and reapply for a university that has bio/chem classes and start all over again?
I guess what I'm trying to say is, will I still be able to get into med school without doing premed or taken bio/chem related courses in undergrad? I will be studying my butt of for my MCAT and making sure I do really well on them, if that helps.

Sorry if this is a stupid question or asked before. I just don't know where to go for this and would really like to find out.
Thank you in advance!

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[pageantry]

You need a strong GPA in college level biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry/biochemistry classes to get into medical school. As well as a good MCAT. If your school has science classes, you can take them without dropping your film degree. Just make sure you do well and don't forget all the other parts of a strong application: clinical experience, volunteering, leadership, shadowing, etc...

This site can be helpful if you're committed! Good luck!

 

[phoebelee]

You need a strong GPA in college level biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry/biochemistry classes to get into medical school. As well as a good MCAT. If your school has science classes, you can take them without dropping your film degree. Just make sure you do well and don't forget all the other parts of a strong application: clinical experience, volunteering, leadership, shadowing, etc...

This site can be helpful if you're committed! Good luck!

Thanks for your reply! However my film school/undergrad college I'm currently attending (sophomore), doesn't offer any science or math courses. Can I do a post-baccularuate program after I graduate and with that and a good MCAT score, can I get into med school. What would your advice be on my situation? Thanks again!

 

[pageantry]

There are probably lots of better people to advise you about this on this website, but if you really love film and your school, do what you're doing! And then go back and do a post-bacc, if you still really want to.

The only caveat I'd make is that if you're using student loans, it's harder to get the good loans/grants/scholarship once you have one terminal degree.

 

[NativeNonTrad08]

I personally wouldn't quit your current program to change to a pre-med program, but that's just me. At the end of the day you'll be in school just as long if you started all over again because post-bacc programs take anywhere from a year to a couple of years (2.5 in my case with a job) to complete. You also have to ask yourself why you want to be a doctor. Of course it may be a deeply personal reason, as many are. Have you shadowed a physician? I can tell you that my perception of the profession changed significantly after I shadowed a doctor for a few months. It was positive for me but in some cases people realize that it isn't for them. So before you make such a big decision you should think about talking to medical professionals, shadowing and doing your research. It may strengthen your desire or you may realize that you are much happier in film.

Lots, if not most, medical schools accept non-science major students. More schools are looking for well-rounded individuals that express passion and have interests outside the realm of medicine. Doctors are human after all. All US medical schools require a specific set of core science courses and the new MCAT has some psychology. I can tell you from experience that a post-baccalaureate program can absolutely help strengthen your application however, like pageantry said, you should gain experience in shadowing, research, volunteering, extracurricular activities etc... Although I was a biology major, I wasn't happy in undergrad and my grades suffered significantly because of it. After undergrad I worked and did a post-bacc program along with a wide variety of clinical research and volunteering and at the end of it all I've received admissions offers for this cycle. It is possible!

Here's a good resource to find post-bacc programs if you choose to do that.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Thanks for your reply! However my film school/undergrad college I'm currently attending (sophomore), doesn't offer any science or math courses. Can I do a post-baccularuate program after I graduate and with that and a good MCAT score, can I get into med school. What would your advice be on my situation? Thanks again!

Yes, you can do a post bacc after, and with a good GPA, MCAT, and personal statement you should have no trouble getting an interview. You just need to finish the basic prereqs after you graduate and get some medical experience (shadowing, volunteering, etc). A job as a scribe would be a big boost to you IMO. Once you have done all this, your answer to why medicine ought to be a lot clearer.

Take down that picture if its actually you, btw. And if that is your actual name, I would just delete this and make a new account.

 

[kenjixshadow]

Hello,

My name is Phoebe and I'm new to this site.

I recently decided/realized it would be my dream to become a doctor/surgeon(not sure), just, I would like to enter the medical field. However, I'm in undergrad film school right now in NYC, random I know. I understand the normal procedure to become a doctor is go to a undergrad university and do pre-med or take lots of bio and chem classes then take the MCAT and apply to Med school.
In my case, is it possible for me to finish up my undergrad bachelor of arts(aka film) degree and study for the MCAT, take it and then apply to meds school? Would I get in even though I didn't do a pre med program or take bio/chem classes?
Or would my best bet to be quit film school now and reapply for a university that has bio/chem classes and start all over again?
I guess what I'm trying to say is, will I still be able to get into med school without doing premed or taken bio/chem related courses in undergrad? I will be studying my butt of for my MCAT and making sure I do really well on them, if that helps.

Sorry if this is a stupid question or asked before. I just don't know where to go for this and would really like to find out.
Thank you in advance!

OP, how bad do you want to be a doctor? I'm the minority here. If I were you, I'd quit film school right now, rapidly take all the pre-reqs then follow by the MCAT, and then apply to med school. If you can handle the rigorous science schedules, you're set for med school. In fact, you can finish all of these in two years and apply for 2018 cycle. As if right now, you will take another two years to complete film school, then spend another 2 yrs doing post-back, then take the MCAT. You won't be applying until 2020 or 2021, just saying. Priority is the key.

P.s. don't forget to shadow physicians. You want to see if this is the right career for yourself.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Oh come on, there is a cute girl on SDN once in a while and you told her to be gone. JK.



OP, how bad do you want to be a doctor? I'm the minority here. If I were you, I'd quit film school right now, rapidly take all the pre-reqs then follow by the MCAT, and then apply to med school. If you can handle the rigorous science schedules, you're set for med school. In fact, you can finish all of these in two years and apply for 2018 cycle. As if right now, you will take another two years to complete film school, then spend another 2 yrs doing post-back, then take the MCAT. You won't be applying until 2020 or 2021, just saying. Priority is the key.

P.s. don't forget to shadow physicians. You want to see if this is the right career for yourself.

I agree with your plan btw. Seeing as she is only a sophmore a degree change isnt even that abnormal at this point. I know those new york film schools are fancy or something, but I would just go straight premed if that was my end game also. But I would do a bit easier degree like nutrition or allied health that has the prereqs built in, but isnt a huge weed out degree like molecular microbiology etc.

 

[mlo154]

I graduated with an English Lit degree, took a semester of grad school, then quit, then began my pre reqs. It took four years to jump through all the hoops but I was just accepted, so yes, you can do it.

I would pay attention to loans you are taking out though, once you have a degree loans and funding can be harder to come by at a decent interst rate...

Good luck if you decide to do it.

 

[phoebelee]

I agree with your plan btw. Seeing as she is only a sophmore a degree change isnt even that abnormal at this point. I know those new york film schools are fancy or something, but I would just go straight premed if that was my end game also. But I would do a bit easier degree like nutrition or allied health that has the prereqs built in, but isnt a huge weed out degree like molecular microbiology etc.

Thanks to everyone for your advice!
I was originally going to go with that plan. But my high school grades and SATs were pretty bad. So I would have to take time off to retake my SATs to apply to a normal university and start all over again.
Question, how did you know being a doctor would be it for you?
I'm going to try to see if I can shadow a physician to get to know it better.

 

[LizLemongrab]

Before you do anything, try a career aptitude algorithm test and YES SO HARD to shadowing. Don't just try, do shadow because it can provide blinding clarity.

If you find that this is what you must do, why not a CUNY? New York City College of Technology has a minimum GPA of 2.0 and a mean SAT of less than 900. It's in Brooklyn. There's also Medgar Evers College (also in Brooklyn) which I think has or very nearly has 100% admission. No matter what, you will have to complete your pre-reqs before matriculation and it is relatively efficient MCAT prep in conjunction with taking sample tests. And the pre-reqs are pretty much the same in content, especially chemistry since a lot of departments use the ACS exam as the final at the end of the full year.

Lastly, if you don't mind (and you can be totally vague), what happened in high school? If it's something less pernicious like poor time management and not taking **** seriously, that kind of situation can be readily overcome with maturity and general stability in your living situation. If it's something more related to socioeconomics, some schools like my alma mater make under-prepared students take remedial classes before entering gen chem or baby bio which will take more time but in theory, means that high school performance and preparation don't have to be deterministic of plausible career fates if you are both willing and able to perform commendably.

The most basic foundation for strong academic performance is probably made from stability of home/local environment and getting enough food and sleep. Without these things, you're pretty much playing Diablo on hardcore mode with an under-equipped character and you can't kite your way through school because that would be expensive and ineffectual.

 

[NonTradJp]

I think you should only consider quitting after you get clinical experience in shadowing or volunteering. You can do wonderful things for other human beings, but the work doesn't fit every personality. So make sure you would enjoy it at least to some degree because you need to find what is right for you to be a good doctor.

I suggest continuing where you are and get the experience necessary. When you shadow, telling doctors where you come from would help distinguish you and give the sense that you really want to know about medicine not just someone who is checking off a box to apply.

I also suggest taking some personality tests. I would assume you can do them from the career center or student advisor's office if you have those at your school. They might not answer the question of "hmm, doctor?" but they might give insight on yourself.

Lastly, shadowing is how I knew medicine would be a good fit for me. I wasn't born knowing and actually am changing careers. After working for a while I realized different people and personalities do things differently. For me, where I belong is in a hospital providing care, cure, and direction to the lives of individuals.

 

[j4pac]

Take down that picture if its actually you, btw.

BOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

[Goro]

100% agree.

Yes, you can do a post bacc after, and with a good GPA, MCAT, and personal statement you should have no trouble getting an interview. You just need to finish the basic prereqs after you graduate and get some medical experience (shadowing, volunteering, etc). A job as a scribe would be a big boost to you IMO. Once you have done all this, your answer to why medicine ought to be a lot clearer.

Take down that picture if its actually you, btw. And if that is your actual name, I would just delete this and make a new account.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Thanks to everyone for your advice!
I was originally going to go with that plan. But my high school grades and SATs were pretty bad. So I would have to take time off to retake my SATs to apply to a normal university and start all over again.
Question, how did you know being a doctor would be it for you?
I'm going to try to see if I can shadow a physician to get to know it better.

Nothing wrong with finishing the art degree and getting good experience (shadowing, volunteering, scribe job etc.), it just takes a little longer. But that can be good if it gives you a clearer idea of what your doing. You have to pick the best route for you, and the art degree will even be a positive differentiator if you do well in the med prereqs also. Med schools are looking for balance. Seems like you have a good idea where to start (shadowing) and then work your way down the list as you need to.

Good job on taking the picture down, you dont want the weirdos on here drooling on their keyboards 😉

 

[CherryRedDracul]

One of my classmates was a dance major and used to dance for a company before turning to medicine.