Becoming a Mentor

[DPTinthemaking15]

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My Professor for Organic chemistry has went above and beyond, thus far. I took him for organic chemistry I, and I am enrolled in Orgo II this semester. Anyways, during Orgo I he told me that his son was interested in pursuing medicine, and I was the only student in any of his classes applying to medical school. He is from India and has a hard time understanding the process of applying to medical school. Today, he asked me to help mentor his son and hopefully guide him in the right direction.

Here is my question to SDN: What are some tips, hints, and advice that you wish you knew during your Freshman year of college? Other than getting involved, shadowing, and dominating your courses. I wanted to see other perspectives, because most of my time during college was spent doing community service activities. Any help would be appreciated! Also, I am still a pre-med, so I am doing my best not to guide this kid into the depths of Tartarus lol.

 

[Disciple of Sattar]

I would go through this

Compilation - Essential SDN Wisdom for Pre-Meds

 

[Robin-jay]

In some ways, this almost seems like you're being taken advantage of.

 

[freedoctor17]

In some ways, this almost seems like you're being taken advantage of.

Really? That sounds like an awesome thing to be asked. Even though they're the only one in the classes applying to med school, the fact that the professor is confident enough in them to ask rather than finding someone else seems like they have a good connection. I do see where you're coming from that it may be hard to say no to something like that if you're worried about backlash but I'ma keep positive considering OP didn't seem to have any issue with it...

 

[Robin-jay]

No better way to understand something than having to teach it to someone else.

I agree, but is the OP simply telling the student what they need to to enter medical school, or is the OP's mentor telling him to set up volunteering activities, etc. for his son?

Because the latter would be a little much.

 

[freedoctor17]

I agree, but is the OP simply telling the student what they need to to enter medical school, or is the OP's mentor telling him to set up volunteering activities, etc. for his son?

Because the latter would be a little much.

"He is from India and has a hard time understanding the process of applying to medical school. Today, he asked me to help mentor his son and hopefully guide him in the right direction."

Seemed more like the first part to me. I think you're overthinking it. He's just looking for someone with personal experience to offer guidance to their kid.

Anyways let's not derail the thread.

OP, I think just tell them about your own personal experience and what types of things are important to focus on. You mention how you spent a lot of time doing community service... Explain why and help them figure out what kinds of things they'd like to do etc.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

My bad! I should have stated in my original post that I LOVE helping students with their future dreams/goals. When I first entered college I wanted to become an academic advisor. Anyways, like @freedoctor17 said, I was honored when he asked me to help his son, but I just don't want to give him any crappy advice.

I agree, but is the OP simply telling the student what they need to to enter medical school, or is the OP's mentor telling him to set up volunteering activities, etc. for his son?

Because the latter would be a little much.

Heck no, I couldn't imagine having to set up volunteer activities. The prof. just wants me to sit down and somewhat guide his son through the process. If I'm not mistaken, I was one of the only students to make an A in his class, and I was the only student that showed up for lab one day (ridiculous, I know...). I think that is why he trust me to help his son.

 

[Robin-jay]

"He is from India and has a hard time understanding the process of applying to medical school. Today, he asked me to help mentor his son and hopefully guide him in the right direction."

Seemed more like the first part to me. I think you're overthinking it. He's just looking for someone with personal experience to offer guidance to their kid.

Anyways let's not derail the thread.

OP, I think just tell them about your own personal experience and what types of things are important to focus on. You mention how you spent a lot of time doing community service... Explain why and help them figure out what kinds of things they'd like to do etc.

My bad! I should have stated in my original post that I LOVE helping students with their future dreams/goals. When I first entered college I wanted to become an academic advisor. Anyways, like @freedoctor17 said, I was honored when he asked me to help his son, but I just don't want to give him any crappy advice.



Heck no, I couldn't imagine having to set up volunteer activities. The prof. just wants me to sit down and somewhat guide his son through the process. If I'm not mistaken, I was one of the only students to make an A in his class, and I was the only student that showed up for lab one day (ridiculous, I know...). I think that is why he trust me to help his son.

Telling the mentor's kid what to do is fine.

I don't disagree.

I was just ensuring you weren't actively getting him volunteering positions, shadowing positions, etc.

 

[CandH23]

Telling the mentor's kid what to do is fine.

I don't disagree.

I was just ensuring you weren't actively getting him volunteering positions, shadowing positions, etc.

What type of mentor does that?

 

[Robin-jay]

What type of mentor does that?

As someone who went to graduate school, you'd be surprised with what some of them ask. Mine was great, but others would ask for some interesting favors.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Of course helping your Ochem professor's so, who may write an LOR for you can say in addition to his own academic performance, took the time and effort to assist his own son in the basics of being a premed.

Yes! I didn't even think about that until I got home. I forgot I needed one more LOR and that is when the light bulb hit me lol.

As someone who went to graduate school, you'd be surprised with what some of them ask. Mine was great, but others would ask for some interesting favors.

I 100% agree with you. The pre-meds I deal with on a daily basis ask some WEIRD questions in a group setting. I can't imagine what they ask the pre-med advisors in private conversations

 

[bioboy23]

Sounds like a great opportunity to help someone. I’d say one of the best things you could do for him is ease him into SDN. Make sure he knows there are a lot of crazy people and liars who just like to look good on an anonymous web forum, but also a large number of people who are awesome and can give invaluable advice.

Also tell him all of the weird abbreviations used here. Those took me forever to figure out lol.