Decisions, Decisions.

[AspiringMD09]

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Hey everyone. I'm currently a senior in high school about to graduate, and next year I will be attending a small private liberal arts college in the midwest. I planned on majoring in English and Writing and going in the Phd teaching route, but this whole time I've had the pre-med bug biting at me. See, I've wanted to be a doctor my whole life, but math and science are by far my worst subjects, and I feel I would be a failure in college in those subjects. I really don't want to give up on the doctor idea, but I want to be realistic as well. I have a really good work ethic and I know I will try my hardest in college at these subjects, but I'm just afraid that it won't be enough. Has anyone else been in this position, and if so, did you make it through okay? I don't want to give up on my dream if I can make it through, and I've been assured by a friend of mine who is currently pre med that I can do it, but I'm just terribly frightened about it all! Any advice?

 

[Algophiliac]

Don't give up a dream because you may not be able to hack it in a few classes. The only math and science classes you'll have to take to gain acceptance into medical school are one year each of biology, chemistry, and physics. Some schools also require either a year of calculus or statistics. That's it! Your other classes can just be whatever is required to complete your chosen major, since medical schools don't care about your major choice.

I can't do math to save my life, and this sentiment is shared by many on SDN, so don't be too worried. 😛 However, I am always confused by people who claim science subjects are their worst and yet they still want to do medicine. Do you actually enjoy science, but simply are not as good in this field? Medicine obviously focuses extensively on science, but if you (as you say) put in enough effort, the required courses should not be too difficult.

 

[Gallix23]

You don't have to give up! Major in whatever you'd like, and make sure you do well in whatever you major in.

When it comes to taking the pre-reqs, just work your butt off, attend the professors office hours, get extra help from classmates, etc. Eventually, this stuff will all come easy to you. Science is just like everything else, practice makes perfect (or...at least a decent grade =) )

 

[WatchMeRise]

Like those who have said before me, major in what you like. You can be on the "Pre-med", path freshman year without hurting yourself at all. Try out a few of the essential courses. (bio, chemistry, ect.) to see how you feel about it.

I feel the same way as you. Almost. I know I have a strong work ethic and no matter how difficult the subject is I will stick it out.

But we never know until we get there so we should just go with the flow.

 

[135892]

Don't give up a dream because you may not be able to hack it in a few classes. The only math and science classes you'll have to take to gain acceptance into medical school are one year each of biology, chemistry, and physics. Some schools also require either a year of calculus or statistics. That's it! Your other classes can just be whatever is required to complete your chosen major, since medical schools don't care about your major choice.

Well, this is at least 8 semesters of pure science classes, plus more if you have to take stats or calculus, and there could even be more (e.g. biochem, genetics) depending on what schools you decide to apply to. So I don't know about "only", but I guess in the grand scheme of things it isn't all too bad. The important thing for you OP, is to figure out if you actually like science and medicine (don't give me this bs about how you have wanted to be a doctor your "whole life"). Thus I would advise you to maybe take an intro chem or bio class your first semester, and try to gauge how much you enjoy it, and if you're able to handle it. Honestly though, the courses you're required to take really aren't too bad. Even if you're not naturally good at them, with enough hard work, you should be able to do fairly well. So again, more importantly than worrying about if you'll be able to hack it in these science classes (you most likely will be able to, given enough work) you should figure out where you're interests lie. Sorry if I'm rambling a bit... its late out here on the east coast 🙂

Best of luck to you

 

[tennisball80]

Hey everyone. I'm currently a senior in high school about to graduate, and next year I will be attending a small private liberal arts college in the midwest. I planned on majoring in English and Writing and going in the Phd teaching route, but this whole time I've had the pre-med bug biting at me. See, I've wanted to be a doctor my whole life, but math and science are by far my worst subjects, and I feel I would be a failure in college in those subjects. I really don't want to give up on the doctor idea, but I want to be realistic as well. I have a really good work ethic and I know I will try my hardest in college at these subjects, but I'm just afraid that it won't be enough. Has anyone else been in this position, and if so, did you make it through okay? I don't want to give up on my dream if I can make it through, and I've been assured by a friend of mine who is currently pre med that I can do it, but I'm just terribly frightened about it all! Any advice?

English majors actually score higher on the verbal section on MCAT than sciences majors. As long as you get Bs in sciences courses and have an overall high GPA, you should be fine.

 

[Maygyver]

English majors actually score higher on the verbal section on MCAT than sciences majors. As long as you get Bs in sciences courses and have an overall high GPA, you should be fine.

I dunno, a 3.0 science GPA might look bad especially if it is just from prereqs. Definitely give it a shot though. I hated chemistry in HS and was dreading it in college, but I actually really enjoyed it. I even thought of changing my major at one point.

 

[Double A]

Just feel it out. Go in with an open mind. Take your first chem or bio course and see how it is. It may be doable for you, but if you're miserable everyday because you can't stand these subjects, maybe the other route would be more fitting. By the way, it's not that bad. Put in the time and go to class.

 

[AspiringMD09]

So did you/do you find that the course load is unbearable or overwhelming in addition to your other studies? What are your studying habits for pre-med work?

 

[RySerr21]

English majors actually score higher on the verbal section on MCAT than sciences majors. As long as you get Bs in sciences courses and have an overall high GPA, you should be fine.

Yea i dunno about that tennis. There isn't a school in the U.S. (MD or DO) that has an average science GPA of 3.0....not even close. You can certainly get some Bs and be okay, but you better have more As than you have Bs. And the obvioulsy the fewer science courses you take the fewer opportunities you will have to get As so the more damaging a B or lower will become.

So did you/do you find that the course load is unbearable or overwhelming in addition to your other studies? What are your studying habits for pre-med work?

I would not define the courswork as "unbearable." Will you work hard? No doubt. But if you work diligently and keep on top of your stuff (like you say you do) you will be fine. There are aways tutoring programs and what not if you need extra help. Dont be afraid to ask for help....use your resources and do the best that you can. You dont need to ever take more than 2 science/pre req courses at one time, if you plan it out right. If you do that, the load will not be unbearable and you will have other non-science courses to balance it out so you dont go insane with homework sets and lab write ups. Do not, however, try to cram in something like ochem, physics, bio, and calculus in to one semester. Thats unnecessary and will likely prove to be unbearable.

 

[135892]

Once you figure out how to study smart and effectively, it becomes pretty easy. But I don't really know if I can tell you how to do this, as its pretty much just something that you will figure out on your own.