Diverting from the typical premed.

[SaginawPremed]

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I seem to be focusing mostly on Math/Physics lately. It's gotten to where my research this summer will not be in some lab sorting drosophila or running gels, but instead was awarded a DoE SULI internship at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center... It's in particle physics.

So I wonder-- Medicine sounds amazing, and I would love to make it my career. My grades are decent (3.6 in a Math/Physics major), I'm heavily involved in extracurriculars (Rape/Victim Male Advocate for the County, Coffeehouse Barista/Booking Manager, Math Tutor, Lifeguard/Swim Instructor)... but none of it feels very premedy. Am I holding myself up to a measuring stick (the typical bio/chem premeds at my school) that's not rational? Or should I be doing what everyone else is?

 

[75969]

I seem to be focusing mostly on Math/Physics lately. It's gotten to where my research this summer will not be in some lab sorting drosophila or running gels, but instead was awarded a DoE SULI internship at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center... It's in particle physics.

So I wonder-- Medicine sounds amazing, and I would love to make it my career. My grades are decent (3.6 in a Math/Physics major), I'm heavily involved in extracurriculars (Rape/Victim Male Advocate for the County, Coffeehouse Barista/Booking Manager, Math Tutor, Lifeguard/Swim Instructor)... but none of it feels very premedy. Am I holding myself up to a measuring stick (the typical bio/chem premeds at my school) that's not rational? Or should I be doing what everyone else is?

Naw, dont worry about what everyone else is doing. Do what you enjoy and who cares if it seems 'premedy'. I was talking to my previous physics prof. for a letter and he told me that my university is trying to start up a new physics phd/ MD degree (and that 1 person was already doing it)...he then went on to try to recruit me, but thats a different story. 🙂 I never thought the 2 were really related, but apparently they are (what do ya think physiology is all about? Physics!)

 

[deuist]

I did my bachelor's in physics and my master's in engineering. I rarely use the information that I learned as an undergrad in medical school. I do, however, think that I'm more unique (and by "unique" I mean better) than my classmates because of my background. Naturally, I get to be the one who solves everyone's computer problems---even though I never studied computers in college!

Now back to topic. Sagina, there is nothing wrong with the route you are currently taking. However, you might want to get some clinical experience beyond crisis counseling to show adcoms that you really are interested in medicine. The good news is that physics majors have some of the highest acceptance rates of any major.

 

[DrBowtie]

I seem to be focusing mostly on Math/Physics lately. It's gotten to where my research this summer will not be in some lab sorting drosophila or running gels, but instead was awarded a DoE SULI internship at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center... It's in particle physics.

So I wonder-- Medicine sounds amazing, and I would love to make it my career. My grades are decent (3.6 in a Math/Physics major), I'm heavily involved in extracurriculars (Rape/Victim Male Advocate for the County, Coffeehouse Barista/Booking Manager, Math Tutor, Lifeguard/Swim Instructor)... but none of it feels very premedy. Am I holding myself up to a measuring stick (the typical bio/chem premeds at my school) that's not rational? Or should I be doing what everyone else is?

SLAC is def sweet. I have been doing work with the BABAR collaboration.
I think it is more stimulating that the lab work you have mentioned.

Don't sweat the typical premed stuff.

 

[nikibean]

I seem to be focusing mostly on Math/Physics lately. It's gotten to where my research this summer will not be in some lab sorting drosophila or running gels, but instead was awarded a DoE SULI internship at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center... It's in particle physics.

So I wonder-- Medicine sounds amazing, and I would love to make it my career. My grades are decent (3.6 in a Math/Physics major), I'm heavily involved in extracurriculars (Rape/Victim Male Advocate for the County, Coffeehouse Barista/Booking Manager, Math Tutor, Lifeguard/Swim Instructor)... but none of it feels very premedy. Am I holding myself up to a measuring stick (the typical bio/chem premeds at my school) that's not rational? Or should I be doing what everyone else is?

Um. I majored in Women's Studies and Literature at UCSC, studied under Bettina Aptheker and Angela Davis. I came this way through Domestic Violence Advocacy/Take Back the Night work/ EMT experience. Don't sweat the "traditional" pre-med route. Do what makes you happy. We get so caught up in what everyone else is doing- who cares? Honestly? I don't even watch TV!! (Which was source of debate at an interview where I was accepted and the person questioning my sanity wasn't). I have been a Starbuck's Asst Manager, an EMT, a river guide, a ski patroller, a massage therapist and a post-bac student. And a Planned Parenthood Escort-cum- employee. I wouldn't give up my experiences for the world. I've been to places many people would say are crazy to visit (Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Morrocco for one- and yes, it was wild and pre- 9/11). Do your thing. Be yourself. You'll be a better person for it. Good luck. We need more people like you as physicians. 👍

 

[45408]

Do what you love. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that if they ask you "Well, why aren't you going into a PhD physics program?" you'll need a good, believable answer.

 

[Rafa]

"Because I want to be a f*cking doctor!" If an interviewer asked me that, I'd use all of my interview training to keep from facially expressing my disgust. He's in *undergrad*. The point of being in undergrad is to major in whatever interests you - as long as you fulfill the pre-med requirements, you should be able to apply to med school without an interviewer second-guessing your major. Not flipping out at you Prowler, just lexically rolling my eyes at hypothetical stupid interviewers.

To the OP, looks like you're doing fine. Keep up the good work, and keep being yourself. There are enough cookie-cutter pre-med clones applying annually. Stick out from them, and you're 3/4ths home before you send out the AMCAS.

 

[SaginawPremed]

Thanks a lot guys...

I am wondering, how do you think the Math/Physics route of learning in undergrad translates to Medical School study? Math/Physics undergrad is either lots and lots of problem solving skills applied to many many problem sets, or it's brain twisting proofs... all of which I presumably enjoy, otherwise I wouldn't engage in them. I just wonder if med school memorization of sheer volume will then be distasteful... which in my mind is okay, as long as I can handle and excel at it and know what I'm working toward.

 

[Law2Doc]

Thanks a lot guys...

I am wondering, how do you think the Math/Physics route of learning in undergrad translates to Medical School study? Math/Physics undergrad is either lots and lots of problem solving skills applied to many many problem sets, or it's brain twisting proofs... all of which I presumably enjoy, otherwise I wouldn't engage in them. I just wonder if med school memorization of sheer volume will then be distasteful... which in my mind is okay, as long as I can handle and excel at it and know what I'm working toward.

It's going to be a huge difference, no question. But adcoms are very good at selecting folks who can handle the work -- if you are accepted, you will make it through.

 

[DrBowtie]

Thanks a lot guys...

I am wondering, how do you think the Math/Physics route of learning in undergrad translates to Medical School study? Math/Physics undergrad is either lots and lots of problem solving skills applied to many many problem sets, or it's brain twisting proofs... all of which I presumably enjoy, otherwise I wouldn't engage in them. I just wonder if med school memorization of sheer volume will then be distasteful... which in my mind is okay, as long as I can handle and excel at it and know what I'm working toward.

With bio, if you have the will to learn it, you'll get it.
It is def. a switch you need to flip to change up your thinking.

BTW, do you know what you will be doing out at SLAC? I'm going out there around mid march.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

word up to the math/physics majors! Check out my mdapplicants link. I chose physics because of the sweet classes like Optics and Thermodynamics and Radiation Physics and (dare I say it) Quantum Mechanics. I also took an elective called Health Physics which was really really interesting in how the human body responds to types and levels of radiation, besides being a great reason to inspire someone in physics toward medicine (and/or place in your personal statement).

The way I feel about physics/math is, you're above and beyond the typical biochem major premed. We all have to take the same prereqs and the same MCAT, right? Well, physics proves that you're up to a big challenge and that you're interested in a respected and rigorous science. You may just want to add some more medical-ish EC's if you're worried about looking like a physicist and not an MD.

But don't assume you won't use those well-honed analytical thinking and problem solving tools you learned from physics and math in medicine; I think that the MCAT as a whole is representative of that fact.

 

[SaginawPremed]

With bio, if you have the will to learn it, you'll get it.
It is def. a switch you need to flip to change up your thinking.

BTW, do you know what you will be doing out at SLAC? I'm going out there around mid march.

God, I wish I knew what I was doing out there. I do not know who my mentor is yet or anything (waiting anxiously for that stuff to come in the mail). I indicated on my SULI application the following preference for research:

1. Astrophysics
2. Particle Physics
3. Physics

Which falls nicely under the umbrella of EVERYTHING out there.

What will you be out at SLAC for?

 

[oxeye]

I was a statistics major in college. Granted I'm a non-trad so I didn't have medicine on my mind constantly as an undergrad, but I think coming from a different background is going to be an asset for me when I get to the application process. Everyone I talk to in my volunteering (i.e. the docs I run into or work with) have been very impressed by the fact that I majored in something other than bio or chem and something that is generally considered very difficult (I don't feel that way about stats, but whatever!). I don't see the typical pre-med biology majors getting that same reaction.

Be different! It will make you stand out in the minds of the people on the admissions commitees. That said, you will probably want to show that you are interested in medicine, though by doing some healthcare related volunteering.

 

[DrBowtie]

God, I wish I knew what I was doing out there. I do not know who my mentor is yet or anything (waiting anxiously for that stuff to come in the mail). I indicated on my SULI application the following preference for research:

1. Astrophysics
2. Particle Physics
3. Physics

Which falls nicely under the umbrella of EVERYTHING out there.

What will you be out at SLAC for?

Their strength IMO (I'm biased) is in the particle physics. I'm going out there for our SPS spring trip. We did serious fundraising and have free airfare and hotel.

If I wasn't studying for the MCAT this summer, I would have applied for the Pope fellowship there.

If you get a chance see if you can get in to see the BABAR stuff. The detector is sweet.

 

[Pewl]

God, I wish I knew what I was doing out there. I do not know who my mentor is yet or anything (waiting anxiously for that stuff to come in the mail). I indicated on my SULI application the following preference for research:

1. Astrophysics
2. Particle Physics
3. Physics

Which falls nicely under the umbrella of EVERYTHING out there.

What will you be out at SLAC for?

Dude, particle physics is the ****. I studied medical physics in grad school and it was all radiation oncology and nuclear medicine stuff. I run and operate linear accelerators and I make treatment plans for radiation oncology. Having the background that you do is a tremendous asset in the medical field. It's amazing how many physicians know NOTHING about the physics behind the technology that is used everyday in medicine. (CT, PET, MR, Linacs, cyclotrons, etc) I say you apply what you already know and integrate it into a career in medicine! =D

 

[emack]

I am wondering, how do you think the Math/Physics route of learning in undergrad translates to Medical School study? Math/Physics undergrad is either lots and lots of problem solving skills applied to many many problem sets, or it's brain twisting proofs... all of which I presumably enjoy, otherwise I wouldn't engage in them. I just wonder if med school memorization of sheer volume will then be distasteful... which in my mind is okay, as long as I can handle and excel at it and know what I'm working toward.

Sheer volume memorization is distateful for everyone-- not just those of us who consider problem-solving to be our strongest suit.

I majored in Math. So far in MS1 I have kicked biology-major ass in anatomy & physiology. My sneaking suspicion that memorization of detail isn't nearly as hard as working out proofs has thus far been validated. What I lack in background knowledge I feel I can make up for with logical & structured thinking. The same skills that help a Math/Physics/non-Bio major nail the MCAT will help equally in MS1 & MS2. I imagine the playing field is more level in clinical years, but I'm not sure yet. I'll report back.

 

[SpeedRacer]

I seem to be focusing mostly on Math/Physics lately. It's gotten to where my research this summer will not be in some lab sorting drosophila or running gels, but instead was awarded a DoE SULI internship at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center... It's in particle physics.

GEEEEEEEEK!!!!

 

[AlternateSome1]

I seem to be focusing mostly on Math/Physics lately. It's gotten to where my research this summer will not be in some lab sorting drosophila or running gels, but instead was awarded a DoE SULI internship at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center... It's in particle physics.

So I wonder-- Medicine sounds amazing, and I would love to make it my career. My grades are decent (3.6 in a Math/Physics major), I'm heavily involved in extracurriculars (Rape/Victim Male Advocate for the County, Coffeehouse Barista/Booking Manager, Math Tutor, Lifeguard/Swim Instructor)... but none of it feels very premedy. Am I holding myself up to a measuring stick (the typical bio/chem premeds at my school) that's not rational? Or should I be doing what everyone else is?

Your major and experiences are both assests. Just remember, you need to take O-Chem 1 & 2, Biology 1 & 2, Chem 1 & 2, and maybe biochem/genetics/english for some schools. The only thing you would need to add to your application is a little clinical experience. The hospital volunteering thing is very over-rated, so the best thing to do is shadow a couple doctors to get an idea of what their lives are really like. Be prepared for interviewers to ask if you want to go into radiology or radiation oncology...they seem to love asking any math/engineering/physics/Comp. sci majors that. Good luck.

 

[rehanyazdani]

Don't sweat it! I'm majoring in Business with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. I've taken all my pre-med requirements along the way, and of course I've volunteered and now work for a surgeon doing research and assisting in surgery. You should do what you truly enjoy. I started out as a Chemistry major and seriously hated it so I made the switch. You're doing just fine.