Feeling like the architect from the Matrix.Help

[Member071191]

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Hello Everyone,
I am new to SDN and I see this is a very informative place. Unfortunately, I have created a huge mess for myself. There is so much information in so many places on the forums that I feel like the architect in the matrix when all the things happening in the matrix are circling around him. Except for me I am extremely confused.

Anyways, here is my situation and I appreciate your advice in advance.

Background ( I am from Afghanistan, came to America when I was 7. I am still very attached to my country and third world country causes.) I really want to take the path that will help me do well in organizing and providing medicine in poverty stricken areas.
I am currently in Pre-Med in my Sophomore year of college.

At the end of this semester (end of my sophomore year) I will have finished all my prerequisites. For some reason I tend to do a lot better in my spring semester. I made B's my science class during the fall semester and A's in all my classes during the spring semester, a C in O-chem I but planning A-B on O-Chem II. Anyways my cgpa is currently around 3.47 and should be going up at the end of this semester.

I am stuck in this dilemma:
Should I start studying for the MCAT in May for 3 months (Using the 3 month plan posted around here), as well as take 6 hours of classes during the summer with studying for MCAT. And finally take MCAT in July-August.
or
Study for MCAT using three month plan, take summer classes as well, take biochem and micro during fall semester, then study for the MCAT again during December and take the MCAT in January of my junior year.

Is it worth it for me to take summer research classes. I can take a Chemistry Introductory research course (200 level) or a Microbiology research course (400 lvl). I haven't really entered into my major yet as I am finishing my prereqs.

I hear that taking Biochemistry as a major is a good thing because it helps you with first year med school work. Is this true? I ask because I am not huge on biology, I like chemistry and physics and I am solid in the social sciences (anything from politics to history).

Right now I have planned for Biochemistry as my major and can't decide what should be minor. (what will give me better chances into getting into med school).

One more question: Which is better having research experience or volunteer experience?

I really don't have any extracurricular activities or any volunteer/research experience yet. Planning to start this summer. I personally do not like volunteering as it is a waste of my time (I am not studying to carry pieces of paper around for doctors). I like research because I feel like I am doing something useful in increasing my own knowledge and helping out the biological community, as well as getting recommendations from great people.

Once again, I appreciate your advice very much.

 

[CeeEstee0]

From what I have read, it is best to study and take the MCAT over a summer without classes. (Feel free to correct me on this). As far as volunteer versus research it is more valuable to have CLINICAL volunteering than research, but if you enjoy research and already have some clinical experience go for the research. Schools, especially Top 25, like to see some research.

Good Luck on the MCAT.

 

[StoicJosher]

Why are you taking the MCAT in your sophomore year? It is always good to have biochemistry and all other pre-reqs done before you take the MCAT. If you are doing the three month plan, you should follow it through with the MCAT. That is how it works. Otherwise, the decision is yours.

Summer classes: It is up to you. Do you think you can manage taking summer classes and studying for the MCAT while doing research, volunteering etc?

There are advantages and disadvantages to majoring in any subject. Being a specific major/minor is not going to help you get into medical school. It is the GPA that matters.

Top schools like to see research. That being said, non clinical volunteering is definitely very useful in demonstrating altruism but I have anecdotal evidence of people getting in without any. But clinical volunteering (or any kind of clinical experience) is absolutely necessary to show that you have definitely considered the field and have had exposure to what you are going to be dealing with and you are not going to get away with no clinical experience or shadowing.

Lastly (maybe it is just me) tone down on the arrogance/self entitlement a bit.

 

[plumhill]

Take the MCAT when your'e ready for it. I personally don't see the point of studying in two chunks because you'll sort of have to start over again in the winter. Since you'll have finished all of your pre-reqs by the beginning of this summer, you'll probably remember a lot of the information now, and you can study for the three months and take the MCAT, but ONLY if you feel ready. If you don't feel ready, do some studying/reviews/practice MCATs over the weekends and breaks during fall semester, but DON'T stop studying for it. If you do, you'll forget a good amount of what you studied, and your summer will have been a waste. What I've been doing is going through practice problems and re-reading chapters of my review books every weekend (usually covering one chapter from each book every two weekends or so).

As for your major dilemma, this has been talked about extensively on SDN...MAJOR. IN. WHAT. INTERESTS. YOU. Do NOT try to plan your major just based on what will "look good" to the adcom. And don't think that tacking on a minor simply for the sake of seeming impressive will make you look better to adcoms. It won't because aside from finishing the pre-req classes, THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR MAJOR, OR YOUR MINOR, OR ANY OTHER CLASSES YOU TAKE, AS LONG AS YOU DO WELL. If you don't like biology (first of all, if you don't like biology why the heck are you going into medicine?) then don't do a biology-related major!

If you have a strong interest in research, then take the research class. But again, take it if YOU, as a person, are interested in that course, NOT because of medical school.

If you are serious about medical school, you pretty much HAVE to have volunteer experience, both medically-related and non-medically related. I don't see why this is a question...medicine is ultimately a service-oriented career, especially if you want to be a practicing physician. Everything you do is to help and better the lives of your patient. So I think its pretty obvious regarding your volunteer vs research question. Who do you think you are, feeling like you're "wasting your time" carrying around pieces of paper for doctors? If you don't like volunteering your time and if you don't have the strong urge to help your patients, or ANYONE else but yourself, then find another career path.

 

[Member071191]

Thanks for the advice I appreciate it.

Maybe I was too strongly against volunteering. The reason why I don't like volunteering in a hospital is simply because I just feel like I waste my time doing work that won't benefit me in the future (i.e. carrying papers, copying, my sister did it and I know what comes with it). All you can gain from the volunteering experience is some knowledge of what equipment exists in the hospital and maybe you might learn how it works. I can learn this pretty easily later. I am all for shadowing a doctor, I see purpose in that. The issue of volunteering is not about altruism for me. I have devoted myself to help third world countries if I become a doctor. I am very altruistic. If I decide to go do something, I do it to perfection. If I am going to spend time doing something and doing it well I need it to have a good purpose. Shadowing a doctor will give me way more experience in the medical field then volunteering in a hospital doing menial jobs (that won't help you in the medical field). I will definitely take your considerations for getting a shadowing position.

Anyways, it is impossible for the schedule of my university to get 3 free months a year other then the summer break. I cannot do the MCAT studying in the summer of my junior year( I believe I have to fill out the AMCAS between July and end of August).

I am fully devoted to medicine if anybody gets the expression that I am not. I am an immigrant from a country that has the second highest infant mortality in the world, has doctors who choose not to treat women, has an immense amount of mediocre doctors (by this I mean they get out of high school straight into med school and they are done 5-6 years, if you have connections 4 years). Common phrase in Afghanistan "Don't go to the doctor, they will you make you more sick go to the healer (some guy who burns some leaves etc...)." I don't plan on becoming a doctor to get rich, I plan on becoming a doctor to help my people, help the women in my country especially, if I can't do that I will move to the next third world country.

So after reading the answers from you guys here is the question I have now.
Do you guys think Biochemistry I and Micro I will help me get a dramatically higher score?

One more:

What do you think is better for med school admissions, research or volunteering in a hospital?


I apologize to those that got the feeling I was being arrogant.

 

[Member071191]

This might sound like a stupid question.

Is clinical volunteering like volunteering in a hospital? Can you give me an idea of what you did in clinical volunteering?

 

[Member071191]

Waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[CoolWhipp]

I think your reference to the architect is not a very good one. He's stoic and not confused at all.

Study hard for the MCAT only, if you can.

 

[StoicJosher]

....The issue of volunteering is not about altruism for me...

But it is for medical school admissions. I am sure you are extremely altruistic and you will spend all your time in third world countries helping people. But saying that is not going to help you. Back your words up with actions.

Do you guys think Biochemistry I and Micro I will help me get a dramatically higher score?

No. It just helps a little.

What do you think is better for med school admissions, research or volunteering in a hospital?

Like I said, you need clinical volunteering to get into medical school. Research is just icing on the cake. (Disclaimer: Of course, there are exceptions to the rule and I am sure you will be able to find them. But the rule is the rule for a reason.)

Is clinical volunteering like volunteering in a hospital? Can you give me an idea of what you did in clinical volunteering?

Clinical volunteering: Anything where you get patient contact. To quote LizzyM.. "If you can smell patients, it is clinical experience."

Non-clinical volunteering: Soup kitchen, big brother/big sister, volunteering at your church outreach program etc.

 

[Member071191]

Thanks for the advice!

I will probably study hard for the MCAT this summer and volunteer for a few hours a day. I will leave research for next summer.

Anyways, would taking a human physiology course during the summer help out a lot with the MCAT or is it possible to learn that stuff solo?

 

[tiedyeddog]

Thanks for the advice!

I will probably study hard for the MCAT this summer and volunteer for a few hours a day. I will leave research for next summer.

Anyways, would taking a human physiology course during the summer help out a lot with the MCAT or is it possible to learn that stuff solo?

For sure possible to do it on your own.