First Year Freshman

[realitybias]

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I am a first year freshman currently attending Louisiana tech and doing biomedical engineering. I'm hoping to be competitive at all of the nations top schools. Big hopes, big dreams to aspire to... I know. Most of you probably think I'm in for a let down, and I disagree. Regardless, I am curious as to what are some good things to do as a first year freshman to prepare myself to be a good med school applicant?

I can't work in a lab or even do research... engineering is a tough major, and I already have a job on top of that ( got to pay the bills ). My job might help a little... I work in the deans office at my college.

So the things I was thinking was...

volunteering
job shadowing
getting my cpr certification
possibly doing some EMT training

...

what would you suggest?

 

[Quix]

I would suggest seeing if your school has a pre-med time-line (like in a Career Services dept.). The University of Pittsburgh has one that details what classes when, and when you should look into EC's.

 

[realitybias]

Thanks for the tip. I may actually get to have a job in the new biomedical center they are building for the campus, but I seriously doubt that it will be research. Even so, I guess that's kind of what I'm looking ofr here.. what someone like me with a job can do to strengthen my application, besides making good grades.

 

[etf]

Thanks for the tip. I may actually get to have a job in the new biomedical center they are building for the campus, but I seriously doubt that it will be research. Even so, I guess that's kind of what I'm looking ofr here.. what someone like me with a job can do to strengthen my application, besides making good grades.

absolutely nothing matters more than your grades. everything else, even the mcat, you can improve on/do over. once you've got a solid gpa, the sky is the limit!

 

[realitybias]

Yes, of course. Good grades will secure me a first-in-line position at my state school.

However, it takes much more than that, from what I read, to get into the nation's best. I want to do research. I want to volunteer, I want to do so much... and I guess the problem is, I just dont know where to start. I'm disadvantaged. I'm poor. I have to work for a living, even with the university PAYING me to attend...

I know some of you have already made it, and others are much further along in the process than me. I respect that a lot... and that's why I trust the advice you guys give me.

 

[astrife]

god you sound young...

 

[realitybias]

18. No older, no younger. I've got a lot of experience for my age, though. I graduated from a top ten high school (The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts). I've got great ACT scores... my admissions to college worked out real well. I know med school will not be college ap. redux, but I know it took more than good grades to get my scholarship.

What did you all do your first year?

 

[etf]

Yes, of course. Good grades will secure me a first-in-line position at my state school.

However, it takes much more than that, from what I read, to get into the nation's best. I want to do research. I want to volunteer, I want to do so much... and I guess the problem is, I just dont know where to start. I'm disadvantaged. I'm poor. I have to work for a living, even with the university PAYING me to attend...

I know some of you have already made it, and others are much further along in the process than me. I respect that a lot... and that's why I trust the advice you guys give me.

it definately does take more than grades, but without those, your secondary won't get read, so no one will know/care that you won a fields medal. it sucks to be poor and have to work a full time job, but med schools know this and will have sympathy towards your situation. if it were me, i'd say start out freshman year volunteering, while keeping your grades up so that you can land yourself a research gig. there's no formula, but then again, it's not doing these things will be a disadvantage. just find a niche, and you'll be ok.

 

[realitybias]

Thanks, that's the kind of answer I was looking for.

I was trying to decide between volunteering at a hospital (ie candystriping) or volunteering at a clinic...

 

[cobalt31]

you should take a few minutes and think of all the things you enjoy doing.

then do them.



the best way to choose extracurriculars is to do what you like.

 

[ParvatiP]

I didn't decide to be premed until sophomore year, so you're already ahead of me in terms of your planning. You don't need to do much freshman year, really. I would recommend doing some volunteering at a local hospital, or you could get an EMT certification if that interests you. If you want to volunteer, try a clinic, because I've heard you're able to be a little more involved. Do well in your pre-reqs because next year you can work as a tutor or research assistant, and that will look good for med schools. And do some other ECs, whatever you enjoy and something you think you might stick to for a few years.

Honestly, as a freshman you should really concentrate on your grades. Many students find the transition to college difficult and their grades suffer (even if you went to a top high school). And don't worry too much about med school just yet. Keep your mind open because you may decide you want to do something else with your life. But if you're really eager to get started, the above suggestions should suffice. 🙂

 

[DoctaJay]

You honestly don't need research to get into medical school, but some sort of shadowing is very very beneficial. You don't have to take care of little orphans in Sri Lanka, but just following a doctor around and something remotely unselfish is always helpful. Seeing as how you are an enginnering major, there is a huge possibility that your GPA will be lower than most biology applicants. That being the case, you just need to make sure that you rock your MCAT (not just the PS section) and that you show some strong, dedicated interest in something non-academic.

 

[RokChalkJayhawk]

The best advice is to do your best in your undergraduate course work. That is a no-brainer. The second most important thing is to do well on your MCAT.

However, stats alone do not get you in everywhere. Check out the latest MSAR for verification on that.

And everyone else is right. Start off early doing something you like to do. If you start as a freshman, you can make it big doing something you like to do. I think that would be more impressive to an ADCOM than a bunch of pieced together "typical" pre-med experiences.

Believe me- I wish I had done it that way. But that's just me.

 

[dopaminesurge]

If I were to do it over again, I would concentrate on grades, and start volunteering in, like, ONE PLACE a few hours a week from the beginning. Even if it ends up being 500+ hours in 6 months like I actually did, I suspect it looks better if it's 400 hours spread over 3.5 years. More tenacity. If you're dying to research, find an honors program that will give you credit for it, and kill two birds baby. But don't tell the vegans.

 

[Law2Doc]

I am a first year freshman ...

Are there second year freshmen???

 

[Virgil]

god you sound young...

Like tonight, I hung out with a really cool girl that is very sweet, and if I pursued it... it might lead somewhere, but then again if it did lead somewhere I'm only 18 and the probability of that lasting are just close to none really.

The second quote was posted a few weeks ago...the hypocrisy and double-standard on these boards bring tears to my eyes.

Oh, and...

I know I'm young and all. I'll only be a freshman in college in like 15 days, but, I've had my share of naive high school relationships and I see all my friends in their semi-fickle relationships now that they think will last forever and it just doesn't make sense to me.

The above was posted on 7/31/2006.

Message to OP: Yes, you will find competitive gunners just like this or worse, who will try to ruin your chances or discourage you from getting into medical school just because you will be applying (albeit theoretically) in the same cycle. Keep your eyes peeled. 👎

 

[Schaden Freud]

Check out your college's health service. They may have work-study positions...

I am a first year freshman currently attending Louisiana tech and doing biomedical engineering. I'm hoping to be competitive at all of the nations top schools. Big hopes, big dreams to aspire to... I know. Most of you probably think I'm in for a let down, and I disagree. Regardless, I am curious as to what are some good things to do as a first year freshman to prepare myself to be a good med school applicant?

I can't work in a lab or even do research... engineering is a tough major, and I already have a job on top of that ( got to pay the bills ). My job might help a little... I work in the deans office at my college.

So the things I was thinking was...

volunteering
job shadowing
getting my cpr certification
possibly doing some EMT training

...

what would you suggest?

 

[CTtarheel]

if you want to do EMS (and its a whole lot of fun), you should go ahead and get your certification as soon as possible. Also look around and see if your campus has a volunteer EMS program, or if there's a volunteer program around you. It'll be much easier to get a position as a volunteer than as a paid employee. As for research, you can definitely do it over a summer and get paid for it, but put that aside for now, as everyone is going to want you to have had some basic classes first.

 

[Robizzle]

The second quote was posted a few weeks ago...the hypocrisy and double-standard on these boards bring tears to my eyes.

pwn3d.

 

[Richspiders07]

If you're looking to try to squeeze in some research, you could always try applying for summer research grants/fellowships/internships at your school and different schools. I'm like you and had to earn money to help pay my way through school, so an unpaid research internship wouldn't cut it. However, I was able to apply for research grants through my school that've let me do full time summer research at my home school and get paid $10/hour. You work normal hours (sometimes self-scheduling), but you can still volunteer in the evenings or on weekends. Also, I have a friend who has a well paying job at a hospital were she is what is called a "scribe." She gets paid to be a ER Drs assistant and write down his orders, etc. This gets you the same (if not more) exposure than volunteering while still getting paid!

If you do want to volunteer, i'd find a free clinic or somewhere that works with disadvantaged patients. You'll have more exposure and be less likely to be filing papers, etc.!

 

[JEV2007]

Are there second year freshmen???

haha I was thinking the same thing

 

[WantsThisBad]

I am a first year freshman currently attending Louisiana tech and doing biomedical engineering. I'm hoping to be competitive at all of the nations top schools. Big hopes, big dreams to aspire to... I know. Most of you probably think I'm in for a let down, and I disagree. Regardless, I am curious as to what are some good things to do as a first year freshman to prepare myself to be a good med school applicant?

I can't work in a lab or even do research... engineering is a tough major, and I already have a job on top of that ( got to pay the bills ). My job might help a little... I work in the deans office at my college.

So the things I was thinking was...

volunteering
job shadowing
getting my cpr certification
possibly doing some EMT training

...

what would you suggest?

Start Drinking......a lot.

 

[realitybias]

Hey guys, thanks a lot..

Honestly, it IS medicine that I am interested in... and I would really like to get my EMT certification. I read books written by doctors all the time, and the general feel of the field interests me greatly. As far as non-medicine extra curics... it's taking me a while to find my nich. EMT seems to be my best bet, but like I said in the beginning, I have to work to make a living until I can get accepted to med school. I think for now, I'll do some light volunteering and find a club or two, maybe get established in them 🙂.

Thanks a lot guys.

 

[deuist]

Are there second year freshmen???

Yes, here at Miami they're on the football team.

 

[hateroftheyear]

yes. you must start now to get into a top school, so that you can land a competitive residency, get a sweet job so that you can land in the most elite suburb and send your toddlers clad in their miniature lacoste outfits and argyle vests to the most selective pre-preschool around, and one day have a 401K which will allow you to buy the deluxe, gold-plated, ruby-encrusted, coffin.

 

[hateroftheyear]

with that said, i understand your drive, but freshman year is the time to get A's, get involved in one or two activities, and otherwise have fun. sophomore and junior year gonna wear you out, boy.

 

[Quix]

yes. you must start now to get into a top school, so that you can land a competitive residency, get a sweet job so that you can land in the most elite suburb and send your toddlers clad in their miniature lacoste outfits and argyle vests to the most selective pre-preschool around, and one day have a 401K which will allow you to buy the deluxe, gold-plated, ruby-encrusted, coffin.

"The hate is strong with this one..."

 

[musiclink213]

with that said, i understand your drive, but freshman year is the time to get A's, get involved in one or two activities, and otherwise have fun. sophomore and junior year gonna wear you out, boy.

I would say get a few B's freshman year too, because if you get all A's, there's only one way to go and that's down. Unless you're some super genious who can get in the A's every semester.

 

[applyingsucks]

I am a first year freshman currently attending Louisiana tech and doing biomedical engineering. I'm hoping to be competitive at all of the nations top schools. Big hopes, big dreams to aspire to... I know. Most of you probably think I'm in for a let down, and I disagree. Regardless, I am curious as to what are some good things to do as a first year freshman to prepare myself to be a good med school applicant?

I can't work in a lab or even do research... engineering is a tough major, and I already have a job on top of that ( got to pay the bills ). My job might help a little... I work in the deans office at my college.

So the things I was thinking was...

volunteering
job shadowing
getting my cpr certification
possibly doing some EMT training

...

what would you suggest?

Someone buy this kid a beer.

The best advice I can give you is enjoy college. The whole application process sucks. If you'r a gunner take your MCAT your sophmore summer and get it over with. Don't worry about extra currics, if you love medicine, and science, you will find yourself in the hospital volunteering because you want to. Dont become a pre med dick, I often find myself becoming a pre med dick and it scares the sh8t out of me. Were all fighting for the same spots, so take a beer, pop it open and enjoy yourself. Youll get into a school, you might have to apply 3 times but youll get into one. If you want it youll do it.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

I am a first year freshman currently attending Louisiana tech and doing biomedical engineering. I'm hoping to be competitive at all of the nations top schools. Big hopes, big dreams to aspire to... I know. Most of you probably think I'm in for a let down, and I disagree. Regardless, I am curious as to what are some good things to do as a first year freshman to prepare myself to be a good med school applicant?

I can't work in a lab or even do research... engineering is a tough major, and I already have a job on top of that ( got to pay the bills ). My job might help a little... I work in the deans office at my college.

So the things I was thinking was...

volunteering
job shadowing
getting my cpr certification
possibly doing some EMT training

...

what would you suggest?

Make sure BME is something you want to do, enjoy, and can do well. I did BME at hopkins, and it was tough and I only enjoyed a class here and there. My GPA got destroyed. Engineering isn't a usual premed major, so make sure you can do it.

 

[Ari Gold]

Are there second year freshmen???

it's a good thing the phrase was repeated 3 times in his post or we may have gotten confused.

 

[realitybias]

Lol... yeah, there are certainly second-year freshmen. They are fairly common at my school.

I had something profound to say, but I forgot as soon as I went to post my reply.

Oh, and I am doing biomedical engineering because I am fascinated by engineering... but I would much rather practice medicine.

Oh, speaking of which, would any of you recommend some good books? I've already read "Another day in the Frontal Lobe," "Hot Lights, Cold Steel," and "House of God." They all offer unique perspectives on different specialties in the medical field. Are there any good ER books out?

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

18. No older, no younger. I've got a lot of experience for my age, though. I graduated from a top ten high school (The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts). I've got great ACT scores... my admissions to college worked out real well. I know med school will not be college ap. redux, but I know it took more than good grades to get my scholarship.

What did you all do your first year?

I learned how to do keg stands and car bombs - nothing pre med.

Don't take freshman year too seriously. Get involved with things because they interest you and they are fun, not because you want to do them for medical school. And of course, study hard!