Freshman seeking advice

[vbn]

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Hi everyone; I'm new to this forum and I'm glad I found this gold mine.

I live in California and in 2 months, I will be starting my first semester in my local community college.

First off, my goal is to transfer into a UC followed by med school of course

Bear with me here. there is one problem: I really have no idea how college works.

I want to major in political science because im really interested in the topic. I have been researching this matter and found out that people still do get into med schools with majors different from biology.
The only concern I have here is what am I going to do about the MCAT if all the classes I will be taking are political science classes? Will I have to learn the topics myself? (I'm a really bad self learner, but with guidance I can learn things exceptionally fast which is why I am worried about majoring away from MCAT topics.

My real question is can I take science classes still in a UC while my major is pol sci? If I can take science classes while majoring in political science, should I take the classes towards the end so I do not forget much for the MCAT.

My other concern is that admissions might look down on my easy major.

Also, I been reading a lot about "research", but I do not exactly know what this means. Do I have to sign up for programs/internships/ etc for this?

Thank you and I'm open to any suggestion, advice, tips, etc.

 

[deleted357625]

Each major requires a certain amount of upper-level electives so you can take upper-level biology, neuroscience, physics, chemistry courses - whatever you desire.

Also as a political science major, for every medical school you need to take the pre-reqs which are biology 1/2, chem 1/2, ochem 1/2, physics 1/2 also all accompanied with lab- these are the main ones regardless of the degree, but in your case as a political science major it won't count towards your degree.

The reason why most people choose biology as their major because those classes I mentioned overlap with their degree plan and it also applies for when applying to medical school.

Every pre-med takes those courses I listed above and maybe calculus, statistics etc depending on individual schools since they tend to differ when it comes to the math requirement.

You will just have to take all those science classes sorta as "extra" which do nothing with your degree, but as a pre-med it is required.

Also, all those classes I listed are lower-level, but needed. Since every major tends to require upper-level electives this is when you can take higher level science courses to fulfill that part as well even though it's not required, but it is highly recommended.

also choosing a political science major is definitely a good choice. I'm sure you will enjoy it, and deep down I always wish I chose that major since it's a major interest of mine, but I might get a masters in it later down the road.

Good luck

 

[vbn]

should i be taking my pre req classes at my CC or should i wait until UC? (even the very entry ones like begginning bio/chem/physics)

 

[theamazingbil]

should i be taking my pre req classes at my CC or should i wait until UC? (even the very entry ones like begginning bio/chem/physics)

How long do you plan on staying at the CC? You should really try to take them at a university if possible.

 

[vbn]

How long do you plan on staying at the CC? You should really try to take them at a university if possible.

2 years
so I should take bare minimum science courses at CC and take them all at UC?

 

[deleted357625]

should i be taking my pre req classes at my CC or should i wait until UC? (even the very entry ones like begginning bio/chem/physics)

It doesn't matter as long as you take enough upper-level science courses at the university level and do well.

 

[theamazingbil]

It doesn't matter as long as you take enough upper-level science courses at the university level and do well.

He's right. If you can do well in plenty of upper-level sciences at the university, then go ahead and fit in the basic science classes at the CC. You'll still be able to prove you can handle university level classes.

 

[ScarletKnight24]

2 years
so I should take bare minimum science courses at CC and take them all at UC?

You are going to waste time if you wait to take prereqs at the university. Most UC want you to have 60+ credits before transferring.

Take all of your prereqs at CC, get an associate, and continue majoring in biology at the university.

I took all of my prereqs at CC, transferred to uni this semester and took biochem and cellbio&neuroscie and still got A's

I actually found them about equal in difficulty. Maybe SLIGHTLY harder at the university because I have to teach myself many times since the teachers just talk and talk....

 

[NightGod]

He's right. If you can do well in plenty of upper-level sciences at the university, then go ahead and fit in the basic science classes at the CC. You'll still be able to prove you can handle university level classes.

Also keep in mind that OP is in California. CCs there don't generally carry the same stigma as most other states because of the way the state organizes them.

 

[vbn]

You are going to waste time if you wait to take prereqs at the university. Most UC want you to have 60+ credits before transferring.

Take all of your prereqs at CC, get an associate, and continue majoring in biology at the university.

I took all of my prereqs at CC, transferred to uni this semester and took biochem and cellbio&neuroscie and still got A's

I actually found them about equal in difficulty. Maybe SLIGHTLY harder at the university because I have to teach myself many times since the teachers just talk and talk....

First off, thank you everyone for your help.
I noticed you said continue majoring in biology. I am really torn between political science and a bio major right now. Both topics really interest me, but in the end medicine is what I'm really into. However, I do not want any regrets in life like what torshi said so I want to have a little bit of both (which is why I want to major in Political Science). The real question here is, is it smart/possible/harder? to go down this road as a PS major and then applying for med school. I'm not familiar with the uni level on how classes work. If I am a major in PS, there shouldn't be any restrictions for taking any upper level sci casses, would there?

Also another question I have, who can I go talk to for advice/plan? for med school. The counselors at my school aren't as helpful as I thought. I am planning to go to AMSA ARC at UCD in October though; maybe I can get some helpful information there. Anyone ever been to this conference before? ( http://www.amsaarcucd.org/ )

Meanwhile, is there anything small I can do a little bit at a time everyday to prepare for the MCAT?

Thank you everyone !

 

[NightGod]

First off, thank you everyone for your help.
I noticed you said continue majoring in biology. I am really torn between political science and a bio major right now. Both topics really interest me, but in the end medicine is what I'm really into. However, I do not want any regrets in life like what torshi said so I want to have a little bit of both (which is why I want to major in Political Science). The real question here is, is it smart/possible/harder? to go down this road as a PS major and then applying for med school. I'm not familiar with the uni level on how classes work. If I am a major in PS, there shouldn't be any restrictions for taking any upper level sci casses, would there?

Also another question I have, who can I go talk to for advice/plan? for med school. The counselors at my school aren't as helpful as I thought. I am planning to go to AMSA ARC at UCD in October though; maybe I can get some helpful information there. Anyone ever been to this conference before? ( http://www.amsaarcucd.org/ )

Meanwhile, is there anything small I can do a little bit at a time everyday to prepare for the MCAT?

Thank you everyone !

It will be a bit harder in that you have to squeeze the pre-req classes into your schedule, so you're going to either miss out on taking some of the fluff/fun electives or your're going to be there longer than four years. Neither of those should be a reason you don't do it if PS is something you truly enjoy. As long as you take the pre-req for the upper level classes, you should be able to take the classes themselves. Some might be restricted specifically to science majors, some might just be almost impossible to get into since science majors will likely get priority registration, but for the most part you shouldn't have too much difficulty.

As for advice, you're already posting on one of the more useful places for it. Certainly far more up to date information than most advisers I've encountered. I like to call the time I visited the one at the school I'm headed to in the fall "that time I wasted two hours waiting to see a woefully under-informed guy who will only be helpful in that he'll make it likely I won't face much competition from the other kids at that school".

On the MCAT, other that studying the material in your pre-req classes with the goal of truly understanding it rather than just getting through the next test, don't worry about it until you're much closer to the date you're actually going to sit in front of a computer to take it. I wouldn't even really start thinking about it until at least six months out, and not doing any serious work until 3-4 months prior.

 

[vbn]

It will be a bit harder in that you have to squeeze the pre-req classes into your schedule, so you're going to either miss out on taking some of the fluff/fun electives or your're going to be there longer than four years. Neither of those should be a reason you don't do it if PS is something you truly enjoy. As long as you take the pre-req for the upper level classes, you should be able to take the classes themselves. Some might be restricted specifically to science majors, some might just be almost impossible to get into since science majors will likely get priority registration, but for the most part you shouldn't have too much difficulty.

As for advice, you're already posting on one of the more useful places for it. Certainly far more up to date information than most advisers I've encountered. I like to call the time I visited the one at the school I'm headed to in the fall "that time I wasted two hours waiting to see a woefully under-informed guy who will only be helpful in that he'll make it likely I won't face much competition from the other kids at that school".

On the MCAT, other that studying the material in your pre-req classes with the goal of truly understanding it rather than just getting through the next test, don't worry about it until you're much closer to the date you're actually going to sit in front of a computer to take it. I wouldn't even really start thinking about it until at least six months out, and not doing any serious work until 3-4 months prior.

That's exactly what I'm scared of. There shouldn't be too much restrictions would there?
Also, Would the uni you went to be a swaying factor to what med school you would go to. For example, I'm in a dilemma right now; I do not know which UC I want to pick to go to. I'm leaning towards UC Davis right now because it's closer to my house, but would any other UC's be a better choice for me.

Thanks

 

[NightGod]

There shouldn't be too much restriction, but I know CA schools are crowded as hell (one of the reasons CC classes aren't frowned down upon as much there) so that's something you'd really need to check with your counselors and fellow students about to get a clear picture on.

Unless you're trying for a seat at Harvard, your choice of undergrad school isn't going to matter. And even at Harvard your GPA is going to be a lot more important than where you went to school. As long as it's accredited (ie-not University of Phoenix or the like), which school you went to is one of the least important parts of your app.

 

[Rumalum]

take your prereqs at the CC 😱. If you wait until junior year, you won't have any orgo or physics grades to show adcoms when you apply before senior year

 

[JESSFALLING]

take your prereqs at the CC 😱. If you wait until junior year, you won't have any orgo or physics grades to show adcoms when you apply before senior year

👍 But you might want to make sure that your CC's Ochem series will transfer to your planned University. (OChem II is often taught at the upper-division level). Since you're in CA, use http://www.assist.org/web-assist/welcome.html to verify.

Good luck... and regarding the "continuing majoring in bio" comment above, that's completely not needed! Just be sure to take the 10+ prerequisite courses and you can major in anything! Political science won't be viewed as "too easy". You will likely get asked "why Political science?" though, but you can use that to your advantage if you think it through. And BTW, depending where you plan on applying to, you may need to complete a few extra courses in subjects like Biochemistry, Genetics, Cell Biology, Calculus, Statistics, and/or Psychology....as some schools require these.

Lastly, to help prepare for the (2015+) MCAT, you may find biochemistry, physiology, psychology, and sociology courses helpful, along with the standard prerequisites. Psychology and sociology should also fulfill GE requirements.

 

[vbn]

Thanks guys.

I will def look into those courses JESSFALLING, thank you.

I guess I stated my question unclear.
I'm trying to choose a UC that prepares me for med school. I rather have a school that teaches me something and get a slightly lower grade compared to a school that passes me easily leaving me in the dust for the MCAT.

 

[Rumalum]

Thanks guys.

I will def look into those courses JESSFALLING, thank you.

I guess I stated my question unclear.
I'm trying to choose a UC that prepares me for med school. I rather have a school that teaches me something and get a slightly lower grade compared to a school that passes me easily leaving me in the dust for the MCAT.

Gen bio, gen chem, and gen physics are high school level classes that are pretty much standardized across the nation (I highly recommend taking calc based physics). Orgo is pretty standardized too, although different schools will have you doing different lab projects (basic concept is the same though). Take as many of those classes as humanly possible in your first 3 years of college

 

[WorldChanger36]

Just take the pre -reqs at the CC... then transfer and finish up....