Help for undergrad looking to get into neurology

[jaustin24]

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Hello,
I'm currently a 22 year old psychology undergrad student. I've almost gotten my BS in psychology, and had been planning on going to grad school to obtain my PhD in Clinical Psychology. Lately, however, I've been thinking about getting into neurology. I think it may fit me better.

My question is, should I go for a dual major in psychology and biology, or just stick with psychology and apply to med school after that? My grades aren't so hot as of right now (2.7 overall, 3.5 in my major) but I will be bringing them up shortly, and I have a real desire to work with the mind and this won't stop me. I'm also sure I could score fairly well on the GREs or MCATs.

Also, how much more/less competitive is med school than a clinical psychology program?

Thanks for your time,
Jamie

 

[sonicgirl]

I applied to medical school with a BA psychology. As long as you have the prereqs, I don't think it matters what you major in. In terms of competitiveness, I have heard that clinical psychology has become more competitive over the years, but I still don't think it compares to medical school. Psych is a great background for neuro. Good luck!

 

[AlternateSome1]

A degree in psychology won't prevent you from entering med school. In 2006 about 11% of matriculants (and 11% of applicants) had an undergraduate major in the social sciences. However, your grades are quite below that of the average matriculant. Again in 2006, the average total GPA was 3.64, with a science GPA of 3.57.

http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2006/mcatgpabymaj1.htm

If you want to be a successful applicant, you need to work on raising your GPA significantly, and performing well on the MCAT. You will be able to find a lot more information about other portions of your application in the premed portion of this site.

 

[buckley]

Just an FYI which I heard through the grapevine (my family is a family of psychologists), there's a PsyD program already...Doctor of Psychology...might want to look into that too...

BA is fine as long as you have the prereqs...I don't think undergrad training matters so much in medical school (that's just my honest opinion)

 

[jaustin24]

Yeah, I was looking at the PsyD program too. It actually fits more of what I would want to do in psychology, which is counseling, its just a lot more expensive. Almost as expensive as medical school, except I'd only be making $40-60k a year. Right now I think I'm just leaning more heavily towards neurology. The only problem is the competitiveness of med school and my GPA. I know I'd do well in it, but I just didn't take schooling too seriously at the beginning.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

 

[jaustin24]

I've been looking around, and is it possible to go for a DO and then get into neurology? I hear that the admission requirements are lower for DO's than MD's. I'm not looking for a "short-cut" to become a doctor, just an easier way around those gatekeepers.

Also, I've noticed some PhD programs in neuroscience and some psychology/neuro combined programs. Would this be a viable route to becoming a neurologist?

 

[AlternateSome1]

I've been looking around, and is it possible to go for a DO and then get into neurology? I hear that the admission requirements are lower for DO's than MD's. I'm not looking for a "short-cut" to become a doctor, just an easier way around those gatekeepers.

Also, I've noticed some PhD programs in neuroscience and some psychology/neuro combined programs. Would this be a viable route to becoming a neurologist?

DO's can become neurologists. It may be more difficult than through the MD route, but you may have to pick your battle during one admission process.

PhD programs in neuroscience train PhD's, not MDs. You become a neuroscientist, not a neurologist. This route may make it a lot easier to get into a MD program, but you are going to sacrifice many years of your life getting this PhD if you don't expect to actually use it (planning on staying strictly clinical).