how hard is it competing in a NCAA division I sport while being a pre-med
Started by metalhead1023
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It's going to be difficult. I had a roommate who did a division I sport for one year while pre med. I hardly saw him.
That said, from what I hear being able to balance everything and do well (find some time to volunteer, get decent grades) looks great on an application. Medical schools like teamwork.
It is possible. I know several people who have done it and have done well. Just be prepared for a very difficult journey.
Edit: Actually, I was at a division II school, silly me.
That said, from what I hear being able to balance everything and do well (find some time to volunteer, get decent grades) looks great on an application. Medical schools like teamwork.
It is possible. I know several people who have done it and have done well. Just be prepared for a very difficult journey.
Edit: Actually, I was at a division II school, silly me.
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it depends what sport. honestly.
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I've decided not to continue my sport in college. *sighs* All the schools that offer it.. I'm not applying to. (only 2 in the state and scattered throughout us) the only school I was thinking about applying to would cost me over 35000 a year and I'm thinking I should save for vet school.. *sighs* (really nice school) but at least I can still continue my sport for fun... very relaxing and the best feeling in the world.
I played D1 baseball, but didn't really think about going to medical school until some point during my 4th year (I took 5 total, change of majors, red-shirted, slacked off, etc) so I'm not 100% qualified to answer this. It will be hard, but it is doable, and baseball is pretty much year-round at the D1 level. There were 2 other guys on the team who both wanted to go to medical school and got very good grades as science majors (>3.5) while being starters. Of course, they both eventually changed their minds,one's in optometry school and one getting a Ph.D., but that's beside the point. I managed decent grades my whole career and I think had I actually known early that I wanted to go to medical school I could have got grades in the 3.6+ range. What it will take is great time management skills and supreme devotion both to your sport and to your goal of getting into medical school.
I would also plan on not being able to apply during your senior year. I don't think you'll want to be filling out aps, competing, and studying for the MCAT, and trying to interview all at the same time. I would recommend an elongated application process, probably with 1-2 years off after school to build up ECs, especially shadowing and take the MCAT. Otherwise you might overload your plate during your time in school.
I would also plan on not being able to apply during your senior year. I don't think you'll want to be filling out aps, competing, and studying for the MCAT, and trying to interview all at the same time. I would recommend an elongated application process, probably with 1-2 years off after school to build up ECs, especially shadowing and take the MCAT. Otherwise you might overload your plate during your time in school.
So you recommend to wait. Thats interesting, could I get a masters in 1 year after my bachelors?
N
nonesuchgirl
Depends on the programme requirements. Some schools have accelerated programmes where part of your bacc requirements can double count.
It also depends on what sport you play. If you play a fall sport, you could probably take a spring/summer MCAT the year before you want to apply. But then you'd also be in season during the beginning of interview time. If you play a Spring sport, you could take a summer/fall MCAT, but the interview season still stretches into the spring. I'm sure there are exceptions, but it just doesn't seem totally feasible to me to do 4 years of u-grad and start school right after that. Most D-1 programs are going to require a lot of commitment from you and aren't going to let you take chunks of time off to study or travel for interviews.
My final two cents: Don't give up your sport before starting college b/c you want to be a doctor, regardless if it's DI, DII, or DIII. If you love your sport, it's totally worth waiting 1,2,3, or more years to start medical school. You have one chance to play college sports. You'll probably also make your best friends playing college sports. The groomsmen in my wedding, the guys I still talk to and visit more than 3 years after graduating, almost all were teammates from college. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if someone told me I could go back in time, not play baseball, and be in my first year of residency right now instead of my 2nd year of medical school, I wouldn't take that deal.
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