how to prepare for medical school?

[ArsLongaVitaBrevis]

Hi all! I'm a first year college student in a BS/MD program. I was wondering if you guys could recommend some courses to take in college to prepare for medical school (I heard immunology and pharmacology are useful). I'm particularly interested in taking courses so that I can do them during my free time. Thank you for your help!

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[gyngyn]

One prepares for medical school by distinguishing oneself in their chosen field of undergraduate study and developing the core competencies: https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/admissionsinitiative/competencies/

 

[ArsLongaVitaBrevis]

@gyngyn I don't understand. I'm currently majoring in History while still completing the standard premed reqs such as ochem, biochem, etc. What courses can I take to supplement these traditional premed courses?

 

[gyngyn]

@gyngyn I don't understand. I'm currently majoring in History while still completing the standard premed reqs such as ochem, biochem, etc. What online courses can I take to supplement these traditional premed courses?

You were chosen for a BMD program partly to allow you the luxury of development of the qualities enumerated in the document cited. Pre-studying for medical school is not the best use of your extracurricular time. Core competencies can be developed by the use on online courses, though (learning Spanish, for example will improve communication skills).

 

[ArsLongaVitaBrevis]

Core competencies can be developed by the use on online courses (learning Spanish, for example will improve communication skills). You were chosen for a BMD program partly to promote the development of the qualities enumerated in the document cited. Pre-studying for medical school is not the best use of your extracurricular time.

You're right in that I was chosen for this BS/MD program in particular because I am planning to make use of the time I don't have to spend fulfilling traditional premed reqs. That's why I'm able to pursue a History major and track cultural development across the centuries and how that impacts current medical practices. Perhaps I should rephrase: the online course I'm asking about would be secondary to everything that I'm doing right now. It's something that I would work on in my free time, like a long term project of sorts.

 

[gyngyn]

You're right in that I was chosen for this BS/MD program in particular because I am planning to make use of the time I don't have to spend fulfilling traditional premed reqs. That's why I'm able to pursue a History major and track cultural development across the centuries and how that impacts current medical practices. Perhaps I should rephrase: the online course I'm asking about would be secondary to everything that I'm doing right now. It's something that I would work on in my free time, like a long term project of sorts.

You have the luxury of developing so many skills that will help you be a better physician. Pre-studying medical school content would be a waste of that luxury.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Can I ask what you hope to accomplish with this course of action?

 

[ArsLongaVitaBrevis]

I guess I'm just worried that a history major alone won't be enough to prepare myself for the rigors of medical school. I don't have any relatives practicing medicine so all I hear about medical school is how difficult it is, how little free time you have, etc.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I guess I'm just worried that a history major alone won't be enough to prepare myself for the rigors of medical school. I don't have any relatives practicing medicine so all I hear about medical school is how difficult it is, how little free time you have, etc.

After about a month, everyone is in the same boat. If you do well in school and you are able to score reasonably well on the MCAT (assuming you have to take it), you'll most likely be able to handle the rigors of medical school. It's not something you need to worry about at this stage. The best thing you can do now is develop yourself as a person and create good study habits. Diligence more than anything is what will make you a successful medical student once you get to that stage.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

I guess I'm just worried that a history major alone won't be enough to prepare myself for the rigors of medical school. I don't have any relatives practicing medicine so all I hear about medical school is how difficult it is, how little free time you have, etc.

I think there's a difference between preparing and simulating. You can prepare for med school by doing well in your prereqs and on the MCAT and by developing good study habits now since you'll need them later! But I don't think that any undergrad classes can really simulate what med school is like, at least from what I hear. IMO, just focus on doing well in undergrad! Relax and do things you enjoy. If you really want a challenge, pick up some upper level science courses. Or use your free time to get some killer EC's.

 

[ArsLongaVitaBrevis]

After about a month, everyone is in the same boat. If you do well in school and you are able to score reasonably well on the MCAT (assuming you have to take it), you'll most likely be able to handle the rigors of medical school. It's not something you need to worry about at this stage. The best thing you can do now is develop yourself as a person and create good study habits. Diligence more than anything is what will make you a successful medical student once you get to that stage.

Thank you so much for putting my mind at ease. This is something that's been worrying me for a while and it's good to hear that I won't be at a disadvantage because of the major I've chosen (and love actually).

 

[gyngyn]

I guess I'm just worried that a history major alone won't be enough to prepare myself for the rigors of medical school. I don't have any relatives practicing medicine so all I hear about medical school is how difficult it is, how little free time you have, etc.

Rigor is independent of the discipline being studied. If you distinguish yourself in History (or any demanding field), you will acquire the skills necessary to become a fine physician.

 

[Goro]

The study of History is a very demanding skill. Having to write a paper every three week on, say, the causes of the French Revolution, or the effect of slavery on the expansion of the Roman Empire will do good. Not everything is brute memorization in med school; you have to think and apply.