If you had to repeat undergrad, what would you do differently?

[Lucidity]

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Serious post.

1) Go to a different UG, mine had seriously ridiculous class sizes (600+ in an upper bio course)
2) Get started in research sooner/take statistics and biostatistics...seriously why did I take calc (If I were interested in radonc/physics this would be different)
3) Not do a pre-med major, seriously what a joke

But honestly, there are a lot of things I would do differently. Yet I can't complain because they got me to where I am today...and I like where I am at.

 

[survivordo]

Started off as biochem switched to molecular biology. Would have done so sooner to avoid calc based physics!

Survivor DO

 

[Jazzy G]

Done all my science classes at the nearby CC to get a 4.0 sGPA like so many others at my UG.

But really... If I knew I wanted to be a physician my freshman year it would have saved me as lot of time taking classes like economics. But I guess those have made me more well rounded I suppose.

 

[PursuingHappy]

I see a lot of people saying they would have went to a different UG school? Can some of you give your reasons? I'm in turmoil about my college choice. Thinking about switching to a larger state school, except it does not offer philosophy :/ Right now I will be going to a private college with only about 2500 students. Any advice?

 

[Drogo]

I see a lot of people saying they would have went to a different UG school? Can some of you give your reasons? I'm in turmoil about my college choice. Thinking about switching to a larger state school, except it does not offer philosophy :/ Right now I will be going to a private college with only about 2500 students. Any advice?

Depends on if you are really wanting to get into research or something, but then some schools participate in co-ops and what not. I was just admitted to a 2nd tier large public university and will quickly transfer out after one semester to a top tier research school. Yet that is what I want, which is to get involved into some top-notch research!

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Great thread topic. In all honesty there's not much I would have NOT changed. different undergrad. would have lived away from home. would have actually tried my first couple years.

overall I've made some probably irreparable academic mistakes my first couple years and I'm fighting so hard to come back from it. I pray every single day it pays off, but who knows. Sucks knowing I wasted years of my life and made such terrible decisions. Just need to keep fighting on now.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I see a lot of people saying they would have went to a different UG school? Can some of you give your reasons? I'm in turmoil about my college choice. Thinking about switching to a larger state school, except it does not offer philosophy :/ Right now I will be going to a private college with only about 2500 students. Any advice?

I would have went where it was the cheapest, and some might might call this a cop out, but I would have went to a less competitive school for pre-med. my school consists of thousands of pre-meds (I kid you not), and it made it cut throat and an unhappy place to be. I didn't try my first couple years and really shot myself in the foot. Go where's cheap, close/far from home depending what you want to experience, and TRY HARD FROM THE GET GO. can't emphasize that enough.

 

[novafan3000]

Definitely would have enjoyed life more. It is interesting how many docs I have met now who say to chill out and enjoy life and the journey.

And of course utilized SDN way earlier.

 

[PursuingHappy]

Thanks for the info. The private school only has around 75 premeds, but if I switch to the state school, there might be more. It is a school based on technology and the sciences and I'm worried that I won't get a well rounded education. I don't want to spend these four years doing nothing but science if I'm I will be knee deep in science courses when I get to med school. It is a lot cheaper though, and that is a big factor considering the cost of medical school.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Thanks for the info. The private school only has around 75 premeds, but if I switch to the state school, there might be more. It is a school based on technology and the sciences and I'm worried that I won't get a well rounded education. I don't want to spend these four years doing nothing but science if I'm I will be knee deep in science courses when I get to med school. It is a lot cheaper though, and that is a big factor considering the cost of medical school.

Cheap undergraduate tuition is becoming more and more important. Do not waste hundreds of thousands of dollars on the same basic education you will get at any 4 year accredited university. Go where you will be happy, out of debt, and where you can thrive and do well. All advice I wish someone would have given me in high school. I thought I had to go to the best school to be successful back then, and now that might be the reason I may never be successful (along with my own lack of effort my first couple years of course). No excuses but, make the right choice and work hard!