Is it wrong to be driven by the need for a challenge?

[CentralFC]

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For years I've found myself debating what field I can pursue and for what reason. Throughout my senior year, I took a strong interest in the medical field. But here's the catch: I fell in love with the undergraduate & medical school process because of its rigor and the inherent rewards from the challenges as well as the ability to help others. I could sit here and tell you all that money isn't another factor, because economic stability is obviously rewarding, but the intellectual and academic challenges that will ensue are what attracts me.

What are your feelings on this? What drives you to go through this process and has it changed throughout your undergraduate studies or medical school?

I'll be attending Northwestern University next year while intending on majoring in Philosophy. Do you have thoughts with this? Any feedback with the undergraduate process, a major in Philosophy, Northwestern's specific classes, or your personal motivations is welcomed!

Apologies if this has been a topic of discussion before. I've looked through the threads and haven't found anything similar (besides money discussions). Hopefully you'll share some of your vast amounts of experience/knowledge!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

There are lots of secondary reasons to enter the field of medicine. I believe this list includes things like financial stability, compassion for others, and a challenging career. The primary reason to enter medical school should be (wait for it) the love of medicine. Yeah, that's it. If you love the field of medicine, it will certainly be a challenge for you. But lots of things are challenging. You say you also want to help people. Lots of careers allow you to help people, and many of them are quite challenging--social work comes to mind, or ministry. If you truly believe that you'll regret not choosing medicine as a career, then medical school is definitely the right path for you.

My advice for you is to relax and enjoy the summer. Then relax and enjoy your freshman year of college! Plenty of people aren't decided about their careers at the point in their lives where you are now. When I was a brand new college student, I thought I was going to get an English degree and become a professor. That changed, oh, about October of freshman year. Then I majored in political science and was going to go to law school, changed my mind and thought I'd do environmental policy, changed my mind and thought I'd do health policy, changed my mind and applied to a master's program in American government. It wasn't until I was nearing graduating that I actually decided on medical school, something I'd considered since childhood but never thought I'd be able to accomplish.

There are dozens of career paths that are intellectually and academically challenging. If I were you, I'd get some experience shadowing real doctors and being around real patients before you make any concrete decision. Good luck!

 

[CentralFC]

That's a very insightful response. Thank you!

I've been offered to shadow several surgeons around my area [friends' parents] and I have my first shadow next week. Obviously this will be an important step for me and my stance on medicine. With that being said, I'm really looking forward to picking his brain and being in that environment.

 

[StarlingForce1]

It is most likely, that you will encounter a number of influences and inspirations while in college, that may either affirm your desire to pursue medicine, or turn you in a direction otherwise. An undergraduate education in Philosophy, however, can in no way parallel the rigors of a science education. Also, consider that, although cliche, most people report to medical schools that their foremost reason for pursuing the field of medicine, is their commitment to serve others, more specifically, the genuinely ill and needy. So the "benefit" of helping others, should not be a benefit, nor a side product, nor a perk - it should be, in some fashion, the primary driving force for your pursuit of this career. All other secondary motivations are in fact acceptable, but they are exactly that - secondary. Above all else - you should have the desire to make a difference in the lives of others, either through discovery or through service, or a combination of the two.

Godspeed.

For years I've found myself debating what field I can pursue and for what reason. Throughout my senior year, I took a strong interest in the medical field. But here's the catch: I fell in love with the undergraduate & medical school process because of its rigor and the inherent rewards from the challenges as well as the ability to help others. I could sit here and tell you all that money isn't another factor, because economic stability is obviously rewarding, but the intellectual and academic challenges that will ensue are what attracts me.

What are your feelings on this? What drives you to go through this process and has it changed throughout your undergraduate studies or medical school?

I'll be attending Northwestern University next year while intending on majoring in Philosophy. Do you have thoughts with this? Any feedback with the undergraduate process, a major in Philosophy, Northwestern's specific classes, or your personal motivations is welcomed!

Apologies if this has been a topic of discussion before. I've looked through the threads and haven't found anything similar (besides money discussions). Hopefully you'll share some of your vast amounts of experience/knowledge!

 

[CentralFC]

I definitely understand the rigors of the pre-med requirements. I doubt that there is anything comparable with the exception of some of the engineering majors at NU. I've just heard from several surgeons that choosing something other then biology and chemistry is preferred at this point.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I definitely understand the rigors of the pre-med requirements. I doubt that there is anything comparable with the exception of some of the engineering majors at NU. I've just heard from several surgeons that choosing something other then biology and chemistry is preferred at this point.

I wouldn't say non-science majors are preferred. Statistically, I believe they are slightly more likely to be accepted, probably because there is simply a smaller pool of liberal arts majors applying to med school. But it really doesn't matter what you major in, as long as you maintain a good GPA and can prove that you are capable in the hard sciences. If you love philosophy, major in that, but take a lot of upper-division science classes and excel in those as well.

 

[CentralFC]

Understood. Anything beyond the pre-med requirements?

 

[Aeterni]

I was a biochem/philosophy double major and my philosophy classes were much more difficult. Just saying.

Don't be afraid to take classes out of your comfort zone. I'm a big supporter of the liberal arts mission and I think the worst thing a pre-med can do is focus solely on bio and chem classes. Experience as much as you can, both academically and non-academically. Also, have fun! You'll never have as much freedom in your life again, make it count.

 

[CentralFC]

I was a biochem/philosophy double major and my philosophy classes were much more difficult. Just saying.

Don't be afraid to take classes out of your comfort zone. I'm a big supporter of the liberal arts mission and I think the worst thing a pre-med can do is focus solely on bio and chem classes. Experience as much as you can, both academically and non-academically. Also, have fun! You'll never have as much freedom in your life again, make it count.

Philosophy is definitely within the comfort zone, and to be entirely honest, it's the one discipline I've looked forward to most at NU.

Is it possible to start the general/inorganic chemistry as a sophomore or is it advisable to start as a freshman?

 

[NightGod]

Philosophy is definitely within the comfort zone, and to be entirely honest, it's the one discipline I've looked forward to most at NU.

Is it possible to start the general/inorganic chemistry as a sophomore or is it advisable to start as a freshman?

Very possible to start as a sophomore, but you'll likely find your overall pace of your pre-reqs a bit less hectic if you do gen chem and/or biology your freshman year. If you wait till next year you'll be forced to take one or two your junior year and you'll likely find yourself trying to cram it in with your major requirements, which generally escalate in your jr/sr years.

 

[CentralFC]

Very possible to start as a sophomore, but you'll likely find your overall pace of your pre-reqs a bit less hectic if you do gen chem and/or biology your freshman year. If you wait till next year you'll be forced to take one or two your junior year and you'll likely find yourself trying to cram it in with your major requirements, which generally escalate in your jr/sr years.

Thanks! That's good to know.

 

[NewYorker9]

You should major in whatever you want. If philosophy gets you going then do that, it can create a mindset that will help you look at life in a totally new way. Don't choose a major just because you think it's going to help you get into med school or it's what ADCOMs want to see; you'll be wasting your time and theirs. Find something you're passionate about and run with it.

My personal opinion is that if you want to become a physician you have to have some minimal level of interest in the human body/medicine and that you should have some natural inclination towards biology/chemistry/science. Just my $0.02.

You'll learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do over the next few years, just explore every opportunity (medical and non-medical). Live it up, you only get to do this once.

 

[StarlingForce1]

Understood. Anything beyond the pre-med requirements?

Try to take at least 3 or 4 of the following classes (like one a semester if your non-science, maybe 2 in one semester to demonstrate your mettle)

Genetics
Immunology
Histology
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Physiology
Anatomy

It is not that nonscience majors are preferred; it is that it helps you stand out from the applicant pool, IF your pre-requisite performance is superb, and IF you perform relatively well in your upper level science electives. What I mean by this, is if you only take the pre-reqs, and you get even a C in one of them, it is viewed in a worse light than say someone who was a science major. Why? Because the science major likely had a full course-load of absurdly difficult courses, whereas the non-science major may not have - you do not have very many other science courses to fall back on and raise your science GPA (something medical schools measure in addition to your overall GPA) - so it is pertinent that as a non-science major you ace all of your pre-requisite coursework.

 

[deleted393595]

For years I've found myself debating what field I can pursue and for what reason. Throughout my senior year, I took a strong interest in the medical field. But here's the catch: I fell in love with the undergraduate & medical school process because of its rigor and the inherent rewards from the challenges as well as the ability to help others. I could sit here and tell you all that money isn't another factor, because economic stability is obviously rewarding, but the intellectual and academic challenges that will ensue are what attracts me.

Just out of curiosity, do you like to pursue challenges in general and be the very best at them? I really want to know because you sound just like me.

 

[gettheleadout]

An undergraduate education in Philosophy, however, can in no way parallel the rigors of a science education.

Well that's probably not something that can be generalized, either between institutions or students.

It is not that nonscience majors are preferred; it is that it helps you stand out from the applicant pool, IF your pre-requisite performance is superb, and IF you perform relatively well in your upper level science electives. What I mean by this, is if you only take the pre-reqs, and you get even a C in one of them, it is viewed in a worse light than say someone who was a science major. Why? Because the science major likely had a full course-load of absurdly difficult courses, whereas the non-science major may not have - you do not have very many other science courses to fall back on and raise your science GPA (something medical schools measure in addition to your overall GPA) - so it is pertinent that as a non-science major you ace all of your pre-requisite coursework.

Keep in mind that some schools (WashU comes to mind) explicitly state that they do not take major into consideration at all. In addition, I think the assumption that a science major's science courses were "absurdly difficult" for him/her may not be universally held by application reviewers. The point about number of courses to fall back on in terms of maintaining a competitive sGPA stands and is an important factor to consider if pursuing a non-science major. However, this is mitigated to an extent by taking the additional science courses that are recommended for things like MCAT background knowledge (cell bio or physiology and the like as you said.)

 

[CentralFC]

Just out of curiosity, do you like to pursue challenges in general and be the very best at them? I really want to know because you sound just like me.

Yes, that's actually it. I love the idea of challenging myself to the fullest extent. Couple that with my love for learning in general, passion for knowledge and interest in the sciences and I feel as if I have justifiable motives. Secondary to the challenge is the pursuit of being the best, or one of the best, in what I do. I feel like that mindset can carry one far.

 

[CentralFC]

You should major in whatever you want. If philosophy gets you going then do that, it can create a mindset that will help you look at life in a totally new way. Don't choose a major just because you think it's going to help you get into med school or it's what ADCOMs want to see; you'll be wasting your time and theirs. Find something you're passionate about and run with it.

My personal opinion is that if you want to become a physician you have to have some minimal level of interest in the human body/medicine and that you should have some natural inclination towards biology/chemistry/science. Just my $0.02.

You'll learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do over the next few years, just explore every opportunity (medical and non-medical). Live it up, you only get to do this once.

Thank you. It has been an interest of mine for years. High school hasn't been the best outlet for it, though, so transitioning into the college environment will definitely be the best for me. I've always striven to understand material rather than regurgitate it and from what I can tell that mindset is essential at this level.

Thank you for the insight, though!

Try to take at least 3 or 4 of the following classes (like one a semester if your non-science, maybe 2 in one semester to demonstrate your mettle)

Genetics
Immunology
Histology
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Physiology
Anatomy

It is not that nonscience majors are preferred; it is that it helps you stand out from the applicant pool, IF your pre-requisite performance is superb, and IF you perform relatively well in your upper level science electives. What I mean by this, is if you only take the pre-reqs, and you get even a C in one of them, it is viewed in a worse light than say someone who was a science major. Why? Because the science major likely had a full course-load of absurdly difficult courses, whereas the non-science major may not have - you do not have very many other science courses to fall back on and raise your science GPA (something medical schools measure in addition to your overall GPA) - so it is pertinent that as a non-science major you ace all of your pre-requisite coursework.

That makes sense to an extent, but comparing the rigor of a Philosophy major at School A and a Biology major at School B is arbitrary.

 

[CentralFC]

Hate to be that guy, but I'd still appreciate any insight from others.

How was the transition to undergrad from high school? What was the biggest difference? What did you change in terms of studying techniques, time spent studying and other school-related tendencies?