Looking for Some Honest Advice

[nelldirp]

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Hello,

This is my first time posting on SDN, I am an 18 year old high school senior who is looking for some advice from all of you who are going or have gone through the pre-med track during college. First a little about me: I am planning on going to the University of Pittsburgh next year, and am thinking about majoring in a non-science (psych, poli-science etc.) while also taking med school requirements. As I think about my future, osteopathic medical school is something I really feel I want to pursue. From reading many of the threads on SDN, I feel osteopathic medicine is more of my style compared to allopathic, for various reasons. My biggest fear into pursuing my ultimate goal of becoming a physician, is essentially failure. As far as my knowledge of science goes, I am lacking somewhat. I have taken, Bio, Chem, And Physics, and am currently taking AP Bio, but to be perfectly honest my school's science program is terrible (for the typical reasons why many public high school science programs are lacking). I feel this leaves me already in a disadvantaged position going into college level science courses. So to sum up my biggest fear-for all of you who have gone through it, what is the key to obtaining an excellent GPA in college level science courses by a person who has only a very basic background in science. Any other advice that you think may help me will also be greatly appreciated.

 

[DrLalich]

1) Go to class and stay as organized as possible.
2) Take good notes and use them.
3) Make friends in your classes. Nothing beats a group with which to study.
4) Go in with a "want to learn" attitude, rather than a "give me my A" attitude
5) Meet and get to know all of your professors (if possible), especially within your major's department.
6) Be involved on campus and have some fun (this is important). The last thing that you want to do is focus too much on academics and burn out before midterms (trust me, I have seen it and have done it myself; not at all a pretty sight 👎 )

This is by no means a comprehensive list, nor will these suggestions work for everyone. This is what worked for me and I hope this will give you some insight.

DrL

 

[NewNick]

1) Go to class and stay as organized as possible.
2) Take good notes and use them.
3) Make friends in your classes. Nothing beats a group with which to study.
4) Go in with a "want to learn" attitude, rather than a "give me my A" attitude
5) Meet and get to know all of your professors (if possible), especially within your major's department.
6) Be involved on campus and have some fun (this is important). The last thing that you want to do is focus too much on academics and burn out before midterms (trust me, I have seen it and have done it myself; not at all a pretty sight 👎 )

This is by no means a comprehensive list, nor will these suggestions work for everyone. This is what worked for me and I hope this will give you some insight.

DrL

Excellent advice. 👍 Try to study hard. The harder you work, the luckier you get. 🙂

 

[mj1878]

-Volunteer a LOT; but do something that interests you.
-Shadow a physician early and often; seeing the work up close and personal might affect your decision to enter the profession.
-Get to know your professors. Go in during office hours even if you don't have specific questions and ask them about their research, the class topics, etc.. You'll find that most of them are exceptional people.
-Study abroad for one semester. It will give you a broader cultural prospective of both your culture and that of others' and will let you know that we're not alone in our little American universe of Coca-Cola and Hummers.
-Work hard. Spend more time in the libary than outside drinking and partying it up; I guarantee you that the difference between a successful pre-med and one who remains pre-med(and brags about being "premed" to everyone he/she meets) is that the successful ones are willing to put in all of the hours that it takes to reach their goals. Unsuccessful premeds want it all handed to them, their reward for choosing such a difficult path in life.

I wish you the best of luck; PM me if you have any questions!

 

[kkbmd2b]

1) Go to class and stay as organized as possible.
2) Take good notes and use them.
3) Make friends in your classes. Nothing beats a group with which to study.
4) Go in with a "want to learn" attitude, rather than a "give me my A" attitude
5) Meet and get to know all of your professors (if possible), especially within your major's department.
6) Be involved on campus and have some fun (this is important). The last thing that you want to do is focus too much on academics and burn out before midterms (trust me, I have seen it and have done it myself; not at all a pretty sight 👎 )

This is by no means a comprehensive list, nor will these suggestions work for everyone. This is what worked for me and I hope this will give you some insight.

DrL

I agree with what DrL states here, although I'd like to add a few things to the list:

7) Don't be afraid to fail. Put another way: recognize that perfection is unobtainable. That isn't to say that you shouldn't strive to do your best, but rather that there are important lessons to be found in realizing that there's no use in beating yourself up if your best performance on an exam turns out to be less than an A. You may even discover that you learn more from a test on which you do poorly than from one you ace!
8) Find the professors that are the best teachers--look up ratings before you register for classes.
9) Make use of the tutoring service on campus (usually schools provide free tutors--they're awesome and can sometimes teach the material better than the profs!).
10) Find ways to teach the material to others.
11) Print out the outline of topics covered on the MCAT. As you go through your classes, make sure you get instruction on each of those points (not all the basic classes will cover all the material tested)--and maybe keep copies of your notes in a binder for review later so that you don't have to dig for them when you go to study for the MCAT.
12) Don't listen to anyone who says you can't. If you put your heart into it, you can and will succeed.

 

[Jamers]

Hello,

This is my first time posting on SDN, I am an 18 year old high school senior who is looking for some advice from all of you who are going or have gone through the pre-med track during college. First a little about me: I am planning on going to the University of Pittsburgh next year, and am thinking about majoring in a non-science (psych, poli-science etc.) while also taking med school requirements. As I think about my future, osteopathic medical school is something I really feel I want to pursue. From reading many of the threads on SDN, I feel osteopathic medicine is more of my style compared to allopathic, for various reasons. My biggest fear into pursuing my ultimate goal of becoming a physician, is essentially failure. As far as my knowledge of science goes, I am lacking somewhat. I have taken, Bio, Chem, And Physics, and am currently taking AP Bio, but to be perfectly honest my school's science program is terrible (for the typical reasons why many public high school science programs are lacking). I feel this leaves me already in a disadvantaged position going into college level science courses. So to sum up my biggest fear-for all of you who have gone through it, what is the key to obtaining an excellent GPA in college level science courses by a person who has only a very basic background in science. Any other advice that you think may help me will also be greatly appreciated.

I hated my high school. Over 3000 people were crammed into a building made for about half that number and they ran it like a boot camp. With all that said, I never studied or cared about my classes/grades. I ended up number 128 out of over 700, not that good. In the end, I didn't have a strong science background when I went to college. My advice to you is just to study your ass off. College was far different than high school and I have learned everything I knew about science from College, not high school. You will do fine, your basic background will not hold you back. I went from 128 in my high school to near the top five here. Stick in there.

 

[Redneck]

This should be your mantra to quote the Patriot, "Aim small, miss small."

1) Work backwards. Figure out where you want to be in life, what you want, and also what is important to you. What are your values? Then figure out the straightest path to it. This has implications of which career is appropriate, MD or DO, FP or NS, rural vs. urban, etc... If in doubt or uncertain over shoot and leave your options open.

2) Bust a$$ in the freshmen and sophmore years. These are the easiest classes.

3) When you start to get stressed out and the sky is falling in from each little test that just might tear your dream from you - don't tell other people about. No one else cares nor understands. Suck it up, go balls deep. Here on SDN you MIGHT get sympathy.

4) Also, avoid other premeds at all costs. Don't make them your friends. They bite. With big strong teeth. And if you must be friends with them, don't talk about school, the MCATs, or their future med plans.

5) Study groups aren't essential depending on your learning style but friends with people in your major or biological sciences who will be taking the same courses as you ARE essential. You scratch their back when they're clueless or blew off class because they wanted to sleep in or were hungover and they'll do the same for you. It comes in very handy when you are interviewing and blow off your classes. With help from these friends it really doesn't matter if your in class.

5) Get involved with research your freshmen year! Profs want someone they can mold and train and milk for every penny. A junior coming in for research isn't as milkable.

6) If you think for the slightest second you might be antisocial, currently have or are at risk of developing that annoying stick up your a$$ complex, or think you won't get enough parties in to fill your young appetite - GO GREEK! Being in a frat or sorority will cure of these ailments and open your eyes to so much more.

7) MCATs? You'll figure it out when you get closer. I knew a girl who studied for 2 years, Ms. 4.0 intelligent know it all, and only did 3 pts better than this slacker guy who studied for only two weeks before the exam. Both have been accepted to schools. Baffling really.

8) One of the people above said don't be afraid to fail. I disagree somewhat. Be very afraid at least your first two years to make sure you have a solid GPA no matter what you do your last two years. After you have your solid GPA base then it can be okay to fail. But remeber after you cross this threshold into being unperfect its like losing your virginity. You can't go back. It can also breed apathy with your ensuing classes. Trust me on this - for the last 1.5 years have been the worst.

9) I'm willing to bet that your a geek - its okay though. Like others I've observed during my time here in the land of University you probably didn't do a whole lot in highschool. So if you can avoid the booze or what ever the drugs of choice are at UPitt. then be aware that when you stumble into some guy or girl and get twitterpated it will be just as much of a high and distraction from school. If you are indeed a geek - you are warned that this will happen at the worst moment academically (But enjoy!). (now that I think about it even non-geeks have had nominal highschool experiences too... huh)

Hope this helps.

 

[group_theory]

Excellent advice so far

My only addition ...

Be open-minded about everything.

You may want to be a physician now, but you may discover a passion for art, or physics, or philosophy, or law.

Don't shadow a physician - shadow multiple physicians in multiple settings. Medicine is very different - inpatient, outpatient, single-doc office, multi-doc office, etc. The specialities are different too ... ortho is very different from cardiology, ob/gyn, etc. You may find that you don't like family medicine or internal medicine, but then find the field of cardiology or general surgery interesting.

Also have fun in life and in college. You only go through college once (hopefully). You don't want to be so goal-driven that you miss the scenic view while reaching for the destination. Just keep in the back of your mind what you want to do and do a little "forward-thinking" when you or your friends want to do something stupid.

As a followup to that last advice - make friends who are not pre-meds. You do not want to be around premeds 24/7 - thinking, talking, reading, dreaming about medical school/physican-hood. You'll be OCD about it and then will be constantly checking this site, posting "OMG, I only have a 38 MCAT with a 3.98 GPA and a triple major while my friend with a 40 MCAT, 4.00 GPA, a triple major but 3 minors and is the star quarterback for the football team just got rejected from Best Medical School. What should I do now to improve my chances?"

Good luck - have fun ... be successful.

 

[sort_timer]

Hello,

This is my first time posting on SDN, I am an 18 year old high school senior who is looking for some advice from all of you who are going or have gone through the pre-med track during college. First a little about me: I am planning on going to the University of Pittsburgh next year, and am thinking about majoring in a non-science (psych, poli-science etc.) while also taking med school requirements. As I think about my future, osteopathic medical school is something I really feel I want to pursue. From reading many of the threads on SDN, I feel osteopathic medicine is more of my style compared to allopathic, for various reasons. My biggest fear into pursuing my ultimate goal of becoming a physician, is essentially failure. As far as my knowledge of science goes, I am lacking somewhat. I have taken, Bio, Chem, And Physics, and am currently taking AP Bio, but to be perfectly honest my school's science program is terrible (for the typical reasons why many public high school science programs are lacking). I feel this leaves me already in a disadvantaged position going into college level science courses. So to sum up my biggest fear-for all of you who have gone through it, what is the key to obtaining an excellent GPA in college level science courses by a person who has only a very basic background in science. Any other advice that you think may help me will also be greatly appreciated.

did you know that robert morris in pittsburgh will be starting a DO school? the first year is projected to be 2007.

DO 2006

 

[scpod]

As a followup to that last advice - make friends who are not pre-meds. You do not want to be around premeds 24/7 - thinking, talking, reading, dreaming about medical school/physican-hood. You'll be OCD about it and then will be constantly checking this site, posting "OMG, I only have a 38 MCAT with a 3.98 GPA and a triple major while my friend with a 40 MCAT, 4.00 GPA, a triple major but 3 minors and is the star quarterback for the football team just got rejected from Best Medical School. What should I do now to improve my chances?"

Good luck - have fun ... be successful.

You've got to realize one thing about those "non pre-med" friends, though. While you may be taking Organic, Physics, and Biology (each with 3 or 4 hour labs per week) at the same time with another course or two, those "non pre-med" friends may spend vitually no time in class by comparison. You will have a lot less free time than many of them will. While it is very important to put social time in your schedule, remember that you will have to study harder, with less available time, than many other students. Use your time wisely! Two words: day planner!

 

[DrLalich]

Two words: day planner!

Great Advice!!! My Palm is an integral part of my life. 😉

 

[NonTradMed]

Here is my advice:

1. Do make friends with other premeds. At my school, they were unavoidable as half the incoming freshmen class were premeds (and about 2/3 of arts and sci college).

Contrary to what others experienced, I found working with premeds to help me in studying. It encouraged me to see others studying late into the evenings and on weekends, and having to sacrifice saturday nights to study for upcoming exams. I didn't feel so lonely or that I'd missed out because my nonpremed friends were out having fun and I was stuck at the library.

2. Pace yourself. I overloaded on classes, thinking I could do everything. I didn't do as well as I could have as an undergrad and I think it really hurt me during the application process. My friend who made sure her premed courses were taken alongside classes like 'music appreciation' and got a much higher science GPA than me, and even though she had to reapply, it is far easier to increase your extracurriculars than to increase your science GPA if you need to.

3. Work hard, do your best, and don't let other people intimidate you. I was a top student in high school. Then I went to a college filled with top students. I had to study twice as hard to do half as well. That's fine. I still got into med school. Don't fret when you get your first B. Don't get scared when you worked your ass off for that A- and boy genius besides you studied the night before and broke the curve. That's life. You're going to meet people smarter than you. But getting into med school isn't a sprint, it's a test of endurance. Med school admissions isn't won by those that are brilliant, it's won by those that are persistant. Keep that in mind while you are in college.

4. Do research, shadowing, volunteering etc. I think this is obvious. Med schools expect you to participate in nonacademic activities while in college. Use that chances to do something worthwhile and focus on doing it well. Like college, adcoms also like to see consistency and dedication.

5. Don't listen to exceptional cases and expect the same will happen to you unless you also share the same exception. The story the above poster stated of a person who studied excessively for the MCAT who scored only slightly better than the person who barely studied may happen in real life, but that is the exception, not the rule. Don't assume that so-and-so got in with a MCAT of 20 that you will as well...unless whatever made that person stand out also makes you stand out. I wish someone told me this. While applying, I was unundated with stories of people who got in with subpar numbers or who made horrible mistakes in life....but you know what? Most people are still expected to get to a certain point before being accepted. Assume you are no different.



That's all I can think of for now. But as long as you keep your long term goal in mind, and maintain a balanced life, I think you can enjoy college and still do well. Good luck. 👍

 

[DiverDoc]

In high school i took the bare minimum to graduate with my class and my senior year i spent in wood shop and lifetime sports... I did NOTHING in highschool especially science wise.. Now i am a Dep. Scholar and tutor in the sciences. So my advice to you is to worry about enjoying your senior year of highschool.

 

[RUscrewed]

go to a school that has a degree in pharmacy and pursue it. or at the very least somethign more professional like bio/biochemical engineering. the MCAT will be a joke for you if you do this. if you decide medicine is not for you, you will have no problems getting a well paid job in fields that you like and are familiar with -- not like the poor kids whose biology degree might as well been sociology or hotel management when they can't pursue medicine.