Major Switch/Equation Difficulty

[TheLongRoad87]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So i'm thinking of switching majors, currently working on a BS in Psych throuh Park U which i've done 15 creds online. Moving to Colorado and transferring these credits to Pikes Peak CC and continuing on my degree plan.

However, come to find out they do offer AS/BS in Pre-Med programs, i'm wondering would this be a good switch and something that would benefit me in the long run?? My interest in Psychology has waned, I still find it quite interesting but when I started my degree I had no intention of going into medicine either. I figure getting into a Pre-Med BS would ensure i'm getting everything I need to get studying for the MCAT when that tiem comes.

Seperating from the Air Force and prob leave CO in 2013 with my AS to transfer to a school back east, what are some reputable Pre-Med programs on the East Coast that may be of interest for me to finish my BS?

I haven't had a math based course since high school(4+ yrs) and i'm dead rusty, doesn't help that it was always my worst subject, im probably dead meat even on easy algebra until I get my feet wet. I've taken one face to face science course, an Anatomy last year. I feel like i'm not exposing myself enough to what's ahead as far as getting ready for Physics and the harder stuff, so maybe this is a good way for me to jump into the pool, start of with some basics in my AS and then work my way up.

I need to do something dramatic to erase the past, I sturggled with everything related to equations in High School, whether Algebra, Chem, etc and my grades reflected as such. I always took the easiest math, science classes just because I needed math and did fine until I got into equations they sank my grades and had my parents in with my teacher a few times,

Complete lack of effort by me and I got easily intimidated by longer problems that others did with ease..., I simply wasn't focused on school, equations take some work and thought while my thought was probably on my girlfriend and my band. but even when I forced myself I had difficulty working through equations which is what really troubles me and just didn't get it is this normal?

I bought a Physics book and when I look inside my brain scrambles like an egg, sometimes I feel like i'm supposed to start understanding this stuff just by reading up on it a bit and it'll all make sense..

I've often wondered if in fact maybe I suffer from ADD and pondered the benefits of treatments and help focusing, or if I simply need to take a different approach to understand what Im being taught. I just realize what's in front of me and classes like Physics and Chem could sink my dreams fast if i'm not ready for them.

Thanks for any advice on the Major switch and/or my equation struggles and maybe how to approach differently.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

That's funny, I thought I had replied to this post...

Anyway, many medical schools specifically say that they don't care what major students choose. So choose something that interests you.

I don't know anything about "pre-med" majors, but definitely don't think that you need one to get you into medical school (and it might not necessarily give you any advantage, either). Hopefully someone else can give you some more objective advice, but my gut reaction to a "pre-med" major is to pass on it. Sounds phony to me.

To do well on the MCAT you need a solid knowledge in:
General biology
General/inorganic chemistry
Organic chemistry

Aside from those classes, some anatomy and physiology can be helpful, as can biochemistry and genetics.

The scope of info on the MCAT is actually pretty limited. If you search the MCAT website you can find detailed lists of exactly which topics are considered fair game for the MCAT.

My suggestion to you is that you really buckle down and get good at math. In my humble opinion, you should be able to do high school Algebra I and high school Geometry both at the A level before attempting General Physics. You should feel like a freakin' expert at high school-level math before attempting the MCAT or you're likely to get killed.

 

[EdLongshanks]

My suggestion to you is that you really buckle down and get good at math. In my humble opinion, you should be able to do high school Algebra I and high school Geometry both at the A level before attempting General Physics. You should feel like a freakin' expert at high school-level math before attempting the MCAT or you're likely to get killed.

I hate to discourage those who aren't mathematically minded, but my experience with the MCAT confirms this. The reason that I got a 33 on the MCAT even though I had not taken OChem I or biochemistry was because math is an instinct with me rather than a skill. I would encourage people who are going to take the MCAT to study math until they start deriving the quadratic equation in their sleep.