Med School Decisions...

[Jason R]

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I recently decided that I think I'd like to become a doctor, possibly a dermatologist, radiologist, or an anesthesiologist.

I'm currently at JC, looking to transfer in the Spring. My current major is Business Management, but I think I'm going to a double major w/ Econ. and Business.

So far I haven't taken any science classes except for astronomy. I'm currently taking calculus. I am not quite sure what classes I need to take in order to get into med school, and if I should take them at my JC first or wait until I transfer or both. I really don't want to overload myself as to keep my GPA up, but I'm pretty much done w/ my GE.

My current GPA is a 3.4, but I'm hoping to bring that up this semester. I may retake a class or two to boost my GPA higher.

My question is can do I have a good chance at getting into med school w/ my current majors? How many science classes do I have to take to make it into med school? I didn't take many science classes in high school either. What do you guys think? What advice can you give me? Thanks!

 

[Law2Doc]

I recently decided that I think I'd like to become a doctor, possibly a dermatologist, radiologist, or an anesthesiologist.

I'm currently at JC, looking to transfer in the Spring. My current major is Business Management, but I think I'm going to a double major w/ Econ. and Business.

So far I haven't taken any science classes except for astronomy. I'm currently taking calculus. I am not quite sure what classes I need to take in order to get into med school, and if I should take them at my JC first or wait until I transfer or both. I really don't want to overload myself as to keep my GPA up, but I'm pretty much done w/ my GE.

My current GPA is a 3.4, but I'm hoping to bring that up this semester. I may retake a class or two to boost my GPA higher
My question is can do I have a good chance at getting into med school w/ my current majors? How many science classes do I have to take to make it into med school? I didn't take many science classes in high school either. What do you guys think? What advice can you give me? Thanks!

Major is irrelevent -- med schools take people of any type of major. The sciences which are prerequisites for med school are 2 semesters of gen chem (plus labs), 2 semesters of bio (plus labs), 2 semesters of physics (plus labs) and 2 semesters of organic chem (plus labs). Most schools require 2 semesters of calculus and of English. Some (but not many) require biochemistry. You also have to take the MCAT exam. Not sure what a GE is, but if that means you are close to done with college, I note that lots of people graduate college, and then take the sciences in a (usually 2 year) post bac program. Not sure I can offer any advice as to how schools view JC credit or whether it pays to wait on the prereqs until you transfer.

 

[tacrum43]

I recently decided that I think I'd like to become a doctor, possibly a dermatologist, radiologist, or an anesthesiologist.

I'm currently at JC, looking to transfer in the Spring. My current major is Business Management, but I think I'm going to a double major w/ Econ. and Business.

So far I haven't taken any science classes except for astronomy. I'm currently taking calculus. I am not quite sure what classes I need to take in order to get into med school, and if I should take them at my JC first or wait until I transfer or both. I really don't want to overload myself as to keep my GPA up, but I'm pretty much done w/ my GE.

My current GPA is a 3.4, but I'm hoping to bring that up this semester. I may retake a class or two to boost my GPA higher.

My question is can do I have a good chance at getting into med school w/ my current majors? How many science classes do I have to take to make it into med school? I didn't take many science classes in high school either. What do you guys think? What advice can you give me? Thanks!

Hey Jason,

You've got a lot of science ahead if you want to go to medical school. You need:

1 full year each of Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biology, all with labs. Some school also require Genetics, Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Also, they want a year of English and some require Calculus (Harvard requires a full year).

Business isn't what most premeds major in, but the admissions committee might like that. I wouldn't try to cram in another major, especially in a similar field to business. If you want two majors, your second should probably be biology or chemistry. Also, a 3.4 is below average (I would know, I have a 3.4 too) so you should probably bring that up. Of course the depends on what state you're in and what the ratio of applicants to matriculants is.

In addition, no offense to you, but I thought that the econ class I had was one of the easiest I've ever taken, and also considering that you haven't had much high school science, you'll need to work really hard to keep or even raise your GPA. Also, it will be an extra burden to take so many science classes at once, with no GEs mixed in. As far as JC vs. a four year school for your medical school requirements, you should probably take them at a four year school b/c JC courses are seen by many as inferior (whether that's true or not, I don't know).

I'm not trying to discourage you, but being a pre-med is hard even when you've been planning to go to med school during your whole college career. I would suggest going and talking to a school advisor about this. I think what I've said is accurate, but it might vary slightly depending on your situation.

Good luck to you!

 

[YzIa]

Major is irrelevent -- med schools take people of any type of major. The sciences which are prerequisites for med school are 2 semesters of gen chem (plus labs), 2 semesters of bio (plus labs), 2 semesters of physics (plus labs) and 2 semesters of organic chem (plus labs). Most schools require 2 semesters of calculus and of English. Some (but not many) require biochemistry. You also have to take the MCAT exam. Not sure what a GE is, but if that means you are close to done with college, I note that lots of people graduate college, and then take the sciences in a (usually 2 year) post bac program. Not sure I can offer any advice as to how schools view JC credit or whether it pays to wait on the prereqs until you transfer.

GE being Gen Eds,
Most of that is all accurate, med schools do not require 2 semesters of calculus, i think harvard might but otherwise you need 1-2 semesters of MATH. and the other prereqs stated above (2x gen chem, 2x org chem, bio, some english, etc)
you should take the premed prereqs at a university, not your JC.

 

[YzIa]

Ok, that previous post is quality, listen to that and pick up a copy of the MSAR.

 

[Law2Doc]

GE being Gen Eds,
Most of that is all accurate, med schools do not require 2 semesters of calculus, i think harvard might but otherwise you need 1-2 semesters of MATH. and the other prereqs stated above (2x gen chem, 2x org chem, bio, some english, etc)
you should take the premed prereqs at a university, not your JC.

My mistake -- 2 semesters of math sounds right. (For me that meant calculus.) Otherwise I think my post and the ones that follow are good advice.

 

[indo]

I recently decided that I think I'd like to become a doctor, possibly a dermatologist, radiologist, or an anesthesiologist.

You wanna be rich ehh? J/k!

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Dermatology, Radiology, Anesthesiology - Three medical specialties about as far apart as possible. I guess you're one of those lifestyle applicants? 😀

 

[indo]

8 years from now radiology might be outsourced to India or better yet, to Certified nurse practioner radiology associates (cnpra).