Need help to ease anxiety please help by answering Questions

[Maryann462]

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Hello,
I just had a couple of

 

[Cannonball]

Hello,
I just had a couple of questions.

1) How many letters of recommendations should we have, how recent should they be, and from what types of people should we get them from?

2) Is a Bachelor's of Science degree necessary? What if you get a BA from your undergrad? I switched from prelaw to premed at the end of my junior year. I plan on finishing up my premed requirements after I graduate not by taking a post bacc but just by taking classes during the summer.

3) I will be turning 22 years old next year and I definately see myself taking at least 2 to 3 years to finish up my premed requirements, taking time to prepare for MCAT, and the application process. Im a little sad that I decided to switch to medicine so late, does anyone know what the average age of a med school student is and if Im at an instant disadvantage? Its just sort of depressing because all my friends are so far ahead of me in this process (e.g. waiting to here back if they were accepted or not). Im a worrier so any advise or information would be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!!!





University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Class of 2010 GO BLUE!!! lol 🙂

1) I had 3 letters. Two science professors. One DO. I think it is better to get the letters later since (at least at my undergrad school) they shred them after two years.

2) No. I got a BA.

3) I am ten years older than you, and I still feel young. Don't get too worried about age.

 

[boone95]

Hello,
I just had a couple of questions.

1) How many letters of recommendations should we have, how recent should they be, and from what types of people should we get them from?

2) Is a Bachelor's of Science degree necessary? What if you get a BA from your undergrad? I switched from prelaw to premed at the end of my junior year. I plan on finishing up my premed requirements after I graduate not by taking a post bacc but just by taking classes during the summer.

3) I will be turning 22 years old next year and I definately see myself taking at least 2 to 3 years to finish up my premed requirements, taking time to prepare for MCAT, and the application process. Im a little sad that I decided to switch to medicine so late, does anyone know what the average age of a med school student is and if Im at an instant disadvantage? Its just sort of depressing because all my friends are so far ahead of me in this process (e.g. waiting to here back if they were accepted or not). )

1. agree with above. but once you start applying, ask for the letters early. letter writers are historically SLOW.

2. A bachelors of anything is necessary. Some schools like the BA because it shows some 'roundedness.'

3. Avg age of matriculation is 24-27 (depending on the school). I think the oldest I've seen is 55. You've got plenty of time, don't sweat. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Ari1584]

Hello,
I just had a couple of questions.

1) How many letters of recommendations should we have, how recent should they be, and from what types of people should we get them from?

2) Is a Bachelor's of Science degree necessary? What if you get a BA from your undergrad? I switched from prelaw to premed at the end of my junior year. I plan on finishing up my premed requirements after I graduate not by taking a post bacc but just by taking classes during the summer.

3) I will be turning 22 years old next year and I definately see myself taking at least 2 to 3 years to finish up my premed requirements, taking time to prepare for MCAT, and the application process. Im a little sad that I decided to switch to medicine so late, does anyone know what the average age of a med school student is and if Im at an instant disadvantage? Its just sort of depressing because all my friends are so far ahead of me in this process (e.g. waiting to here back if they were accepted or not). Im a worrier so any advise or information would be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!!!





University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Class of 2010 GO BLUE!!! lol 🙂

1. Make sure to check each school's requirements regarding LOR's. Some schools require a non-science letter, and some don't. I think it is great to have at least a professor letter and or a committee letter and a letter from someone that knows you in a diff capacity (such as work or volunteering). I personally think that the more letters, the better! But no need to go overboard...like 7 letters aren't necessary. I personally had to gather a good number of letters in order for my school's pre-med commitee to write one composite letter and i sent ALL of the letters in. Do what you think is best!

2. A bachelor's of ANYTHING is fine. It doesn't matter if its BS or BA. You should always major in whatever you enjoy learning about the most, even if it is not science. As long as you have good grades and you graduate, it should be fine!

3. Do NOT worry about your age. It took me 5 yrs instead of 4 to graduate from undergrad, and i originally planned on going straight through to med school. Unfortunately, that did not happen bc of studying issues and MCAT prep. I am now turning 25 and will be starting in the fall. I have learned and grown so much more these past two years and i truly feel that if i had applied two years ago, i would not have had enough experience to get interviews or positive results. Instead, I took these years to work and volunteer and I had that much more to discuss during interviews. You are still very young and the avg age of most students is around 25 anyway! Stop worrying...do your best and have faith in yourself. Try to stay on your own track without worrying about others around you. I have learned to do that as well and it is def. making me feel at peace now. Good luck!!!

 

[elektroshok]

Hello,
I just had a couple of questions.

1) How many letters of recommendations should we have, how recent should they be, and from what types of people should we get them from?

-I sent in, to my DO schools, 2 sci, 1 non-sci, 2 MDs, 1 DO and one professional. I knew all these people very well though and they were NOT generic letters...
-Mine were all within my college years.. some earlier, some more recent.

2) Is a Bachelor's of Science degree necessary? What if you get a BA from your undergrad? I switched from prelaw to premed at the end of my junior year. I plan on finishing up my premed requirements after I graduate not by taking a post bacc but just by taking classes during the summer.

-BA vs. BS means absolutely nothing.

3) I will be turning 22 years old next year and I definately see myself taking at least 2 to 3 years to finish up my premed requirements, taking time to prepare for MCAT, and the application process. Im a little sad that I decided to switch to medicine so late, does anyone know what the average age of a med school student is and if Im at an instant disadvantage? Its just sort of depressing because all my friends are so far ahead of me in this process (e.g. waiting to here back if they were accepted or not). Im a worrier so any advise or information would be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!!!

-I believe 24-27 is the average age.




University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Class of 2010 GO BLUE!!! lol 🙂

see bold

 

[salazaar]

1. I personally think that the more letters, the better! But no need to go overboard...like 7 letters aren't necessary.

Haha, I had seven letters! It was definitely more than I had intended, but people kept on offering to write me more. So I figured, what the hell? Why not? I would agree that the more letters you get the better. But it is best to get letters from people that know you in different capacities. I had one from a Film professor, one from a microbiology professor that I did research with, one from my premed advisor (committee letter), one from a DO I shadowed, one from a residence life coordinator from my undergrad and two from nurses at the hospital that I work at. It ended up being a pretty good spread. In the end, it is not like a school is going to reject you because too many people like you enough to write letters. More is better and the more diversity you have in your letter writers the more doors will be open to you.

 

[dudechiefboss]

Quality not quantity.

 

[Booya]

Stop worrying about your age. I am 29 and will be 30 when I start med school next year. You are never too old to change your mind and start in something new. My mother went to medical school when she was 35 and had two kids at home, if she can do it, so can you. Age is all about how you feel. Good luck figuring it all out and try and stay as relaxed as possible. There are far too many crazy premeds out there to make you nuts so just tune them out and do your own thing!