New here, but I have lots of questions?

[AmberFutureMD]

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Since I was a child, I've always been interested in medicine. I read medical literature (typically medical reference books) starting when I learned how to read. When I would go to my pediatrician, I was always interested in the details. As a grew older, when I would be sick, I typically knew what infection I had, and started to guess correctly what other people had. My pediatrician would call me Dr. Amber. My adult GP, who is a newly-graduated D.O., is pretty spooked when I know what he's talking about.

As a high school student, in my junior year, I was in a class called 'health careers,' and I was pretty much acing everything. My senior year, I won first place in a medical terminology competition at the regional level, and went to state, achieving 6th place out of 17 contestants.

Unfortunately, in high school I developed dysthymia and GAD, which slowed me down performance-wise and academically. Luckily, I'm in complete remission with the help of psychotherapy and Zoloft. I'm making up for it in college, of course, trying to build my GPA. I'm going for my bachelor's in nursing, while taking premedical-like courses (such as general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics, etc). I'd like to work with eating-disordered patients, but I'm torn between psychiatry, internal medicine and pediatrics, since I'd like to work with all age-ranges while being able to take control of the medical-aspect of eating disordered patients.

I'm only in my freshman year of college, and being the perfectionist I am, I get mad at myself for getting anything less than a B in anything. I'm already in upper-division biology courses, and I'm already a couple of classes away from taking actual nursing courses and clinicals, so I'm way ahead. I'm taking A&P II already, and I'm going to take A&P I next fall, and then microbiology after that. I'm ahead because I took college courses in high school, and my ACT scores were good enough for me to be able to skip some classes (except math...).

My questions are, is it normal for me to feel like since I'm not getting straight A's and I'm not as 'smart' as some of my peers, that I'm not smart enough for medical school? How similar are A&P and gross anatomy (since GA is the hardest class...)? Any advice after this loooong essay you read?

 

[Life Sucks]

College is the place you go to where you find out you're not the smartest in the room. I noticed that I had classmates who were just like me, but the difference in these students were the study time, and effort. The international students put a lot of effort into things, and I started to changed my habits. But could it just be you had a lot of hard professors?

 

[AmberFutureMD]

College is the place you go to where you find out you're not the smartest in the room.

Agreed!

I have had hard professors, my A&P II professor is a D.C. and another biology professor has a Ph.D. in biology, who expected nothing but perfect grades on everything. So more than anything, I've been intimidated by professors, yes.

 

[Mr Roboto]

College is the place you go to where you find out you're not the smartest in the room.

Really? I thought that's what med school is for!

 

[AmberFutureMD]

Really? I thought that's what med school is for!

That too!

 

[SolarMed]

Agreed!

I have had hard professors, my A&P II professor is a D.C. and another biology professor has a Ph.D. in biology, who expected nothing but perfect grades on everything. So more than anything, I've been intimidated by professors, yes.

If you think you are "way ahead" then you have no been properly humbled. So what if professors have PhD's? I think most colleges require ALL professors to have PhD's.

I had a 16 year old sitting in my graduate math class. My brilliant friend published as first author in her freshman year (like wtf? Who does that?). My fellow college intern was hired by NASA without interview. It's fairly common for students to complete a BS in 2-3 years.

 

[AmberFutureMD]

If you think you are "way ahead" then you have no been properly humbled. So what if professors have PhD's? I think most colleges require ALL professors to have PhD's.

I had a 16 year old sitting in my graduate math class. My brilliant friend published as first author in her freshman year (like wtf? Who does that?). My fellow college intern was hired by NASA without interview. It's fairly common for students to complete a BS in 2-3 years.

It's not that my professors have Ph.D's, it's that they're so arrogant that they pretty much expect everybody to get straight A's. I'm not saying that I've received a bad grade, because I haven't. I'm just saying that being pressured to be perfect and being a perfectionist makes it difficult. I'm not one of those off-the-chart MENSA prodigies, and I quite frankly don't have time to write a book (18 credit hours AND working as a librarian's assistant? Yeah right!) It's not that I'm not humble, because I put myself down more than the average person, and I think that's where I come into problems. This whole thread isn't about me being ahead, it's more of my concern that because I feel like a failure for not being perfect, will it hinder my progress down the road.

 

[Ismet]

My questions are, is it normal for me to feel like since I'm not getting straight A's and I'm not as 'smart' as some of my peers, that I'm not smart enough for medical school? How similar are A&P and gross anatomy (since GA is the hardest class...)? Any advice after this loooong essay you read?

Where did you hear that Gross Anatomy is the hardest class? It's rough because it's usually the first class of med school and you have to adjust, but looking back after finishing my first 2 years, anatomy was the easiest by a long shot.

You don't need straight A's. You are not a failure if you get a few lower grades. If you shoot for a 3.7+, you'll be set GPA-wise. Just don't overload yourself and ask for help when you need it, if not from your professors than from academic resources at your school or a tutor.

You'll find as you go through life that there is always someone better than you. That hits hard when you make the move from high school to college, and it hits exponentially harder when you move to med school. If you learn early on to stop comparing yourself so much to others and just do what YOU can do to improve yourself, you'll be happier.

 

[LizzyM]

It's not that my professors have Ph.D's, it's that they're so arrogant that they pretty much expect everybody to get straight A's. I'm not saying that I've received a bad grade, because I haven't. I'm just saying that being pressured to be perfect and being a perfectionist makes it difficult. I'm not one of those off-the-chart MENSA prodigies, and I quite frankly don't have time to write a book (18 credit hours AND working as a librarian's assistant? Yeah right!) It's not that I'm not humble, because I put myself down more than the average person, and I think that's where I come into problems. This whole thread isn't about me being ahead, it's more of my concern that because I feel like a failure for not being perfect, will it hinder my progress down the road.

It is impossible to be perfect and if trying to be perfect is going to make you sick, then you have a problem that you'll need to deal with.

No teacher expects everyone to get straight A's. They know that there will be a range within the class... but they do want everyone to work as hard as they are able so if professors spur you on it is to do your best whether that results in an A or a B or less.

Take things one step at at time. You seem to have interests in treating adults and children and people with mental and physical illness and it may not be until your third year of medical school that you really have enough real life experience to know where you should be headed for residency training and then, a fellowship in a subspecialty. That is so far down the road... in the meantime, it might be helpful to volunteer in a clinical setting where teens and young adults are being treated (maybe a psych hospital, maybe a children's hospital) so that you get some experience with that population of patients and perhaps meet some physicians who will let you shadow them and learn more about what life is like as a physician treating those patients.

You mentioned nursing clinicals; is it your plan to become a nurse? If not, then there isn't much point in being a nursing major and taking those courses.

 

[AmberFutureMD]

Where did you hear that Gross Anatomy is the hardest class? It's rough because it's usually the first class of med school and you have to adjust, but looking back after finishing my first 2 years, anatomy was the easiest by a long shot.

You don't need straight A's. You are not a failure if you get a few lower grades. If you shoot for a 3.7+, you'll be set GPA-wise. Just don't overload yourself and ask for help when you need it, if not from your professors than from academic resources at your school or a tutor.

You'll find as you go through life that there is always someone better than you. That hits hard when you make the move from high school to college, and it hits exponentially harder when you move to med school. If you learn early on to stop comparing yourself so much to others and just do what YOU can do to improve yourself, you'll be happier.

I've always been told that GA and MS1 in general are the most difficult. Like everything else, difficulty varies for each person.

 

[AmberFutureMD]

It is impossible to be perfect and if trying to be perfect is going to make you sick, then you have a problem that you'll need to deal with.

No teacher expects everyone to get straight A's. They know that there will be a range within the class... but they do want everyone to work as hard as they are able so if professors spur you on it is to do your best whether that results in an A or a B or less.

Take things one step at at time. You seem to have interests in treating adults and children and people with mental and physical illness and it may not be until your third year of medical school that you really have enough real life experience to know where you should be headed for residency training and then, a fellowship in a subspecialty. That is so far down the road... in the meantime, it might be helpful to volunteer in a clinical setting where teens and young adults are being treated (maybe a psych hospital, maybe a children's hospital) so that you get some experience with that population of patients and perhaps meet some physicians who will let you shadow them and learn more about what life is like as a physician treating those patients.

You mentioned nursing clinicals; is it your plan to become a nurse? If not, then there isn't much point in being a nursing major and taking those courses.

Yes, I do intend to become a R.N. I know of a few M.D.s that were R.N.s before going to medical school. Nursing and medicine are two different professions, but they overlap in multiple ways, so I intentionally chose to become a R.N. first.

 

[Pose]

Yes, I do intend to become a R.N. I know of a few M.D.s that were R.N.s before going to medical school. Nursing and medicine are two different professions, but they overlap in multiple ways, so I intentionally chose to become a R.N. first.

Research this topic a little on these forums before you go down this path. Do not go to nursing school unless you intend on committing to the field of nursing.

 

[Lucca]

Yes, I do intend to become a R.N. I know of a few M.D.s that were R.N.s before going to medical school. Nursing and medicine are two different professions, but they overlap in multiple ways, so I intentionally chose to become a R.N. first.

No career should serve as a "jumping off point" to medicine. It's one thing to become an RN and then realize that you want to explore more of the science behind the human body/play a bigger role on the medical team/discover you don't like some aspects of nursing but it's another thing entirely to "plan" to go College-->RN--->MD/DO. Your plan, if you know medicine is for you, should be College --> MD/DO

 

[mcloaf]

Yes, I do intend to become a R.N. I know of a few M.D.s that were R.N.s before going to medical school. Nursing and medicine are two different professions, but they overlap in multiple ways, so I intentionally chose to become a R.N. first.

Waste of time

 

[Ismet]

I've always been told that GA and MS1 in general are the most difficult. Like everything else, difficulty varies for each person.

Nahhh pretty sure general consensus is that MS2 is harder than MS1, I doubt that's just at my school. Much more interesting, but much more information and integration. Then MS3 is a different kind of difficulty.

Yes, I do intend to become a R.N. I know of a few M.D.s that were R.N.s before going to medical school. Nursing and medicine are two different professions, but they overlap in multiple ways, so I intentionally chose to become a R.N. first.

I'd highly advise against doing this. The vast majority of people who go RN-->MD did not go to nursing school with the intention of going to medical school. They realized it after working as a nurse and having the desire to do more.

 

[LizzyM]

OP, you are smart. Take a look at AAMC Table 18 and note that applicants who majored in Specialized Health Sciences had the worst MCAT and GPA of any majors and the least likelihood of getting into medical school.
Hard to untangle the chicken and egg of specific GPA and MCAT and major and how they contribute to the likelihood of getting admitted to medical school but if your goal is medical school you might be better off in a major other than nursing.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321496/data/2013factstable18.pdf

 

[Goro]

I concur with this post. OMSII in our curriculum is harder than OMSI.

Nahhh pretty sure general consensus is that MS2 is harder than MS1, I doubt that's just at my school. Much more interesting, but much more information and integration. Then MS3 is a different kind of difficulty.

100% agree.

I'd highly advise against doing this. The vast majority of people who go RN-->MD did not go to nursing school with the intention of going to medical school. They realized it after working as a nurse and having the desire to do more.[/quote]

 

[AmberFutureMD]

I can see where everybody is coming from, I'm defeating the purpose of nursing school, why put myself through that, etc. I guess I have a lot of thinking to do. I still have a bachelor's degree to achieve, I still have to take organic chem w/ labs; with A&P I and II and microbio, I'll be set in the bio dept; I'm set in writing/English, I need to take a year of physics w/labs yet, and another semester of college math yet, and an MCAT to take, and I'm good.

In no way do I think I can't handle medical school itself. I'm just a neurotic, obviously.

 

[LizzyM]

I can see where everybody is coming from, I'm defeating the purpose of nursing school, why put myself through that, etc. I guess I have a lot of thinking to do. I still have a bachelor's degree to achieve, I still have to take organic chem w/ labs; with A&P I and II and microbio, I'll be set in the bio dept; I'm set in writing/English, I need to take a year of physics w/labs yet, and another semester of college math yet, and an MCAT to take, and I'm good.

In no way do I think I can't handle medical school itself. I'm just a neurotic, obviously.

AP I and II and microbiology are not requirements for medical school. A year of biology is the requirement at most schools. You should check to be sure that the courses you have taken or plan to take meet the requirements for the medical schools you'd wish to enter.

 

[AmberFutureMD]

I'm planning on going to University of Toledo College of Medicine. Their requirements are 1 year of biological sciences. I guess I better ask them for a specific definition. The courses I have/will take do meet the reqs for medical school. If they're talking about just general biology, then I've already taken the year sequence, but I was ready to take upper-division microbiology and genetics.

 

[lbadams11]

Amber. Girl, you have got to chill out.

I think you are focusing on a lot of the wrong things here. It's wonderful (if unusual) that you read medical textbooks from an early age. And winning a medical terminology contest in high school? I didn't know those existed but congrats. As far as your grades go, worrying about what other people are doing is the quickest way to sabotage yourself. You have got to let that go. Mary getting an A on her exam is independent of whether you pass or fail. Stop worrying about Mary. Focus on Amber.

And also, everyone gets @sshole professors from time to time. Even if they are ridiculously unfair, you have to adapt. And if you can't, figure out what happened and learn from it. Telling a med school interviewer you did poorly in orgo because the professor was mean isn't going to fly.

What you didn't mention is what you plan to do outside of classes to demonstrate your interest in medicine. Getting your BSN as a stepping stone to medical school is a mistake. There are plenty of ways to get clinical experience without taking it that far. Be an EMT. Physical therapy aide. Patient care tech. Participate in clinical research. Do something you want to do, and not just because it will look good on your application or it's what someone told you you should do. That goes for both medical and non-medical activities. They don't call them meaningful ECs for nothing.

Right now it sounds like you're reading off a checklist of things you should do in order to get into medical school. The problem is that thousands of other kids do the same thing. Adcoms can see right through that. Your story should be unique and it should be cohesive. If you want to work with eating disorders, get experience with them.

Plus, if you're that worried about not having "perfect" grades, having amazing ECs can make up for a 3.5 to an extent.

Sidebar: you shouldn't be torn between specialties in your freshman year of college. Pump the brakes.

 

[AmberFutureMD]

Amber. Girl, you have got to chill out.

I think you are focusing on a lot of the wrong things here. It's wonderful (if unusual) that you read medical textbooks from an early age. And winning a medical terminology contest in high school? I didn't know those existed but congrats. As far as your grades go, worrying about what other people are doing is the quickest way to sabotage yourself. You have got to let that go. Mary getting an A on her exam is independent of whether you pass or fail. Stop worrying about Mary. Focus on Amber.

And also, everyone gets @sshole professors from time to time. Even if they are ridiculously unfair, you have to adapt. And if you can't, figure out what happened and learn from it. Telling a med school interviewer you did poorly in orgo because the professor was mean isn't going to fly.

What you didn't mention is what you plan to do outside of classes to demonstrate your interest in medicine. Getting your BSN as a stepping stone to medical school is a mistake. There are plenty of ways to get clinical experience without taking it that far. Be an EMT. Physical therapy aide. Patient care tech. Participate in clinical research. Do something you want to do, and not just because it will look good on your application or it's what someone told you you should do. That goes for both medical and non-medical activities. They don't call them meaningful ECs for nothing.

Right now it sounds like you're reading off a checklist of things you should do in order to get into medical school. The problem is that thousands of other kids do the same thing. Adcoms can see right through that. Your story should be unique and it should be cohesive. If you want to work with eating disorders, get experience with them.

Plus, if you're that worried about not having "perfect" grades, having amazing ECs can make up for a 3.5 to an extent.

Sidebar: you shouldn't be torn between specialties in your freshman year of college. Pump the brakes.

Yeah, all that makes sense. I've just been told my whole life to think about the future, and have a plan. I worry about everything, obviously. I'm just a type A personality. I'm only in my first year of the journey, so I've got a ton to learn yet, and lots of re-thinking to do.

 

[Mel Belle]

Much like a lot of people, I was the kid who got easy As in high school without even trying. It was an adjustment when I got to college, but things are working out fine. I have mostly As and A-s. I don't freak myself out about not having a 4.0. All I'm working towards is a constant upward trend. I'm dealing with chronic illness myself, and it does affect my performance, but I try not to use that as an excuse. I don't want to be consumed by my illness. I just keep pushing on and doing my best. You would be smart to do the same.

Also, don't bother "committing" yourself to a certain specialty right now. Especially as a freshman. Me and all my friends said freshman year how we want to be neurosurgeons. I liked the prospect, but when I dug deeper into it, the lifestyle doesn't suit my goals. Not to mention, you need to test into certain specialties in medical school, anyway. So don't label yourself just yet, because you will likely get anxiety over it later if you change your mind because of how many other people expect you now to do what you said you would.

What I say is that I'm interested in neurology, endocrinology, psychiatry, and surgery. I don't just pick one and say YES THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN. Because changes are, things will change.

You will also learn when you take calculus how not at all perfect the world is. So the sooner you loosen your grip on perfectionism, the better. That's what I did. I still struggle with it, but I realized it's just not worth stressing out over things I ultimately can't control. Let yourself go with the flow to an extent. You're only a freshman.

 

[moisne]

Did you check if that med school will accept AP credits?

One med school refused to accept my chem I and II/ Physics I and II from AP credits.

I currently teach (at a community college) in subjects of chemistry and physics. I asked if they wanted me to take my own class - no replies. -__-

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Yeah, all that makes sense. I've just been told my whole life to think about the future, and have a plan. I worry about everything, obviously. I'm just a type A personality. I'm only in my first year of the journey, so I've got a ton to learn yet, and lots of re-thinking to do.

That's fine. Just don't go overboard with it to the extent you develop tunnel vision. Like your signature says, things take time to develop, and you never know what will happen along the way to change your plans.

 

[AmberFutureMD]

Did you check if that med school will accept AP credits?

One med school refused to accept my chem I and II/ Physics I and II from AP credits.

I currently teach (at a community college) in subjects of chemistry and physics. I asked if they wanted me to take my own class - no replies. -__-

Ha! No, but I should check.

 

[lbadams11]

That's fine. Just don't go overboard with it to the extent you develop tunnel vision. Like your signature says, things take time to develop, and you never know what will happen along the way to change your plans.

This x10000. Such good advice.

I had my road to med school all mapped out. Nothing happened the way I thought it would. And I'm very glad that it didn't. So yes, definitely keep your eye on the prize. But don't be afraid to take a detour every now and then. The things you didn't plan on can be the best for you. It was for me.