New plan?

[hunterworth]

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So I have thought about the decision of becoming a doctor a lot lately of the past few months, and no matter what job i think of doing besides it, the interest in the field always brings me back. But my previous plan was to go to Cal State Long Beach and get a Biology degree. From reading many articles and talking to some other college graduates, they recommended University of Arizona. So I am have made up my mind on going to that college, but have a few issues with college and some things there after.

1) The degree I would be getting is Physiology now instead of Biology. Is this still a sufficient degree to complete the MCAT and enter med school with?
2) What are some ways to make my application look better to med school? (thought of starting to volunteering in hospitals, EMT, etc)
3) I want to take my gap year between undergrad and med school, so i thought of working abroad, would this be a good idea, or should i just stay in USA and continue working?

Thanks for your help.

 

[aSagacious]

1) The degree I would be getting is Physiology now instead of Biology. Is this still a sufficient degree to complete the MCAT and enter med school with?

A physiology degree is absolutely fine for preparing you for the MCAT (and arguably a smooth transition into the first couple weeks of med school). I was a physiology major in undergrad and would do it again if given the choice. That said, med schools really don't care what you major in. Pick something that interests you rather than a major that you think will look good on an application.

2) What are some ways to make my application look better to med school? (thought of starting to volunteering in hospitals, EMT, etc)

Some common ECs: research, non-medical volunteering, teaching/tutoring, leadership, clinical experience (volunteer or paid), etc. As with choosing a major, pick ECs that you truly enjoy rather than those that you think will look good on an application.

3) I want to take my gap year between undergrad and med school, so i thought of working abroad, would this be a good idea, or should i just stay in USA and continue working?

Why overseas? It's fine if you want to take a year off to work or travel, but is there a specific job that interests you abroad that you could not find here?

 

[hunterworth]

1) Okay cool, I figured i would stay in the sciences because those are the only subjects in High School i found to be interesting or where I am wiling to take the time to actually learn more in.
2) So it does not necessarily have to be medical EC's, just something that separates me from other applicants or shows my strengths.
3) And there is this program that has a work abroad in Austrailia, and I want to travel the world a little and learn more about different cultures, and what better place to go than there.

 

[aSagacious]

So it does not necessarily have to be medical EC's, just something that separates me from other applicants or shows my strengths.

I wouldn't say that. The very first question that you'll be asked when applying to med schools is in your personal statement, "why do you want to pursue medicine and what have you done to convince yourself that this is the right choice?" To answer this question with any substance you'll definitely need some clinical experience under your belt. You can find many paid positions (EMT, CNA, patient care tech, etc), volunteer positions (hospital department, nursing home, free clinic, etc), or shadowing positions (basically any specialty you can think of).

And there is this program that has a work abroad in Austrailia, and I want to travel the world a little and learn more about different cultures, and what better place to go than there.

This sounds reasonable. I'd just like to add that there are many 'alternative spring break' and 'summer semester travel abroad' programs available during your undergraduate years (if exposure to other cultures is what you're after). You don't necessarily need to take a whole year off to accomplish that.