Non-science majors

[Jesse7736]

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Hello-

I am currently interviewing at allopathic med schools for the class of 2010. I was a non-science major in college, anthropology to be specific, and was just wondering how other non-science majors did in their 1st year of medical school.


I would imagine that it would be a big disadvantage, and was wondering if anyone had some advice as to what I should go over between now and starting med school? I haven't take cell bio, genetics, biochem, anatomy etc.

Any advice would be great!

 

[deuist]

True, some of the bio/microbio majors have seen some of the material before, but much of what we have to learn will be new to everyone. For example, a microbiologist might find the microbio class easy, but there are still a dozen or so other classes that must be taken during the first year which even out the learning curve.

You should definitely take biochemistry. It's a tough course to start from scratch in medical school---and some places even require it as an undergraduate prereq. If you are looking for some other classes, you may want to try physiology, genetics, microbiology, or immunology. Be careful of anatomy. Most undergraduate courses either deal with animals, or if they study humans, the material is too watered down to be of any use to medical students.

 

[2112_rush]

I was a psychology major and I would say that this may have put me at a disadvantage with M1 courses. That being said I'm very happy to not have come from a science background in that I feel my education has been more balanced. Taking some undergrad courses like anatomy and biochem will help but are not essential. What separated the top of my class and bottom of my class in the M1 year were study habits.

Good luck!

 

[yellowcat322]

I'm a science major myself, but to tell the truth I believe it has helped me only marginally and only with the first block, where we did biochem and cell bio. I know many non-science majors in my school who actually did way better than many science majors -- partially I think because they were more likely to study because this stuff was new to them and the science ppl got too cocky and secure in their knowledge. I really wound't worry about being non-science major too much. You might have to study a bit more than some in the beginning, but not so much so that it'll make your life hell. And like someone pointed out, most classes are going to be new material to everyone -- so the playing field will even out pretty fast.

 

[Jesse7736]

Thanks all...your advice has been very helpful, and reassuring!

I appreciate it.

 

[medicomel]

Thanks all...your advice has been very helpful, and reassuring!

I appreciate it.

me too! i was also a little worried about this, having been an english major. 😉

 

[Callogician]

One individual in my block last group was an English major, and he did fairly well. As 2112 suggested, the material is novel enough that study habits in medical school are more important than knowledge coming into medical school. My next block is physiology and neurology; this should be interesting because one member in my new group has a master's degree in physiology. As for studying between now and then, I would recommend reviewing college biology if you feel that your current knowledge is weak (Campell is an excellent textbook). If your knowledge of biology is good, getting a jump start the medical sciences is a good idea. If you are still in college, taking a few upper division science courses is a good idea (human anatomy, cell biology, human physiology, biochemistry, genetics, etc.). However, I wouldn't advise taking these courses if you are not still a full time student because they will not help you as much as you would think. For independent study, I would recommend microanatomy. I find that embryology, gross anatomy, biochemistry, and cell biology, are very difficult subjects to learn without some instruction. I am unqualified to comment on immunology, neurology, and physiology.

 

[cindy4443]

One individual in my block last group was an English major, and he did fairly well. As 2112 suggested, the material is novel enough that study habits in medical school are more important than knowledge coming into medical school. My next block is physiology and neurology; this should be interesting because one member in my new group has a master's degree in physiology. As for studying between now and then, I would recommend reviewing college biology if you feel that your current knowledge is weak (Campell is an excellent textbook). If your knowledge of biology is good, getting a jump start the medical sciences is a good idea. If you are still in college, taking a few upper division science courses is a good idea (human anatomy, cell biology, human physiology, biochemistry, genetics, etc.). However, I wouldn't advise taking these courses if you are not still a full time student because they will not help you as much as you would think. For independent study, I would recommend microanatomy. I find that embryology, gross anatomy, biochemistry, and cell biology, are very difficult subjects to learn without some instruction. I am unqualified to comment on immunology, neurology, and physiology.

I'm a non-science major who is now an M1. My background is law and social work. I have not found it to be a disadvantage. I'm enough older to view undergrad preparation just for the sake of getting "ahead" in med schoool to be a stupendous waste of time. I have had genetics and gen. bio. only, but no biochem, cell bio, histology, microbiology etc. I am high passing all my classes and know a few Chem/biochem majors who are stuggling to pass. It is so much more about information management than about background knowledge. Everytime I say to my "science" friends that it is hard to not have a science degree they tell me that they have learned relatively little of the detail that is required to pass. I am heavy into biochemistry and have yet to regret spending time (read as wasting time) in an undergraduate biochem. lab. Time management,discipline and hard work get you way farther than a science degree. I also have 2 young children, so I speak from experience about time management. Spend your undergrad time enjoying the free time you have and work hard in med school and you will be just fine.

 

[Jesse7736]

Thanks...I have been out of college for 2 years, so won't be taking any additional science classes between now and next fall when I begin med school. But I appreciate your advice about getting a jump start on some anatomy and biochem. I never liked chem as an undergrad!

Thanks again M1's!

J

 

[ksjohnsz]

Hi,

I was a history major in undergrad. I definitely don't think that I was at a disadvantage when it came to science classes, as your prereq's will pretty much cover that. However, as far as scheduling goes, there is no longer the comfort of a mixed schedule. It is all science all the time, no other classes to break it up. Hope that helps. *Kim

Hello-

I am currently interviewing at allopathic med schools for the class of 2010. I was a non-science major in college, anthropology to be specific, and was just wondering how other non-science majors did in their 1st year of medical school.


I would imagine that it would be a big disadvantage, and was wondering if anyone had some advice as to what I should go over between now and starting med school? I haven't take cell bio, genetics, biochem, anatomy etc.

Any advice would be great!

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

Hello-

I am currently interviewing at allopathic med schools for the class of 2010. I was a non-science major in college, anthropology to be specific, and was just wondering how other non-science majors did in their 1st year of medical school.


I would imagine that it would be a big disadvantage, and was wondering if anyone had some advice as to what I should go over between now and starting med school? I haven't take cell bio, genetics, biochem, anatomy etc.

Any advice would be great!

I was a psychology major -- I took the premed requirements and little science other than that (my only upper-level science course was Evolution). Therefore, not only was I not a science major, but I hadn't taken biochem, genetics, etc. at all before medical school. However, I had done well in my science courses, and had served as a TA for the second semester of orgo. From my perspective, it seemed like the basic science courses were tough for everybody. Maybe it was a little harder for me, but I did fine. I think if you have a good foundation in and understanding of the science courses you do take, you should be okay.

Another thing you may want to consider in the medical school application process is how schools handle the first block/semester, because that is the one in which you will be at the most disadvantage (although the disadvantage may be minimal), having not been a science major. Some places make the first semester pass/fail to even the playing field for people with varying science backgrounds.

 

[Jesse7736]

Yeah, I am hoping to be at a school that is strictly pass/fail. I don't need the stress of high pass, etc.....just want to learn what I have to in a cooperative environment.

I was a psychology major -- I took the premed requirements and little science other than that (my only upper-level science course was Evolution). Therefore, not only was I not a science major, but I hadn't taken biochem, genetics, etc. at all before medical school. However, I had done well in my science courses, and had served as a TA for the second semester of orgo. From my perspective, it seemed like the basic science courses were tough for everybody. Maybe it was a little harder for me, but I did fine. I think if you have a good foundation in and understanding of the science courses you do take, you should be okay.

Another thing you may want to consider in the medical school application process is how schools handle the first block/semester, because that is the one in which you will be at the most disadvantage (although the disadvantage may be minimal), having not been a science major. Some places make the first semester pass/fail to even the playing field for people with varying science backgrounds.