Parent of a Potential Student

[BigMama24]

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Hello everyone!

I have a 15 y/o daughter in HS who is considering going into the medical field. She was thinking of becoming a dietitian and I was doing great helping her look up potential schools and their programs. Then she decided to go ahead and go for it.

She now is looking into the Genetics field. I want to help her as much as possible in making the right choices for colleges to attend. She will be going to college in Texas, as we are able to get her 150 hours of FREE tuition in Texas.

I am just unsure of where to begin looking.... I know it goes something like Pre-Med... then...?? Is there something before Pre-Med? What comes after it?

If there is anyone who could point me in the direction of a thread already going on this topic, or suggest some colleges in Texas to begin looking into I would appreciate it.... All I know is Pre-Med as a word... After that I do not know anything. I just know in the end she wants to be a Medical Geneticist (I think that's what they are called).

Thank all of you so much!!

 

[smq123]

Hi -

There is a forum specifically for high school students, called hSDN - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=420. I will move this thread there, as it seems to be the most appropriate for your daughter's needs.

There's also the pre-allopathic forum, which is mostly for pre-meds to exchange ideas.

To answer your questions specifically, the thing that comes before pre-med is traditionally "high school student." The thing that comes after pre-med, ideally, is "incoming medical student." 🙂

As to which college she attends, and how much it even matters, that is a huge topic of debate. My personal feeling is that it does not matter. As long as she goes to a school that will not burden her with debt, where she feels safe and supported, and where she feels that she can do the best to her ability, she is set. You will find 10 pre-meds on SDN who will vehemently disagree with me, though.

Finally, if she is interested in genetics, she should clarify whether or not she wants to be a medical geneticist or a genetics counselor. Most medical geneticists are physicians (who have started out by doing a residency in either general adult medicine or in general pediatrics), but a genetics counselor is a Masters level degree. Their job descriptions are different as well.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask questions here, or send me a private message.

 

[BigMama24]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it.

About the type she wants to be... I'm not sure which it is. She sees a geneticist due to her having PKU. that's what she wants to be. That doctor.

 

[Volvoxy]

Just don't be surprised if she changes her mind as an undergrad.

 

[BigMama24]

Lol! I won't be. We have talked more and she still plans to get her BS in dietetics just in case she changes her mind 1/2 way through... she'll have something to fall back on that she's interested in.

 

[Funke]

Just don't be surprised if she changes her mind as an undergrad.

👍

I went into college knowing what I was gonna do. And changed my major 4 times Just be supportive, which it sounds like you already are!

Having something to fall back on is a great idea. I ended up with a bachelor's in Humanities because I was so sure I was gonna go to seminary. Now, taking classes to get into med school, what kind of job can I get with a Humanities degree? The same jobs I can get without one 🙂