Please Help an Undergrad

[deleted92121]

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I am a Second Semester Sophomore and I am heading myself down the path to becoming a DO/MD. I am an Exercise Science Major, and have transfered to my present college from another 4-yr college. Therefore, I am a tad behind in my studies, not gradewise, just timewise. This leaves me with a few questions.

1. Did transferring hurt me in getting into Med School?
2. Does graduating 1 semester to 1 year late make me look less competitive?
3. My school does not have a pre-med club and I do not have a pre-med advisor..should I look into getting a pre-med advisor?
4. I am getting my EMT-B this summer. What else can I do besides this and shadowing?
5. Will CC classes such as PreCalc and Clac, as well as Psych and Abnormal Psych hurt my chances of getting into Med School?
6. Should I take Anat & Phys, BioChem, Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbiolgy..which ones would you recommend. Mind you, taking any more than one or two extra classes after my prereqs leaves me in school an extra year (maybe?)
7. Anything Else???

I should add that right now I have a 3.5 gpa, have a job on campus, am a member of our Exercise Science Society, am a mentor for freshman students, and volunteer every year for the Special Olympics.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

dxu

 

[daveyjwin]

Well, I will attempt to address your points, but I don't know how totally helpful they will be.

1. No, transferring doesn't hurt. Some people just take time to find their place, and for myself, I transferred twice and changed majors 4 times, and I still got in.
2. No, graduating late does not effect it. Some people take longer, some people lose credits when transferring, and some people take a more broad range of classes. Again, I am graduating a year late, and I got in.
3. I can't offer much help here, as my school had both. I never used either of them. Aside from that, all I have to say is that I never joined to pre-med club, and I personally think it's a waste of time, as everyone has it on their application. Spend the extra time doing something fun, community oriented, and perhaps with children.
4. I am simply using this space to expand upon 4. I think that having volunteer experience OUTSIDE the medical community is extremely valuable. Not only are there more oppertunities to find something you truely enjoy doing, but it shows the adcoms that you are in it for the fun, and because you enjoy being an asset to the community, and aren't just doing it because it looks good on you application.
5. AFAIK, CC classes are fine, as long as they are accredited and all that.
6. If I could only choose 3 of those classes, I would take anatomy, physiology, and genetics. Anatomy, because it gives you the structural foundations, physiology because it gives you the associations, and genetics because it helps with the MCAT. All the others cover what needs to be covered in Med School, and taking them in undergrad will likely just harm your GPA, and stress you out. I know it did/is for me.
7. Anything else is always hard to quantify, but I'd say just make sure you want to do it, and are doing it for the right reasons, otherwise you will regret it.

Good luck and have fun...

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

3. My school does not have a pre-med club and I do not have a pre-med advisor..should I look into getting a pre-med advisor?

That's so strange that your school doesn't have a premed club...

 

[deleted92121]

That's so strange that your school doesn't have a premed club...

Ya it is..it would be a great EC but since we don't have it, I just do some things within my major. It may not be alot but it is something.

dxu

 

[BradenDO]

Do you have a Biology club??

I think all of the classes you listed would be important to take. Some schools require 3 hours of Biochem (KCUMB), Genetics and Cell biology are going to be on the MCAT, and anatomy will help when you are in med school.

If you want to take one over the summer to catch up I would recommend taking either microbiology or genetics.

Oh, and don't worry about your CC credits!

Good luck!
Braden

 

[deleted92121]

Do you have a Biology club??

I think all of the classes you listed would be important to take. Some schools require 3 hours of Biochem (KCUMB), Genetics and Cell biology are going to be on the MCAT, and anatomy will help when you are in med school.

If you want to take one over the summer to catch up I would recommend taking either microbiology or genetics.

Oh, and don't worry about your CC credits!

Good luck!
Braden

We have a Bio club but it is for Bio Majors and Minors. Alas, I am only Exercise Science. I can't afford anymore classes due to my transferring to my present school. I also can't afford summer school due to my EMT training.

On a side note, I have heard good things about these Post-Bac programs. What I may do is complete my BS in Ex. Science and focus on getting all good grades. Then, attending a Post-Bac program to gain all my pre-reqs, plus some. Plus, with no pre-med advisor here now, I can get more LOR because I will work my ass off in Post-Bac getting great grades and doing volunteer work and gaining clinical experience, in addition to my EMT-B.

Any thoughts?

dxu

 

[snobored18]

That's so strange that your school doesn't have a premed club...

He may be at a smaller school...its not uncommon for small liberal arts schools to prohibit pre-professional societies because they tend to encourage kids to focus down so quickly (ie become typical pre-meds, pre-laws and pre-business) which is really not the point of going to a LAC and getting a liberal education...and before anyone says anything no of course the school's philosophy doesn't work, people still focus down early on...i just know some schools don't want societies around that encourage it so I wouldn't say its uncommon.

 

[deleted92121]

He may be at a smaller school...its not uncommon for small liberal arts schools to prohibit pre-professional societies because they tend to encourage kids to focus down so quickly (ie become typical pre-meds, pre-laws and pre-business) which is really not the point of going to a LAC and getting a liberal education...and before anyone says anything no of course the school's philosophy doesn't work, people still focus down early on...i just know some schools don't want societies around that encourage it so I wouldn't say its uncommon.

It sucks to not have what I need..Hence my Post-Bac Option, depending on the opinions of it I recieve from the members of SDN and whether or not it is a good thing for me to do. I should mention I am taking Anat and Phys now and took Physics I and recieved a B. Just to throw that out there.. 🙄

Dxu

 

[Delo_Ohm]

I understand the nerves etc, but you need to relax. Your grades are fine and you are making a great effort. Keep in mind that schools want a WHOLE person, not just a bunch of numbers, sans personality. I play hockey and love my motorcycle... All I am saying is that you most likely have the medicine part covered. Take a deep breath and expand yourself.

 

[deleted92121]

Ok so maybe I should just take the extra semester or two and take my prereqs at my present college (would be cheaper). However, what do I do about LOR from Premed advisors and clubs and things of that nature. I can get a few LOR from my present Advisor, and maybe a few more down the road. Also, I can get a few doctors and my EMT instructor maybe. What else should I do? I am not at a school to do research or anything. Honestly just volunteer work and EMT.

dxu

 

[USArmyDoc]

I am a Second Semester Sophomore and I am heading myself down the path to becoming a DO/MD. I am an Exercise Science Major, and have transfered to my present college from another 4-yr college. Therefore, I am a tad behind in my studies, not gradewise, just timewise. This leaves me with a few questions.

1. Did transferring hurt me in getting into Med School?
2. Does graduating 1 semester to 1 year late make me look less competitive?
3. My school does not have a pre-med club and I do not have a pre-med advisor..should I look into getting a pre-med advisor?
4. I am getting my EMT-B this summer. What else can I do besides this and shadowing?
5. Will CC classes such as PreCalc and Clac, as well as Psych and Abnormal Psych hurt my chances of getting into Med School?
6. Should I take Anat & Phys, BioChem, Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbiolgy..which ones would you recommend. Mind you, taking any more than one or two extra classes after my prereqs leaves me in school an extra year (maybe?)
7. Anything Else???

I should add that right now I have a 3.5 gpa, have a job on campus, am a member of our Exercise Science Society, am a mentor for freshman students, and volunteer every year for the Special Olympics.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

dxu

My personal opnion is that your major is great. I think it will give you a jump on the other applicants because it is different. You are on the right path. Keep up the good work. If you can, raise that GPA a little. No one can predict the MCAT so if you can have a higher GPA all the better. Good luck

 

[Spankete87]

Ok so maybe I should just take the extra semester or two and take my prereqs at my present college (would be cheaper). However, what do I do about LOR from Premed advisors and clubs and things of that nature. I can get a few LOR from my present Advisor, and maybe a few more down the road. Also, I can get a few doctors and my EMT instructor maybe. What else should I do? I am not at a school to do research or anything. Honestly just volunteer work and EMT.

dxu

You don't have to have a LOR from a premed advisor - my college did not provide such letters and I got into all three schools I interviewed at. Depending on what route you apply (MD vs DO) you're normally just required to provide 1-2 LOR from science professors, maybe one from a non-science and one from a DO (if you're applying that route) if you do not have a pre-med comittee to write a letter for you. Each school will let you know what the requirements are. I'd just get to know at least two science professors one non-science and a DO or MD so that they can write you letters. Make sure you know them well and ask them first if they can write you a positive letter of rec.

I wasn't involved in any clubs either. Clubs just weren't my thing. And I only went to a pre-med advisor one. The pre-med advisors at my college sucked. They actually advised me to take Organic I, Physics I and Mol/Dev Bio all in the same semester as a first semester sophomore.....and start working in a research lab 20 hrs/week. Needless to say I ended up with a bunch of Cs that semester and it killed my GPA. I just wasn't mature enough to handle it at that point in my life - esp when all of those classes were "weed out" classes at my collge. Lets just put it this way - I had both of my gen chem profs get put on academic probation for failing too many people, my physics prof is no longer allowed to teach either because too many people failed, and my organic professor is now required to curve by the chem dept because he had too many failing students. And the bio dept was just hard. 😉

Enjoy your time in college - it truly is one of the best times in your life. Make sure you're doing things you're passionate about because that will help you tremendously when you're doing your PS, secondaries and interviews. I know that I would have had virtually no shot of getting in without being passionate about what I did because my GPA was certainly not stellar. You just have to make yourself stand out against everyone else, so if doing habitat or soup kitchens or playing a sport is what does it for you - do it. Schools are looking for well rounded, intelligent people who love medicine. 🙂

PM me if you have any other questions - I've gone through this process twice now.

 

[DKeyes247]

I am a Second Semester Sophomore and I am heading myself down the path to becoming a DO/MD. I am an Exercise Science Major, and have transfered to my present college from another 4-yr college. Therefore, I am a tad behind in my studies, not gradewise, just timewise. This leaves me with a few questions.

1. Did transferring hurt me in getting into Med School?
2. Does graduating 1 semester to 1 year late make me look less competitive?
3. My school does not have a pre-med club and I do not have a pre-med advisor..should I look into getting a pre-med advisor?
4. I am getting my EMT-B this summer. What else can I do besides this and shadowing?
5. Will CC classes such as PreCalc and Clac, as well as Psych and Abnormal Psych hurt my chances of getting into Med School?
6. Should I take Anat & Phys, BioChem, Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbiolgy..which ones would you recommend. Mind you, taking any more than one or two extra classes after my prereqs leaves me in school an extra year (maybe?)
7. Anything Else???

I should add that right now I have a 3.5 gpa, have a job on campus, am a member of our Exercise Science Society, am a mentor for freshman students, and volunteer every year for the Special Olympics.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

dxu

Hey bro,

I'm in the same exact boat you're in!!! When I was reading your post I thought I might have actual wrote that. Except for some of the little details, I have the same background as you. You can see my post because I was asking for similar help. Just go to the pre-med thread and look for EIU student seeking help. As for me, I am also behind in pre-reqs because I switched from finance to exercise science. I picked up pre-med this semester. I'm pushing back my exercise science classes until Fall of 07' in order to get my pre-reqs at undergrad prices. Instead of graduating May of 07' I'm going to graduate in May of 08' I figured that it would be best for me to just stay the extra year at EIU. Read my post for more info about me if you'd like or shoot me a PM, and we can chat because I think we have a lot of similar questions. Also, go to your library, and check out their selection of pre-med books. It helped me a lot. In order to concentrate more on your pre-reqs you might want to look into taking some of your Exc Sci classes on-line during the summer. I plan on taking one gen - ed class and one PE class on-line this summer. This way, I'll be able take less hours during the year, so I can focus on my sciences and MCAT prep. Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[deleted92121]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I figure I will just keep heading down the road I am on. But two questions first:

1. Should I take Anat and Phys II (I have A&P I now and they each cover different systems of the body)

2. If I do not know alot of science profs, what should I do? I need LOR.

dxu

 

[Delo_Ohm]

A&P II : Probably interesting, and also would most likely count as a science prof. Take it if you have time and want to, but dont force it

Sci Profs : Will you be taking biochem or anything along those lines? Also, you should just try to introduce yourself. Talk to some of the bio / chem / phys profs and just tell them who you are, what you are doing etc... maybe ask if there is any way that you can get involved (research, tutoring, assisting them in anyway) youll be suprosed how excited they are to have the volunteered time and also how they might be willing to help you

JUST MY OPINIONS!!

Good luck

 

[OSUdoc08]

I am a Second Semester Sophomore and I am heading myself down the path to becoming a DO/MD. I am an Exercise Science Major, and have transfered to my present college from another 4-yr college. Therefore, I am a tad behind in my studies, not gradewise, just timewise. This leaves me with a few questions.

1. Did transferring hurt me in getting into Med School?
2. Does graduating 1 semester to 1 year late make me look less competitive?
3. My school does not have a pre-med club and I do not have a pre-med advisor..should I look into getting a pre-med advisor?
4. I am getting my EMT-B this summer. What else can I do besides this and shadowing?
5. Will CC classes such as PreCalc and Clac, as well as Psych and Abnormal Psych hurt my chances of getting into Med School?
6. Should I take Anat & Phys, BioChem, Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbiolgy..which ones would you recommend. Mind you, taking any more than one or two extra classes after my prereqs leaves me in school an extra year (maybe?)
7. Anything Else???

I should add that right now I have a 3.5 gpa, have a job on campus, am a member of our Exercise Science Society, am a mentor for freshman students, and volunteer every year for the Special Olympics.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

dxu

1. No, this happens all the time.
2. No, this also happens all the time.
3. No, they are useless. Get to know a physician or medical student for advise.
4. This is all you need. Shadow an ER physician and get a recommendation letter from him. EMT is looked very highly upon by admissions committees. Work part time as an EMT AND try to sign up for a volunteer EMS service.
5. No, this is VERY common. I did this.
6. Take Biochemistry and Physiology. A&P and Micro will be of minimal help.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

Ya it is..it would be a great EC but since we don't have it, I just do some things within my major. It may not be alot but it is something.

dxu

Start your own pre med club. Make sure it is funded and recognized by the school. I know of a few schools that don't have great numbers of premeds, so the pre med/dental/vet students all flock to the biology club. Personally, I helped start a chapter of the AMSA before I transferred to another undergraduate college.

I took Biochem, Genetics, Micro, Cell Bio, and A&P before my MCATs. Coming from a bio background, I thought that micro/cell bio was the most useful on the MCATs. In terms of helping you for med school, biochem and genetics would give you a good foundation. Hope this helps