Pre-med questions

[cliz04]

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I'm new to SDN and working on this whole pre-med thing so bear with me! 🙂

I work in a level I trauma center as a radiologic technologist. I will be going back to school next year to get my bachelor's degree, and then apply to medical school. It is something I have wanted to do for a very long time, but I had to go off the traditional path a little bit.

So obviously I work in a hospital and I have for about a year now. I have clinical experience from my radiography schooling, as well as real-life employee experience. I believe that this will enhance my application, but my question is about shadowing. I will still need to shadow a physician of some sort (many sorts), correct? I work with the radiologists and the ER docs on a daily basis, but actually SHADOWING them on a few days off would be better, right?

I will most likely be taking the new MCAT. But my other question is WHEN should I take it? I will matriculate into a bachelor's program in the summer of 2014. I plan on going into biology. I will only need 2 years, as I completed all general education requirements a few years ago. I forsee my years going as follows:

Year 1: gen chem (took it years ago, earned a C, will need to retake), gen bio, physics, calculus
Summer: biostats (although I took a statistics course for gen ed... could this count? I got an A), might skip on calculus in year 1 and take it during the summer for a faster course, upper div biology course
Year 2: organic chem, upper div biology courses such as micro, genetics, physiology, or biochem.

I would like to apply to med school in year 2, and matriculate as a med student right after I graduate with my bachelors, but I know organic is on the MCAT and I'd be taking it year 2... is it still possible to do this or would I need a gap year?

My stats aren't bad, but aren't great. I plan on working my tail off for my bachelor's degree and studying hard to do well on the MCAT. But that will come with time.

Medicine has been my dream since I was very little and I entered college with the intent to apply to medical school, but a rare illness has hindered that threw me a little off path, but hey, that's life!🙂

I appreciate anyone who responds to this, too. Sorry this was kinda long!

 

[ostrich love]

Just my thoughts: Ochem is kind of a beast and sometimes serves as a weeder class. I would think that if you are a highly motivated and able to self study, you may be able to grasp some of the basic concepts that the MCAT will test on as far as Ochem goes. You may be able to get a prep book and watch Chad's videos before you plan on taking the MCAT and take some of the practice tests and see how you do. I'm pretty sure you can apply to schools with your MCAT score pending and I'm also pretty sure I've heard of people receiving interview invites while their scores were not published. So if you wanted to apply early and matriculate right after your second year, I would think you would need to take the MCAT the summer before the second year and with your schedule, that would be the same time you are taking some classes. From my experience, the MCAT didn't test on extreme abstract Ochem ideas, but it still didn't make it any easier. Ochem is like calculus. Those who truly understand the process and the fundamentals are usually able to tackle most problems that are thrown their way as opposed to something like genchem or physics where memorizing a bunch of facts, formulas,and trends may suffice in getting you a decent score. Perhaps the Ochem concepts may be intuitive to you and you may be able to study on your own and do good enough. If the biology and Ochem section are still combined, I would just make sure that you set yourself up to do as great as possible on the biology portion to make up for any Ochem questions that you don't understand or can't seem to reason through.


btw, I am sorry that your illness has postponed your aspirations. Good luck with your classes.

 

[coolingglasses]

I did almost the same thing, except with a gap year.

Still have my registry up to date, too.

 

[cliz04]

Just my thoughts: Ochem is kind of a beast and sometimes serves as a weeder class. I would think that if you are a highly motivated and able to self study, you may be able to grasp some of the basic concepts that the MCAT will test on as far as Ochem goes. You may be able to get a prep book and watch Chad's videos before you plan on taking the MCAT and take some of the practice tests and see how you do. I'm pretty sure you can apply to schools with your MCAT score pending and I'm also pretty sure I've heard of people receiving interview invites while their scores were not published. So if you wanted to apply early and matriculate right after your second year, I would think you would need to take the MCAT the summer before the second year and with your schedule, that would be the same time you are taking some classes. From my experience, the MCAT didn't test on extreme abstract Ochem ideas, but it still didn't make it any easier. Ochem is like calculus. Those who truly understand the process and the fundamentals are usually able to tackle most problems that are thrown their way as opposed to something like genchem or physics where memorizing a bunch of facts, formulas,and trends may suffice in getting you a decent score. Perhaps the Ochem concepts may be intuitive to you and you may be able to study on your own and do good enough. If the biology and Ochem section are still combined, I would just make sure that you set yourself up to do as great as possible on the biology portion to make up for any Ochem questions that you don't understand or can't seem to reason through.


btw, I am sorry that your illness has postponed your aspirations. Good luck with your classes.

I really love chemistry, it's one of my favorite classes. The reason I did so poorly in gen chem was because of absences, honestly. My grades were just fine. I'm pretty good at teaching myself. Maybe I can take it over the summer and then take the MCAT afterwards. Thanks so much for that advice! Good luck to you as well.

 

[cliz04]

I did almost the same thing, except with a gap year.

Still have my registry up to date, too.

That's awesome! Are you interested in going into rads at all? I'm not, actually. People are surprised when I say I don't think I want to be a radiologist. Did you shadow at the hospital you worked at and did you find that doctors were willing? I need to ask, but I'm nervous!

 

[Goro]

Shadowing is better because you need to see what a doctor's day is like. You should try to mix up the kinds of specialties you shadow too.

" I work with the radiologists and the ER docs on a daily basis, but actually SHADOWING them on a few days off would be better, right?


Whenever you're ready. Taking it when you're not ready and bombing is a good way to end your medical career.

I will most likely be taking the new MCAT. But my other question is WHEN should I take it?


Best to take everything you'll need for MCAT first.


Year 1: gen chem (took it years ago, earned a C, will need to retake), gen bio, physics, calculus
Summer: biostats (although I took a statistics course for gen ed... could this count? I got an A), might skip on calculus in year 1 and take it during the summer for a faster course, upper div biology course
Year 2: organic chem, upper div biology courses such as micro, genetics, physiology, or biochem.

I would like to apply to med school in year 2, and matriculate as a med student right after I graduate with my bachelors, but I know organic is on the MCAT and I'd be taking it year 2... is it still possible to do this or would I need a gap year?

 

[salutations]

Best to take everything you'll need for MCAT first.

And keep it fresh, unlike me. I had AP Physics and Chemistry done. Then took organics two years later and biology three years later. It all came back pretty quick but I would have rather kept it fresh than sort of re-learn it at once.

 

[coolingglasses]

That's awesome! Are you interested in going into rads at all? I'm not, actually. People are surprised when I say I don't think I want to be a radiologist. Did you shadow at the hospital you worked at and did you find that doctors were willing? I need to ask, but I'm nervous!

It's third on my list of specialties. It's not PCP and Dx is low patient contact (cons, for me), but I enjoy reading images. I'm hoping I end up cleaning house for the radiology section of anatomy.

I worked with a lot of the rad docs but never shadowed them. But I think if you knew them enough from a working standpoint you'd probably be fine asking them.

 

[cliz04]

Thanks so much for your advice Goro. I was going to plan on shadowing anyway for the whole "day in the life" thing, especially since I'm NOT interested in rads. As for the MCAT question, I was just nervous about organic chem. I wanted to get the MCAT done and apply to matriculate right after I graduated with my bachelor's, and your advice about getting everything done is helpful. I will definitely try to do that.

Salutations: good advice too... I did well in general bio, but I took it my freshman year of college, going on 4 years ago now. That's why I was thinking of retaking it. I don't think it would set me back any. Thanks for the help!

coolingglasses: I only really work with the rads on fluoro cases, and that's only some of them. I work at a teaching hospital, so perhaps I will have some luck with being able to shadow. It's cool that it's high on your list! I love EM and working in the ER right now (obviously that can change in med school) and my main thing is that I love working with the patients, so I don't think I could sit in the dark computer room all day. Images are fascinating to me, which is why I love my x-ray job, but I don't think I could do it all day, every day for the rest of my life. The radiology section of anatomy should be cake for you!

 

[aspiringMD89]

I am a radiologic tech also! And I am just starting my pre med courses this fall. I wish all the best to you!! 🙂 I also would not want to become a radiologist. I do think you should shadow different specialties to get a feel of what you would like to get into on your days off.

 

[coolingglasses]

Thanks so much for your advice Goro. I was going to plan on shadowing anyway for the whole "day in the life" thing, especially since I'm NOT interested in rads. As for the MCAT question, I was just nervous about organic chem. I wanted to get the MCAT done and apply to matriculate right after I graduated with my bachelor's, and your advice about getting everything done is helpful. I will definitely try to do that.

Salutations: good advice too... I did well in general bio, but I took it my freshman year of college, going on 4 years ago now. That's why I was thinking of retaking it. I don't think it would set me back any. Thanks for the help!

coolingglasses: I only really work with the rads on fluoro cases, and that's only some of them. I work at a teaching hospital, so perhaps I will have some luck with being able to shadow. It's cool that it's high on your list! I love EM and working in the ER right now (obviously that can change in med school) and my main thing is that I love working with the patients, so I don't think I could sit in the dark computer room all day. Images are fascinating to me, which is why I love my x-ray job, but I don't think I could do it all day, every day for the rest of my life. The radiology section of anatomy should be cake for you!

I am a radiologic tech also! And I am just starting my pre med courses this fall. I wish all the best to you!! 🙂 I also would not want to become a radiologist. I do think you should shadow different specialties to get a feel of what you would like to get into on your days off.

lol I guess we have a little crew going. funny how patient contact is a top for all of us, too (or so it seems).

yeah I trained in a teaching hospital. fluoro is where you really get to know them since they usually have to be there for the exams