Pre-Med research?

Started by tealover30
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tealover30

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Hi everyone! I'm a current freshmen in a Public Research Uni, and I have some questions. I am taking a research class for credit (Three semesters), but the requirement is 6 hours in lab. I am taking Physics and Chem in the Spring as well as some English classes (major), and I feel like my schedule would be extremely tight if I had to go to lab for 6 hours a week (mandatory). I tried working for 8 hrs a week this semester as a lab assistant, and I was not passionate about. I also realized that I was not as interested in research...perhaps I need to find a research stream I really love, but I'm really interested in English (going to become a TA, maybe do some English research...submit papers for competitions)
Overall does it matter what type of research I do? And should I drop my research credit class for extracurriculars I am interested in? I am hanging on because of the LOR to be honest...otherwise I feel that I will really suffer in the Spring semester.
I plan on doing research this summer, and perhaps end doing research and focus on clinical volunteering.
Also, I dropped Calc (meant for CS and engineering) with a W after much deliberation (wasn't required for major and I was on the road to failure) and I am taking a Calc class that fits my aptitude more...I know one W isnt the end of the world...but my advisor suggested quitting Pre-Med because I couldn't "do calc"...any thoughts? I'm pretty stubborn so I took the advisors word as fluff...but I know that W is pretty suspicious.

I also forgot to add that I wanted to graduate a semester early so I can travel and also study abroad Senior year, hence if I drop the research class, I have two slots for English major or pre med classes

*would take Bioethics philosophy class instead of research

Thank you!

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Last edited:
tealover30 said:
Hi everyone! I'm a current freshmen in a Public Research Uni, and I have some questions. I am taking a research class for credit (Three semesters), but the requirement is 6 hours in lab. I am taking Physics and Chem in the Spring as well as some English classes (major), and I feel like my schedule would be extremely tight if I had to go to lab for 6 hours a week (mandatory). I tried working for 8 hrs a week this semester as a lab assistant, and I was not passionate about. I also realized that I was not as interested in research...perhaps I need to find a research stream I really love, but I'm really interested in English (going to become a TA, maybe do some English research...submit papers for competitions)
Overall does it matter what type of research I do? And should I drop my research credit class for extracurriculars I am interested in? I am hanging on because of the LOR to be honest...otherwise I feel that I will really suffer in the Spring semester.
I plan on doing research this summer, and perhaps end doing research and focus on clinical volunteering.
Also, I dropped Calc (meant for CS and engineering) with a W after much deliberation (wasn't required for major and I was on the road to failure) and I am taking a Calc class that fits my aptitude more...I know one W isnt the end of the world...but my advisor suggested quitting Pre-Med because I couldn't "do calc"...any thoughts? I'm pretty stubborn so I took the advisors word as fluff...but I know that W is pretty suspicious.

Thank you!

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Your advisor is an idiot. While I think calc based physics > algebra based physics, you don't need calc for the MCAT or med school.
 
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Yep! I am taking Calc 1 (lower-level), I really can't deal with Calc...and Calc based Physics. I'm aware of the Calc 1 and 2 requirements for some med schools, but for now for not definitely not banking on Top 20 med schools...highly interested in SUNY/GWU middle-tier schools which don't have Calc 1 and 2 together as mandatory req.

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If I do well in Calc 1...will definitely consider Calc 2. And my advisor was mean haha. I was crying from stress though so she must've felt overwhelmed. Suggested that I see a Psychologist as well o_o

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Your pre-med advisor is wrong. I struggled in calc I (the only one required for my biochem degree), but excelled in classes like molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Do not let your struggles in a more advanced calc class make you second guess your decision on pre-med. Your grades are most important early on because they will have the greatest effect on your GPA, so being able to start out strong in your classes is what you need to base your lab and research time commitments on.
 
Thank you for the encouragement everyone! I had two advisors my pre med and regular. Regular advisor told me to give up, pre med advisor was asking me why in the world I would take a Calc class meant for engineering[emoji14]I do understand that many pre med advisors can be depreciating though. Overall, never give up!!!

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