premed requirements questions

[verdo490]

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I'll be a senior in the fall with a double major in history and political science, but have decided that I'd like to pursue a career in medicine. I've been looking at post bacc programs (stony brook specifically) and have some questions about how fast I can get it done.

I've already taken chem I and calc I, and can take chem II, calc II, and bio I before I graduate next year while still completing my double major. Is it a realistic possibility to take org chem I and physics I in the summer, then complete the rest of my requirements in one semester? I'd only have to take three classes, and then I'd have a few months to prep for the MCATs.

If I can go that route and choose too, is it even necessary to get into a post bacc program, or am I better off doing it on mw own, part-time?

Also, how necessary is research experience? Is volunteering at a hospital as good?

One last thing: I'm planning on doing a poli sci internship in washington this fall. Will that be of any use to me in med school apps or should I consider abandoning that idea?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[vtucci]

Ah.. fellow history and polisci major.....

Okay- let me take your questions one at a time

1. orgo 1 and physics 1 in the summer at the same time-- possible but decidedly unpleasant. It may also depend on your school's program-- I could only take Orgo 2 and lab together because of course offerings. Don't forget you need labs for all these courses.

2. Washington internship- it depends on what you are going to do. I interned on Capitol Hill for a congressman and it was a complete waste of time. Are you planning to do something medically related? lobby for med malpractice reform? prescription drug coverage changes? Then it might be an interesting blurb. If not, I would recommend that you get in a clinical research program and bang out an article over the summer.

3. Research is important but not essential. However, for those of us who are non-science, it does help. However, you do not have to do lab (bench) research. You can work in a hospital department and do a review article or case report (they are pretty easy to complete in a summer). Find a resident who wants to publish but is too busy to get around to it and bam... you can be second author on a publication.

4. Working in a hospital- what department and doing what? Hospital work can be very variable depending on your tasks and the people you are working with.

5. You may not need to take Calc 2 by the way-- not all schools require it and I did just fine in the application process last year with only one semester of calc.

6. I grew up on Long Island. While Stony Brook has an excellent reputation, keep in mind, that many of the sections are taught by TAs who do not speak english well and as a result, it is not the best choice for a non-science person. I did my post-bac at City College of New York (in Harlem) and York College (Jamaica) yes, I commuted from Lake Grove (in Suffolk-- exit 60 on the LIE) more than 3 days a week on the LIRR (Ronkonkoma station). It was worth it. They have an enormous post-bac program and community and the classes were all taught by people whose first language is english (not to say physics was enjoyable but at least comprehensible).