Preparation for med school

[NDESTRUKT]

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In your undergraduate years, did you take anatomy, biochem, microbio, etc etc? For those that did, did it help? For those that didn't, did you feel at a disadvantage or did you get through okay?

I have an engineering background and the last time I took anatomy or physiology was a high school class and I was wondering how this would affect me. I am directing this question more to those who were non science majors or those who did not take med school subject classes.

Thanks!

 

[amelie]

others will probably disagree...but as a psych major with the very basics to get into med school...yes, it is a disadvantage...if for no other reason, you don't know the lingo. (although physiology might be a little easier for you versus other people). so if you can take a few upper level courses...or read on your own, i think it's a wise idea.

 

[Pickle Salt]

I am a first-year medical student, and am finding it really helpful that I took all of these same classes in undergrad. I took anatomy, physiology, histology, biochem, neuroscience, and microbiology, and while i definitely don't remember specifics, it's nice to recognize things once and awhile. Really that's all i think those classes were good for - a good base to start from. But i know plenty of liberal arts majors who are doing better than I am having never seen this stuff.

 

[8744]

Originally posted by NDESTRUKT
In your undergraduate years, did you take anatomy, biochem, microbio, etc etc? For those that did, did it help? For those that didn't, did you feel at a disadvantage or did you get through okay?

I have an engineering background and the last time I took anatomy or physiology was a high school class and I was wondering how this would affect me. I am directing this question more to those who were non science majors or those who did not take med school subject classes.

Thanks!

I was a Civil Engineer, graduated in 1994, and took the minimum pre-med pre-requisites in 2000. I also had a relatively weak biological sciences background. Maybe it's a disadvantage, maybe it's not, but if a medical school accepts you they obviously think it doesn't matter.

Don't believe the hype. Engineering is the most difficult major at most universities. If you can handle Statics, dynamics, and differential equations you will eat up courses where all you basically have to do is read and remember.

I am a third year and I have had no problems. Just go into it expecting to study and you'll do fine. You will see many folks who took physiology in college bomb the first couple of tests because they are cocky.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

thanks for your replies everyone...much appreciated =)

 

[Enkindu]

I have to weigh in on this one. I'm also a first year med student, and I sincerely wish I had taken more of the med curriculum classes before med school. I'm not a science lightweight either... I did graduate-level geochemistry and hydrology research before I decided to apply. For some reason people seem to tell you that it doesn't make much of a difference if you take anatomy, histo, etc. before med school. This is a load of crap.

Nothing in the first year is conceptually difficult, but there is a (perversely) huge amount of info to cram into your skull. What I've noticed is that even a basic familiarity with a subject gives people a huge advantage in these classes. If you can take anatomy, histology, physiology, neuro, etc. before school starts I would think about it seriously. You'll retain the info much more quickly second time around, and you'll have more time to sleep, work out, drink, gun for AOA, or whatever floats your boat.

 

[ericdamiansean]

it doesn't really matter, i've got frens with only physics and chem background, they struggled a bit, but now, they are doing really well
you just have to put in twice the effort, then after awhile, you'll do fine

 

[azcomdiddy]

I would only recommend taking two classes before medical school: Biochemistry and Anatomy. The reason why I suggest this is because both classes are more than classes. They contain a language of their own. It would be like starting Spanish II in high school without having Spanish. Oh sure, you can catch up and learn as much as your peers right away but they already have the basics down like knowing the directions such as superior, inferior, posterior, caudal, rostral etc. Knowing the difference between a coronal cut and a sagitall cut. You see what I'm saying? Also, there is a certain way you have to study for anatomy. Having taken it already will give you an edge. You will know how to prepare for the class and deal with the type of questions you might be asked.

Biochemistry is the same way. People who have never had it think it will be like o-chem and it has nothing to do with o-chem aside from the structures of the amino acids. Biochem is about pathways and learning the basics about biochem will help you in medical school.

Physiology would be nice to have but you won't struggle with that since its basically like every other bio class but far more in-depth.

Definitely take an anatomy and a biochem class prior to starting medical school if you didn't have it. I think it would help a great deal. A lot of that information will be fresh in your head before you start those classes.

The truth is the majority of you classmates will have had these classes. Instructors aren't going to spoon feed you this material because they are aware that most students had these classes in undergrad at some level. Hell, they teach these classes at community college now.

 

[funkless]

Well, I never got around to taking anatomy as an undergrad, but I do have a couple of embalmed vagrants down in the basement.
(I have a friend who works in a morgue and drives a stationwagon.)

Do you guys think this will be enough preparation for med school? (I start in the fall.)

--Funkless

 

[funkless]

(Just kidding. Put down the phone.)

--Funkless