Preparing for med school

[TotalDomination]

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So..I used a slightly misleading title so people would come here to say "omg seriously stop, you don't need to prep for med school!!"

I want to take a class this semester and was thinking about taking a class that would be most useful for med school and eventually Step 1. I want to strengthen/fill in some competencies/get familiarized with some of the material that is extensively covered, important, and high yield for both med school and step 1. What are some types of classes I should look into? I have taken upper level neuro, immuno, endo, and microbio before....I want something that's challenging, interesting, and relevant to med school....

I know I'm getting ahead of myself because I don't have an acceptance yet but I really want to take a class and might as well make it something useful.

 

[TwinsFan]

Don't worry about step one when you aren't sitting on an acceptance. This seems like you are getting way ahead of yourself.

Try and relax, or prep for reapplication if necessary...

 

[MadRadLad]

So..I used a slightly misleading title so people would come here to say "omg seriously stop, you don't need to prep for med school!!"

I want to take a class this semester and was thinking about taking a class that would be most useful for med school and eventually Step 1. I want to strengthen/fill in some competencies/get familiarized with some of the material that is extensively covered, important, and high yield for both med school and step 1. What are some types of classes I should look into? I have taken upper level neuro, immuno, endo, and microbio before....I want something that's challenging, interesting, and relevant to med school....

I know I'm getting ahead of myself because I don't have an acceptance yet but I really want to take a class and might as well make it something useful.

Take something like Intro to Wine. You'll need that more than any science class.

 

[mcloaf]

So..I used a slightly misleading title so people would come here to say "omg seriously stop, you don't need to prep for med school!!"

I want to take a class this semester and was thinking about taking a class that would be most useful for med school and eventually Step 1. I want to strengthen/fill in some competencies/get familiarized with some of the material that is extensively covered, important, and high yield for both med school and step 1. What are some types of classes I should look into? I have taken upper level neuro, immuno, endo, and microbio before....I want something that's challenging, interesting, and relevant to med school....

I know I'm getting ahead of myself because I don't have an acceptance yet but I really want to take a class and might as well make it something useful.

 

[TotalDomination]

lol sorry waiting for interviews was getting boring.


EDIT: but are there any useful classes that are recommended? If I have to reapply I could start by working on my gpa.

 

[Ismet]

all you have to do to answer your question is look at the subjects that are tested on Step 1 or that are covered in MS1 and MS2. taking these classes in undergrad won't give you a huge leg up in med school, and they surely will not give you a step up on Step 1. my advice would be to take a chill class. but since you seem steadfast on this decision, here's a list:

anatomy
pharmacology
histo
genetics

i'm assuming you already have biochem and physiology. but if you don't, then those too.

 

[chillaxbro]

Maybe anatomy but only if you take it right before medical school so you don't forget everything

 

[MedMinded]

all you have to do to answer your question is look at the subjects that are tested on Step 1 or that are covered in MS1 and MS2. taking these classes in undergrad won't give you a huge leg up in med school, and they surely will not give you a step up on Step 1. my advice would be to take a chill class. but since you seem steadfast on this decision, here's a list:

anatomy
pharmacology
histo
genetics

i'm assuming you already have biochem and physiology. but if you don't, then those too.

Couldn't agree more. I'd take it easy so you can start school fresh, but if you are set on taking courses than consider the above.

 

[papi89]

all you have to do to answer your question is look at the subjects that are tested on Step 1 or that are covered in MS1 and MS2. taking these classes in undergrad won't give you a huge leg up in med school, and they surely will not give you a step up on Step 1. my advice would be to take a chill class. but since you seem steadfast on this decision, here's a list:

anatomy
pharmacology
histo
genetics

i'm assuming you already have biochem and physiology. but if you don't, then those too.

I'd second everything in thus post, just take something chill...

 

[Cinclus]

Take something like Intro to Wine. You'll need that more than any science class.

Mmmm. Fantastic suggestion. I agree that OP should just take something chill and/or of interest to them. If you're a huge whatever-ology buff, then go for it, I suppose. Otherwise, take the chill route.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Highly unlikely you're going to retain anything you take now for the few months you have of summer right before med school starts. You have very little time to learn it when you get to it in medical school, and it honestly won't be as bad learning it as you think. You survive.

But seeing as you don't have an acceptance yet, I would stop counting your chickens and make sure that happens. Otherwise you hurt your opportunity to put together a strong re-application, as well as leaving an even longer gap of time from when you think you're going to familiarize yourself and when you actually need to use it.

 

[alpinism]

OP just take whatever upper level biology class interests you the most. Epidemiology or biostatistics would also be helpful.

The vast majority of step 1 tests clinical pathophysiology and the diagnosis/management of disease.

You won't get that in any undergrad course.

 

[darkjedi]

Someone in another thread mentioned taking the time to instead learn another language, which I think is a genius idea. You really won't have time in med school to pick up a language easily, and second languages such as spanish are incredibly valuable in medicine. I would much rather learn something that is otherwise not taught in med school but will still be relevant to my career, rather then taking a class that will only give me a few days leg up in med school.