Question from a clueless, potential pre-med student

[brandon1]

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[Tsiana]

I'd not start off with physics, if only because physics is the least useful science for medicine. I'd say start with bio (since its more medically relevant, slightly easier on the quantitative-side), and start shadowing. The latter is the only way you can get a taste for whether being a doctor is a good idea for you. People who struggle with being "premed" can make wonderful doctors.

 

[Total180]

Hello, folks. I'm a humanities major in my sophomore year, and I'm considering a pre-med track (just fulfilling the basic requirements for most med schools I'm interested in: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). I have to be honest with myself, though, in assessing whether I'd actually be cut-out for it. I have virtually no knowledge of math or science on an even rudimentary level: I can't recall anything beyond what was taught in sixth or seventh grade. I'm wondering what would be the best science course of those I've mentioned (chem, physics, etc.) for me to take first in order to dip my foot in the water, so I can determine if I can handle things. If physics (non-calculus based, of course), for instance, would be the most difficult subject for someone in my situation to tackle, should I attempt it before taking something "easier" (e.g., let's say biology) so that I can essentially... weed myself out of pre-med, if I see that it's too much for me? Let me know if I need to clarify my question, and thanks in advance. 🙂

By the way, if you've been in my shoes before or know of anyone who has, I'd love to hear about it for the sake of my own encouragement. 😛

I was in your shoes 6 years ago. I was a theatre major with a huge change of heart (hence...total180 😀). I transferred to a school with a good pre-med program and just went for it. I would take bio first...it is usually the easiest of the pre-med classes, or at least it was for me. I didn't take any math higher than Algebra 2 in high school, and NO science classes my first 2 years of college, and, while I had to put in more effort than a lot of other people, I made it, and I am now in med school, and just did well in my first semester. I strongly believe that anyone can do this if they are passionate, hard-working, and motivated. Don't weed yourself out if this is what you really want to do. I know you are probably scared because it seems impossible, but don't shoot yourself in the foot before you start! Take it easy and try out a bio class to build your confidence and then take it from there. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help! That was the biggest thing I learned in undergrad science. Sometimes I just had to have someone sit down and explain things 1 on 1, and there is nothing wrong with that. You can do it!👍

 

[asecondtolife]

I was in your shoes 6 years ago. I was a theatre major with a huge change of heart (hence...total180 😀). I transferred to a school with a good pre-med program and just went for it. I would take bio first...it is usually the easiest of the pre-med classes, or at least it was for me. I didn't take any math higher than Algebra 2 in high school, and NO science classes my first 2 years of college, and, while I had to put in more effort than a lot of other people, I made it, and I am now in med school, and just did well in my first semester. I strongly believe that anyone can do this if they are passionate, hard-working, and motivated. Don't weed yourself out if this is what you really want to do. I know you are probably scared because it seems impossible, but don't shoot yourself in the foot before you start! Take it easy and try out a bio class to build your confidence and then take it from there. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help! That was the biggest thing I learned in undergrad science. Sometimes I just had to have someone sit down and explain things 1 on 1, and there is nothing wrong with that. You can do it!👍

You inspire me 🙂 I'm a psych major who's been wishy-washy on career plans for ages but my interest in med school grew and never really went away, so now I'm taking my tentative steps towards being "premed."

I started with chem. At my school you have to take chem before bio - I don't regret it personally because chem and I just clicked. I've never taken a chem course before last year. But as everyone else tends to hate genchem with a passion, I don't think I'm part of the norm 🙁 my roommate, who's also changing to a bio major this semester, agrees that biology was the easiest of the three.

 

[johnisles2011]

Don't take the hardest one to weed yourself out on purpose!
As to which science to take, I'd recommend bio. It's general stuff. It can be interesting at times, but there's enough memorization to try you in a way somewhat similar to how med school will.
I also strongly recommend you go get yourself some clinical experience. Go shadow a doctor or volunteer at a hospital. One reason why med schools love seeing people do that is because it really helps some people figure out if it's the right career for them. Could you talk to people all day like the doctor you shadow does? Could you work those hours? Etc. Do a shadow and think about it all very seriously.

 

[kunalp89]

One positive side to being a humanities major is that you will probably do excellent on your MCAT Verbal section.

 

[brandon1]

Thanks a lot for your help, everyone. I greatly appreciate all your insight. 🙂

 

[ShynZ]

I heard biology is one of those classes to weed out the premed. I would suggest chem, then ochem, then physics, then bio. and of course it is my preference

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Work your way up starting with General Biology and General Chemistry. My best advice is to do everything in moderation. Don't take a semester full of math or full of physics. Take a mixture of classes and don't do more than about 15 credit hours per semester because it can get intense in higher level classes. Good luck!😀

 

[gettheleadout]

I heard biology is one of those classes to weed out the premed. I would suggest chem, then ochem, then physics, then bio. and of course it is my preference

It really depends on the school... Biology wasn't anywhere near a weed out course where I am, for example.

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

just start of slow. no one is born a "science person". unlike humanity classes, science classes require more practice problems and labs. spend the time doing problem sets well and getting something out of them. the same for labs. don't be afraid to go to tutoring offered through your school early on for help. real science is hard and requires studying. chose engaging professors and ask for help.

-- signed, originally a history major

 

[varsityblue]

Hello, folks. I'm a humanities major in my sophomore year, and I'm considering a pre-med track (just fulfilling the basic requirements for most med schools I'm interested in: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). I have to be honest with myself, though, in assessing whether I'd actually be cut-out for it. I have virtually no knowledge of math or science on an even rudimentary level: I can't recall anything beyond what was taught in sixth or seventh grade. I'm wondering what would be the best science course of those I've mentioned (chem, physics, etc.) for me to take first in order to dip my foot in the water, so I can determine if I can handle things. If physics (non-calculus based, of course), for instance, would be the most difficult subject for someone in my situation to tackle, should I attempt it before taking something "easier" (e.g., let's say biology) so that I can essentially... weed myself out of pre-med, if I see that it's too much for me? Let me know if I need to clarify my question, and thanks in advance. 🙂

By the way, if you've been in my shoes before or know of anyone who has, I'd love to hear about it for the sake of my own encouragement. 😛

I recommend you start out with general chemistry because it's the basis of both biology and organic chemistry.

 

[nisarg2010]

I would recommend that you take genchem first. It has the science that comes with ochem and bio, but it also has the math that comes in during physics. Also it is one of the easiest science. This way you will be able to see if the track is right for you.


Good Luck

 

[kduck]

This is extra work, but if you really aren't solid on math I would recommend taking some kind of math refresher first, even if it's something you just do by yourself. Gen chem requires a lot of math, and physics (even non-calculus) is going to want you to do a lot of algebra and geometry. Make sure you are solid on those, or you'll just be miserable!

Congratulations on your decision and dedication to go through all this!

 

[CopaceticOne]

I agree with most people: start with general bio. Firstly it is the easiest in terms of not requiring mastery of math to complete. Secondly it is a good starting point to decide if you even like that sort of material. Chem & physics can be pretty dry & math intensive, so if you are concerned about math wait for those classes and instead take some "refresher" math classes so that you can hit the ground running. Plus, if you do well in the math classes it boosts both your cumulative GPA and your science GPA for your applications.

 

[blkshrtdynasty]

Hello, folks. I'm a humanities major in my sophomore year, and I'm considering a pre-med track (just fulfilling the basic requirements for most med schools I'm interested in: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). I have to be honest with myself, though, in assessing whether I'd actually be cut-out for it. I have virtually no knowledge of math or science on an even rudimentary level: I can't recall anything beyond what was taught in sixth or seventh grade. I'm wondering what would be the best science course of those I've mentioned (chem, physics, etc.) for me to take first in order to dip my foot in the water, so I can determine if I can handle things. If physics (non-calculus based, of course), for instance, would be the most difficult subject for someone in my situation to tackle, should I attempt it before taking something "easier" (e.g., let's say biology) so that I can essentially... weed myself out of pre-med, if I see that it's too much for me? Let me know if I need to clarify my question, and thanks in advance. 🙂

By the way, if you've been in my shoes before or know of anyone who has, I'd love to hear about it for the sake of my own encouragement. 😛

Good for you. The field needs more like you- the folks who are coming to this decision organically, rather than hard-wiring themselves at age 13.

For the class- def start with gen bio. I think that's absolutely the way to go for you. It's the most approachable, least math heavy, and is the most representative of medical science at your stage.

As for encouragement- I work with a doc right now who ditched high school to party/enjoy the hell out of her youth. Ended up with a baby and no direction. All of a sudden, put her foot down and decided she wanted to become a doctor. Got her GED, flew through her bachelor's, got into med school and cleaned up there too.

No, I'm not equating your humanities focus with dropping out of high school and getting pregnant. You just need to know that there are lots of people in medicine who didn't follow the prescribed (no pun intended) path. Don't get discouraged by pre-med robots who have a one-track mind. Give it some good thought, be yourself, and what will be will be.