Should I take anatomy?

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FloridaMD3

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Merry Christmas y'all!

I'll be M1 next year and I was debating whether or not I should get some anatomy exposure next semester in undergrad before anatomy in medical school. I'll have a sizeable course load already (without anatomy) or I would take anatomy for sure. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on the necessity of getting exposure to anatomy and whether I'll be alright without it.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!
 
ad6d9390-943f-33c6.jpg


Not sent from my cell phone 😏
 
+1 on the flow chart.

If you're curious about anatomy, you can find some vids on youtube. Don't try to pre-study.
 
FloridaMD3 said:
Merry Christmas y'all!

I'll be M1 next year and I was debating whether or not I should get some anatomy exposure next semester in undergrad before anatomy in medical school. I'll have a sizeable course load already (without anatomy) or I would take anatomy for sure. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on the necessity of getting exposure to anatomy and whether I'll be alright without it.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!
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I'd say yes, because I love anatomy. However, if you're doing it for courseload issues, I'd say no.
 
You don't need to take a class in order to learn stuff, especially anatomy. Might as well take it easy and learn it on your own. I wouldn't learn it before M1 though, you'll be forehead deep in anatomy during MS1 and ?MS2?.
 
FloridaMD3 said:
Merry Christmas y'all!

I'll be M1 next year and I was debating whether or not I should get some anatomy exposure next semester in undergrad before anatomy in medical school. I'll have a sizeable course load already (without anatomy) or I would take anatomy for sure. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on the necessity of getting exposure to anatomy and whether I'll be alright without it.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Click to expand...

Definitely no. Anatomy is a very interesting class don't get me wrong but you'll get plenty of it in medical school and it's mostly very detailed memorization so you're gonna forget most if not all of it before your med school anatomy anyway. Combine that with an already heavy course load and it's a bad idea. Just enjoy your last semester and finish undergrad strong, relax all summer, and come into medical school rested and ready to go. Good luck!
 
I appreciate all the responses, thanks for the helpful advice.
 
I don't get why everyone is so against 'pre-studying'. 😛

Sure, it doesn't make sense to study for something random like 'molecular biology' or 'communicating with patients' -- these courses can be taught in many very different ways.

But, anatomy is a classic subject that has much less room for variability between profs. Why not memorize a couple of bones and muscles over the summer? besides, the more times you learn something, the better it will probably stick.

I had to take calculus 4 different times as an engineer. After every single exam I forgot a lot of the material, and yet little by little the ideas and principles built up in my subconscious (or so I like to think).

If the material hadn't been drilled into my head time and time again, I would know it much worse than I do now. 😛
 
Wait. Isn't pre-med and the bachelor's degree essentially pre-studying for med?
 
MeowMeowCAT said:
Wait. Isn't pre-med and the bachelor's degree essentially pre-studying for med?
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Not really. I think the four years of college develops your studying and analytical skills, if that. If there is something in the pre-reqs that does cross over into med school, you relearn it in med school. If you had great study habits and analytical skills, you could probably take on med school straight out of high school. I do believe other parts of the world (Australia and the UK) take that route.
 
ModerateMouse said:
I don't get why everyone is so against 'pre-studying'. 😛
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Because it is a tragic waste of youthful exuberance, time, and money.

Sure, it doesn't make sense to study for something random like 'molecular biology' or 'communicating with patients' -- these courses can be taught in many very different ways.

But, anatomy is a classic subject that has much less room for variability between profs. Why not memorize a couple of bones and muscles over the summer? besides, the more times you learn something, the better it will probably stick.
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Can't be taught in different ways? No true. I took anatomy with a cadaver lab as part of my post bac (after 12 years of practicing engineering). It has a different focus, and little has yet to translate to med school (although my current med school anatomy is the most unique of any in the world - literally - I am confident it would be the same anywhere else).

People get PhDs in anatomy because the level of detail in a particular tissue or area can be staggering.

That is to say medical students "scratch the surface" in many aspects - as hard as that is to believe because it is a notoriously difficult amount of memorizing.

Doctors tend to be elitists about such things, but do not think you will learn everything anatomical in medical school or to the same depth as your peers at other schools.

To think that any two anatomy courses teach the same way or amount of material is a gross assumption.

Sure you can pre-learn the general basics, but you will pick it up in med school anyways. You are buying yourself a small headstart that will sublimate within a few weeks of school. Not worth it.

I had to take calculus 4 different times as an engineer. After every single exam I forgot a lot of the material, and yet little by little the ideas and principles built up in my subconscious (or so I like to think).

If the material hadn't been drilled into my head time and time again, I would know it much worse than I do now. 😛
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This may be a shock but four (or five 😉 ) years of medical school will provide PLENTY of opportunities to review and repeat anatomy that is germane to the art and practice of medicine.

Furthermore, all medical schools provide a complete education to prepare you for internship and residency. It is a whole package "batteries included" kind of deal. No need to stress out early.

In the OPs case this is underscored by their signifcant courseload next semester. Don't do it. I stand by my flowchart for anyone. But especially for you.

Not sent from my cell phone 😏
 
I took Anatomy last quarter with an otherwise heavy courseload...it was all I could do to maintain grades even close to what I'm usually happy earning. Why I took it at all is a long story, I had originally planned on graduating without it (since I had almost a year of physiology anyway, which isn't the same but enough for me).

Bottom line: don't do it if you've got a full plate. It's not difficult, but the volume of material should not be underestimated.
 
dbeast said:
Good luck with that one :laugh:
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Nurses man. Nurses 😀.

OP all I can say is i've taken UG A&P and it was really bothersome. I remember a majority of the stuff but for the most part anatomy is an extremely boring subject of you looking at models and trying to remember bone markings and then muscles. It's basically a class where you self-study and if you're social then you group study. The teacher will very rarely even talk in lab unless to point out histology. On the other hand I personally adored the physiology part of the class, it was much more interesting than learning 200 bone markings. However I will add that after talking to a few MD students they almost all wish they had some previous experience in anatomy.
 
I didn't take an ounce of anatomy before med school, but I can relate the sentiments of some of my other classmates who did. It really doesn't matter.

EVERY single class you take will be different than it was in undergrad. I am finding myself (a biochem degree holder) still trying to learn a whole bunch of biochem for med school. So, I agree with what has been said, don't take a class that will make you "ready" for medical school. If there is 1 thing that med school has the uncanny ability to to, is to show you how little you know(even with a rich background).
 
ModerateMouse said:
But, anatomy is a classic subject that has much less room for variability between profs. Why not memorize a couple of bones and muscles over the summer?
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Because you can memorize a couple of bones and muscles over the summer and when you start med school and you get your 1,000 page Anatomy syllabus, you'll realize that the couple of bones and muscles you studied was a gigantic waste of time. It's like telling a high school freshman to learn one or two Physics equations to make their life easier in college. Why bother when there are so many more to learn that one or two won't do you any good?

Just enjoy your limited time of freedom before med school begins. Believe me, learning a few anatomy facts will not make your life easier. The only way I'd suggest pre-studying for anatomy would be if you can take a graduate anatomy course with cadaver lab before med school. Otherwise, it's just a waste of precious time.
 
Its kinda too late for you now, but I took some graduate level physio and it has helped tremendously so far as an MS1. Medical physio is different yes, but a lot of the concepts I already learned.
 
I also agree with everybody else, if you have a difficult course load then do not take it. It is not worth the stress. That being said I have taken anatomy and physiology and I am taking an honors anatomy class that is being offered to junior and senior undergraduate students that is being taught at the local medical school next semester. I am super excited about it, but I absolutely love anatomy and was able to work it into my schedule so that I would not be overloaded. Good luck with your final semester and take some time to relax before you start the MS1 year.
 
serenade said:
Nurses man. Nurses 😀.

OP all I can say is i've taken UG A&P and it was really bothersome. I remember a majority of the stuff but for the most part anatomy is an extremely boring subject of you looking at models and trying to remember bone markings and then muscles. It's basically a class where you self-study and if you're social then you group study. The teacher will very rarely even talk in lab unless to point out histology. On the other hand I personally adored the physiology part of the class, it was much more interesting than learning 200 bone markings. However I will add that after talking to a few MD students they almost all wish they had some previous experience in anatomy.
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Pure genius on the bolded part.

I took Comparative Anatomy in undergrad. It fulfilled a bio elective credit to help kill the major. It's some weird combo of Anatomy/Embryology. It was a huge help, some of the major anatomical things crossed over to Gross. And the Cranial Nerves were embedded in my head (they show up plenty in med school.) If you have anything along those lines, it was a great class to take. And it wasn't really studying for med school.
 
Mithril said:
1. Take anatomy
2. Find hot chick who wants to study anatomy
3. ?????
4. Poon

There's no reason not to study anatomy.
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Funny story actually ...

And no, don't take it. Drop some of your other courses, have fun and just wait until med school to take it. Take something unique or pick up an extra job and save up for a sweet vacation.
 
My classmates that had undergrad anatomy seemed to get along a lot easier in the med school course relative to those that were seeing everything for the first time. Extra exposure can't hurt, but you don't necessarily need to take a class...but not taking a class seems like pre-studying, so I say maybe take a class. But just maybe.
 
TAKE ANATOMY

Are you guys insane? ANY exposure will help you! Take immuno, take biochem, take physio... it will help you so much! You can take the freaking summer to "relax" and bullsh*t around.

If you couldn't tell, I take issue with people saying "don't take med school classes in undergrad." That's so insane. It makes med school SO much easier... at least to have seen everything once before, learned the language of the subject material... anything!
 
LovelyBRass said:
TAKE ANATOMY

Are you guys insane? ANY exposure will help you! Take immuno, take biochem, take physio... it will help you so much! You can take the freaking summer to "relax" and bullsh*t around.

If you couldn't tell, I take issue with people saying "don't take med school classes in undergrad." That's so insane. It makes med school SO much easier... at least to have seen everything once before, learned the language of the subject material... anything!
Click to expand...

I agree. There's a difference between trying to pre-study, and getting some background in electives to end your undergrad experience. You have to take classes anyway, right? Why not just take classes that'll help later.

I didn't take Histo in undergrad, and regretted it from day 1.
 
I think I've changed my mind from kinda sorta on the fence to decidedly on one side. You're going to have to learn every single bone and muscle (with innervation, insertion, and origin) in med school anatomy. You will have to remember it as a physician. Why not start early?
 
Before I started med school, everyone told me not to take it because they would teach it to me once I started school. But I really wish that someone had told me differently. I really wish I had had some exposure to anatomy before school started. It seemed like more than 50% of my class had already taken anatomy in one form or another in the past, and they had a HUGE step up...just my two cents. I'm not saying it's the best idea for everyone, but I know I wish I had taken it previously.
 
i'm going to jump on the bandwagon here and say that good preparation is the key to success in the preclinical classes of med school. The more you know coming in and the more exposure you have the easier it will be to master the material once you're there. I didn't take anatomy or biochem in college and it was a big disadvantage. Do yourself a favor and take as many med school-like classes in college as you can.
 
skinMD said:
i'm going to jump on the bandwagon here and say that good preparation is the key to success in the preclinical classes of med school. The more you know coming in and the more exposure you have the easier it will be to master the material once you're there. I didn't take anatomy or biochem in college and it was a big disadvantage. Do yourself a favor and take as many med school-like classes in college as you can.
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You're under the impression that undergrad non-cadaver based anatomy is a "med school-like class." I totally disagree. I took a whole year of A&P in undergrad and aced both semesters, plus lab. It saved me MAYBE a total of 30 minutes studying time throughout 10 weeks of med school anatomy.
 
SFO-IST said:
I think I've changed my mind from kinda sorta on the fence to decidedly on one side. You're going to have to learn every single bone and muscle (with innervation, insertion, and origin) in med school anatomy. You will have to remember it as a physician. Why not start early?
Click to expand...

So what you're saying is you learn 600 muscles with their innervation, insertions, and origins and you learn them in 8-10 weeks? That is not forgetting the fact that you need to learn every other system of the body as well.
 
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jm192 said:
I agree. There's a difference between trying to pre-study, and getting some background in electives to end your undergrad experience. You have to take classes anyway, right? Why not just take classes that'll help later.

I didn't take Histo in undergrad, and regretted it from day 1.
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Yes, you have to take classes anyway and the OP said he's already taking a boatload of classes which is why he's asking this question. No one is saying just bum around for a semester. They're saying that the pay off for taking anatomy in undergrad isn't enough to warrant stressing yourself out with an 18-21 hour courseload before med school. Med school will push you hard enough. No need to burn yourself out before you get there.
 
MedStudentWanna said:
You're under the impression that undergrad non-cadaver based anatomy is a "med school-like class." I totally disagree. I took a whole year of A&P in undergrad and aced both semesters, plus lab. It saved me MAYBE a total of 30 minutes studying time throughout 10 weeks of med school anatomy.
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There are other classes besides A&P. You maybe dissect animals instead of people. We dissected a cat---I came into gross knowing some of the bigger muscles, vessels, nerves, and bones. One of the hardest parts of Anatomy lab is just getting the names down. Anterior Superior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery? I think seeing ANYTHING before medical school, and getting practice identifying and remembering these long @$$ names is huge. It's not going to put you in the head of class, but it's definitely more valuable than 30 minutes.
 
MedStudentWanna said:
Yes, you have to take classes anyway and the OP said he's already taking a boatload of classes which is why he's asking this question. No one is saying just bum around for a semester. They're saying that the pay off for taking anatomy in undergrad isn't enough to warrant stressing yourself out with an 18-21 hour courseload before med school. Med school will push you hard enough. No need to burn yourself out before you get there.
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I'll agree with that. I took exactly what I had to have to finish out the degree. I'd try to find a way to get anatomy in, IF it's a dissection class.

If you're dealing with half-hearted Histology---just go ahead and take big boy Histology. People with a history in that had life alot easier.
 
Well can I add a few questions then? People at my school BLOW UP physiology to be a class for pre-meds to take before the MCAT -- including the 2 pre-med advisors. Yet the highest score I've heard is a 35Q from my friend; the "better scores" tend to be 29-30. I don't really see how it's so high yield since I did most of the stuff in Bio I and Bio II such as the cardio system / digestion stuff like that. I'm done with upper electives so pretty much would be paying for a class straight out of my pocket. Is it worth it?

and 2. I have a choice between microbiology, immunology, or developmental biology. Micro is apparently the least work but still difficult. Immunology is supposed to be the most work/hardest. Is it worth it?
 
serenade said:
So what you're saying is you learn 600 muscles with their innervation, insertions, and origins and you learn them in 8-10 weeks? That is not forgetting the fact that you need to learn every other system of the body as well.
Click to expand...

Yes, you learn the names, innervation, insertion and origin of all muscles plus bone names, landmarks on the bones, organs, organ parts, major veins and arteries, as well as a few other stuff in 8-10 weeks.
 
Danlee07 said:
Well can I add a few questions then? People at my school BLOW UP physiology to be a class for pre-meds to take before the MCAT -- including the 2 pre-med advisors. Yet the highest score I've heard is a 35Q from my friend; the "better scores" tend to be 29-30. I don't really see how it's so high yield since I did most of the stuff in Bio I and Bio II such as the cardio system / digestion stuff like that. I'm done with upper electives so pretty much would be paying for a class straight out of my pocket. Is it worth it?

and 2. I have a choice between microbiology, immunology, or developmental biology. Micro is apparently the least work but still difficult. Immunology is supposed to be the most work/hardest. Is it worth it?
Click to expand...

1. physiology is useless for the MCAT ...the premed classes are sufficient then use test prep materials from kaplan/PR/EK and do practice tests
2. i would say your best bet is probably either immunology or micro. developmental biology isn't very important.
 
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