Switching to pre-med, what needs to be done?

[Valvien]

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Hey guys, when i started college there were a bunch of things i wanted to pursue. Veterinarian science, law, computer science, medicine, lots of stuff. I decided to go with computer science because i'm good with computers and i thought it would be interesting to learn more about them. I'm finishing my sophomore year now and miserable. I hate my computer science classes. I can't tell you one thing about any of my classes that i've enjoyed. Needless to say i've been dwelling on switching my majors for a while. I've always loved learning about the human body, it fascinates me. The brain in particular. I could go on for hours talking about how peoples minds work.

My question is, would switching to pre-med be a good idea? I have a 2.7 GPA right now and if getting straight A's from here on out is what needs to be done then so be it, i will see it done for this dream. I've always done good in labs and think i would thrive in any research or hands on setting. But is it too late for me? I've been lurking in the "what are my chances" thread for a bit and i won't lie, i'm intimidated. What are your thoughts?

 

[Neurocentric]

Well, first off, pre-med actually isn't a major. It's simply a set of pre-requisite classes that you need to take in order to get accepted to medical school, as well as taking the MCAT.

You'd definitely need to up your GPA as well. That means studying hard in your major and your pre-medical courses, since medical schools split up your GPA into your science GPA for all your pre med courses, and your non-science GPA.

I would definitely find the pre-med advisor at your school and speak to them. They can tell you what classes you can/should take.

I wouldn't be too intimidated just yet by those other threads, but needless to say it will not be easy, and it might take you a few extra years, especially if you change majors. You need to prepare for the MCAT as well. But if you're motivated, and you really want this, then you will succeed.

Good luck!

 

[SOcash]

If you are serious in this ambition, you should speak with your school's pre-med advisor. It's certainly not too late to consider medicine, but you may need to take time beyond your senior year to get your academic work and extracurricular activities in order to apply.

There's a series of classes all pre-med students take (biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, etc.) that you would need to fit into your schedule, but "pre-med" is not a major.

 

[Valvien]

Thank you for the replies! I have an appointment with the pre-health advisor tomorrow so we will see how that goes! I've acknowledged the fact that switching majors this late will result in more time spent at the undergrad level, but i think that's a small sacrifice to make in order for me to be happy in the end. Sitting behind a computer desk all day writing code is not a way to achieve that.

 

[Neurocentric]

Thank you for the replies! I have an appointment with the pre-health advisor tomorrow so we will see how that goes! I've acknowledged the fact that switching majors this late will result in more time spent at the undergrad level, but i think that's a small sacrifice to make in order for me to be happy in the end. Sitting behind a computer desk all day writing code is not a way to achieve that.

I'm glad you figured it all out 🙂

Yes, it might take you longer, but in the end if it gets you to what you want, it's totally worth it.

Just one thing I also wanted to add, if you're planning on switching majors as well as adding pre-med on there, keep in mind you don't have to have a science major to be pre-med. Do something you really enjoy. Me, example, I am an English major. My pre-med advisor suggested I minor in Biology in order to grab all the courses I need for medical school, but other than that and my pre-reqs, I'm taking the courses in the major I want, and that's just fine.

 

[marele86]

Wow, it sounds like your experience was a lot like mine. I had a major I ended up hating and a so-so GPA because of it. I took one science class, realized I loved biology, and switched my major to neurobiology with the intent of going pre-med with it. I got great grades from that point on and made it into med school this year.

Don't worry about your current GPA. I get why you'd be concerned about it (I did the same thing), but it doesn't pertain to the question you're asking - you aren't happy in computer science, and you love learning about the human body, so yes, you should definitely switch majors!

Granted, I'm just a random person on the internet, so I can't say that I really know you'll pull it up to a competitive level - but I do know that a 2.7 in a computer science major you hate is in no way indicative of what you can do in a major you love. Worst case scenario: You'll have a degree in something you like.

Just make sure you check with your school's pre-med office about which chemistry, physics, and biology course sequences count towards med school prereqs. Good luck.

 

[Bernoull]

Hey guys, when i started college there were a bunch of things i wanted to pursue. Veterinarian science, law, computer science, medicine, lots of stuff. I decided to go with computer science because i'm good with computers and i thought it would be interesting to learn more about them. I'm finishing my sophomore year now and miserable. I hate my computer science classes. I can't tell you one thing about any of my classes that i've enjoyed. Needless to say i've been dwelling on switching my majors for a while. I've always loved learning about the human body, it fascinates me. The brain in particular. I could go on for hours talking about how peoples minds work.

My question is, would switching to pre-med be a good idea? I have a 2.7 GPA right now and if getting straight A's from here on out is what needs to be done then so be it, i will see it done for this dream. I've always done good in labs and think i would thrive in any research or hands on setting. But is it too late for me? I've been lurking in the "what are my chances" thread for a bit and i won't lie, i'm intimidated. What are your thoughts?

what year are you in? Being a premed simply means well u aspire to get into med school etc AND are fulfilling the requirements for admissions. So u got to get ur gpa up, hopefully ur a freshman, and start getting ECs and clinical exposure. No need to be intimidated, just enlighten urself about the process and start doing what's required, that's all.


Goodluck

 

[Valvien]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm feeling much more confidant in my decision now!