The Under M1 Club: Come on in! part 01

[agent]

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Hi all you crazy pre-med undergrads!

I once created a thread like this were all the people who are currently struggling through any of the pre0reqs could come on in and share their experiences. It seemed to go over pretty well so I propose that we continue on with the Under-M1 Club.

So come on in and share your scary experiences and let all help each other get through it.

Personally I'm just starting Junior standing. I'm applying to a new UNI this semester for transfer. I'm taking College Algebra w/Trig and Psych 101 as well.

I might have to get a 2nd job just on the weekends cause I might be getting sued by a collection agency for a 22k bill that an insurance company refused to pay. Hooray for me!

[sarcasm] And how exactly am I going to pull this all off again???[/sarcasm]

 

[agent]

^ bump

I suppose there isnt many undergrads around here. Thats too bad. People only seem to come here when they are ready to apply.

Not to many that consistently visit early on in the process. Just me I suppose.

 

[samenewme]

Oh, so THAT'S what you mean. Sorry, the title didn't grab my attention the first time around.

Sure, I'm in. I'm a post-bacc, starting my prereqs this spring. Can I play? I'll be part-time until the end of the calendar year. I'll take chem and start orgo, and study for the MCAT. Then, if my end-of-year practice MCAT goes well enough to encourage me, I'll QUIT MY JOB in January and go to full-time, take the MCAT in April of 2004, and away we go.

Knock wood.

 

[manna]

Originally posted by agent
I suppose there isnt many undergrads around here. Thats too bad. People only seem to come here when they are ready to apply.
/B]

I'm here! 😀

Not that it matters.. applying is probably a long way off for me.

Under much persuasion from my family, I've decided to keep on with my pre-reqs, but get a tech degree and work for a bit before applying to med school..

It really screws me up, considering I'll be spending 2 years in tech classes that won't transfer, then have to go back for a BS before I can apply.... is a BS a dyed-in-the-wool requirement for admission at the schools you're looking at (it is for the school in our state)?

Plus, with my kids so young, as a mother I feel like I should put my career/educational goals off until they're a little older.... *guilt*

🙂

 

[agent]

Yeah by "Under M1 Club" I meant those who are not yet in med school but more specifically I was looking for those still working on their pre-reqs.

Yeah manna im a tech right now and all those tech classes really did put me about 2 years behind. It's got me the job I have now so I can "somewhat" provide for my family but.. Id rather be applying next year 😉

I'm glad I found a few people.

So what classes do you all have next semester?

 

[manna]

Originally posted by agent
Yeah manna im a tech right now and all those tech classes really did put me about 2 years behind. It's got me the job I have now so I can "somewhat" provide for my family but.. Id rather be applying next year 😉

So what classes do you all have next semester? [/B]

Ah yes, I can understand. If my dream of winning the lottery had come true, I'd definately be going back into general studies/pre-reqs instead of this tech business. 🙁

Beginning tomorrow, I'm taking A & P I & II in two 8-week intensives, comp II, and one other class that I haven't decided on yet...

(so yeah, I'm still way behind on pre-reqs, but it's hard to squeeze in sciences/labs when you work a FT 8-5 kinda job)

 

[agent]

I know I work FT as well, plus I have 1 baby and one on the way.

makes it kind of crazY!😱

 

[manna]

Originally posted by agent
I know I work FT as well, plus I have 1 baby and one on the way.

makes it kind of crazY!😱

I know!

Congratulations! I meant to ask, that I thought your wife was expecting. When are y'all due?

I have two boys - 4 and 1 - they keep me on my toes. 🙂

 

[agent]

Expecting around April 18th. Its going to be another boy!

 

[LadyLuck]

I'm an undergrad working on prereq's too!!🙂 I am a sophomore and my spring semester is going to be crazy me thinks. I am overloading on credits and a little worried about it. I will be taking the second semester of bio and chem, first semester of calc, an honors humanities, and doing independent research for credit. I'm really hoping to keep my g.p.a. up....I might have to drop something depending on how everything "feels" if ya know what I mean. Wow, I can't imagine having children to look after while taking all of those classes and working. I give you guys credit, that takes alot of dedication. Nice to meet you all, I'll stop babbling now 😉

 

[CJLaw]

It's so nice to see that I am not alone. 85% of the other Pre-Med sites contain info for traditional students only and don't pertain to me.

I just started Gen Chem Monday, I remember the math being much harder in high school--but it just seems to be common sense now. I guess that's maturity for ya! Its relieving to know that when I get to med school, there will be other dads (or moms) in the same situation with the same problems and such that I have. I envisioned myself being the oldest person in class always having to answer the question, "why did you wait so long?"

 

[sunfire1]

I am also an under-grad. There dosn't seem to be that many of us on here. I am still a freshman, well I am one credit short of being a sophmore. I am taking Prin. of Biology I, Gen. Chem I, and Trig. The set up is pretty nice because for now we seem to be covering the same types of things in Chem and Bio. As for later, we will see. The first day of Bio the teacher decided to scare us off by giving the stats from last term. It seems that she started out with 48 students, by the drop day she had 25, and in the end there were 8 Cs, 2 Bs, and 1 A. The rest failed. Wow, I have a lot to look forward to. The first lab, which was the first day, she through us in there to complete a lab with 5 different concepts. I was so lost. The last time I did a lab was 4 years ago. I couldn't read of the lab which made it worse because we did not have enough time. I left 1 hour after it ended.

This will be fun

 

[samenewme]

I'm working full time, taking one class at a time for now. The classes are not job-related (I'm a librarian) and I work during the day when classes are. With labs, one class means a 7-hour gap in my workweek. My boss is being generous and letting me dink around with my schedule to do this, but I can't stretch that to two.

I'm starting with Chem I, going to squeeze in Chem II over the summer (taking 1/2 vacation day for each of the two lab days during the week). Then Orgo and/or Bio in the fall (Orgo I has no lab here), then...QUIT MY JOB and let my husband support us. Hope he's done with school by then! Then it's Orgo II, BIO I and II if I don't do BIO I in the fall) and the MCAT, all in the spring. Apply in June, finish off Physics in the summer (had Physics I years back as an undergrad).

WHEW! I'll be a 40-year-old med school applicant. No kids, though.

 

[agent]

Originally posted by LadyLuck
I'm an undergrad working on prereq's too!!🙂 I am a sophomore and my spring semester is going to be crazy me thinks. I am overloading on credits and a little worried about it. I will be taking the second semester of bio and chem, first semester of calc, an honors humanities, and doing independent research for credit. I'm really hoping to keep my g.p.a. up....I might have to drop something depending on how everything "feels" if ya know what I mean. Wow, I can't imagine having children to look after while taking all of those classes and working. I give you guys credit, that takes alot of dedication. Nice to meet you all, I'll stop babbling now 😉

Yikes! I might consider dropping Calc this semester unless you think you can pull off A's &B's with all of those classes. Your HUM course is going to be a good deal of reading probably as well.

Welcome everyone whom I havent met yet! 🙂

 

[Biodude]

BUMP!!!

Hey, Agent, hey everyone! I don't normally go to the Pre-Allo forum because almost all the posts are acceptences, or rejections, or complaints about being waitlisted. I thought that I was the only freshman pre-med around here!!

Count me into the club, Agent!

As for me, my first semester of college was pretty much not good. I don't have the grades in yet, but I have a very bad feeling about my 1st semester biology class (the very first one bio majors have to take, anyhow). I didn't do too well, and when I added up the points, I got around 67%, which sucks...I'm going to have to take it over.

As for my Spring semester, the process of applying in my school is SOOO bad. I got none of the classes I wanted, and the stupid computer system wouldn't let me register until I found out about how to get around it (at my school, the freshmen have to sign up for English 101 before anything else for Spring Semester; when I was finally ALLOWED to sign up, all of the English 101 classes were already filled, so how the hell was I supposed to sign up?!?)
😡

I'm still quite bitter about it. I had my entire pre-med course load planned out, too! Now I've learned that my school allows you to sign up earlier based on how many units you've taken. So, I'm making sure that I have a lot of units for Spring, to make sure I have as close to first dibs to signing-up as possible!

The only pre-med class I got to sign up for next semester was General Chemistry, 1st semester. It just feels like someone out there is not allowing me to graduate in 4 years like I want to. I would be really mad if I had to extend graduation to 5 or even 6 years because of the stupid computer system not allowing me to sign up for classes

By the way, Agent, how's your marriage situation doing? I'm sorry for asking, but you seemed to stop posting about it a while back in the Spouses and Partners forum. Just wondering if things have improved with your wife yet.

 

[samenewme]

Biodude,

Is there a manual process where you can get waitlisted for the courses you really want? Sometimes the computer system controls this, but sometimes the instructor holds a few little waivers and can slip you in. It's worth shaking the bushes a little bit to see if you can get the schedule you wanted. Also, I went to a university that offered early registration as a perq to students who volunteered to help with registration or orientation. Again, this was not publicized, I just happened into the information.

Often, a university's registration system has more flexibility than appears on the surface. Poke around and see what you can find!

Good luck with your classes.

 

[agent]

Biodude!

Things are okay with me and my wife. I think she put the whole doc thing on her backburner. I've continued to prove myself getting straight A's for the last 5 semesters and am currently applying to Roosevelt University's Bio Program. If I continue to do well, I think she won't be able to deny that its more than just an unrealistic fantasy.

On another note, financially we aren't doing so well. Hopefully it doesn't affect school.

 

[justdana]

Greetings and Salutations from another Under M1-er...

Based upon hours earned/passed, I'm well into junior standing, but I'm starting over. Previously, I was a Journalism major, and until I took a substantial break a few years ago, I had only taken courses in that department. Silly, silly me. Had I taken care of my general education requirements then, I could do this in half the time. Nothing I've earned thus far is applicable in any way to anything I'm doing now. So that's my story, in a nutshell. Currently, I am majoring in English (Linguistics) and Biology.

Personal stats: I'm 25 and married with a two-year-old daughter. Until I complete the undergraduate portion of my journey, I am (and will be) a copywriter.

I'm really worried about all the math and chemistry courses I'll have to take pretty soon (it's been nearly eight years since I've done ANY of that), so I will most definitely be turning to you guys for LOTS of advice and support.

It's nice to meet you all! Good luck!
Dana

ps - manna, I see you're in Mississippi... how close to Memphis are you?

 

[manna]

Originally posted by justdana
ps - manna, I see you're in Mississippi... how close to Memphis are you?

About a 2 1/2-3 hour drive... I have a cousin in Memphis, and we pass through there occasionally going to visit my husband's twin who lives in Jackson, TN!

(feel free to PM or e-mail me if you want to chat about more regional stuff 🙂 )

 

[sketchyMcG]

Hey everyone! Im doing the post-bacc thing along with full time work and a baby on the way as well. Last semester was Microbiology, Physics I and an ER internship for credit. I pulled off the 4.0! This semester will be Physics II, Ochem II, and Trig. Then Bichem and college algebra this summer and Im done! I will be taking the MCAT in april as well and am taking a prep class too. Hoping to get into Colorado (*crosses fingers).

 

[agent]

How was that ER internship? I'm interested.

 

[OnyxGaia]

Originally posted by agent
^ bump

I suppose there isnt many undergrads around here. Thats too bad. People only seem to come here when they are ready to apply.

Not to many that consistently visit early on in the process. Just me I suppose.

Actually, I'm a post-bacc who will be starting her first semester this month and I am not applying until 2005, so I will be here for a while!

Onyx

 

[OnyxGaia]

Originally posted by manna
I know!

Congratulations! I meant to ask, that I thought your wife was expecting. When are y'all due?

I have two boys - 4 and 1 - they keep me on my toes. 🙂

I have a 10 year old, 8 year old and 5 year old, and am a single mom. I would love to go to school full time also. Oh well. There is always the lottery.

Onyx

 

[agent]

Ill be here till about 2005. Yeah if I won the lottery id go to school full-time.

I'd probably donate some money to loyola (just in case my mcat score doesnt come out as high as I want😉)

 

[CJLaw]

Your conspiracy theory about the school hindering your 4 year matriculation is right on. Undergrad's are set up from the outset to have you graduate in 4 1/2 years. Notice this, most schools make your 1st semester schedule for you--and only schedule 13 credits. To graduate you need to have 15 credits per semester and never fail or withdraw from any. Not to mention if they make you take a COM or MATH 100 class before taking 101 (100 don't count towards the requirement). In order for you to graduate on time, you have to pass all your classes and most likely overload to 17 or 18 credits at least one semester. Universities are all about the cash, and the longer you stay--the happier they are.

On a different note, definitley take that BIO class over again. Take it from me, a bad start in your first year can be totally damaging and usually carries over into your sophmore year. Hell, i didn't get my act together until my junior year! It took me 5 years to graduate and now I am retaking some undergrad classes with the science requirements to bring up my GPA and take the undesirable scores off my transcript. So good luck and be careful.

 

[agent]

CJ2DOC is totally right about college.

 

[CJLaw]

I've been on a lot of med student and pre med sites, this one is by far the best. However, I have noticed that most of the posts are either "this is my gpa and mcat scores, do I have a chance" or "still waiting for secondary/interview/acceptance letter--anyone here anything from school x" questions. Now the regulars are really cool about answering the same questions over and over--and that's great. But in what room can I find discussions about current medical topics such as new meds and techniques, ground breaking procedures, pros and cons of certain schools, etc. Cause along with taking classes I need to buck up on my general medical knowledge. Like, (whispering) I don't even understand the terms residency match or osteopathic/transitional internship. (Don't tell anyone).

 

[agent]

Well I don't understand *completely* those terms.

Thats part of the reason I created this thread, to have some place to post about issues relevant to us, not just "Whats my chance type of CRAP"

Maybe you should post those questions in the Everyone forum. I would be happy to particpate or maybe someone who is more experienced can help us out here?

 

[CJLaw]

Here's another one:

Med-Students wear the short white coats.

Docs were the long white coats.

But at the hospitals I frequent for my job, some nurses, PA's, lab techs, and social workers wear white coats too. Is there supposed to be a dress code or is that just a myth on ER?

I suppose these are dopey questions, but I'd rather be an anonymous dope here than checking everyone's name badges while I'm working.

 

[Sarah Kerr]

I am so glad I finally have a chance to POST SOMETHING! Being a freshman, I'm pretty much just on the outside looking in when I read all the other threads. 🙂 Now I have people like me to talk to!

Just to tell you all a little about me.... 😉
I'm a freshman, double majoring in Bio and History. I am married to the military, my husband is a soldier in the US Army, and we're stationed in Ft. Campbell, KY. I dropped out of high school when I was 16 to take care of my mom, who had brain surgery, and I earned my GED when I was 18 and accepted to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. Because of my "drop-out" status, it will take me 5 years at best to graduate, since there are so many classes I have to take for not having my HS diploma. I volunteer at our local hospital and hospice, and I want to be a pediatrician. 🙂

School is going well so far, I find myself struggling in math, however. The teachers of course teach as though we should all remember high school math...I do not have that luxury. I am trying, tho!!

Anyone else in the same boat...maybe earned a GED, or have been out of school for a pretty long time and are trying to get back in the swing of things? It would be nice to have some support from others in the same situation!

 

[agent]

Hi Sarah!

I'm glad you found us. This thread was created for people like you.

I just started Pre-calc this week and we had a 4 hour review course which attempted to cram in a whole years worth of intermediate algebra into one cram session.

it was pretty intense since I hadn't had college level algebra in 4-5 years.

last semester I had statistics as well. I might be able to help if you need.

 

[Katie]

Originally posted by CJ2Doc
Here's another one:

Med-Students wear the short white coats.

Docs were the long white coats.

But at the hospitals I frequent for my job, some nurses, PA's, lab techs, and social workers wear white coats too. Is there supposed to be a dress code or is that just a myth on ER?

I suppose these are dopey questions, but I'd rather be an anonymous dope here than checking everyone's name badges while I'm working.

generally med students do wear the short white coats, nurses and techs wear long/medium coats w/out collars, and docs wear the long coats w/traditional collars. however, some schools like U of Chicago have med students wear the long white coats as a sign that the school respects the students and acknowledges that they will one day be MD's. Other schools will have medical students wear the long white coats in their 4th year when they are doing subinternships since they are often acting as medical interns in these internships. So you may have to do some name badge reading after all!😀

also, a word of advice from someone who's been there; don't take pre-calc again in college for "review" if you have already taken it in high school or comm. college. It will NOT help your GPA since the material is so different from HS pre-calc, and it is not necessary if you place into calculus (my undergrad had a math placement test). I actually did crappy in pre-calc. but well in calculus; calc. is kind of a fun subject (which surprised me). Also, check to see if the med schools you're interested in require calculus or not; I found the ratio for the schools I applied to (which were mostly mid and lower tier) was about 50/50.

 

[agent]

Well Pre-calc is a req for my UNI's Bio degree, otherwise I woulkd have avoided it since I don't much like math. Calc doesn't appear to be required so I should be done with math with the excpetion of using it in Chem/physics which I have yet to take.

 

[NIYO2K2]

I am an undergrad at Mich State. I am currently take Orgo II, Physic I, Physic Lab, Calc II, and African Social science. I still have a few classes to complete (e.g. Biochem, calc I again, did bad) this will be for next year. The problem is I am having a hard time deciding on what bio class to take. I got a 3.0 in my last bio class and I want to take a higher level bio course.

BTW I would like to make a suggestion to this thread, If you could as just add what college or university you are currently attending.

 

[agent]

Good suggestion:

I'm currently attending a local cc while applying to Roosevelt U near Chicago

 

[Lovebug22]

I am in my last semester at a community college, I will be transferring to my state university this coming may. I still have a little over 2 years to obtain my degree. In the meanwhile I've been loading up on classes and trying to bring my GPA up a little. I'm still a ways off from applying but it helps to know that others are in the same boat I am. So just like you all I'll keep working hard until I finally get that acceptance!! 🙂

 

[justdana]

University of Memphis, here...

GO TIGERS!

😀

 

[Katie]

Although I'm an M2, I went to University of Maryland at College Park (the too big undergrad campus that harbors a champion Div. I b-ball team, just to differentiate between campuses); so if anyone from UMCP or from Maryland in general who is applying needs any help, please feel free to contact me. And as an addendum, calculus I + II are required to graduate with a degree in bio from UMCP. Pretty much the only majors that don't require calc are all the foreign languages, psychology, sociology, family studies, English, journalism, government/poli sci, education (except for secondary math/science ed. majors), art studio, art history, and anthropology. I think UMAB med requires calc I only.

 

[Katie]

Originally posted by Sarah Kerr
I am so glad I finally have a chance to POST SOMETHING! Being a freshman, I'm pretty much just on the outside looking in when I read all the other threads. 🙂 Now I have people like me to talk to!

Just to tell you all a little about me.... 😉
I'm a freshman, double majoring in Bio and History. I am married to the military, my husband is a soldier in the US Army, and we're stationed in Ft. Campbell, KY. I dropped out of high school when I was 16 to take care of my mom, who had brain surgery, and I earned my GED when I was 18 and accepted to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. Because of my "drop-out" status, it will take me 5 years at best to graduate, since there are so many classes I have to take for not having my HS diploma. I volunteer at our local hospital and hospice, and I want to be a pediatrician. 🙂

School is going well so far, I find myself struggling in math, however. The teachers of course teach as though we should all remember high school math...I do not have that luxury. I am trying, tho!!

Anyone else in the same boat...maybe earned a GED, or have been out of school for a pretty long time and are trying to get back in the swing of things? It would be nice to have some support from others in the same situation!

a poster on SDN named Cobragirl who earned her GED before going back to school applied the same year I did and is now a successful M2 at the University of Florida. You might want to do a search for some posts by her or even think of dropping her a PM. best of luck!

 

[Adcadet]

umm...isn't the pre-allow forum (AKA pre-med forum) basically for "under M1's"?

 

[samenewme]

Originally posted by Adcadet
umm...isn't the pre-allow forum (AKA pre-med forum) basically for "under M1's"?

My take on it is that this thread is not about application, interviewing, waitlisting, or admission. It's about the NOW of the pre-med, not about what happens next. Prereqs, family support, planning, post-bacc if that's what kind of premed you are, etc.

I'm just starting my prereqs and I'm not all that interested yet in who's getting into the California med schools this year.

 

[JCPhelps]

Hello all. Well my story fits into this thread as well. I'm a 25 yr old second year undergrad...currently a geology major--I hear they don't really care what your degree is in? Anyhow i'm currently pulling myself out of the 2.5 hole i have put myself in hehe. You can be down but not out. I just recently(within the last year) became interested in medicine-- when i started working part time at a hospital. The truth is i had no idea what i wanted to do until then...it seems as if i've just been kinda---here taking up space. It was my own fault of course, I was in the Marines before and decided to get out and go to school full time without any real solid plans. If there is anything else you would like to know feel free to ask I'm very open.🙂
JP

 

[Biodude]

BUMP!! 😀

Hey, everyone, just decided to move this thread up. Boy, I missed a lot of discussions here!

Anyhow, for the person that asked, I attend California State University, Fullerton.

Also, I didn't find out about the "waitlist into a class you have to take" thing until long after I was finally allowed to register.

So I signed up for Engl 101, even though it is already all filled up, and now I'm on a waitlist for it.

At my school, freshmen are required to take a Communications class (100, 101, or 102) and English 101 before anything else, pretty much.

As in, I didn't get my calculus class (sigh...now I'm going to have to take it as a sophomore...so much for finish all my math in freshmen year)! I also didn't get my Cell Biology class (the second one required by biology majors).

At Cal State Fullerton, they decide on testing you based on your SAT score. If it is high enough, then you won't have to take any tests for English and Math placement. That was the case for me. English 101 and a choice of either Math 115 (College Algebra) or Math 125 (Pre-Calculus). Since I didn't do too well in Algebra 2 in high school, I decided on Math 115. Anyways, I could take either class, get a passing grade (C or better) and skip right over to Calculus.

Only Chemistry 120-General Chemistry, and English 101...that's 8 units, by the way. Of course, I'm going to go into the second phase of registration (for people that didn't get to sign up by the deadline or want to add/drop classes), and I'm going to load up on the GE classes to maximize my units, since all the pre-med classes and classes in my major are all filled up. My school sets the limit for semester units to 16, and it is true that they want the cash. I didn't know until after I registered for classes, but apparently, CSUF accepts more students than they actually have room for!

Well, now it seems that I'm going to have to take 16 units every semester, intersession classes, and summer school in order to graduate on time. I'm not going to let this school keep me in longer than I want or need to.

Let's see how everyone else is doin' 🙂

 

[PhT]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here, as you can see, so please bear with me! I'm a freshman at the Univeristy of Wisconsin - Whitewater (I know, very prestigious 😉 ). As of right know, my declared major is Pre-Pharmacy, but I'm seriously considering the switch to Pre-Med. Hence, my reason for hanging out here 🙂. My first semester went alright, but certainly not perfectly. I had inorganic (general) chem I, bio I (botany), calculus I, and cultural anthropology; totaling 17 credits for those of you who use this system. Strangely enough, my weakest class was cult. anthro. Like I said, I did alright, I got a 3.824, but it wasn't the perfect start I'd hoped for. Next semester, as of this moment, I've got inorg. chem II, bio. II (zoology), psychology, and 2nd semester english (I was fortunate enough to get waived from 1st sem.); totaling only 15 credits. I wanted to finish my math this year, like a previous poster had mentioned, but was unable to find a calc. II class that would not force me to take a professor I hadn't heard about. In order to take the calc. class with the professor I'd heard good things about, I'd have to drop my bio. II class, and that's not going to happen. So, it looks like I'll have to take it next year (or this summer maybe?). Anyways, for those of you who have read this whole shpiel (sorry for the novel!), does it look like I'd be on a decent pace for the switch to Pre-Med? Your opinions would be greatly appreciated, as they will surely be taken into consideration in my future "self debates" about my career/educational plans. For the record, I think I'm leaning toward the Pre-Med. side of things.

 

[Sarah Kerr]

Hey everyone...

Since we've gotten on the topic of schools trying to keep us in as long as possible to get more money, I would like some feedback from you guys on the situation I'm in:

Because I received my GED, my college requires me to take nearly a whole semesters worth of classes to "catch up", so to speak. I had not been in a math class for almost 3 years, so I am now in a "pre-algebra" math course, which gives me a grade, but no credit for graduation (or, any bearing on my med school app, either). Of course, not remembering ANYTHING from HS math, this isnt necessary a bad thing, just a little time consuming. So now, I have to wait to take any chem & lab, even general, until the middle of my sophomore year when I get to college algebra, as algebra is a pre-req for any chem. I also need 2 credits of a foreign language, performance art, etc...basic stuff you take care of in HS.

Question is.....should I surrender another years worth of college tuition (as the school, OF COURSE, suggests), or work to the bone during summers, and take overload credits, to finish on time and get my career as a doc started? I don't mind the hard work...but I dont want to risk my grades, MCATs, and my sanity to finish ON TIME. Im just so torn on what to do, and Im looking to be fellow SDN'ers to help me out! Thanks bunches and sorry for taking up so much bloody room..lol 😛

 

[sunfire1]

Originally posted by NIYO2K2
BTW I would like to make a suggestion to this thread, If you could as just add what college or university you are currently attending.

I am attending the local CC, but will soon be at the University of South Florida. I am looking forward to getting out of this CC

 

[Katie]

Originally posted by PhT
Hey everyone, this is my first post here, as you can see, so please bear with me! I'm a freshman at the Univeristy of Wisconsin - Whitewater (I know, very prestigious 😉 ). As of right know, my declared major is Pre-Pharmacy, but I'm seriously considering the switch to Pre-Med. Hence, my reason for hanging out here 🙂. My first semester went alright, but certainly not perfectly. I had inorganic (general) chem I, bio I (botany), calculus I, and cultural anthropology; totaling 17 credits for those of you who use this system. Strangely enough, my weakest class was cult. anthro. Like I said, I did alright, I got a 3.824, but it wasn't the perfect start I'd hoped for. Next semester, as of this moment, I've got inorg. chem II, bio. II (zoology), psychology, and 2nd semester english (I was fortunate enough to get waived from 1st sem.); totaling only 15 credits. I wanted to finish my math this year, like a previous poster had mentioned, but was unable to find a calc. II class that would not force me to take a professor I hadn't heard about. In order to take the calc. class with the professor I'd heard good things about, I'd have to drop my bio. II class, and that's not going to happen. So, it looks like I'll have to take it next year (or this summer maybe?). Anyways, for those of you who have read this whole shpiel (sorry for the novel!), does it look like I'd be on a decent pace for the switch to Pre-Med? Your opinions would be greatly appreciated, as they will surely be taken into consideration in my future "self debates" about my career/educational plans. For the record, I think I'm leaning toward the Pre-Med. side of things.

ONLY a 3.824 with ONLY 17 credits??!! Shame, shame!

seriously, if you are worried that nothing except a 4.0 from the university you attend will get you into med school b/c of the prestige level of the school; it's time to start thinking of switching schools if possible. Ivy League is not necessary, but the name recognition factor does play a part in the med school admissions process. I'm sorry if this wasn't what you guys wanted to hear, but it's definitely the truth. There are maybe 20/170 people in my entire med school class who came from second-tier (i.e. non-top 50) state schools. to answer your original question, it should not be hard to switch over to pre-med since the prereqs for med school and pharmacy school are very similar.

 

[PhT]

Thanks Katie, I have been under the impression that the prereqs were quite similar, but it's good to know for sure. And as far as the whole school prestige issue goes, it's something I've been thinking about ever since I began to consider a switch to pre-med. I don't think that I'd have too much trouble transfering to UW-Madison, which is incidentally my first choice in both medical and pharmacy school. The hang-up at this point, however, is cost. As is the case everywhere, the larger, more prestigious school (Madison) is inherently more expensive. I am paying for my education by myself, and as a result, I am attempting to formulate a plan that will minimize debt. I am not naive, however, and I am aware of the fact that any sort of medical education will almost certainly result in a large amount of debt. In any case, I feel confident that I would be able to perform just as well academically at Madison, but funding is the "limiting reactant," if you will 😉 . That said, what do you (meaning anyone who has bothered to read this far) suggest I do? Any transfering would take place next year, as I'd have the entire summer to sort the matter out. Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions!

Mark

 

[Raptor]

Sorry for messing up the flow but I just want to say all you people with children I just want to commend you all. I dont have kids but I know it must be really hard.

 

[Sarah Kerr]

Being only pre-med I of course don't know all that entails the medical school admission process, but I was under the impression, just from books I've read and people I've spoken to, that it doesn't so much matter WHERE you attend school, just that you can thrive and do extremley well in the place that you're at. I am at a small state school (being military, I really had no choice in the matter) but my premed advisor said that although there are a small amount of premed students in my school who make it through to junior year and still consider themselves "premed", the ones who apply themselves and do well have a pretty decent matriculation rate into med school. That being said, he also told me that a majority of premeds from my school dont sufficently study for the MCATs which holds them back. Am I kind of on the right track here, or just blowing smoke?? I would imagine a 4.0 and good LORs from a small school would hold more bearing than a 3.4 from a gigantic, yet more well known, school where you're just a little fish in a big pond, and no one can remember your name long enough to write you a good letter. True or false? Not that it would help in my situation, but it might be good for someone else. Not that I would leave anyway...I LIKE for teachers to know my name.