The Under M1 Club: Come on in! part 01

BU Medical Sciences
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Members don't see this ad.
:laugh: biodude, Im sorry to laugh, but I totally feel your pain. My mother is the same way...luckily for me, her ranting and "advice" is only through e-mails and phone calls, as she lives 900 miles away. I do have to say, STICK WITH HOSPICE. I also volunteer at hospice, and it is such a wonderful experience. It's the best learning environment I have ever been in, and while it's by no means fun, it's really an eye opener. I also go over to the hospital and do some "fun" stuff...on the surgical floor, peds, and the E.R. I think it's really helped me make some important decisions for the future.

Just wanted to add my rant....talk about A rough week!! English paper on euthanasia due today...bio lab test Tuesday....Bio lecture test Wednesday...Math test Friday (Im telling you, I think the profs get together over their witches brew and plan these evil deeds)...and my husband ships out to Kuwait on Saturday. 🙁 I am, honest to God, the biggest mess I think I've ever been in my whole life. Im contemplating switching primary care managers (it's a military medicine thing...I dont get an actual doctor unless Im bleeding to death) because she's not too keen on handing out the Valium and I NEED SOME BADLY!! 😀 Im only partially joking. I am in a town where I know NO ONE but military people, who all coincidently are shipping out within the next month, and Im just a wreck. Lord help me if I get a flat tire. Atleast I'll have plenty of time to study...Im just going to be so nervous about my husband who knows how productive it will be. Things could be worse, I suppose.

Agent, I've got my fingers crossed for you. 🙂 Get an A on that test, brighten up my night a little bit (no pressure!!)
 
Wow. I really wish I had found this forum earlier.

I'm 22, and graduated from UCDavis last March with a B.S. in Psychology. I just recently decided to pursue medicine (it had been my plan at the start of college, but I unfortunately switched part-way through), after struggling with myself for months over whether I should really try to juggle work and school (I still need to take 1 quarter of Chem, 1 quarter of English, and all of Physics, Bio, and O. Chem).

Reading the posts in this thread have really helped me feel better about my decision. I'm in awe of those of you who have been out of school for years, have children and families and different careers, and are still planning on going back to school.

I have two main questions for everyone here:

1) Would it be better (in terms of how highly the medical schools would regard my application) for me to complete these classes at a local community college, or should I go back to Davis to finish them?

2) What are the best things I can do to bolster my application? I am not planning to apply until summer of 2005, so I have several years to make my record as perfect as possible. I was involved in psychology research for one and a half years while in college, and should have my name on at least 1, if not 2, papers by the time I apply. I will be volunteering in a local ER starting in the next few weeks, and have shadowed a doctor. What else should I be doing?

Good luck to everyone in their classes and future acceptances.
 
Favorite quote from Biodude's mom: "Now you don't have to go over to THAT house!"

Isnt that typical of ppl who don't understand.

Glad to see some new ppl 🙂

I got my Pre-calc test grade.. uggh. I'm so not happy with that course.

I got a 77% I'm getting an 80% in the class. It is a 5.0 course, but I need to get a C to transfer and not lower my GPA. This is not how I wanted it to turn out.
 
Thank you for the words of encouragement, Sarah Kerr. Don't worry about laughing, I think that it's pretty funny now having read over what I typed out before 🙂

I only said that I wouldn't study to become a doctor anymore to get my mom to react to it. I wasn't about to give up on my dreams so easily, and I'm still going to stick it out with hospice, no matter how much my mom complains about it.

I sincerely hope that your husband does okay and comes back a hero, Sarah.

To agent: Yep, some people just do not understand. I try to ignore them, but it's pretty hard to do that when you have to live with one of them. Ah well, my brother understands my pain, because my mom pulls this kind of stuff on him as well! He loses his temper much more easily than I do, so you can imagine how frequently my mom punishes him.

To memoryless: I'm not the right person to answer your questions, but since no one has so far, I'll try and help out. Just take this advice with a grain of salt, dude 😎

1) Hmm...well, some people do pre-reqs at JC's, but some people also decide on doing post-baccs at universities, too. If UC Davis has a post-bacc pre-med program, then you should go for that, I think.

2) In this situation, I'd say, it depends upon how you are doing. If you have enough free time, you can try out volunteering and doing some more EC's, like going abroad to a third-world country and helping out those people. That may seem a bit extreme. Well, closer to home, you can volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, etc. My point here is to do something else that you like to do. It doesn't have to relate to medicine, either. If you like to volunteer your time to tutor kids in school, then by all means, do it 🙂

Also a good idea to get to know your pre-med professors, too, in order to gain killer letters of reccommendation. From what I've heard from other pre-meds and current medical students, it's usually the letters of recommendation that make or break you in terms of gaining an interview. But that's a little bit far into the future, isn't it? Ah, well, just thought that I'd let you know. When the time comes, make sure to ask for GOOD letters of recommendation, don't just say "I'd like a letter of recommendation."

Time to wrap up this abnormally long post (I like doing those 😛 ).

I have a question. See, of course, I am a bio major as can be seen from my username. But, I decided on taking a minor in philosophy. What do y'all think about that?

See, whenever I tell anybody about my plans on doing this, they generally react with "WHAT?" and "How will this apply to pre-med?" People just don't understand...I like philosophy, and that's why I'm going to get a minor in it. It isn't neccessarily for showing medical schools that I'm "well-rounded" or anything. I just like it.

Me: "Hey, dude, what's your major?"
Karl (not his real name, btw): "Chemistry. I'm pre-med."
Me: "Cool, me too! I'm a biology major, but I plan on minoring in Philosophy."
Karl: "What? Why?"
Me: "Because I like it."
Karl: "Why not go into Psychology instead."
Me: "Naw, too scientific for my tastes."
Karl: "Exactly! It's scientific!"
Me: "I prefer philosphy, it'll be a good distraction from my sciences."

To be continued...
 
Goodness biodude, you must be my long lost fraternal twin. 😉 It seems we have the same troubles. Good to know someone else has them too. J/K. I also get some flack over my majors...I'm a bio/history major, and Im minoring in theatre. Pretty funky combo, some people seem to think. But it's so important to do what you love. Once you leave college, and hit med school, you're going to have medicine jammed down your throat, and not much time to learn about Socrates or Benjamin Franklin. So do it now, while you have the chance. I think if you love what you're doing it will shine through in your application, "pre-med" or not. All it will do is help to make you a more rounded doctor. Forget what everyone else says, so long as you are happy.


memoryless, I'm glad you found us!! This thread it great to have, the mainstream "out there" in SDN world isn't really geared towards pre-meds, for all that this is pre-allo...it's more med school applicants who are done with the pre-reqs and getting ready for the big time. Cornells acceptance rate means NOTHING to me at this point, so it's nice to have somewhere to go where things are relevant. I'm going to throw the responsibility of answering your questions over to agent. 😉....he is attending JC right now, and I think he would know far better than I on what the particulars are. But I think biodude had some nice advice, also.



🙂
 
odd... im a bio major education minor.
 
Thanks for the responses, Biodude and Sarah. I think it's wonderful that you're minoring in Philosophy, Biodude. If there's one thing I've learned from graduate school admission tips books it's that you want to stand out. An applicant that simply majored in Bio and did all of the standard ECs isn't really interesting, but one that minored (or double-majored) in a subject not usually seen by the admissions officials is suddenly very interesting and has more to offer to the medical school's community.

I'm already dreading getting to know my pre-med professors well. I've always made myself figure everything out on my own, and hate asking for help, which really isn't conducive to establishing good relationships with profs. I guess I'll just be looking for clubs headed by the professor, or research opportunities where I can get to know them better.
 
Wow I just was dealt quite a blow! So of course off I run to the Under M1 board to rant about it. 🙂

I met with my pre-med advisor a few weeks before spring term started and he said he wouldn't mind if I made him my academic advisor, as well. So I emailed him asking if it was still alright if I did that. He just wrote me back, and said he wouldn't mind helping me, but in light of my "circumstances" and the "long road ahead", he asked that I reconsider a career in medicine, perhaps nursing or medical tech.

For those of you who don't know, my "circumstances" are that I received my GED. The reason I asked to make him my advisor is because when my current academic advisor saw I had my GED, he asked if I knew the difference between a doctor and a nurse. I don't know if theres anyone else out here who's faced a similar situation, but OUCH! I have A's in all classes but 1 (and that class is a B, thank you very much!), this is my FIRST SEMESTER of college, I live 900 miles away from my closest relative, my husband is leaving for war, and I think in light of those circumstances, Im doing pretty damn good!! But now I shouldnt be a doctor because some chemistry teacher who moonlights as the premed advisor thinks I dont have what it takes?!?! GRRR!! Sorry, it just bothered me really badly and lowered my morale a bit. So I had to whine to someone, and my husband isn't home (lucky him)!!!

As a side note, my husbands deployment has been pushed up, and now he's leaving at midnight tomorrow. 🙁 Good thing I don't have any unhealthy vices, or I'd be in big trouble about now. Perhaps I can up my java intake, and start eating red meat again. Oy!!!

So, how was everyone elses day?!
 
damn sarah, i thought i was having a bad day. I can't believe that your advisor asked you if you knew the difference between a doctor and a nurse. 😱 I can't imagine him asking a guy that, thats pretty fukked. Hopefully things pick up for you. sorry about you husband too, thats a bummer.
 
I really can't see where some people get off on killing others' dreams. I've read about several people who were told they shouldn't become doctors, or that they'd never get into medical school, by their pre-med advisor. Thankfully none of those people listened, and are all doctors or on the road to being one today.

I'm glad you didn't take what he said too much to heart, Sarah. You sound like you're doing excellently in your classes, and have a passion for medicine, so I see no reason why someone should even mention the option of you being a nurse instead. I've found through personal experience that advisors often have no clue what they're talking about and give horrible advice.
 
100th post! Yeah, go me! :clap:

Sarah, I'm jealous of your perserverance 😛

Seriously though, I mean, come on, a chem professor that moonlights as the pre-med advisor? Hmm...yeah, I'd take that advice with a grain of salt. If this is what ya wanna do, ya simply go and do it while ignoring the people who try to turn you away. That's difficult if you have to live with one of these people, though 🙄

Speaking of which, I just came back from meeting with my volunteer coordinator at hospice. It turns out that (no surprise) many of the volunteers at hospice only want to see patients and they have no one to help with the paperwork and taking phone calls in the office. So, after talking to my supervisor, I managed to work out a compromise with my mom. Three months of volunteering as an office helper at the hospice, and then I can go and see patients. Well, it's a delay, but I'm 18, so it's not really much of a set-back.

I myself just set up an appointment with my pre-med advisor, Dr. David Drath, who also happens to advise anyone who's interested in health professional careers (pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, nursing, etc.)

I think he knows his stuff, though he did tell me to take certain classes blah blah blah and the long MCAT test blah blah blah. He basically advised me on stuff that I had already found out about at SDN a long time ago, so of course I felt like rolling my eyes, but I just shrugged it off. But, there is one reason why I am convinced he is a good pre-med advisor, besides the statistics at my school:

Me: "Dr. Drath, you seem to be emphasizing that I get good grades. I know that's important, but I am also interested in volunteering-"
Dr. Drath: "Yes, well, you must understand that your grades have priority since medical schools use those and your MCAT scores as their primary way of weeding out applicants. But, also, I've seen many students begin to volunteer and they end up liking it to the point in which they focus most of their energy into it. Then they end up getting less than stellar grades at the end of the semester."

Well, I thought that that was ridiculous and I of course went ahead and volunteered. I should have listened to Dr. Drath's warning, because now I've got a lower starting GPA than I'd like, but it's only the first semester, after all. I've got about 7 semesters to improve on it 😀

Also, when I was rattling off my schedule of classes (in the order that I planned on taking my pre-med requirements), Dr. Drath stopped me and said, "You seem to focus quite a bit on the sciences." Well, yeah, I guess I did. "You should realize that there is a verbal section on the MCAT, and it's not something that you can just study for like you can with the sciences. It involves a lot of critical thinking skills, skills that can only be built up through reading. Not just reading once a month, but reading everyday." Apparently, Dr. Drath doesn't realize that I LOVE to READ. It's one of my hobbies.

Well, from that conversation, I started to think more about the verbal section on the MCAT, seemingly the most dreaded by most of the test takers I've talked to. I scored a 9 on that section in my first practice test. I expected lower, considering the amount of questions that I got wrong.

I only trust Dr. Drath's advice even more because he is a former faculty member from Harvard medical school as well as University of Texas medical school. I didn't know that until I looked at the website of the SHPA (my school's "pre-med club") If you would all like, here's the link:

http://nsm.fullerton.edu/shpa

note: I am NOT in any of the pictures, so don't bother trying to look for me. I didn't even know that they were taking pictures. They never informed me. Ah, well, hopefully they'll let me know the next time they take pictures.

Just for fun, since you've read this far into my post:

(here is a picture of my pre-med advisor...well, THE pre-med advisor, I guess, since nobody else is willing to take that job)

http://biology.fullerton.edu/people/faculty/david-drath/index.html

(here is a picture of my academic advisor)

http://biology.fullerton.edu/people/faculty/doug-eernisse/index.html

(...and finally, here are 2 pictures of my General Chemistry professor, the guy that co-wrote the textbook for my class, and jokingly said that the authors of the book cannot write)

http://chemsrvr2.fullerton.edu/DeptWebsite/Olmsted.html

I put these up because I think that these are all really cool guys. I have an exam to study for in Dr. Olmsted's Chemistry class on Monday.

If it seems like I type out absurdly long posts, it is because I have so many things to say about my experience as a pre-med college student. Maybe next time I will condense it into 2 (or more) separate posts. Would you all like that?
 
I was just getting ready to say something about your post lengths-----feel like i'm reading a novel:laugh: ...all in good fun of course. it's all good, no big deal at all. Sometimes i feel like my post are fragments. maybe. they. are. 🙂 Peace
 
Sarah,

Your advisor is a doodle-butt. But without excusing him, let me point out the world he probably lives in.

One of my first challenges in a small-town college library in Georgia was putting up appropriate signage on the library's security gates, to get people to walk through them or push them open, instead of pulling them open. I had to try several times. Think about this: of the students who were bright enough to find the library in the first place, most did not know how to walk through a turnstile. I had similar surprises in teaching students how to look for books and articles. We had a sign up asking students not to spit. I thought it was a joke. No, apparently the library staff had learned from experience in the past that you had to tell students not to spit tobacco juice on the carpet.

Many students did well, don't get me wrong. But many never finished. Many never got past remedial English and math. That's the reality of small-town colleges, at least in the South. So your advisor's attitude may be colored by experience with years of students before you who had no idea what they might be getting into. It might be worth giving him a second chance and meeting with him to determine exactly what he sees as your challenges and talking about how you'll meet them. He probably just needs a wakeup call to know that he has a real student on his hands.

And once he knows that, he'll probably love you to pieces. When I had a student ask me a hard question at that library, it made my whole day.

Good luck! And sieze this opportunity to give this advisor a big surprise. It'll be a great "interpersonal skills" story for you to tell later on in interviews.
 
Originally posted by Moskeeto
damn sarah, i thought i was having a bad day. I can't believe that your advisor asked you if you knew the difference between a doctor and a nurse. 😱 I can't imagine him asking a guy that, thats pretty fukked. Hopefully things pick up for you. sorry about you husband too, thats a bummer.
Click to expand...

Thats pretty much bull****. Arent these people there to help you?

What an ass. Does your High School even matter once you've gained 15 credit hours of college work? I dont think so.?
 
Sarah,

Don't mind that bitter, bitter, man. GED is what is advertised, an equivalency diploma. Once you are accepted in college, HS means absolutley nothing. However, an advisor should not be degrading a student like that. I would go to the Dean of Academic Affairs and complain--then request a new advisor.

memoryless,

I know it has come late but here's my advice on the community college thing. From the various sites I have visited, the people I have talked to, and the posters here on SDN--it seems that adcoms prefer when applicants complete all of their undergrad at one school. HOWEVER, circumstances of life complicate that for some--like myself. My alma mater was just to damn expensive to complete the pre-req's ($309.00 per credit--WITH the alumni discount!) So, I went to the local community college ($59.00 per credit), because with a wife and two children my alma mater just wasn't feasible. I believe that if you have a legitimate reason for finishing at a CC or JC, do it and don't worry. But, if you don't have the financial or personal constraints like myself, try to finish at your undergrad school.

Hope that helps!

BTW, its nice to see the thread back on page one with alot of new members!

Agent, I see you're starting to become somewhat of a folk hero around here! Hope things are getting better at home for ya.

Peace
 
my .02 on the community college thing..the school i will transfer to says that i can transfer "x" amount of credits frrom a community college.i also checked out the med schools i am appling to and so far it does not seem to be an issue.(i follow the people on this board who are appling to the schools i am interested in.) i am also satisfying some of my classes thru clep because because of certain circumstances i will not able to enroll until the summer of '03. i have also checked the catalog of these schools on the clep.so i guess i rambled thru all of this to say-check with the 4 year institution and the medical school you wish to apply to.check with your advisor also.it helps to get the info "straight from the horse's mouth".
i am attending cc because of convenience and finances.it simply was the best thing for me.i hope by the spring of '04 i will have all my funds together so i can transfer.(i started working on things earlier this time.
good luck to all you MS1's and under-oh and me too of course! 😉
i was feeling a bit overwhelmed yesterday but i do feel a little better now.does reading about all of those appling make you feel as you are never going to get where you want to go???😕
 
oh and Sarah..do a search on SDN for GED.you might be pleasantly suprised at what you find.😉 you can actually use this (obtaining your GED) to your advantage when you apply.I know we are all very proud of your desire and motivation.You wi;ll do just fine!!
 
I like this thread. It's a nice way to vent pre-med frustrations 😀

With that said, here comes another rant:

Seems like I've always got something new to say each day now that my semester has come in full-force. So, did anybody see the pictures?

Here's what I have to say today. I am a klutz in the labs. I hate labs because those are in the category of the worst "classes" for me. It's not like I hate them simply because they're there. I hate them because I am a bad laboratory techinician. Anybody else run into such problems? I think that I am going to have to work on my laboratory technique, but of course, I can't really help out with the PhDs' research until after one semester of General Biology (already taken) and two semesters of General Chem (I'm currently on the first semester).

I hate Chemistry lab. I hate science labs in general...I guess I'm trying to say that I feel very frustrated with doing lab work, because if I make one itty bitty teeny tiny mistake, I have to start ALL the way from square one, like what happened today 😡

Well, if THAT wasn't bad enough, the classmates that noticed my mistake laughed mercilessly in my face! Well, I had to start over from the very beginning of the exploration ("exploration" for "experiments" in which the outcome has already been determined beforehand). So I got near the end and I screwed up again. Unfortunately, my lab instructor had things to do and so I couldn't stay after to finish up my labs. Now I have to go to another lab instructor's labs in order to finish mine up (today was part 1 of a 5 part lab, and you just cannot do the other parts until after this is finished).

I'm just frustrated that I can't exactly practice my laboratory technique right now to get better at it. I also wonder how many pre-meds have as much trouble with their lab technique as I do. I still haven't finished my lab report for my first lab yet (approximately 96% complete), and it's due in my lab instructor's office mailbox tomorrow at 4 p.m. I've got plenty of time 😉

I've also got a quiz to study for in Psychology. Hmm...let's see here, my first political science exam was today, and it was just like my psychology quizzes.

Then there is the "dreaded" Chemistry exam coming in on Monday. I've got my cations and anions down, the chemical formulas, the line structures, and empirical formulas seem like second nature now, and the calculations for density, mass-mole conversion, dilution, etc. seem a lot like basic algebra to me (as in, easy as pie). The one thing will probably screw up my test score would be nomenclature. I am just confused as to how to come up with the names for the formulas...ethanol, dinitrogen tetrafluoride, Lithium hydride, etc. Well, there's the big thing that I need to work on here...

I also hate significant figures, but what am I gonna do, huh?

Last thing: To pass the lectures in science classes, you only need to understand the concepts and apply them on written exams. To pass the labs, you better have some good laboratory technique

-Biodude

My life must be boring to you all...oh well. 😀
 
You're not boring at all, biodude...pre-med ranting is what this thread is for. And whenever I see your name, I know there's LOTS of info coming up. 😀 I like reading what you have to say. I am not taking chemsitry this semester, but I'm a little worried about it...I really was in and out of school sporadically when we covered chem in high school, so I'm really starting at square one and am nervous about all of the material. Unfortunatley, there is no way to get around chem...so I just have to suck it up.


I want to thank everyone for the nice things they had to say about my pre-med advisor "situation". It made me feel a lot better, and I appreciate that you all have my back. 😉


Just a side note, I got a satellite dish today! :clap: :clap: I'm so very thrilled with my new purchase...cable was putting me in the poorhouse (69.99/mo for BASIC!) I normally don't watch much TV, (except the Siiiiiimppppsooooons!) but my little sister is moving up here to finish out her junior year of HS while my husband is gone, and she refuses to live without television. 🙄 She's the most high-maintenance 17 year old Ive ever seen!
 
hi guys!
biodude i doubt if you are the only person who has trouble with lab.i took bio I but had to withdraw and i can tell you a lot of people in my class dreaded that lab class.ours was really soooo boring.and we didn't like the teacher either!!! i am hoping for better luck in my future science classes.i also found an MCAT book at a half-price bookstore.i won't need one for months but 5 bucks was too good to pass up-i use it for a review of my classes.i will purchase a new edition before i take the real MCAT tho!!
HI sarah!!🙂
 
Hey again, everyone! I am currently in one of the many computer labs in my school. It's 8:15 a.m., but my first class doesn't start until 11:00. The reason why I'm here so early is because the parking at my school is so bad that the early (7:00 - 9:00) people get all the spots. I intend to be one of the early people so that I'm not late to class 😀

I'm about 99% complete with my lab report. I've just gotta do some sample calculations in order to show my lab instructor that I know what I am doing. I just came in to say thanks, Sarah, for having an interest in reading my rants, and thank you 2badr for the words of encouragement.

Hehe, how high-maintenence is your little sis exactly? I myself stopped watching TV because all my favorite shows got cancelled and replaced with...let's just say that I think they take scriptwriters of the street. Absurd shows, I tell ya! The general public just doesn't seem to realize quality programming when they see it and prefer trash and things that would appeal to someone with...less than stellar intelligence. I myself am not that intelligent, but I mean, come on. I only watch 2 shows nowadays, Scrubs and Simpsons. ER is good too, but I'm usually in bed by the time it comes on. It looks like Scrubs is going downhill. Darn, well, it looks like I'm not going to use a TV in the future. I don't need cable TV. I'm used to not having cable TV and I honestly do not understand why people need it. I guess I was "deprived" as a young'un then.

Labs do suck because they last for 3 hours per unit...that means that if your lab is 3 units, then you have to be in lab 9 hours a week. If it's 1 unit, it's 3 hours, if it's 2, it's 6 hours, and so on...

There's no going around them, either, since med schools require 'em along with your lectures. Too bad, because I excel at lecture exams and get my grades lowered by my clumsy labs. The same thing happened in my biology class from last semester. I was lucky to pass it with a C.

Well, the suggestion I have for labs is to build your endurance, because 3 hours sure is a long time to be in a "class". Labs are supposed to be fun, and I guess they are to a lot of people, but then again, if your lab instructor is boring, it's going to be one long lab. As of right now, I think that perhaps I've irritated my lab instructor too much. To recap on my labs...

1st lab: I got an eyedropper stuck in a 10 mL flask. The lab instructor thought it was funny and helped me get it out. :laugh:

2nd lab: I incorrectly calculated the density of my liquids from the first week's lab, so the volumes on my flasks and pipet were invalid. The lab instructor said that he was unhappy with what I did. 🙁

3rd lab (yesterday): I did everything carefully and correctly. When it came time to use the bunsen burner for my chemical solution, I was only supposed to let it sit until it came close to boiling...I let it boil without realizing it, and had to start it all over again. 2nd try, I managed to get near the end of the lab, but I couldn't finish it, and my lab instructor told me to go to another instructor's lab to finish it up. 😱

I guess I'm going to have to visit my instructor's office next week. He must be very irritated with me, but it's not like I can do everything perfectly if he keeps rushing me to finish things FAST. If I had all the time in the world, then perhaps I could do everything well, but I feel frustrated because I put in so much effort only to see my experiments work incorrectly (at least they don't blow up...yet 😀 ). Anybody know what it feels like? I have a feeling that I'm going to screw up on my next lab too, with some procedure. I need some more lab experience, but I wonder where else I could get it at this point in time.

Last note, I have a meeting today with the SHPA! Their website again is:

http://nsm.fullerton.edu/shpa

Well, thank you again, everyone!
 
Originally posted by CJ2Doc
Sarah,

Don't mind that bitter, bitter, man. GED is what is advertised, an equivalency diploma. Once you are accepted in college, HS means absolutley nothing. However, an advisor should not be degrading a student like that. I would go to the Dean of Academic Affairs and complain--then request a new advisor.

BTW, its nice to see the thread back on page one with alot of new members!
Click to expand...

I agree fully, thats what I thought.



Agent, I see you're starting to become somewhat of a folk hero around here! Hope things are getting better at home for ya.

Peace
Click to expand...

Thanks. Providing this support thread not only helps others but helps me as well 😉


-- Biodude : I hate labs as well.. well not really hate, but lab work isnt my favorite thing to do.
 
BUMP!

Wow...nobody posted at all over the weekend? Well, I was just here to check on things and bump this thread up for anyone that wishes to find it. Say, agent, when would be a good time to start up a new thread? I wouldn't want to end up with tons of posts for the newbies to cycle through 😛

I'm currently studying for my Chemistry exam, which is tomorrow. If anything's going to kill me on this exam, it'll be the nomenclature. I do not like nomenclature, because of the memorization of ionic charges as well as the chemical formulas for certain polyatomic ions such as hydronium or acetate...

As for Chemistry itself, it can be easy or hard, depending on how good you are in math 🙂

I consider myself to be an above-average student when it comes to math skills, so most of the exam will be easy for me. It's true that you've got to understand the concepts in this branch of science, but General Chem is very math-oriented, with mostly algebra (which I excel at, btw). If your algebra skills aren't so good, then you should work on 'em before taking this class.

Laters everyone! I hope I do well on my first exam! :clap:
 
Hi to all, I am happy that i have finally found a place on SDN where i feel a niche. I have spent much of late afternoon reviewing posts and thank you for the insight. My question is this and i would love it if anyone could tell me if i wasted my time.
I managed to get through my whole life including secondary school, college, and getting a masters degree without ever taking a math...(maybe in 9th grade but back then girls weren't 'supposed to be good in math' and i don't think it was pushed in my all girls school). so with that being said I am trying to get it all together for return to college for the sciences. So i started slow and every class in science at the university filled. decided on physics or calculus then realize there is a prereq. of HS algebra or something like that. I am actually taking this and it will not be counted toward a degree (like another bachelors) it is called Math 099 and though it sounds like a dummy course it is actually intermediate algebra (i.e. 2nd week we are doing quad. formula and most of us are going HUH???). But now i am wondering...could i have gotten away with just learning on my own and taken a higher level that would count towards a prereq or have i just blow 600 bucks that i didn't just have laying around?
Hope to take a summer chem but i hear mixed reviews of whether this is looked upon favorably. thanks for any advise and not commenting on the fact that i never use capital letters (i promise to on my formal essay for med school )
Thanks for bearing with this long post.
 
look into the clep program. (for the algebra).it might be an option.make sure your undergrad and med school will accept it first tho.if you feel the class is too easy you might try looking into your school's testing out program.(i know mine has one).they sometimes use these tests as a gauge of where to place you.ask your advisor what would be the best option for you.if this class is too slow for you you could definitely spend your money on a class that is more your level-and you'll prolly enjoy it more too.
 
LizzieD,

If you were going "HUH"? when you got to quadratic equations then you probably don't remember enough high school math to teach yourself this stuff on your own. I don't think you made a bad decision at all. Concentrate on getting your money's worth out of the class by doing, doing the toughest homework problems more than once until you feel truly, deeply comfortable with them.

If you take your first semester chem in the summer, but the second in the fall or spring, I don't think that's going to be any big deal. The big problem is that it's very intense taking classes in the summer, so if you're rusty on the sciences and math (as I was) be prepared for a challenge. I'm planning to take my second semester of chem in the summer and start ochem in the fall. Make sure you feel good about algebra before you register for that chem class. In my class the tests are basically all word problems all the time.
 
Hey lizzied2003! Im glad you found us! 🙂 I just wanted to give my $.02 to your question, since Ive been in a similiar situation...

I received my GED, and had not ACTIVLEY been in a math class for a good 6-7 years. When I enrolled in college, I signed up for algebra, figuring I would do fine. I was so wrong. I had the information down, but I lacked the basic skills you learn in high school that I needed to put everything together. So, I made the decision to drop the class, and I am going to pick up intermediate algebra in the summer. The only regret I have is that I wasted the time that I did by taking college algebra in the 1st place, and not going straight to intermediate. Now, its just going to take more time, and cost more money. I also had reservations about intermediate, thinking for a while that it was a "dummy" class. But its not, and hey, even if it WAS, I still need it, dummy class or not! Theres nothing wrong with not being strong in a subject, and especially not anything wrong with not having the needed skills to get by in a higher class. Stick with intermediate, learn what you need to know, and don't give it a 2nd thought! 😉 If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.

My husband left for Kuwait on Saturday. 🙁 Unlike what you've probably seen on the news, and what the others units families were permitted to do, we could not see them off from the airfield. We had to say our goodbyes at the company, 11 hours before their plane took off. I have no idea what time he left, and wont for a while, b/c there is no telling when he will be able to call or write to me. So Im a bit of a mess this weekend...and 2 tests on Tuesday! Yay! Im still at the point where I want to keep my head under my pillow and sob my eyes out.

Have a lovely week everyone. 🙂
 
Hi all -

I've been lurking for weeks and am glad to find a place for those of us working on premed reqs! I'm an non-traditional as I'm 32 and will be starting my post bac in January 2004 at the local state college (keeping those costs down!). I am quitting (eek) my job in January as well. I'm currently a Snr. Marketing Manager in high tech and I HATE it. I'm not helping anyone with what I do except for the executives to get rich. I've always wanted to be a doctor and have decided to go for it! So, changing my lifestyle and going back to school full-time. Have a question for any of you non-traditionals out there. I will have to work p/t somewhere, but don't want to stay in high tech cause of the STRESS 🙂. I need to concentrate on my classes. Problem is that my resume is all high tech stuff. Any suggestions? I'm not too proud to work anywhere, but I just can't imagine working in retail.

Thanks for any advice! Nice to meet all of you 🙂. I plan to apply in 2005 for entering class Fall 2006. MCATs in 2005.

RoseLee
 
I'm not a non-trad, but if you're not looking for a job that pays a ton of money, you could look for a job on campus. Usually oncampus jobs are really lenient as far as what hours you work and they understand about scheduling work around classes. Plus, if your school is nearby, you only have to drive to one place for classes and work. there's a ton of different jobs on campus too, so you'll probably be able to find something that suits you. one downside is that you may get stuck working with a bunch of 22 year olds and you may not like that since you'll be older and more mature. if i were you, i'd look into a student advisor position since you already have a degree. also, don't look past financial aid for help too. you can have the fin aid office adjust your income from last year to reflect the fact that you won't be working this year. good luck!
 
thanks for the warm hello s.k. I hope that your husband does okay. this is such an uncertain time; here in rhode island it seems they are always leaving. i give you and he credit for being strong and stepping up when no one is sure where we are all going.
i am going to keep going in algebra. thankfully we got assigned 'math buddies'. it is helpful and supportive.
someone just asked (the hi-tech/non trad poster...sorry i will be better with names as we move along, and i am not sure how to go back without losing this whole message) how about looking into a local hospital as a 'ward clerk'. I will tell you that it is not an easy job by any means but you will be involved with the 'thick of things' in medicine. You are grossly overqualified but this job takes amazing people skills, organization and patience. I currently work FT and it overwhelms me to think of not working and bringing in the salary. I have 2 kids and carry most financial responsiblity so i'm sweating just writing this.
anyway...thanks again. hope to visit you guys frequently. Good luck to anyone who has class tomorrow !!
 
Originally posted by RoseLee
Hi all -

I've been lurking for weeks and am glad to find a place for those of us working on premed reqs!

Thanks for any advice! Nice to meet all of you 🙂. I plan to apply in 2005 for entering class Fall 2006. MCATs in 2005.

RoseLee
Click to expand...

Nice to meet you. I'm also in technology right now and sick of it. I'm slowly going back to school to finish my bachelor's in bio.

I just got my 2 yr, so I'm still undergrad at 25 yrs old, but busy. busy while working 2 jobs.

Lizzied -- And don't feel bad anyone about being not good at math. To me its just a time investment issue, you have to be able to do lots and lots of problems to succeed unless you're gifted at math.

When I went to college I have to take math 099. I resented that, but in the end it really helped.
 
Bumpity bump!

Hey everyone. For some strange reason, I didn't get any e-mails from the next several replies after my last one. Ah, well, no matter. Currently I am at my school's computer lab, and man is it dark. Must be due to the rain. Anyhow, I'd like to say to RoseLee...hi there! We will be taking our MCATs and applying to med school in the same year. Say, maybe we'd end up in the same class 😉 Well, assuming that I can finish up my major and minor courses of study.

I'd double major if I could, but then that would take so more YEARS of study...normal majors take around 36-39 units to complete the requirements. My major (biology) takes 76 units. It consists of: bio, chem, physics, o-chem, english writing or scientific writing, calculus level math, and electives from the biology courses. That leaves little room for double-majoring 🙁

I heard that it's not recommended to take Chemistry over the summer because of how condensed, crammed, and intense it is from classmates. Of course, my academic advisor told me that it was a good idea to take it over the summer because it's more focused. Go figure. I would suggest taking yer GE's over the summer, the easy ones like Art, for example 😀

Well, my professor's done grading the exams. I can go pick mine up tomorrow, but I'm not so sure I'd want to do that. I overestimated my abilities (as usual 🙄 ). I don't think that I did too well on it. 6 questions, 50 minutes to finish the test. Sounds easy? Well, these questions take ridiculously long to set up and answer...ID the question, set up the numbers to convert, after conversion go into working out the problem...blah. I don't think I'd have such a large problem with it if I didn't have to show ALL of my work. Doing all this work only to solve the darn thing in less than 2 minutes. Feels like a waste of time.

Now on to the mysteries of Stoichiometry! 😎
 
I did NO studying last night. Just read my lab and did my pre-lab questions for today. I'm just having a little motivational hiccup.

Right now we're doing enthalpy in general chemistry. Actually, it's making some sense. I just need to do the homework problems twice and review the last chapter's homework problems to get ready for Monday's test. But I seem to be ... stuck.

Can't help that I actually WATCHED TELEVISION last night. I never do this because I get sucked into the hypnotic rays of the Evil Tube. But Nova is rerunning "Survivor MD" and I just had to see those doctor profiles. Seeing the doctor go through his 3rd divorce after residency was not all that big a motivator.

Anyway, thoughts? Encouragment? A boot in the ass? All are welcome.

Once I start I'll be fine. I love the homework problems. They're all just puzzles, and what could be more fun than that?
 
*sigh*

I'm no help with the motivation part - I get sucked into watching movies with my husband and/or kids, or the stupidest television shows like "Married by America." I truly am the world's worst procrastinator. Just wish I was taking gen chem right now, though. Maybe this summer.

We just finished Anatomy & Physiology last week. I was pretty proud of myself that I ended up with an A in the class. Anatomy & Physiology II began this week. Tonight we're doing blood typing in lab, fun fun!

Why am I taking A & P, you ask? Well, I was considering applying to an allied health field program this fall at the pressure of my family. They feel its a little bit out of my reach to be a traditional pre-med, since I have a not-so-supportive husband and two kids to take care of. It's pretty depressing, really.

So other than the high point of finding a DO locally to shadow/talk with, I'm in a funk today. 🙁
 
Goodness, I feel your pain about being in a funk. I think I bombed a psych exam today. I just CANNOT concentrate, and I dont know why!! I havent been studying, I havent felt like doing much of anything. My mom and little sister are here, and theyve been more of a distraction than a help. They came up to take my mind off my husband being gone, but I kinda just wish they would leave so I can get back into my normal routine.

A flight attendant from my husbands flight to Kuwait emailed me a message from him yesterday. (They took Leer jets over there.) It really made my day, but really made me miss him more than ever. I just wish I could hear his voice! Maybe that would make me snap out of it. 🙁
 
Originally posted by manna
*sigh*

I'm no help with the motivation part - I get sucked into watching movies with my husband and/or kids, or the stupidest television shows like "Married by America." I truly am the world's worst procrastinator. Just wish I was taking gen chem right now, though. Maybe this summer.

We just finished Anatomy & Physiology last week. I was pretty proud of myself that I ended up with an A in the class. Anatomy & Physiology II began this week. Tonight we're doing blood typing in lab, fun fun!

Why am I taking A & P, you ask? Well, I was considering applying to an allied health field program this fall at the pressure of my family. They feel its a little bit out of my reach to be a traditional pre-med, since I have a not-so-supportive husband and two kids to take care of. It's pretty depressing, really.

So other than the high point of finding a DO locally to shadow/talk with, I'm in a funk today. 🙁
Click to expand...


God girl I know exactly what you mean, except I'm being pressured to teach Biology, in which there is nothing wrong with that, but I don't feel its for me.

I like to apply and practice. I think i'd rather be a nurse.
 
Originally posted by agent
I think i'd rather be a nurse.
Click to expand...

Perhaps that was a sarcastic comment, maybe not. I just know that I've surely been thinking about that for the last few days. It's just so much stress, and so much pressure to perform, and I'm still in undergrad! I have years and years ahead of me before I even get to medical school. My sister-in-law is in nursing school, and she was talking to me the other day about practicing giving shots (to hotdogs and oranges 🙂 ), and all the other stuff they do during sophomore year. And it's going to be 6 years before I even pick up a needle!

As wonderful a job as nursing is, I just know I wont be happy unless Im a doctor. Sometimes I just wish I would change my mind. Especially now that my husband is gone, I wonder how willing I'm going to be to be away from him so much during med school and residency. Not to mention putting off having children b/c of our careers (with him in the military and NO family around us, getting thru med school would be quite a feat). I don't know. I guess I'm just down in the dumps, and it's made me quite the Doubting Thomas. Hopefully I'll snap out of it soon.
 
Well...I am taking PreCalc, Ethics, Western Hum, Gen Chem and Leture and Lab. I work on weekends at a nursing home and a breakfast joint, volunteer at the local hospital once a week and trying to get my private pilot rating by end of summer.
 
Well I got my third exam in gen chem back and I bombed it again. This time though I was not alone. Only four people in my 25 person class passed, with the highest grade being a 76. The prof asked why the class was having trouble and we all got to spout off. Of course, not being too cold, I told her that she lectured too much with no practical exercises and then would test on information that she just skimmed over. Here's an example, this test encompassed three chapters covered over 4 class periods. We spent two and a half classes on chapter 8. However, on a 50 question test, she had only 5 questions from that chapter. While for chapter 7, we spent one half of a class and had over 20 questions! The entire class voiced the same sentiment. It worked! While she was unwilling to give a retest or curve it, she did agree to make the next exam a take home test. Whohoooooo!(Guaranteed A) AND the 10% of our final grade that was reserved for online assignments (which she failed to assign) will come from 5 bonus questions on the take-home test! For me, what that means is that because she drops the lowest exam (averaging only 3 exams for 60% of the grade), labs are a cinch (they are worth 10%), the bonus questions (are worth 10%), and the final (15%) only covers the final two chapters (which I have down pat) I still have a shot at getting my A! Though some of you may say, what the hell is he doing applying to med school when he can't pass gen chem tests. Here's my answer: I can recite and explain almost every theory and law that has been covered thus far, my problem is the equations. My prof doesn't work out sample problems in class, nor does she go over the home assignments. So, when I make an error on the math part, I don't find out until AFTER the test. What good does that do me? Needless to say, with this recent move, its plain to see that she is trying to save her job. She's just an adjunct prof and this is her first time teaching--so she doesn't want 80% of her class failing, cause the college will give her da boot! Anyway just wanted to share that experience. Earlier this week I was at a low, now--I'm on a high.
 
Originally posted by CJ2Doc
Though some of you may say, what the hell is he doing applying to med school when he can't pass gen chem tests.
Click to expand...

I wasn't going to say that! 😀 I'm worrying about chem...I haven't started yet, but I SUUUUUUCK at math, and from what I remember in HS (though I wasn't in my chem class too often in HS) it's a good deal of math. I don't know...I think I'm just going to carry around my chem book 24/7 when I start....make it my new best friend. B/c chemistry certinley isn't something I can just casually bypass and still make it into med school. 😛
 
Hey, this seems like a pretty cool thread. I am sort of torn about whether I belong though. I am still taking prereqs for med school, but I'm already accepted too. I went out on a limb and took the MCAT (Aug2002) before I was done with most of my prereqs (hadn't taken biology II, or any ochem). I did well enough to apply, so I did. I finished Bio II & Ochem I last semester, and I'm taking Molecular and Cell Biology and Organic Chem II right now.

I can totally relate with the lack of motivation. I've already been accepted to my dream school (Baylor), but if I mess up this semester I'm screwed. But, at the same time, I'm done with the med school process and OChem II just seems like a pointless hoop to jump through.

I liked OChem I, but now, I just don't have the focus to put into OChem II. My biology class is cool, because it takes a whole lot less effort on my part.

I guess I just need to procrastinate less and work harder. Easier said than done.
 
Hey everyone!

I got my chemistry test back yesterday! I also did as well as I expected myself to do :clap:

Well, as well as I expected, but not as well as I was hoping. There's a difference...

I was EXPECTING a B, and I was HOPING for an A. My pessimistic side also thought that I would get an F because I screwed up on everything (yeah right!) Ah well, I knew that I did almost everything correct, and the cool thing is that I even got partial credit for unfinished problems...I set up the formulas but didn't get the answers.

27 people in my class got F's on this exam. I don't know why. It seemed easy, just LONG. I guess I'm just one of those weird people that do better at learning theoretical concepts than at practical application. I know that I suck at labs.

I think that the highest grades in the class came from the non-traditional people. Well, I know two people who got really high A's, one is a post-bacc pre-med and the other is "non-traditional" in the sense that he took two years off to do missionary work before coming back to college. He's a pre-dental student, btw. So if you're non-traditional, I commend you! Especially with work, family, and even finding the time to study for your difficult pre-med classes! 🙂

I also don't understand why chemistry is so difficult for people to grasp. It's actually a lot easier than biology is for me, BIOdude!

Maybe I should change my username to Chemdude? 😀

I see that I've written enough for now...so I'll be posting again soon!
 
Yeah for everyone who passed a test this week !!!!

Now AGENT and SARAH....I don't even know you but listen to me.......You will not become an 'allied health professional' or 'nurse' or whatever you choose to call them. You are young and on a wonderful journey. It will not be easy. Of course everyone will say 'you're crazy'. It is much easier than saying 'you're brave'. I decided to take the road more traveled and went on the nursing school and then for my NP. I truly loved nursing while i did it and even now I have a tremendously cool job. However, 6 years ago I told someone I wanted to go to med school (one of those people whose opinion you value) and his response was 'don't do it...blah, blah,blah). So i went on and got my Masters. It has been a great ride but retrospectively I wish I had just followed my own heart.

So where has that gotten me? Although my life has moved ahead with wonderful family and friends I am still really at the same place inside.

Unless an alternate career is your only choice then don't do it. Get on the train...take your classes....laugh, cry, pass, struggle, and commiserate, but by all means.........do not get off unless you have to. If I can stand here taking these baby steps with about 15 years on you guys then you can. Make the right choice the 1st time. Your heart will be very happy.
 
Found this site a few months back and have been lurking ever since.
I'm currently in my 3rd semester as an undergrad. I'm taking 2-3 night classes since I have to work during the day, and since my boss said I could take day classes if I quit. I opped out of taking day classes.
I work full time 8-5 as an onsite computer technician. I didn't releaize how much I hated doing this till my daughter was born and I found my self more interested in what the doctors and nurses were doing then how my wife was doing. The experiance brought back all my dreams of being a doctor from when I was younger. I only went into computers because all my friends were and my high school counselor said I would never make it and couldn't afford it. I love our local school systems by the way, great motivators there. =)

Well I have knocked all my basic english classes out of the way and after this semster will have Amer Lit down as well. I was placed in remedial math classes and should start my first college level math class this coming fall. (I'm scared about the professors though, I have heard they suck and don't teach very well.) This summer I plan on taking a couple of general elective classes.

I'm also taking my first chem class this semseter, seems easy enough for now. I figure I'll go nights till I run out of classes being offered. I'm also going to start checking with the school IT dept. about job openings. I figure they would be more open to me taking classes.

Well enough of my ramblngs. Hello everyone



Chris
 
I didn't mean to offend anyone in my last post, and I am sorry if I did, after seeing all of the posts about bombing Chemistry tests. I didn't mean to sound arrogant or anything. I really wish that I could be there with you people so that I can help y'all out.

Seriously, though, Chemistry is easy for me...I dunno, maybe it's because my Professor is so good at teaching me. He teaches the same way that Professors at the Universities of California teach (or so a fellow classmate tells me...his friends all go to UC's). I also find it odd that I'm doing well in College-level Chemistry, considering that I got a big fat D on my high school chemistry report card.

But, well, darn, I wished for an A. Well, I guess I'll just have to study harder next time, and especially harder, because the tests are ALL CUMULATIVE. What a rip. *doesn't like cumulative tests*
😛

I love my school. It's not that big, to be sure, and I guess the prestige level isn't exactly up there, but at least I'm happy here. Plus, over 80% of our pre-meds who actually make it through pre-med here get accepted to medical schools, so who cares about the prestige thing with those kinds of percentages? 8 out of 10 here vs. 3 out of 10 nation-wide.

Of course, I checked with my pre-med advisor for the statistics...he says that he gets around 1500 people wanting to be a dentist/doctor/pharmacist/optometrist/etc. at the beginning of the year, but once the time comes to apply for medical school, only about 60 to 70 remain. That's a bit of a downer, but I ain't worried in the least. After all, I'm a freshman, and I'm slam dunking my chemistry (except for the lab)...I've got at least 3 more years (2 more if you count the MCAT's).

I also asked him questions about getting a minor in philosophy. He said, "That's good. That will make you stand out as an applicant and it will also give you something to talk about in your interviews." Later, as the conversation progressed to why the statistics are so low for those who apply to med school, he replied with," Some people realize that medicine is not for them. They consider other career fields. They change. That's what college is for. To make you think and change. Besides, we don't need many doctors. These peoplle will fulfill the need in other areas. Who knows, maybe you'll love philosophy so much that you may decide to become a philosophy professor instead of a doctor!" Hmm...well, I'm a biology dude to the core, I'm afraid, but I do have an interest in philosophy.

I guess I should scrap the Chemdude idea. Isn't it odd that the subjects that you may like are actually more difficult than the ones that you dislike? Chemistry's easy, but it's boring for me. I don't mean to offend Chemistry majors here, but the math and concepts of atoms and molecules doesn't quite hold the appeal of learning about life for me.

You know, my original motivation for going into medicine was a combination of things...my father's death, my interest in genetics and physiology also, and well, I do admit, greed. But the more that I find out about what medicine is, I find myself less motivated by these things, and more by the altruism that perhaps all idealistic pre-meds experience. I now admire the physicians who work simply for the love of doing it...they don't get paid much in monetary compensation, but certainly the feeling that they get from healing other human beings would more than make up for it.

I know it's too early to think about this now, but I gotta keep myself motivated somehow, and this is my way...I think that I may become one of these docs if I can find a way to pay off the debt I will have accumulated in medical school. I love spending my free time in helping others, and I love the biological sciences.

I guess I didn't explain entirely why I chose to do philosophy as a minor. See, I guess I am weird in that I like to ask questions that cannot be clearly answered. Questions that make people think carefully before responding. As strange as it sounds, I like ethical questions. I also like the lectures that the medical ethics professor at my school gives (he's the only med ethics professor at my school). As the title of the course suggests, it's a good course to take when preparing for interviews, because interviewers like to ask ethical questions relating to medicine.

Hmm...let's see here, asian, male, biology major. Traditional pre-med student. Yup, I guess it'll be difficult for me when I apply. Hopefully my philosophy minor (and personal statement) will help me stand out 😀

This second post turned out longer than expected. I apologize for the inconvenience.

One last thing to all you non-trads: you definitely know for sure about goin' to medical school and everything, and once again, I commend you for following your dreams. Don't let anything stand in your way! 😉
 
Sorry, third post in a row. I read the posts Salitorn and lizzied2003...

I also know how it feels to consider another career path...well, don't do it! At least not yet. You've started pre-med, might as well finish it, right? Anyways, most (if not all) of the other health care fields have the same requirements as medical schools, so it's not like you have to take another 4 years, right?

It also sucks when you've got relatives breathin' down yer neck about your future career. I say, "I'm pre-med!" They say, "We thought that you liked computers. Aren't you a computer science major?" Well, it's true, I like usin' computers, but I don't plan on makin' a career out of it. "Medicine is extremely difficult," they say. "Why not go into [retail] pharmacy instead?" (they don't know anything else a pharmacist does except for retail, which is too bad, because pharmacists actually get to do a lot of cool and interesting things).

Well, gee, after reading the posts on the PharmD board, I don't think so...sure you get paid a lot (90k to 112k + free BMW). For sitting on yer hinny all day long and passing out pills and saying that diapers are on aisle 5...:laugh:

I was probably too cocky and short-tempered during those conversations. Ah well. I'll still show 'em 😀

If you know that medicine is the only way you'd be happy in the health professions, then focus on that. Don't focus on the friend who says that nursing is the greatest career in the world. To some people, it is, and to others, it's not. Same thing with medicine (and all other careers, period). To people like you and me, it is, but to other people, it's not.

Oh yes, and one more thing. (meant in good fun here, not meant to be taken seriously) Going into something like a career because all your friends are? I don't have to ask you about the bridge, do I? :laugh:
 
hehe...I got the same thing. When i said I was going back to school noone asked what for. They all jsut assumed that I would go for Computer Science degree, even my wife. It wasn't till I started getting books at the library and ordering a few from amazon on getting into medical school that she started asking questions. Most people in my family still thinking I'm joking about being a Doctor. 😀

Yes in school I was a follower. It took my drill sergeant in basic just a few weeks to knock that out of me. Heck I owe having been in the military for changing my life, I'm a totaly differant guy. I would never have even entertained the thought of college before, now I have a "Why Not?" attitude. Guess some people just need that courage and discipline needed to try new things beat into them. =)

Thanks Drill Sergeant Reynolds, where ever you are.

One of my friends from school is still dogging me about trying for Med School. He keeps saying I should go for Nursing and be finished in 4 yrs. He just doesn't get it. Course he's the type thats always right.



Chris
 
Welcome aboard Salitorn! Don't worry what other people say.You will find that this determination will come in handy when you find yourself going thru the rough spots in the road.I remember saying that I didn't want the pressure so I would just tell my family I am a Bio. major and let them fill in any blanks they wanted to. As time went on I finally told my Mom..and you know what? She actually talked to her Doctor and he would like to talk to me about spending my available summers shadowing him.So evevntually it all works out in the end!
you are arming yourself with good information.SDN is a good place to start.😉
🙂
 
Sorry this is so long - this is just one big reply to several posters.....

Sarah - I admire your resilience. I know it must be tough being "married to the military...." - My husband was considering joining the Navy not so long ago and that was the most frightening, most difficult decision we've ever faced in the 5 years
we've been married. I'm also with you on the nursing thing - I'd considered nursing school, and realized that if I applied to the nursing program I'd just be "settling" - and that isn't fair to myself or to the nursing profession. I'm in a pre-rad tech program right now, but I think I may change over to pre-MLT, since that way at least I'll come out of it with a BS (and since that's sort of an allied health field, perhaps my family will be pleased, too)

Agent - Well, here - come link arms with me and we'll present a united front. "See, it's not impossible!" :laugh:
At least your family is encouraging you to study a field in which you'll have a BS. You can take those classes and they'll be pleased, but in the end have a workable solution to heading the direction that you want. With my family, it's such a double standard. My brother received all the encouragement he needed to go to med
school (at age 30, with 3 kids!) - he's in his final year of residency now. But when I bring up the suggestion, everyone has excuses. 🙁

CJ - Would the prof be willing to help you go over the equations if you saw her in her office? I swear, some people just aren't cut out to teach. My anatomy prof, this is her first semester teaching, but she's young and thankfully doing
a great job. We had a blast playing with the "fake blood" in typing lab last night. 🙂
I'm worried about chem, too.. . I haven't even taken it yet, but am considering taking it and gen bio online this summer.

Tej - I can completely relate. I swear, I am the world's worst procrastinator (or am I just lazy?) :laugh:

Biodude - I am amazed at the number of people in my classes (maybe because it's a community college) who fail tests, then spend their time complaining to the instructor that it was too hard, when they hardly studied! I mean, honestly,
they knew this was a COLLEGE level course when they signed up. Act like a grown-up (these are all people my age - 26 - or older!). Congrats on doing well on your test! 🙂
Actually, alot of the other health programs require entirely different pre-reqs than med school. I know the nursing programs (for example) around here don't require gen bio, or even chemistry! Instead you have to have A & P
and micro. That's what's discouraging to me about everyone wanting me to go thru this rad tech program. I'll spend another two years in school FT, end up with almost 100 hours, but only something like 50 of those will transfer to a university. Leaving me with how many odd-hours left before I can get a BS? Quite a few... and the state med school here won't even give you a second look if you haven't completed your BS. 🙁

Lizzie - You left me out! *sniffle* You know, my family doc (who was also my brother's mentor before he began med school, and a member of our church) actually told me that if one of his kids approached him and wanted to go to med school, he'd tell them to go on and become an NP! 🙁

Salitorn - I think you're fortunate to have a college that offers chem, etc at night! I love living in the "country" - but having
to commute to school is no fun. I drive 60+ miles one way two nights a week for my A & P class, and that's pretty much the only science they offer at night (other than micro for pre-nursing students). They have recently started offering bio and chem online, so I'm going to try my hand at those this summer. I have SO much mommy guilt about working days, and then being away from the kids at night too, though. My son cried his eyes out when I dropped him off at daycare this morning,
and I left in tears myself. 🙁

It does get really discouraging, though - as a non-trad. Seeing all these people who have (what appears to be) unlimited time and resources to devote to school, studying, volunteering, ECs, whatever - when you hardly have time to catch a breath between classes, work, paying bills, supporting a family. Persistance pays off, I suppose... but sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is pretty dim.

Sorry to be such a downer again. :laugh:
 
Originally posted by Salitorn
hehe...I got the same thing. When i said I was going back to school noone asked what for. They all jsut assumed that I would go for Computer Science degree, even my wife. It wasn't till I started getting books at the library and ordering a few from amazon on getting into medical school that she started asking questions. Most people in my family still thinking I'm joking about being a Doctor. 😀
Click to expand...

Thats my story... Like 2badr said I just tell ppl that I'm a bio major now.

I really want to be a doc, but the family pressure is really getting laid on thick. I fear that if I dont jump into nursing or something now, ill miss out on having any type of medically related career.

I think I need to just "stay on the train" like lizzied said. I'll get my bio degree and go from there.. in a year a lot could change anyway.

I really appreciate all of you. You are inspirational.


edit>>

Agent - Well, here - come link arms with me and we'll present a united front. "See, it's not impossible!" :laugh:
At least your family is encouraging you to study a field in which you'll have a BS. You can take those classes and they'll be pleased, but in the end have a workable solution to heading the direction that you want. With my family, it's such a double standard. My brother received all the encouragement he needed to go to med
school (at age 30, with 3 kids!) - he's in his final year of residency now. But when I bring up the suggestion, everyone has excuses. 🙁
Click to expand...

Yeah at least they are letting me go to school for biology, even though they are in denial of my med school desires. Its going to be a LONGGGGGGG road, in which I might end up teaching for a few years, but I think eventually if I'm persistent, I'll break on through.

I haven't taken Chem in college yet either. I took it in HS, but I'm sure it will be tougher this time around.

I'm just trying to get through pre-calc now considering I started my 2nd job at Blockbuster.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Mr.Smile12
Advice for (new) M1 students
Replies
0
Views
741
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
F
Missing part on secondary
Replies
3
Views
1K
futureMD2321
F
T
Gateway Liaison Under Maintenance?
Replies
2
Views
375
TheCasualAce
T
J
Confused on the best perspective to frame secondary from
Replies
1
Views
276
LizzyM
LizzyM
foodlover630
Can my club activities count as clinical work?
Replies
4
Views
881
AsclepiusAdvisingLLC
AsclepiusAdvisingLLC
Top