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This is a ramble of what made me come to the question. The real question is at the bottom.
I'm joining a research lab at a medical school and while talking to the person that's teaching me, I noticed that he was really excited to know which classes I've taken. He was really interested in specific subjects at the university level. He was excited to hear that I had taken math up to differential equations and linear algebra. He said it would be difficult for me to understand some of the data I'm going to be interpreting otherwise.
I know that difficult classes don't matter much in the application, but I'm thinking that, at least in the research environment, specific classes and combinations of classes might qualify you for certain projects.
I'm also thinking that if I take some biosystems, microbiology and chemical engineering classes, I might be able to engineer systems for the refinement of biological matter, which might lead to a cool career if I don't become a medical doctor, or even if I do.
I'm not sure if this is how it works... maybe classes are just busy work... I thought about taking the read a bunch of books route. The plan is to enjoy undergraduate though.
Also, my 3 chosen subjects might not be optimal in my endeavors. I determined microbiology to be a better choice than biochemistry based on the hours I'd have to take. It'll give me everything I need for the mcat, but I won't have any more advanced knowledge in biochem. Any advice on how well the subjects will mesh together and if other subjects would be better would be appreciated. (I go to an ag school, so maybe learn some of that?)
The question:
With only the goal of medical school in mind. Do you think that the material learned in difficult classes can be applied with a reasonable level of difficulty in a way that benefits you more than the extra hours spent to get the A could have done if spent doing other activities like volunteering or part time work?
EDIT: Also risk is a thing, what are the chances that I don't get As and just lose? or if these classes are just useless?
I'm joining a research lab at a medical school and while talking to the person that's teaching me, I noticed that he was really excited to know which classes I've taken. He was really interested in specific subjects at the university level. He was excited to hear that I had taken math up to differential equations and linear algebra. He said it would be difficult for me to understand some of the data I'm going to be interpreting otherwise.
I know that difficult classes don't matter much in the application, but I'm thinking that, at least in the research environment, specific classes and combinations of classes might qualify you for certain projects.
I'm also thinking that if I take some biosystems, microbiology and chemical engineering classes, I might be able to engineer systems for the refinement of biological matter, which might lead to a cool career if I don't become a medical doctor, or even if I do.
I'm not sure if this is how it works... maybe classes are just busy work... I thought about taking the read a bunch of books route. The plan is to enjoy undergraduate though.
Also, my 3 chosen subjects might not be optimal in my endeavors. I determined microbiology to be a better choice than biochemistry based on the hours I'd have to take. It'll give me everything I need for the mcat, but I won't have any more advanced knowledge in biochem. Any advice on how well the subjects will mesh together and if other subjects would be better would be appreciated. (I go to an ag school, so maybe learn some of that?)
The question:
With only the goal of medical school in mind. Do you think that the material learned in difficult classes can be applied with a reasonable level of difficulty in a way that benefits you more than the extra hours spent to get the A could have done if spent doing other activities like volunteering or part time work?
EDIT: Also risk is a thing, what are the chances that I don't get As and just lose? or if these classes are just useless?