Tips and advice greatly appreciated.

[miabullitt]

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I always ask for advice here, and I thank you guys for always being good to me (normally people with low posts, no avatar, and no sig are trolls). To provide a little background, I'm currently 22 (turning 23 in feb 2012) and have been back and forth with majors but am dead set on becoming a physician. I have 60+ credits and and just wrapping up Bio 1, Phy 1, and Chem 1 now. I'm pretty sure I want to major in Chemistry (with a concentration in Biochem) after seeing what some of them do in the workforce (just in case **** hits the fan, pretty interesting too). This is my current "plan of study" lmk what you all think.

Spring '11
Bio 2 + Lab
Chem 2 + Lab
Physics 2
Pre-Calculus

Summer '11
Organic 1 + Lab (over the 12 weeks)
Calculus 1 (over 12 weeks)
Physics 1 Lab (over 1st 6 weeks)
Physics 2 Lab (over 2nd 6 weeks)

Fall '11
Organic 2 + Lab
Calculus 2
Analytical Chemistry + Lab

Spring '12
BioChem + Lab
Study for MCAT using the 3 month program on this site
Begin sending out application?

Time in between Spring / Summer
MCAT?

Summer '12
Physical Chem + Lab
BioChem 2 + Lab

Fall '12
Senior Seminar
BioOrganic Chem

The end.

Now, I have NO research and honestly don't intend on doing any. Will shadowing, occasional volunteering, and tutoring help for activities?

Sorry for the long post. Any help will be appreciated!

 

[miabullitt]

? 🙁

 

[whoknows2012]

I'm not a big fan of summer courses but if you take them at your 4 yr university than it is fine, although packing so much into your schedule by taking summer courses is not necessary in my opinion. Any reason you seem to be taking a fast track? Also, are you a chem major? I am assuming so because of the p-chem and analytical chem classes, but if not I wouldn't take these classes (again I'm assuming you ARE a chem major). In addition, you should definitely add some upper level bio's in addition to biochem---its importance is 2 fold in that it shows medical schools that you can perform at a high level in difficult courses and also may help with the MCAT, obviously depending on the class. You should use your summer between this year and next to maybe do an internship or some real heavy volunteering since you have no intention of doing research. Let me know what you think

 

[miabullitt]

I'm not a big fan of summer courses but if you take them at your 4 yr university than it is fine, although packing so much into your schedule by taking summer courses is not necessary in my opinion. Any reason you seem to be taking a fast track? Also, are you a chem major? I am assuming so because of the p-chem and analytical chem classes, but if not I wouldn't take these classes (again I'm assuming you ARE a chem major). In addition, you should definitely add some upper level bio's in addition to biochem---its importance is 2 fold in that it shows medical schools that you can perform at a high level in difficult courses and also may help with the MCAT, obviously depending on the class. You should use your summer between this year and next to maybe do an internship or some real heavy volunteering since you have no intention of doing research. Let me know what you think

yeah, I'm looking to major in Biochem so that explains all the high level che, courses. I'm on that fast track because last thing I want to be is starting med school @ 26. If need be I have time to do a masters.

Thanks for the advice

 

[whoknows2012]

yeah, I'm looking to major in Biochem so that explains all the high level che, courses. I'm on that fast track because last thing I want to be is starting med school @ 26. If need be I have time to do a masters.

Thanks for the advice

The average age of a medical student is around 24 and at some schools is closer to 25. It is actually not uncommon at all to start at 26. In the end it is your own personal preference but I'm giving you advice on what would make the process easiest for you. Also, while it is important to plan for the contingencies in life and be realistic about expectations, keep telling yourself that you can perform at a high enough level in undergrad, and subsequently kill the MCAT so a masters program is unnecessary. (that is unless it is something you're interested in for some reason....)

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Personally, I would drop the biochem major and do something more interesting with your time (humanities/social sciences) -- where you are also more likely to get As and not attempt to bust your butt as much.

The whole summer 2011 plan sounds insane. I took ochem 1 in a 6 week period by summer after freshman year. I was studying 50 hours a week (include class time) and still only get a 50% on my exams (which was curved to a B)... but still, a huge pain in my time.

You could use this summer to take a few summer easy courses or get an interesting internship/job that you could talk about in your PS. Hopefully though, at age 22, you will have other stories from the past 4 years to boost up your application.

Shift most of your summer 2011 courses to the fall and take classes in the the spring 2012... and start studying for the MCAT in march/april for a July exam. Personally, I would hold off on the MCAT until summer 2013 after you have taken more higher level bio classes but i understand your rush, so if you feel prepared go for it.

Get some higher level biology classes for your last year -- you don't need those other courses for medical school (won't be that helpful)

 

[miabullitt]

believe it or not I'm legitimately interested in biochem and would probably pursue it as a career if med school falls through. So you guys think I'm rushing a bit huh?

I wasn't going to take 6 weeks orgo, I was going to do the 12 week course (compared to 16 week course in either fall or spring)

 

[Avoidthetiger]

believe it or not I'm legitimately interested in biochem and would probably pursue it as a career if med school falls through. So you guys think I'm rushing a bit huh?

I wasn't going to take 6 weeks orgo, I was going to do the 12 week course (compared to 16 week course in either fall or spring)

Yes, but you are taking a 6 week course in physics along with ochem 1.

Also -- if you are interested in biochem, pursue biochem as a career not medicine. Med school may fall through the first time applying, but you can always apply again and again... and you don't need a biochem job to do that. Besides, don't you need a B.S. to do anything in biochem straight out of college? (B.S. in biochem at my school takes a lot more classes than the ones you listed -- it's about 120 credit hours of courses.) As long as you take a good number of pre-med biology courses, I am sure you could apply for a biochem masters if med school does fall through.

 

[barcoderider]

Personally, I would hold off on the MCAT until summer 2013 after you have taken more higher level bio classes but i understand your rush, so if you feel prepared go for it.

I would respectfully disagree with you here. The MCAT really doesn't require higher level bio courses. They might help you a tiny bit, but IMHO it's more about getting comfortable with passages, getting your speed up, and being able to apply the basics to weird situations. Not to mention Bio is only 70% of one of the 3 sections.

OP, I think your study plan looks fine, except I wouldn't recommend taking the MCAT later than May...otherwise it will delay your applications, especially if you have to retake it.

Research is not necessary but helps. You MUST have clinical experience though, and more than just shadowing.

 

[Choo]

I'm currently 22 (turning 23 in feb 2012)

If you were born on the 29th then you are probably too old.

 

[StephBee]

I just want to pass on some advice my premed advisors gave me (and they seem to be pretty good as far as premed advisors go). Don't take prereqs over the summer if you can help it. this can look bad to some schools. Probably something like "they took the summer course because it tends to be easier." Whether or not this is true, I'm not sure. The exception in my mind is math. As such, I'd do parts of your core reqs over the summer. Also, are any of your chem courses offered over the summer? And english classes. Be aware of potential schools you might want to apply to. For instance, University of Illinois has a weird behavior science requirement (psych, philosophy etc). Thank god I had planned on being a psych minor for a while before deciding I wanted to gradate early so I already had 4 psych classes done.

As far as the upper level bio courses: they may help, they may not but if you're focusing in biochem, you may want to take some bio related courses. At my school, biochem requires equal parts upper level bio and chem courses (we don't have an actual Biochem department). I found cellular physiology really helpful on the MCAT but that may have been because it was a *really* intense graduate level class so I learned sooo much about cells.

One more thought: research doesn't always mean benchwork. Example: I have a friend who does genetic counseling as research. Kinda cool if that interests you at all.

 

[miabullitt]

Hey guys, for reference I have already taken all my lower division courses not related to premed

 

[miabullitt]

ok here's the real skinny on the biochem major. I sort of find it interesting, but the one major I do prefer over that is business. My only concern is that finishing all the premed pre-reqs + the 2 business prereqs + my upper division business would take ages. Is a BA in Biochem not good? I'm so lost 🙁 all I know for certain is that I want to be a MD!

 

[HolySmokes]

Yes, but you are taking a 6 week course in physics along with ochem 1.

Also -- if you are interested in biochem, pursue biochem as a career not medicine. Med school may fall through the first time applying, but you can always apply again and again... and you don't need a biochem job to do that. Besides, don't you need a B.S. to do anything in biochem straight out of college? (B.S. in biochem at my school takes a lot more classes than the ones you listed -- it's about 120 credit hours of courses.) As long as you take a good number of pre-med biology courses, I am sure you could apply for a biochem masters if med school does fall through.

It looks like he is only taking the Physics Labs over the summer, which could be completely doable depending on the school. I know when I took Physics II, even the calculus-based, the lab was basically a two hour worksheet and you're done. If this is the case, taking OChem in 12 weeks along with the labs should be fine, but OP should be prepared to spend more time on school than usual.

ok here's the real skinny on the biochem major. I sort of find it interesting, but the one major I do prefer over that is business. My only concern is that finishing all the premed pre-reqs + the 2 business prereqs + my upper division business would take ages. Is a BA in Biochem not good? I'm so lost 🙁 all I know for certain is that I want to be a MD!

If you'd rather end up with a career in biochem over a career in business (assuming medical school doesn't work out), then go with biochem. Be prepared to work harder to get a good GPA in preparation for your medical school application, though. If you'd rather have a career in business than in biochem, then by all means go with business. It might take longer, but it'll be less stressful, and probably easier.

 

[miabullitt]

It looks like he is only taking the Physics Labs over the summer, which could be completely doable depending on the school. I know when I took Physics II, even the calculus-based, the lab was basically a two hour worksheet and you're done. If this is the case, taking OChem in 12 weeks along with the labs should be fine, but OP should be prepared to spend more time on school than usual.



If you'd rather end up with a career in biochem over a career in business (assuming medical school doesn't work out), then go with biochem. Be prepared to work harder to get a good GPA in preparation for your medical school application, though. If you'd rather have a career in business than in biochem, then by all means go with business. It might take longer, but it'll be less stressful, and probably easier.

Thanks for noticing it was just the labs! Yeah, I mean I am going to do EVERYTHING possible to ensure I can get into a MD program, but somethings just never work out I guess so business would be a back up. Ugh, I'm still on the fence.

Also, to help boost my GPA, can I wait a year AFTER the MCAT to submit apps?

 

[Choreoathetoid]

I always ask for advice here, and I thank you guys for always being good to me (normally people with low posts, no avatar, and no sig are trolls). To provide a little background, I'm currently 22 (turning 23 in feb 2012) and have been back and forth with majors but am dead set on becoming a physician. I have 60+ credits and and just wrapping up Bio 1, Phy 1, and Chem 1 now. I'm pretty sure I want to major in Chemistry (with a concentration in Biochem) after seeing what some of them do in the workforce (just in case **** hits the fan, pretty interesting too). This is my current "plan of study" lmk what you all think.

Spring '11
Bio 2 + Lab
Chem 2 + Lab
Physics 2
Pre-Calculus

Summer '11
Organic 1 + Lab (over the 12 weeks)
Calculus 1 (over 12 weeks)
Physics 1 Lab (over 1st 6 weeks)
Physics 2 Lab (over 2nd 6 weeks)

Fall '11
Organic 2 + Lab
Calculus 2
Analytical Chemistry + Lab

Spring '12
BioChem + Lab
Study for MCAT using the 3 month program on this site
Begin sending out application?

Time in between Spring / Summer
MCAT?

Summer '12
Physical Chem + Lab
BioChem 2 + Lab

Fall '12
Senior Seminar
BioOrganic Chem

The end.

Now, I have NO research and honestly don't intend on doing any. Will shadowing, occasional volunteering, and tutoring help for activities?

Sorry for the long post. Any help will be appreciated!

Yo 🙂

I just finished medical school at a Top-20 Institution and am currently finishing my MPH before I start EM residency. Like to dive in once in a while to these pre-med forums to lend a helping hand!

There is a big misconception out there about 'doubling up' on courses. Granted, if you take Ochem and Physics together and do well, that looks great; BUT, if you do poorly, most schools will not be sympathetic to the fact that you 'challenged' yourself. What your final grade is is hands down most important. I personally spaced out ALL of my pre-meds to ensure I got As in all of them (and could devote the appropiate amoung of study-time into them). Getting As in pre-med courses at your own institution can at times be quite difficult, so I'd also recommend taking them elsewhere where it will be a bit easier (also something else I did). In the end of the day, you will have to post your grades, and your AMCAS will calculate your science and overall GPA. A lower number never translates well, so I'd highly consider spacing the courses out (unless you're fully confident you can ace them, which a good majority of students do quite well!). Getting into med school is such a hurdle these days that you simply don't want to do anything that might jeoporidze your chances.

Anyway, that's my two cents, and it worked very well for me. Good luck, and definitely PM me if you have any other questions!

Choreoathetoid, MD, MPH