Undecided

[Username1234]

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Hello everyone!

I'm currently 23 years old with an Associate's Degree in Social Science from a Virginia Community College (Yeah, I know the stigma attached to getting a degree from a CC, heh). I'm transferring into Old Dominion University and should be finished with my Psychology Major/Biology Minor by the Fall of 2012. I have very little healthcare exposure (took an EMT-Basic course, 1 year as an hospital volunteer in high school) and no research/internship experience. I know that I need to spend these next few years getting the healthcare experience that I neglected to get beforehand, if I want to have any shot at P.A. or Medical School.

I've really been on the fence about what direction I should go in.

I was considering just graduating with my Psychology Major/Biology Minor along with the pre-reqs for P.A. school (I've just about completed them).

Or

Getting a double major in Biology and Psychology, and extend my stay at ODU for about 1.5 years to finish up all the pre-reqs I would need for Medical School.

Or

Getting my Psychology major and pursuing a post-bac program for Medical School.
____

I'm thinking that getting a post-bac from another University may be the way to go since I know ODU is pretty average school.

I was also considering working as an EMT for a little while and joining the Peace Corps (something that I've wanted to do for quite a long time) before I'd apply to graduate school.

Realistically, what seems to be best option? The idea of being able to switch specialties, fewer years of training/school, a pretty good salary, being semi-autonomous, etc seems pretty appealing as a P.A.....but having full control, a more extensive amount of knowledge, etc also seems appealing as a Physician. If I go the P.A. route, I guess I just don't want to have my self wondering 'what if', and if I go the Physician route, realizing half-way through medical school that this really isn't for me.

Thank you

 

[FutureDrB]

I don't see an option for "Graduating with my Psychology Major/Biology Minor along with the pre-reqs for P.A. school and medical school."

The only difference between medical school pre-reqs and P.A. pre-reqs are that Anatomy/Physiology are required for P.A. school. I think some schools may require Genetics as well. I know this because I too debated which path to take a few years ago and looked at both options.

If you're doing a Biology minor, you could likely apply those A/P/Genetics courses to your minor anyway.

Most importantly, you need to understand all the differences between the two professions. Skills needed, costs, location, job growth, responsibilities, potential for advancement/specialization, etc.

Spend a while shadowing a P.A. and shadowing a physician in the area you think you might be interested in. In the meantime, keep researching both options.

As you mentioned, working as an EMT may also be a great option, especially if you're interested in Emergency Medicine.

 

[Username1234]

I don't see an option for "Graduating with my Psychology Major/Biology Minor along with the pre-reqs for P.A. school and medical school."

The only difference between medical school pre-reqs and P.A. pre-reqs are that Anatomy/Physiology are required for P.A. school. I think some schools may require Genetics as well. I know this because I too debated which path to take a few years ago and looked at both options.

If you're doing a Biology minor, you could likely apply those A/P/Genetics courses to your minor anyway.

Most importantly, you need to understand all the differences between the two professions. Skills needed, costs, location, job growth, responsibilities, potential for advancement/specialization, etc.

Spend a while shadowing a P.A. and shadowing a physician in the area you think you might be interested in. In the meantime, keep researching both options.

As you mentioned, working as an EMT may also be a great option, especially if you're interested in Emergency Medicine.

Thank you for your response!

It does seem like a good idea to just do both, it may take a little extra time&money, but it will expand my options.

Spring 2012

-Pre-Calc I (3cr)
-Evolution (3cr)
-Adv. Human Physiology (4 cr)
-Principles of Learning (3cr)
-Quantitative Methods (w/Lab) (4cr)
-Drugs and Behavior (3cr)
-20 credits-

Summer of 2012

-Experimental Psychology (w/Lab) (4cr)
-Pre-Calc II (3cr)
-Physic I (w/lab) (4cr)

-11 credits-

Fall of 2012

-Inorganic Chemistry 121 (w/ Lab) (4cr)
-Calculus I (4cr)
-Practiculum/Internship (Psychology) (4cr)
-Senior Seminar (Psychology) (3cr)
-Ecology (3cr)

-18 credits-

Spring of 2013
-Physic II (w/lab) (4cr)
-Developmental Biology (without Lab) (3cr)
-Organic Chemistry I (w/ Lab) (4cr)
-Physical Geology (4cr)

-15 credits-

Summer of 2013
-Organic Chemistry II (w/lab) (4cr)
-Genetics (3cr)
-Biology Seminar (2cr)

- 10 credits-

Fall of 2013

-Microbiology (W/ Lab) (5cr)
-Physical Geology (w/Lab) (4cr)
-Cell Biology (3cr)
-Practiculum/Internship Biology (4cr)

-16 credits-

This is just a rough idea if I decided to do a double major in Biology/Psychology.

Pros: I finish about a semester earlier. I have two majors which further increases my options if my life decisions completely change and I no longer want to pursue a career in Medicine.
Cons: Old Dominion isn't really an ideal school. From what I've read, Med schools generally don't care about double majors?


If I decided to just go with my Psychology Major/Minor in Biology then do a Post-Bac program (at a better University)

Then I'd finish up my degree/pre-reqs for getting into the Post-Bac program by the end of the Fall Semester (2012)
Start a Post Bac program (ideally) in the Summer or Fall of 2013
And finish in about 2-3 semesters.

Pros: A condensed program that really hones in on what I need to do to get into Medical school (pre-reqs/clinical+research opportunities. Possibility of getting into a better quality program. Although this shouldn't be a reason: I feel that I'll be with older students in a post-bac program and a small sense of accomplishment because I would have my B.S. already. Rather then being stuck in Senior status for the next 2 years. But I guess I'm going to have to continue to get over that, since no matter what I do I'll always be a non-traditional student!

Cons: Will take longer. No guarantee I'll get into a better program (because I'm sorely lacking in volunteer experience, no real resume, etc)

 

[FutureDrB]

I'm not sure why you're worried about doing a post-bac program, unless you just want to. Also, it doesn't matter what college you graduate from as long as you have an acceptable GPA and MCAT score. Maybe it matters if you are trying to get into Harvard, etc., but I'm not basing my advice on that assumption.

Start getting involved, volunteering, and shadowing now.
Knock out the pre-req classes you need and finish your degree with a 3.6+ for MD or 3.3+ for D.O.
Take the MCAT when you feel you are prepared.
Apply to med school. 👍

 

[Username1234]

I'm not sure why you're worried about doing a post-bac program, unless you just want to. Also, it doesn't matter what college you graduate from as long as you have an acceptable GPA and MCAT score. Maybe it matters if you are trying to get into Harvard, etc., but I'm not basing my advice on that assumption.

Start getting involved, volunteering, and shadowing now.
Knock out the pre-req classes you need and finish your degree with a 3.6+ for MD or 3.3+ for D.O.
Take the MCAT when you feel you are prepared.
Apply to med school. 👍

Thank you for your advice 🙂
I was just thinking it over, ODU overall is cheaper than an average post-bac program. You're right, it definitely would make sense to just to get the pre-reqs done, and just get a double major (since it'd only be a semester more of biology classes).

 

[Username1234]

I thought about a slight change in plans. I know this has been discussed before in previous threads, but my course of action may be slightly different:

Instead of getting a double major in Psychology and Biology...I'd do Psychology and BSN/Pre-Med. I just recently stumbled across Old Dominion's nursing school 'accelerated' curriculum (because I've finished just about all the pre-reqs) and each semester is only 11-15 credits for two years. That would allow me time to also take my pre-health classes.

I've read that Medical schools frown on applicants with nursing degree because of the nursing shortage, the nursing model is different from the medicine model, and you taking a slot away from someone that really wanted a career in Nursing. I do understand this, but I feel like a BSN will be more beneficial than a degree in Biology because I know, even though I have some interest in that field, I don't see myself ever pursuing a career there.

So I was thinking of joining the ROTC program, then doing Psychology and BSN/Pre-Health, joining the Army Nurse Corps for about 4 years or so and then apply to either P.A., Medical School, or a Nursing anesthesiology program. I would really like to get some full on work experience in the healthcare field, and have some job security after I get my degree because I don't want to go on to graduate school until most if not all my loans are paid off.

Is that an ill advised idea?

 

[FutureDrB]

It's sounds to me like you are undecided on what exactly it is you want to do in the long run; which is fine, since you still have plenty of time to figure out what it is you want.

However, if you "don't see yourself ever pursuing a career in nursing", I would strongly advise against going in that direction. It's not necessarily that med schools "frown" upon students with nursing degrees, as there are plenty of people who went from being nurses to doctors. However, as you mentioned, the medical model differs from the nursing model. Plus, you will be questioned as to why you pursued a nursing degree if you wanted to go into medicine.

I would never discourage anyone from joining the ROTC or military for that matter. But, if you just want experience in a healthcare field, there are several other ways to go about it without contracting 4+ years of your life, especially if you decide it isn't what you thought it was cut out to be.

Have you done any physician shadowing? Volunteered in a hospital? You mentioned before about getting certified as an EMT? Maybe another entry-level healthcare position that provided direct-patient care?

 

[Username1234]

It's sounds to me like you are undecided on what exactly it is you want to do in the long run; which is fine, since you still have plenty of time to figure out what it is you want.

However, if you "don't see yourself ever pursuing a career in nursing", I would strongly advise against going in that direction. It's not necessarily that med schools "frown" upon students with nursing degrees, as there are plenty of people who went from being nurses to doctors. However, as you mentioned, the medical model differs from the nursing model. Plus, you will be questioned as to why you pursued a nursing degree if you wanted to go into medicine.

I would never discourage anyone from joining the ROTC or military for that matter. But, if you just want experience in a healthcare field, there are several other ways to go about it without contracting 4+ years of your life, especially if you decide it isn't what you thought it was cut out to be.

Have you done any physician shadowing? Volunteered in a hospital? You mentioned before about getting certified as an EMT? Maybe another entry-level healthcare position that provided direct-patient care?

Thank you,

Sorry I meant that I don't see myself ever pursuing a career in Biology which is why I thought BSN would be better, because it will be easier for me to find work after I receive my degree. I've really wanted to join the military for quite some time now, and it seems like a Nurse Officer would be one of the better positions to have. The added bonus of loan repayment and job security are also very nice.

I am very unsure, it sucks because I feel like and have been told this is my main obsession ....deciding which path I should choose for my life, but I may actually want to pursue nursing (I've really thought about the idea of being nurse anesthesiologist) at least having that exposure will show me whether or not I want to pursue a different career in medicine or if nursing is actually my calling.

I haven't done any shadowing and the last time I volunteered at a Hospital was about 6 or 7 years ago. I am going to volunteer for my local rescue squad after this Thanksgiving break for the month of December, and then do more extensive volunteering/shadowing once I'm back in a University. I took the EMT class but never got certified unfortunately.

 

[montessori2md]

Agree w/ above poster, you sound undecided.

1) What do you want? You need to figure this out, even if it means taking some time off from school. Then plan based on what is best to get what you want, including a contigency plan (if I can't do x, then I'll have the prereqs for y).

2) GPA GPA GPA. While you are trying to figure this out, keep your GPA super high. That will balance out ODU's rep, real or perceived.

3) The problem ALL allopathic schools will have with you chasing PA or BSN is the perception that you are not 100% committed to MD. No one should do this unless they know it will be good for them. It's a really long haul. If you'd be happy as an RN or PA, that's like a million times easier, and you can make a good living at either.

4) Just looking at the class schedule you've created for yourself, you have the premed prereqs really spread out. That may be good for your GPA, but may make studying for MCAT difficult. Just something to consider. I personally would try to put my physical sciences and cell bio as close together as possible to avoid relearning stuff I forgot a year. Organic chem isn't as important, because it isn't as large a % of MCAT. Physiology will help you a little w/ the biological science portion too.

5) Postbacc is waste of cash. But consider going to GMU instead of ODU if you're worried about your options. Also look into Virginia early admit/guaranteed admit programs and see if you're eligilble, but only if you KNOW you want an MD.

 

[Username1234]

Agree w/ above poster, you sound undecided.

1) What do you want? You need to figure this out, even if it means taking some time off from school. Then plan based on what is best to get what you want, including a contigency plan (if I can't do x, then I'll have the prereqs for y).

2) GPA GPA GPA. While you are trying to figure this out, keep your GPA super high. That will balance out ODU's rep, real or perceived.

3) The problem ALL allopathic schools will have with you chasing PA or BSN is the perception that you are not 100% committed to MD. No one should do this unless they know it will be good for them. It's a really long haul. If you'd be happy as an RN or PA, that's like a million times easier, and you can make a good living at either.

4) Just looking at the class schedule you've created for yourself, you have the premed prereqs really spread out. That may be good for your GPA, but may make studying for MCAT difficult. Just something to consider. I personally would try to put my physical sciences and cell bio as close together as possible to avoid relearning stuff I forgot a year. Organic chem isn't as important, because it isn't as large a % of MCAT. Physiology will help you a little w/ the biological science portion too.

5) Postbacc is waste of cash. But consider going to GMU instead of ODU if you're worried about your options. Also look into Virginia early admit/guaranteed admit programs and see if you're eligilble, but only if you KNOW you want an MD.

Thank you for your reply,,

I figured that Universities like ODU, GMU and VCU were among the same level/tier? GMU is significantly closer, I live about 25 minutes away from it, but I'd have to wait until the Summer to enroll and I do see ODU as a opportunity to gain some semblance of independence. I'm not eligible for guaranteed admissions program my college community has with the Universities, I found out about that too late in the game and I needed to have signed up with them a year prior to enrollment. I think ODU is a decent enough school and hopefully won't completely destroy my chances at a more established University for graduate school.

Yep, definitely want to keep my GPA in the 3.8-4.0 range.
Yeah I have a few kinks to fix in my schedule, it was really just a rough idea of what I wanted to do, thank you for the advice, I will definitely place my pre-med classes closer together.
I wanted to join the military before graduate school (maybe even being able to pursue graduate school while I'm serving), so that would give me some time to take the MCAT (I'll probably take during my last semester) since I didn't want to matriculate immediately after undergrad.

Unfortunately I've gotten to the point where I *have* to start making these decisions now and I can't waste anymore time.

I'm just going to stick with my Psych/Bio majors, military for 4-6 years depending on whether I go active duty or reserves, then graduate school (assuming I am unable to pursue my studies while serving).