Undergrad. Timeline

[hopefulMD]

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hi everyone,
I just wanted to know whether I am making good use of my time as a freshman undergrad. I have definately decided on medicine in my future but I would like to know whether I am headed in the right direction.

This is my first quarter at at competitive UC school and I came with AP and transfer units in excess of 58 credits. I don't have a clear understanding of the timeline as to when i should be doing everything. What would be a logical 'timeline' for a first year freshman (i just grad. high school). I have all those units, taken calculus, stats, and have a goal of getting into med school and getting there without taking useless class like "under-water basket weaving"

For example, I am going to be taking Intro Bio, Physics, and P-Chem for the remainder of this year (i only had physics this first quarter) but i dont know if i should also attempt a 5 unit emt course. (basically 3 labs, 20 units, and a 40 minute commute to school)

What do you think? Do you think this is a good direction to take or am I doing too much and trying to do it too fast? Thanks.

Thanks Jailbrek for that piece of advice!

Ek Desi

 

[hopefulMD]

Sorry......Jalbrekt!!!

 

[Jalby]

More advice. Don't do the EMT. If your taking P-Chem with 2 other science classes that should be more than enough. I would just do some normal volunteering instead of it, because you can cut back on that when the classes get hard. I'm also an EMT and I had a very hard time finding a place that would hire me while I was a full time student. I couldn't get a job with it b/c they all wanted me to work 40 hrs a week. If you really feel like you want to be an EMT, I know down here at UCLA they have 2 week classes that you can take.

 

[csgirl]

"under-water basket weaving" LOL!!

I would say the only thing you have to worry about right now is your gpa. You need to make sure you do well in your classes. I would suggest you hold off on the EMT thing and concentrate on making A's. And join Habitat for Humanity if you have time. It's really fun! and looks good on applications.

 

[Coalboy]

If you really feel like you want to be an EMT, I know down here at UCLA they have 2 week classes that you can take.

EMT in two weeks? Here in Maryland, I spent a whole summer doing my EMT Basic class, three nights a week for three hours, plus every other Saturday for eight hours. If you want to do EMT-I or EMT-P, that's another year or two.

As for getting a job, I don't know how it is in CA, but you could probably volunteer. Here in Baltimore County, MD, we have a nice mix of career/volunteer stations, and us vollies are just as much a part of the BCoFD as the career guys.

That said, like Jalbrekt said, it sounds like you already have a lot on your plate. You might want to save the EMT thing until the summer or something.

Oh, and relax, you're a freshman! 🙂 🙂 You still have plenty of time, and it sounds like you already have quite a head start.

 

[ussdfiant]

For example, I am going to be taking Intro Bio, Physics, and P-Chem for the remainder of this year (i only had physics this first quarter)

How does one take Physics and P-Chem simultaneously? Also, how did you get around the Organic pre-req that most schools have?

 

[DesperatelySeekingMD]

Don't forget to take some time to have some fun and just relax with your friends. Yes, grades are important and everything else is also important...but you are only in college once. So, remember that school is about much more than just school!