what should i worry about?

[katemonster]

I'm a sophomore at Northwestern. After 3 quarters my GPA is 3.75, science GPA 3.68, and I'm a bio major. Freshman year I took multivariable calculus, diff eq and linear algebra (A, A-, A, all accelerated), accelerated calc-based physics (A, B, A-) and two quarters of the chem majors' orgo class (B+, A-). All this crazy-ass **** was because I was in an accelerated science program which I subsequently dropped because I have no interest whatsoever in math or physics, which is mostly what it was. I placed out of gen chem, and I have to take the third quarter of orgo this spring (didn't take it last year because I didn't decide to go pre-med till this year). Since I'll have all the pre-med requirements done by the end of this year I plan on taking the MCAT in August...I have more or less nothing in the way of ECs except a part-time job where I generally work 15-20 hours a week...so somebody tell me what I need to be worrying about improving so that I can get in?

I'm also toying with the idea of switching from a bio major in CAS to a biomedical engineering major in Tech...any thoughts on that?

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[Ma!]

Originally posted by katemonster
...so somebody tell me what I need to be worrying about improving so that I can get in?

I'm also toying with the idea of switching from a bio major in CAS to a biomedical engineering major in Tech...any thoughts on that?

hmmm, I recommend worrying about hangnails, tags sticking up out of the back of T-shirts, cellulite, and stray hair around the legs of your bathing suit. Oh! and your turkey being dry, worry about that too while your at it.

Sorry, (sort of) I just could not resist.

And...my thoughts on biomedical engineering? Sounds fascinating! Go for it!

 

[saiyagirl]

Originally posted by katemonster
I'm a sophomore at Northwestern. After 3 quarters my GPA is 3.75, science GPA 3.68, and I'm a bio major. Freshman year I took multivariable calculus, diff eq and linear algebra (A, A-, A, all accelerated), accelerated calc-based physics (A, B, A-) and two quarters of the chem majors' orgo class (B+, A-). All this crazy-ass **** was because I was in an accelerated science program which I subsequently dropped because I have no interest whatsoever in math or physics, which is mostly what it was. I placed out of gen chem, and I have to take the third quarter of orgo this spring (didn't take it last year because I didn't decide to go pre-med till this year). Since I'll have all the pre-med requirements done by the end of this year I plan on taking the MCAT in August...I have more or less nothing in the way of ECs except a part-time job where I generally work 15-20 hours a week...so somebody tell me what I need to be worrying about improving so that I can get in?

I'm also toying with the idea of switching from a bio major in CAS to a biomedical engineering major in Tech...any thoughts on that?

hey, i'm at NU too. well you don't need to worry about your grades, thats for sure (they're fantastic!). just keep them up and take sheppard for 3rd quarter orgo.

about switching majors--you can do it, but just remember that Tech has CRAZY requirements especially for BME's, and you won't have a whole lot of time to take fun, elective classes. it might be a little difficult with your 20 hr job (where do you work, btw?). i know you can switch into tech when you're a sophomore and some of your ISP (i'm assuming thats what your accelarated science program was about) classes might opt you out of SOME tech requirements, but you should check to see what other electives you need to take and if it would require an extra year.

the big advantage is that BME has more value job wise if you decide not to go to med school, and you learn about more practical stuff than you would in bio. all that prosthetic stuff is awesome it's a hardcore major. i'm sure you could take a BME class that would count as a Bio elective--so try it out, and see if you like it. if you did, great! if you didn't-well it still counts toward your current major.

what you should concentrate on is RELAXING, and slowly looking into activites that interest you and that you think would prove valuable as a future physician (note: NOT those that you think would "help you get in."). you could volunteer at children's memorial or enh, wagner or the battered-woman's shelter, or do research with a prof (there's one opportunity listed in the Daily classifieds right now).

good luck!

 

[Mutterkuchen]

As a non-trad I would like to offer some advice. Your GPA is excellent and Northwestern is a terrific school, even if it is cold in Chicago.

The advice, you are only young once. Seriously, I am nearly 30 and have had a terrific life. Things are great in my life, but they are so different than when I was 20. Obviously keep the grades up, find something interesting to do as an EC, shadow a doc or two, etc. Above all have fun. Go to parties. Skip class every once in a while, or at least go hung over. Major in something you find interesting.

And finally, don't just be an interesting person, be fascinating. Find things to do outside of class that are fascinating. Study abroad. Learn how to be a master at making weaved baskets. Just find something that you care about. I think that this is the most important part of being a good doc.

 

[gramcracker]

Agreed. Just graduated from NU. Your grades are great, just have fun. Go downtown more. Enjoy your years. The real world ain't all it's cracked up to be.

It might be difficult to switch to BME this late in the game. I'd go see a Tech advisor ASAP. I had lots of Tech friends, but hell, I was a Social Policy major. Find something you like to study, and stick to it.

Definitely study abroad. I can't recommend it enough.

Be quirky. Find your interests, and run with'em. If your thing is accordian playing, play like nobody's business. Be yourself. If I've seen one common thread through different med school interviews, it's that they want people who know who they are, and are confident about themselves. (The trend is also swaying toward applicants who take at least a year off before med school, which I think is because schools are seeing how even just a year on your own can be very maturing.)

If you're looking for groups to get involved with, or stuff to do, try things out. Every group at NU would be happy to have another member. I tried research, did it for a year, couldn't stand it, so I stopped. But it was a good experience to have under my belt. [Quick plug: DO ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK. My three trips take up three spots in my top 5 most powerful and memorable experiences of college. They're truly life-changing. And a cheap way to take a trip and meet new people!] All the volunteer groups (NCDC, Oasis, etc), are also great ways to get involved and get outside of the bubble.

Oh, and take religion classes. They're some of the best classes at Northwestern.

 

[saiyagirl]

yeah--i haven't done alternative spring break yet but i want to this year. don't forget dance marathon!

my work-study job is at the foster reading center, and it's so much fun. you can also volunteer here through oasis. one of the kids calls me jennifer lopez does this mean i have a GB?

 

[athena21]

hey, i want to join the NU club too! You know our school is small when you can figure out people you know on SDN. hehe. Congratulations on your acceptances gramcracker and I hope you're having fun in Chicago! Saiyagirl, make sure to relax and ENJOY senior year!

 

[katemonster]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I didn't realize there were so many NU people here. Yes I was in ISP...I am almost surely not going to switch to tech because I still want to finish Spanish 102 and take a bunch more Spanish and take two years of Arabic and all this crap that I'm sure I'd not have room for. My 20-hr job (usually more like 15): I work for the Escort Service, but I work more than most people and I could work a lot less if I needed to. And much as I sound like a standard neurotic premed, I do my share of skipping classes and going to class hung over and so on and so forth...

 

[PluckyDuk8]

Another to add to the NU club...It sounds like your got a bunch of your premed reqs taken care of, so I would definitley study abroad (if your major allows it!). Take the MCAT's this August if u can and go have fun for a semester of your junior year (fall NU quarter or winter/spring)! Also, I would definitely exchange the hard work of BME to majoring in bio and being able to relax a bit more. Those BME ppl. are nuts. Oh, and I agree to take Sheppard for 3rd quarter orgo. Pull teeth if you have to in order to get into that class. Hopefully you'll have more than soph. standing by that time because that class fills up fast. And do a mean review of your reactions/mechanisms before u start because that class gets off and running.

 

[samyjay]

One more NU person right here, the world is extremely small, but considering i know saiyagirl well, and know the roommate of gramcracker well, it might not be that small I would say, GO ABROAD. I was in spain last fall, and it was the best thing i have ever done. I took the MCAT right before that, and left to spain two days after it. It terms of clubs, do what you like, i like gymanstics, so i teach at the chandler center. I havent been too involved in student groups ( i kinda wish i had) but you need to find your niche. You seem to be kicking Ass at this school, congrats, the Bio 210 sequence was the bain of my existence, but oh well, i can enjoy this last year now, and remember, do stuff that makes you feel good, and your real personality shows (whether it is working in a lab, or committing yourself to the jumprope), and try to contact ENH to see if you can shadow, even once a month, just to see how it is, and it is not a big time committment. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Trek]

While it may have been said with some satire, Ma! gave the best advice. Worry about life as well. Major in what you like. If you like biomed engineering and french the same, pick french. Do well in everything and it'll work out no matter what. And don't forget about the cellulite, crazy stories and camping trips with friends- it's things like that that make or break interviews, not what you majored in. --Trek

 

[PluckyDuk8]

Originally posted by samyjay
the Bio 210 sequence was the bain of my existence, but oh well, i can enjoy this last year now

Hee hee, that's why I took the 110 series in summer school (yay for non-science majors!).

 

[Ma!]

Originally posted by Trek
While it may have been said with some satire, Ma! gave the best advice. Worry about life as well. Major in what you like. If you like biomed engineering and french the same, pick french. Do well in everything and it'll work out no matter what. And don't forget about the cellulite, crazy stories and camping trips with friends- it's things like that that make or break interviews, not what you majored in. --Trek

Why thank you, Trek! I was begining to think I came off as a little too smart-a. My advice was heartfelt, but maybe I could have said it a little nicer
"who among you has added an extra day to their life by worrying?"
Some really smart guy in the bible said that-I think it was Matthew.