What would you all recommend for High School Seniors???

[Nunca]

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Hi, I am a high school senior that will be graduating this Spring in may. I plan on going to college as a Pre-Med student (Although I am not too sure what my actual major will be yet....I am actually leading towards math). The problem is, while I am very cofident and capable of becoming a doctor, my science backround COULD be alot better before entering college. All I have taken are two general sciences, and two Chemistry course (One which was AP). I have not taken anatomy or biology and this bothers me. I've spoken with my guidance counselor and she says that I could in one of the two classes my last semester but only ONE (The way my schedule was made restricts taking both). What exactly should I do? Also, what would be some good reading material to read over the summer that would help me in college level classes?

I understand that this forum seems more directed to people who have already went through college, but I didn't see how one topic like this would hurt. I have been lurking for quite some time and maybe there is others in a similar situation as mine.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Worrying too much about the '"right" classes to take heading into your first year of college may be a bit of overkill. If I were you I wouldn't about your current knowledge level, as your four years of undergraduate schooling will undoubtedly cover anything that your high school's anatomy or biology course could teach you. I would, however, use this opportunity to explore different fields and find out what interests you. Do you think you might be interested in a biology major as part of your pre-med curriculum? Then take the biology course. Are you uncertain that medicine is even right for you? Maybe then I would think about taking the anatomy course.

Looking back at my high school and undergraduate experience, and having taken both high school Anat. and Bio., I think the biology was definitely more helpful. As part of your pre-req requirements for med school you WILL have to take an intro biology class, and seeing most of the material covered in that class once before in high school can be a big help. Anatomy is not one of the pre-req classes for med school, and is so detail oriented that I can't imagine you remembering most of the things you would learn in the class after a few months. Just some things to take into consideration. 😉

 

[DrHopeless]

Don't worry so much, my background was pretty much like your. I have 1.5 years of pre-med left and still surviving. I would suggest if you are really serious about pre-med and just want to have a little bit of peace, then look into some of the Guaranteed Med programs at the various colleges (there are some programs that you could join after 2 years of college). Good luck.

 

[slickb12]

Hi, I am a high school senior that will be graduating this Spring in may. I plan on going to college as a Pre-Med student (Although I am not too sure what my actual major will be yet....I am actually leading towards math). The problem is, while I am very cofident and capable of becoming a doctor, my science backround COULD be alot better before entering college. All I have taken are two general sciences, and two Chemistry course (One which was AP). I have not taken anatomy or biology and this bothers me. I've spoken with my guidance counselor and she says that I could in one of the two classes my last semester but only ONE (The way my schedule was made restricts taking both). What exactly should I do? Also, what would be some good reading material to read over the summer that would help me in college level classes?

I understand that this forum seems more directed to people who have already went through college, but I didn't see how one topic like this would hurt. I have been lurking for quite some time and maybe there is others in a similar situation as mine.

My advice: Enjoy your last semester of high school. While taking biology might make life a bit easier during your college bio class, it's not worth sweating those bullets now. As for anatomy, I wouldn't waste my time with it. I took it in highschool, and, of course, it was all memorization. Since I haven't used any of that knowledge in college, I've forgotten in all. Completely useless. I appreciate that you want to be on top of your game, but I would suggest going easy on worrying until you have to. So, to sum this up, take easy classes and have a blast with your friends, many of whom you might not see on a continual basis again.

As for reading, I would start by getting a subscription to Newsweek or Time, and begin to digest that type of material. They can really enhance your worldview and teach you some vocab from time to time. If those bore you and you want to step it up, NYT Book Review and The Economist are excellent reading material. Caveat: Read things you enjoy reading. I love Newsweek and many of their writers, but think the New Yorker is pretty dry. If you read something you don't enjoy, you'll end up glazing over it and not picking up anything.

Again, have fun!

 

[klp14]

Take whichever class you're more interested in. You'll have plenty of time in college for the other one. Bio would give you a heads up for freshman level bio in college, which you'll have to take for pre-med. Anatomy is only required by some med schools, but is fun because you get to play with animal organs. 😀

 

[acl3623]

I have not taken anatomy or biology and this bothers me. I've spoken with my guidance counselor and she says that I could in one of the two classes my last semester but only ONE (The way my schedule was made restricts taking both). What exactly should I do?

take bio. adcoms dont really care if you took anatomy even in college. its not a requirement for med school. also, chillax! youre on the path to burnout even before you begin. take it easy, youll be fine.

 

[Dr Who]

I wouldnt worry at all.
Med schools could care less what science coureses you took while in high school, they only care about the courses you take in college.
As for your major, take whatever it is that you like. As long as you take your pre- requisite science (pre-med) courses you are ok.
In my case i majored in psychology. Although I loved psych, my ultimate goal was medicine. As long as you have competitive GPA (> 3.55) and MCAT scores (>28) you are ok.
Although I was a psych major, I made sure I took my two bio's, chems (general and organic), physics and maths. I did the best I could and that was good enough for me. Right now I have been accepted into four med schools, waitlisted in one, with two more interviews slated for this month. Although i have pretty much made up my mind as to where I am going, its nice to know I have a choice.
I didnt have a steller GPA or MCAT scores, but I was consistent in my overall performance. So as long as you are consistent and do well on the MCAT you should be fine.

 

[SamDC]

Academics aside, I think you should also concentrate on making yourself a well-rounded individual. Personal as well as professional extra-curricular (EC) activities such as research, volunteering, clubs, sports, etc. are also important.

Be sure to make meaningful contacts in college with professors, researchers, physicians, and so on so that, when the time comes, those individuals will be better able to gauge you and thus write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Take the required courses and make sure to do well in them. In addition, consider biochemistry, genetics, an extra semester of Engish (if your college doesn't already require it) as additional courses. Also, look into a minor if you can fit it into you schedule. Lastly, possibly start looking into medical schools you might be interested in and see what kind of course requirements they have in the spring of your sophomore year. Although, things might change by the time you apply, it's better to exceed their requirements than to be deficient (but don't kill yourself in trying to excel!).

And most of all, remember to have fun. College is probably going to be the best time of your life. Enjoy it!

Good luck!

 

[ishaninatte]

I've graduated and am waiting to enter med school, and I still haven't taken any anatomy. Not even a little bit. And I took almost the bare minimum of premed classes in high school. So don't worry! Take PE or something.

I wonder when they're gonna want me to learn some anatomy...

 

[2112_rush]

My advice: Enjoy your last semester of high school.

Again, have fun!

Definitely. You'll never be as free as you are now, especially if you are lucky enought to make it to med school. Enjoy it.

 

[Docta "O"]

is there any reading that ya'll would recommend so one interested in medschool could get acquainted with the process and all that good stuff.

 

[2112_rush]

is there any reading that ya'll would recommend so one interested in medschool could get acquainted with the process and all that good stuff.

A great book for the whole process of going through school with the pre-clinical and clinical years and then matching into a residency is:

Iserson's Getting Into A Residency.


Highly recommended.

 

[Nunca]

Thanks for the helpful responses guys and gals, it really does help to know that I won't be all behind when I get to college.

Sometimes it just feels like I took one too many electives in high school. I mean, I suppose that my schedule was above average, but compared to some of the junior einstiens it lacks in comparison. My biggest advantage over those types of people have always been drive, rising to the occasion, preparation, and a little bit of luck...🙂

And I try not to worry much, sometimes I succeed, but its hard when I know that just around the corner I will be taking some very hard courses and will also be worrying about getting in EC and research. I know lots of people who want to get into Criminal Justice and Journalism that are just LOVING things right now, I feel though that I lack that luxury.

Just out of curiosity, did you guys find the actual classwork or the EC/Research/Building relationships harder?