freshman in college...pre-med advice

1aguilas · #1 09-20-2007, 01:59 AM

I'm a freshman in college and plan on going to med school down the road...any advice? Obviously get good grades and take the required pre-med classes are two suggestions. What about things like working in a lab, etc.?

willw9 · #2 09-20-2007, 02:42 AM

You're a D1 athlete, who needs med school?

NozeCandy · #3 09-20-2007, 09:34 AM

Are there not advisers on any of these kids campuses? Ask them.

willw9 · #4 09-20-2007, 10:59 AM

You're goin to the leaaaague kid, F school.

willw9 · #5 09-20-2007, 10:59 AM

What happened to your windmill aspirations anyway? Did Schanne change your forever?

qdmcg · #6 09-20-2007, 11:44 AM

-join research groups
-get a real internship every summer (friend of mine did one of those month long africa programs, he seemed to think it would be very helpful)
-get to know your research professor very well, can write you a good recommendation
-get a 4.0 or as close to a 4.0 as possible

note: not a med student

lennytheduck · #7 09-20-2007, 07:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a freshman in college and plan on going to med school down the road...any advice? Obviously get good grades and take the required pre-med classes are two suggestions. What about things like working in a lab, etc.?

[/ QUOTE ]

1. Be Black, Latino, Asian, Female, or have an influential person, preferably a family member, to speak/write on your behalf.

2. Get good grades.
2A. If you are going to major in a hard science, get another major or at least a minor in something that is in the humanities (or Math).
2B. If you do not major in a hard science then you better come damn close to aceing the required science classes and have a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

3. Do well on the MCAT (30+ in general, 35+ for a top school)

4. Find something to distinguish yourself. It really does not matter what it is. Life experiences are better than spending 3 years doing bench work in a lab, being a TA/tutor, or being in honors societies and clubs. Certainly you should dabble in those things if you can, but spending a summer doing AIDS testing in India, teaching English in Suriname, or organizing blood drives and clean needle distributions are far better alternatives.

5. Last, and probably most importantly, make sure that you want to do it. It is a grind. And I'm just talking about getting in. If you want to do it for someone else, money, status or a sense of accomplishment you're only kidding yourself.

1aguilas · #8 09-21-2007, 12:19 AM

thanks lenny. excuse my igornance, but is psychology considered a hard science? i was considering majoring in it with a spanish minor.

lennytheduck · #9 09-21-2007, 12:44 AM

[ QUOTE ]
thanks lenny. excuse my igornance, but is psychology considered a hard science? i was considering majoring in it with a spanish minor.

[/ QUOTE ]

No its not. Hard science = chemistry, physics, bio.

dallas14 · #10 09-21-2007, 01:56 AM

Pre-Med myself (pre-dental actually). Just don't be retarded and do your work. pay attention in class, as someone else mentioned get to know your professors. It's tough, but definitely worth it in the end.

Also, talk with doctors around your area and ask them if they need any help with stuff. Tell them you are pre med and they will probably find something for you.