[Stolen_waters]

is taking bio chem really helpful for the mcat? I'm choosing between biochem and org chem II.
Is Org Chem II required, or can I just skip it and take bio chem? It's not a prereq for bio chem at my university.

And what do you guys think of taking major bio or chem classes in the summer? Is it better to take them during the summer or during the regular semester?

[l3oosh]

is taking bio chem really helpful for the mcat? I'm choosing between biochem and org chem II.
Is Org Chem II required, or can I just skip it and take bio chem? It's not a prereq for bio chem at my university.

And what do you guys think of taking major bio or chem classes in the summer? Is it better to take them during the summer or during the regular semester?

Biochem is kind of helpful on the MCATs - you'll probably need to know about some biochemical pathways to answer some questions. But Organic Chemistry II is required by most medical schools AND it's tested on the MCATs. I'm taking both this semester, and it's not too bad.

The dean of medicine I go to every semester for academic counseling kind of yelled at one of my friends for wanting to take major biology classes over the summer. He has it in his mind that summer school classes are like taking the easy way out (because they are rumored to be easier). So...I think it's really up to you. If you won't be able to fit all the courses required for your degree in the normal four years, go for the summer school route. But if you can, I'd just stick with the four years.

[yohimbine]

is taking bio chem really helpful for the mcat? I'm choosing between biochem and org chem II.
Is Org Chem II required, or can I just skip it and take bio chem? It's not a prereq for bio chem at my university.

And what do you guys think of taking major bio or chem classes in the summer? Is it better to take them during the summer or during the regular semester?

As l3oosh mentioned earlier, if you can only take one this semester take orgo II. Organic chem is required by all medical schools. Biochem, I never found it that helpful for the MCAT. But, for Medical school, yes it was good to have a solid background.

In my opinion it doesn't matter. I took some in the summer and some during regular semester. It was whatever fit my schedule. In my opinion, summer classes would be a tad difficult because same material in shorter amount of time.

[Stolen_waters]

^
Thanks fore the replies.
So I really have to take org chem II.

13oosh, you're taking org chemII and bio chem together? How is it? What do you mean by "not too bad"?

I have a feeling taking major bio classes over the summer will be difficult, given the short amount of time to really study and memorize stuff.
I might take them this summer because I'm already a senior, but I'll be extending for another year to take chemistry and physics classes.

Can't meet up with my advisor till the week after spring break.
Which is better to take this summer, chemistry classes or bio classes?

[yohimbine]

^
Thanks fore the replies.
So I really have to take org chem II.

13oosh, you're taking org chemII and bio chem together? How is it? What do you mean by "not too bad"?

I have a feeling taking major bio classes over the summer will be difficult, given the short amount of time to really study and memorize stuff.
I might take them this summer because I'm already a senior, but I'll be extending for another year to take chemistry and physics classes.

Can't meet up with my advisor till the week after spring break.
Which is better to take this summer, chemistry classes or bio classes?

Yes, you HAVE to take orgo II.

Depends oh what you like. If you are more of a bio person, take bio. More of a chem person take chem. I only say that because whatever you like, you tend to do better in. Therefore, taking in the constraint of time choose the subject you tend to perform well in.

by the way noticed we joined 1 year apart keke

[Stolen_waters]

Yes, you HAVE to take orgo II.

Depends oh what you like. If you are more of a bio person, take bio. More of a chem person take chem. I only say that because whatever you like, you tend to do better in. Therefore, taking in the constraint of time choose the subject you tend to perform well in.

by the way noticed we joined 1 year apart keke

lol! yeah! March 16 woohoo!

OKay, I'll be taking bio then.
Since I won't be taking bio with other classes this summer, I think I'll do a better job.

[yohimbine]

lol! yeah! March 16 woohoo!

OKay, I'll be taking bio then.
Since I won't be taking bio with other classes this summer, I think I'll do a better job.

All the best. Esp on MCAT

[prismatic_star]

That's strange. If you want to do medschool in McGill, you don't need Organic Chem II, just I. I'm pretty sure the MCAT doesn't need organic II if there's about 100 students who get in every year over there

[yohimbine]

That's strange. If you want to do medschool in McGill, you don't need Organic Chem II, just I. I'm pretty sure the MCAT doesn't need organic II if there's about 100 students who get in every year over there

I'm not sure about canadian mediccal schools, but the MCAT does require knowledge of orgo II whether, you learned orgo II material in orgo I is a different story.

[l3oosh]

^
Thanks fore the replies.
So I really have to take org chem II.

13oosh, you're taking org chemII and bio chem together? How is it? What do you mean by "not too bad"?

I have a feeling taking major bio classes over the summer will be difficult, given the short amount of time to really study and memorize stuff.
I might take them this summer because I'm already a senior, but I'll be extending for another year to take chemistry and physics classes.

Can't meet up with my advisor till the week after spring break.
Which is better to take this summer, chemistry classes or bio classes?

lol you sound like you doubt me!

Actually, I know ochem II + biochem is killing the GPAs of a lot of students. That's why most of my friends are taking either one or the other. I'm just someone who likes to get all the prereqs and unfun classes out of the way earlier so I can take the more interesting classes (neuro, immunology, etc). By "not too bad," I guess I mean I'd being doing as well/as badly in the courses taking them together as I would if I took them separately. Like I said earlier, I abhor ochem so I definitely would not be putting more time into studying for it if I had taken it without biochem. And biochem is a memorization class for me so I wouldn't be spending more time on that either. I guess it's just how each class at each campus is structured for each person - I'm able to walk into a biochem test without going to class and studying eight hours the day before and walk out with an A. :/

If you're extending another year to take chem and physics, then I recommend you just take your bio courses during the semester if you think you can handle three sciences in one semester. I understand how some people have a hard time loading all their sciences together so I'm not going to say definitely cram it in. Honestly, just structure your curriculum to maximize your chances of success. Yeah, maybe interviewers and med school admissions boards won't like it if you took courses of the summer, but it's the end results that matter - if you got an A, they can't technically say anything bad.

If you did want to take something over the summer, I guess I'd recommend whichever subject you felt least comfortable in so you can focus all your time on that one course. I'm weaker in chemistry, so I'd probably take chemistry over the summer. Are you taking both semesters of chemistry/biology over the summer or just one?

That's strange. If you want to do medschool in McGill, you don't need Organic Chem II, just I. I'm pretty sure the MCAT doesn't need organic II if there's about 100 students who get in every year over there

Yeah, MCATs to test over ochem II. :/ I think most of the focus on the MCATs would be on stuff that you cover in first semester though. I have a break-down of the ochem subjects that are touched upon on the MCATs; I'll post that here when I find it.

BUT there has been a recent decline in the number of ochem questions on the MCAT (whoo!). Folks say they might actually take ochem off the MCATs completely in like four or five years (lucky future premed students ).

[starzgirl89]

I'm a freshman right now majoring in Microbiology and taking the pre-med prerequisites. Is that a good major in case I don't get into med school? And also, this question is a little bit personal, but I'm really confused about what I want to do and whether I really want to be a doctor. How did you decide that medicine is the field for you? What about the long hours, the med school debt, and the years you'll be in school? Do all of that pay off for you? Thanks!!

[l3oosh]

I'm a freshman right now majoring in Microbiology and taking the pre-med prerequisites. Is that a good major in case I don't get into med school? And also, this question is a little bit personal, but I'm really confused about what I want to do and whether I really want to be a doctor. How did you decide that medicine is the field for you? What about the long hours, the med school debt, and the years you'll be in school? Do all of that pay off for you? Thanks!!

Hello! Hmm a microbiology major is an excellent major to pursue if you are going to go into medicine (or veterinary/dental school). It is also a pretty good major to have if you are also contemplating doing research in medicine. If you aren't thinking about doing research or becoming a doctor/dentist/vet, then the microbiology major might not help you with a career you want. What is it that you're thinking about doing if you didn't get into medical school?

I have to add that while it might seem kind of scary getting into medical school and while it is very prudent of you to want a back-up plan, if you try hard enough and want it enough, getting into medical school shouldn't be too bad. Everyone has to go through it, and so many people succeed.

I knew medicine was the right field for me when I was like ten years old, though at that age, I didn't really know what it took to become a doctor. All I knew, like all the other little kids in my class, was that I wanted to be a doctor. As everyone else in middle school sort of changed their minds and career aspirations, I stuck to mine and went to a high school specifically for students who wanted to go into the health professions. I had a unique curriculum that allowed me to shadow physicians at the hospitals nearby, aid in laboratory research, and dissect cadavers, and I loved the medical field even more. I would suggest that before you make up your mind about going into medicine, shadow a doctor at a hospital or a clinic. See what their daily schedule is like, what types of personalities they must have, what kind of lifestyle they have chosen and decide whether that's who you want to be. Ask questions! Being able to shadow a doctor is an invaluable experience so I really really recommend anyone - whether they're set on becoming a doctor or teetering between two careers - to seek out a physician.

If you're not sure about how to put yourself out there, I recommend that you just contact a few physicians in your area - maybe starting with your family doctor (though that didn't help me much). Explain that you're a freshman at so-and-so university studying microbiology and you're really interested in becoming a physician but that you'd like to know more about what it took to become a physician etc. Don't be shy

As for the sacrifices I have to make to become a physician, yes, they frighten me a lot. In the past few months, I've been a little crazy and enjoying life as much as I can now during my easy undergraduate years because I know that I will be sacrificing several years of my youth for the study of medicine. By the time I graduate medical school, I'll be 26; by the time I finish residency/fellowship, I'll be at least 30...wow. Right now, having a family of my own isn't a priority, but what if that changes? Would it be too late? And I won't lie to you - I'm terrified that I would not make it through medical school. I'm terrified that I'll be one of the stupidest medical school students of my class. The stuff about debt coming out of medical school doesn't apply to me since I'll be going to the cheapest private medical school and since I've got half of my tuition paid anyway. But in my opinion, I wouldn't worry about it either way since the people who loan you money know you'll be able to pay it back with interest in a few years - you're going to be a doctor after all.

But what my mother has told me every time I express my fears about medical school is that hundreds of thousands of people have made it before me. If they can do it, I can too. And even if I hate medical school with a passion, it's the end result that matters.

[yohimbine]

I'm a freshman right now majoring in Microbiology and taking the pre-med prerequisites. Is that a good major in case I don't get into med school? And also, this question is a little bit personal, but I'm really confused about what I want to do and whether I really want to be a doctor. How did you decide that medicine is the field for you? What about the long hours, the med school debt, and the years you'll be in school? Do all of that pay off for you? Thanks!!

In case you don't get into med school, there are lab opportunities for micro major. It really depends on what you want. If you want to go to med school you'll make it, may not be the easiest route but it'll happen. (you have to be a tad more specific on if you want a backup career or a major choice)

go med school? Med school accepted me before I applied to law school. My mom told me to do medicine. It was not till after finishing my 2nd yr of med school that I truly realized how much I enjoy it (not that I wasn't contemplating it before).

Long hours?-Hell yes. Be prepared to sacrifice a lot. Med school isn't hard, but the volume of material you learn is like drinking from a waterfall.

debt?-I finished undergrad w/ no debt. 2 yrs of med school and I am 6 figure in the hole. 8.5% interest w/ federal loan... is medicine worth the money? Heck no. Especially now w/ obamanomics.

years in school-too long. I guess I'm in grade 18th. I have 2 yrs left to graduate and then at least 3 yrs of residency. Once you finish 2nd year, all the learning is in the hospital and on your own.

all of it pay off?-depends on what you're looking for. to some yes others no.

[starzgirl89]

Wow, thank you so much for your advice. My backup plans just in case I don't get into med school or I decide that I don't want to go into med school are pharmacy and research. That's why I chose microbiology. I actually really enjoy it, and the required classes to graduate with micro at my school mostly cover both pharmacy and medicine. I don't know. I feel like I'm just trying to do everything, without settling on one. But I do know that I want to graduate in 3 years, but I have to make a decision about pharmacy or medicine now, because it's better if I have a definite goal. And I can prepare for either the PCAT or MCAT. I know that it'll most likely be one of those 2, I just don't know how to choose.

And about shadowing a doctor, I haven't really done that yet, but I'm going to be a pharmacy tech at CVS. So hopefully, that will help.

I think the whole med school thing intimidated me. Is it as hard as they say? How hard is it to get into med school?

[crescendoll]

Just a quick question. For someone who hopes to get into medical school immediately following their undergraduate, when's the latest they can take the MCATs? I know they should be taken during the junior year, but how late can you take it? Is the end of Spring semester of junior year fine? How about the summer before their senior year?

If I do take it earlier .. I don't know who might know this, but would Japan administer the exam? I was hoping to study abroad my junior year there .. :T

[l3oosh]

Wow, thank you so much for your advice. My backup plans just in case I don't get into med school or I decide that I don't want to go into med school are pharmacy and research. That's why I chose microbiology. I actually really enjoy it, and the required classes to graduate with micro at my school mostly cover both pharmacy and medicine. I don't know. I feel like I'm just trying to do everything, without settling on one. But I do know that I want to graduate in 3 years, but I have to make a decision about pharmacy or medicine now, because it's better if I have a definite goal. And I can prepare for either the PCAT or MCAT. I know that it'll most likely be one of those 2, I just don't know how to choose.

And about shadowing a doctor, I haven't really done that yet, but I'm going to be a pharmacy tech at CVS. So hopefully, that will help.

I think the whole med school thing intimidated me. Is it as hard as they say? How hard is it to get into med school?

Yeah, I figured you were debating between pharmacy/med school/research. Hmm, if you really want to conduct your own research, the most effective route would be to get a PhD. You'll have to go to pharmacy school or medical school depending on what you choose. There isn't really career set out for these three careers that don't involve further schooling.

Being a pharmacy technician will look great on your resume for either medical school or pharmacy school, but it'll probably help you more as a pharmacist. See how much you enjoy working as a pharmacy technician.

Medical school is hard. Of course it would be - I wouldn't want my doctor to have been able to practice on me without the proper schooling. And learning about everything about the human body is difficult. It requires a lot of time input, and it's not going to be for people who don't like putting in the effort. But, if you're highly motivated and don't shy away from the work, it will be fine. It seems like you're putting a lot of emphasis on your decision to go into medicine on the fact that it will take work to become a doctor, and in my opinion, that's the wrong way of looking at it. You'll be putting in seven years (about) to becoming a doctor. Yeah, it'll be a tough seven years, but you've been going to school for thirteen plus years now, and you've survived. It's the end result - a lifetime as a physician - that should be your concentration. That's not saying that you shouldn't keep in mind the stuff about medical school - you should - but it shouldn't be the deciding factor.

Just a quick question. For someone who hopes to get into medical school immediately following their undergraduate, when's the latest they can take the MCATs? I know they should be taken during the junior year, but how late can you take it? Is the end of Spring semester of junior year fine? How about the summer before their senior year?

If I do take it earlier .. I don't know who might know this, but would Japan administer the exam? I was hoping to study abroad my junior year there .. :T

You should take the MCATs your junior year - spring or summer - because you're going to start sending in your applications fall of senior year. I would recommend taking it in the spring so you can take it again if need be. As for taking the test in Japan, you should be able to: AAMC International Page.

[starzgirl89]

Yeah, I figured you were debating between pharmacy/med school/research. Hmm, if you really want to conduct your own research, the most effective route would be to get a PhD. You'll have to go to pharmacy school or medical school depending on what you choose. There isn't really career set out for these three careers that don't involve further schooling.

Being a pharmacy technician will look great on your resume for either medical school or pharmacy school, but it'll probably help you more as a pharmacist. See how much you enjoy working as a pharmacy technician.

Medical school is hard. Of course it would be - I wouldn't want my doctor to have been able to practice on me without the proper schooling. And learning about everything about the human body is difficult. It requires a lot of time input, and it's not going to be for people who don't like putting in the effort. But, if you're highly motivated and don't shy away from the work, it will be fine. It seems like you're putting a lot of emphasis on your decision to go into medicine on the fact that it will take work to become a doctor, and in my opinion, that's the wrong way of looking at it. You'll be putting in seven years (about) to becoming a doctor. Yeah, it'll be a tough seven years, but you've been going to school for thirteen plus years now, and you've survived. It's the end result - a lifetime as a physician - that should be your concentration. That's not saying that you shouldn't keep in mind the stuff about medical school - you should - but it shouldn't be the deciding factor.

Thank you. I think I know what to do now. I think I was distracted by how much faster and comparatively easier pharmacy is than medicine. I wanted to take the easy way out. You've been really helpful. By the way, what are you specializing in? Do you know yet?

[l3oosh]

Thank you. I think I know what to do now. I think I was distracted by how much faster and comparatively easier pharmacy is than medicine. I wanted to take the easy way out. You've been really helpful. By the way, what are you specializing in? Do you know yet?

I'm interested in going into pediatrics with maybe an oncology fellowship later. But, you know, that might change. I'm not a med school student just yet ^^

[yohimbine]

nice job l3oosh you answered all the questions. now how am i going to waste my break time ? haha

You accepted to med school yet? all the best on your goals =)

[l3oosh]

nice job l3oosh you answered all the questions. now how am i going to waste my break time ? haha

You accepted to med school yet? all the best on your goals =)

lol! This is me wasting my break time too xD
Yes, I've been accepted to med school. I'm in a BA/MD program with Baylor College of Medicine And thank you! You too! ^^