[joonage]

Hmmm ... would it be okay to take Calculus in a later quarter of freshman year?

I talked to an adviser and she said that it'd be better to just take Calculus, just in case the med school I apply to won't accept my AP scores.

However, I already set my freshman schedule with Chem, Psych, and English Composition. And I don't want to change it again because I already changed it like 6 times. Hahaha xD

So yeah, I was thinking of just taking Calculus either Winter or Spring Quarter. I got a 5 on the Calc AB exam, which lets me skip to Math 126 (10 credits for Math 124,125). So I was just thinking of taking Math 125 during the Winter quarter. Do you think I'll be able to recall the stuff I learned from high school? Or should I start with Math 124 in the winter? That'll mean I'd have to take Math 125 in the spring or summer in order to get enough math credits to get into the Biology major. Essentially, I'm done with all the math I need. I just need one quarter of Calculus for med school.

[eatadandelion]

I am in dire need of advice...

Has any one heard of post bac programs for pre-meds? I am planning on applying starting september for summer/fall 2010. I am starting my fourth year at UCLA and I havent taken the MCAT yet. I am not quite done with my pre-reqs for med school either, take into account that I am a liberal arts major with a 4.0 gpa, which is the reason why I am considering doing a post bac program. I've looked into schools in the east coast with very successful post bacs such as John Hopkins, Goucher, U Penn, Georgetown, Columbia and they pretty much guarantee you admission to a prestigious medical school upon completion of the program...only thing is that post bac programs are extremely competitive & expensive and only admit about 10 people a year - take into consideration that not everyone makes it through the program.

I don't know whether to take this path or opt of the regular traditional path (applying for med school after graduation/taking a year off to do research+find internships) ...

Any advice, comments and thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[x__nga]

just wondering, are there any particular majors that would best prepare you for mcat?
or is it totally irrelevant.





im having quite a predicament deciding a major before my freshman class is final.

[cherries_blue]

How long does it take for someone to finish med. school after graduating in a pre-med course?

[pandasRcute]

just wondering, are there any particular majors that would best prepare you for mcat?

im wondering that too!
another question: wouldnt it be difficult to do the premed requirements and major in something else besides biochem? sry if this was answered alrdy >.<

[eunhae]

^ from what I've heard, it is a bit more challenging

My friend is an Education major but is taking classes that are required for med shcool and she says it's tough at times bc she has to focus on both...I also heard that it's harder to fit in those extra classes req for med school into your schedule and can sometimes overwhelm you
Because of that, most people tend to generally major in bio/chem/biochem to fulfill those requirements more easily without having to worry about unnecessary classes

[eatadandelion]

just wondering, are there any particular majors that would best prepare you for mcat?
or is it totally irrelevant.





im having quite a predicament deciding a major before my freshman class is final.

English majors tend to do better than any other majors on the MCAT.

im wondering that too!
another question: wouldnt it be difficult to do the premed requirements and major in something else besides biochem? sry if this was answered alrdy >.<

Medical schools prefer non science majors because they look for diversity, 90% of med school applicants are science majors. It might be more of a challenge BUT it just makes you stand out more to med schools (considering you have the same stats as a science major applicant).

In the end, if you are a science major, just make sure you do extremely well and are well rounded, because med schools are very competitive and only accept the best of the best.

[JuWon6o]

if you dropped out of a 4 year university and it is in your transcript.
its impossible that you'll get into a medical school right?
ever hear stories of a drop out undergrad who made it into medical school?

[yohimbine]

Hmmm ... would it be okay to take Calculus in a later quarter of freshman year?

I talked to an adviser and she said that it'd be better to just take Calculus, just in case the med school I apply to won't accept my AP scores.

However, I already set my freshman schedule with Chem, Psych, and English Composition. And I don't want to change it again because I already changed it like 6 times. Hahaha xD

So yeah, I was thinking of just taking Calculus either Winter or Spring Quarter. I got a 5 on the Calc AB exam, which lets me skip to Math 126 (10 credits for Math 124,125). So I was just thinking of taking Math 125 during the Winter quarter. Do you think I'll be able to recall the stuff I learned from high school? Or should I start with Math 124 in the winter? That'll mean I'd have to take Math 125 in the spring or summer in order to get enough math credits to get into the Biology major. Essentially, I'm done with all the math I need. I just need one quarter of Calculus for med school.

I'm sure you'll be able to recall it. Do you have to take math at all? I would check with the med school I was applying to, to verify if I even needed to take it.

I am in dire need of advice...

Has any one heard of post bac programs for pre-meds? I am planning on applying starting september for summer/fall 2010. I am starting my fourth year at UCLA and I havent taken the MCAT yet. I am not quite done with my pre-reqs for med school either, take into account that I am a liberal arts major with a 4.0 gpa, which is the reason why I am considering doing a post bac program. I've looked into schools in the east coast with very successful post bacs such as John Hopkins, Goucher, U Penn, Georgetown, Columbia and they pretty much guarantee you admission to a prestigious medical school upon completion of the program...only thing is that post bac programs are extremely competitive & expensive and only admit about 10 people a year - take into consideration that not everyone makes it through the program.

I don't know whether to take this path or opt of the regular traditional path (applying for med school after graduation/taking a year off to do research+find internships) ...

Any advice, comments and thoughts would be greatly appreciated

I have heard of a few and know of people that did complete post-bac programs. Take your MCAT and finish off your pre-req's for a nice solid SGPA. I wouldn't do a postbac unless your GPA was horrible and you were adamant about remaining in the US. BTW, I know of people who have completed post-bac programs associated with the school and it is not a guarantee shoe in.

just wondering, are there any particular majors that would best prepare you for mcat?
or is it totally irrelevant.



im having quite a predicament deciding a major before my freshman class is final.

No. Take what you like and learn your basic sci really well. =D

How long does it take for someone to finish med. school after graduating in a pre-med course?

After graduating a pre-med course? Not quite sure what you mean by this. But, after college medical school is 4 years + residency (min 3yrs +)

im wondering that too!
another question: wouldnt it be difficult to do the premed requirements and major in something else besides biochem? sry if this was answered alrdy >.<

No, it shouldn't be difficult to major in something else besides biochem to do well in pre-reqs.

if you dropped out of a 4 year university and it is in your transcript.
its impossible that you'll get into a medical school right?
ever hear stories of a drop out undergrad who made it into medical school?

Yes, it's possible. My good friend dropped out of high school and is now considering plastic surgery/neurosurgery. Don't let your past affect your future. If you want it go for it.

[prismatic_star]

just wondering, are there any particular majors that would best prepare you for mcat?
or is it totally irrelevant.

It's irrelevant. Most opt to choose biology majors because it's flexible to fit in those prerequisites. However, one could do any major and do the prerequisites over summer or fit it in in one semester. If you opt to do another major besides biology, I think it would make you stand out from the other 'billions' who are biology majors.

I highly suggest that you think about a second option if medicine doesn't work out for you.

if you dropped out of a 4 year university and it is in your transcript.
its impossible that you'll get into a medical school right?
ever hear stories of a drop out undergrad who made it into medical school?

Yeah I have actually. However, she dropped out to join the army and then waited several years to start a family. After that, she redid her biology major, wrote the MCAT and applied to medical school and was accepted.

[Christinaisweird]

What's a major that a student would choose in college if they wanted to become a surgeon?

[yohimbine]

What's a major that a student would choose in college if they wanted to become a surgeon?

Any major that interests you.

[CharlotteDarcy]

Phew, I just got done with all of my pre-req classes for medschool. Now I just need to finish my BSN degree.

[euph0ria*]

What are the biggest differences between a doctor and a physical assistant?
In my experiences, they seem to do similar things, but I have limited experience so I'm not really sure =/

[hailing from ny]

I'm starting my first year at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 10 days!
If you've got questions about the med school process, feel free to PM me.

[wowitsjacki3]

I'm starting at a community college (Mt. Sac) and I'm trying to decide whether or not to take physics before or after i transfer to a UC. I heard that my school only offers "engineering physics." I'm scared that it's not going to be the same type of physics on the MCAT. Should i wait to take physics now or later?

[hailing from ny]

I'm starting at a community college (Mt. Sac) and I'm trying to decide whether or not to take physics before or after i transfer to a UC. I heard that my school only offers "engineering physics." I'm scared that it's not going to be the same type of physics on the MCAT. Should i wait to take physics now or later?

Engineering physics sounds tougher than the physics you need for the MCAT. All you need is a introductory physics course that has very little or no calculus, maybe just to understand that the derivative of displacement over time equals velocity, the derivative of velocity over time equals acceleration. You do not need calculus for MCAT sciences, though you need calculus to satisfy the Math requirement for almost all med school admissions.

I'd recommend you take it at the UC. It'll probably reflect better on your transcript anyway, to have taken the course at a UC versus Mt. Sac,

[x__nga]

No. Take what you like and learn your basic sci really well. =D

that might precisely be my problem, my tastes are eclectic.lol Im bringing 30+ credits into my first year
however they range from Literature, macro/micro economics, US politic/comparative, psychology , environmental science, to art history etc. they don't exactly clump into one major. but i think it'll cover gen.edu courses.

It's irrelevant. Most opt to choose biology majors because it's flexible to fit in those prerequisites. However, one could do any major and do the prerequisites over summer or fit it in in one semester. If you opt to do another major besides biology, I think it would make you stand out from the other 'billions' who are biology majors.

I highly suggest that you think about a second option if medicine doesn't work out for you.

thanks! hate to say it but i had already worked my schedule around a biology major during the previews scheduling (before i had a chance to really looked at my options) now im highly considering a change of course!

[supa'Wanki]

Are there a lot of schools that don't take CC pre-req credits? I want to take all my pre-req classes at a CC before I transfer to a 4 year. I can care less about the prestige of classes at a CC rather than a 4-year. I just need to know if there's a lot of schools that don't accept CC pre-req classes and makes students take all their pre-reqs at a 4 year before applying for med.

[l3oosh]

What are the biggest differences between a doctor and a physical assistant?
In my experiences, they seem to do similar things, but I have limited experience so I'm not really sure =/

They do similar things, but the primary difference between an MD and a PA is that the PA has to work under the supervision of a physician. It's impossible for a PA to open up his/her own practice, and a PA must work as directed by the physician.

Are there a lot of schools that don't take CC pre-req credits? I want to take all my pre-req classes at a CC before I transfer to a 4 year. I can care less about the prestige of classes at a CC rather than a 4-year. I just need to know if there's a lot of schools that don't accept CC pre-req classes and makes students take all their pre-reqs at a 4 year before applying for med.

There are quite a few schools that look down upon credits from community colleges, especially your pre-reqs. They could care less if you took English Lit, History, etc at community college, but the big sciences, I would highly recommend taking at your four-year university.