Med School: What would you do??

Ok, so I'm heading into my 5th year of college as an undergrad (I transferred a few years ago, and not all courses transferred, hence the extra year).

My current major, which I will finish next spring, is Exercise Science (I know, not the most useful major). Recently, though, I have become interested in the thought of going to Med School. Actually, more than just interested, it sounds like something I'd really like. And with a 3.95GPA up to this point, I've at least got the grades to help out with that. Parts of my degree cross over with what would be normal coursework for pre-med students; however, I still have yet to take the chem and physics requirements(!). Most schools, I've found, require "1 year of general chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry, and 1 year of physics" (among other things, these are just the major ones I haven't completed).

As far as I can tell, I've got all the other required coursework done. The only problem is, this would mean I might need to stay for a 7TH year of undergrad before I'm all done with the requirements for Med School.

Do you think it's worth it to spend all that extra time???

What would you do?

7 years of undergrad work would seriously blow. it all depends on if its worth it to you though. you sound like you think it is. i say go for it if you can swing the money. obviously with your grades the classes won't be too much of a problem for you. good luck!

What are your thoughts on Chemistry and Physics? Why haven't you taken any of these classes? What other science and math courses have you taken?

Being a doctor is not just a job, it is a calling. You have to want it more then anything. It is a honorable profession that takes 100% commitment.

I recommend reading "House of God" by Sam Shem. It gives a glimpse of what working in a hospital is like.

If you do decide to apply. I'd self study the prereqs and clep the courses. You'll save time and money. IMO undergrad passive classroom format is overrated.

JMO

Good Luck

CO-Runner wrote:

What are your thoughts on Chemistry and Physics? Why haven't you taken any of these classes? What other science and math courses have you taken?

I don't mind them, I've just been so wrapped up in my other degree requirements (which doesn't include chem and physics) that I haven't had any chance of doing them. I took a basic "intro" type chem class for a semester my freshman year, all freshman had to take it, but it wasn't very intensive at all and was pretty much a joke. I've taken Biomechanics and aced that without having physics, which seems like a good sign I guess.

I've taken several Biology courses, Anatomy/Physiology, Calculus, Biological Statistics . . . A's in all of them.

longtimegone wrote:

If you do decide to apply. I'd self study the prereqs and clep the courses.

What exactly does the CLEP entail? I've only heard this term in passing a few times before.

longtimegone wrote:

Being a doctor is not just a job, it is a calling. You have to want it more then anything. It is a honorable profession that takes 100% commitment.

I recommend reading "House of God" by Sam Shem. It gives a glimpse of what working in a hospital is like.

If you do decide to apply. I'd self study the prereqs and clep the courses. You'll save time and money. IMO undergrad passive classroom format is overrated.

JMO

Good Luck

i agree with this.

basically CLEP is just an exam which lets you get credit for a class, like say chem 101. think AP exams from high school; the concept is pretty similar. not all colleges accept them for credit but, if i'm not mistaken, med schools accept them for their requirements.

just google 'CLEP' if you want more info.

I'm very surprised that a degree in exercise science doesn't require a year of general chemistry, and mildly surprised physics isn't required. I wish these courses were required for an ex-sci degree, so that only smart people such as yourself would be able to get them and the dumbasses would have to stick with majors like human studies and communications.

Next question, how deep are your pockets? ;-) Start crankin'

What about summer school?

Buckminster Fuller wrote:

I'm very surprised that a degree in exercise science doesn't require a year of general chemistry, and mildly surprised physics isn't required. I wish these courses were required for an ex-sci degree, so that only smart people such as yourself would be able to get them and the dumbasses would have to stick with majors like human studies and communications.

To be honest, I'm pretty surprised it doesn't either. There is a wide range of academic "talent" in my major, as jobs within my field range from Physical Therapist to "Guy who works in a gym." Kind of at two ends of the spectrum.

CO-Runner wrote:

Next question, how deep are your pockets? ;-) Start crankin'

What about summer school?

That's another thing . . . money is definitely not something I have much of at all. Right now I'm getting crazy financial aid which is great, but I've heard it starts to run dry after your fourth year . . . .

My dad has sort of joked about being willing to pay for the rest of my undergrad work, should I choose Med School as a path and require extra years. I honestly think there might be a chance he'd be willing to do this if I was serious about it (which I am).

It depends how self centered and motivated you are, unless you want to go abroad to serve the impoverished.

Just remember: All of the asshole frat boy bio majors you meet will one day be doctors. For your sake, I hope you aren't an asshole.

go to school..get the coursework done....don't look back..

don't create regrets..

oldersmarterguy is indeed older AND smarter. You can have a fruitful meaningful 35 or 40-year career as a doctor, And as for chiemistry and physics, well, yeah...you got to know stuff. It comes with any job.

Here's what I suggest, having just graduated from med school in May (I start surgical internship on the 24th of this month!):

1) Find a position working in an academic basic science research lab, preferably doing something directly related to medicine. This should allow you to earn a little cash (operative word being little), yet to have a relatively flexible schedule. Focus on trying to get your name on some publications.

2) Complete the coursework at the same institution at which you're doing your research. In some cases, being an employee already will allow you to take coursework for free or at reduced cost.

3) Work your arse off for the two or three years it takes to complete the courses. You should be able to do it in two years -- just take chem and physics first year, followed by organic chem (for which gen chem is a prereq) and an MCAT review course the next year. Depending on how you can schedule the courses, you might be able to apply and get into med school at the end of that second year.

4) Mix in some volunteering or shadowing experiences with local physicians. I would suggest finding a surgeon and hanging out with him/her for a number of days -- it should be interesting to you to see cases in the OR, and you'll later be able to tell the admissions committee, "I know I want to do medicine because..." and have concrete evidence to prove it.

Honestly this is the most effective method of getting into med school from your position. The research is necessary to boost your academic credentials, as for better or worse some admissions committees might not look as favorably upon Exercise Science as they would upon biology or biochemistry.

As for whether it's worth it...that's something only you can decide. Bottom line, it's a more rewarding field than anything else that will allow you to make such a great income. However, medical practice is laden with more pains in the arse these days than ever before. Hanging out with a couple of currently practicing physicians will help you to see how it really is, and to better make up your mind. In my case, I'm about to start neurosurgery training, and I really don't think I would have been happy doing anything else. But it's a tough choice -- I personally took the 5 year plan in college, then had to take a year off of school to make up my mind. Anyhow, feel free to email me at

jocoserious@gmail.com

if you have any more questions.

Ian

Talk to the admissions department at the schools you are interested. You dont need to only consider being a md. One of my family members went to a good, but not highly touted med school where he became a surgeon, DO- not an MD.

He had no problem finding a job. There were a few clinics that only hire MD, but not many. Makes good money and loves the job. If its what you want to do, stick it out.

Having just recently graduated as a 5th year senior (Exercise and Sport Science/Pre-Med. with a minor in Biology), the above poster makes some very good recommendations. I worked my ASS OFF the past 5 years building up my resume and exposing myself to literally EVERYTHING. You are competing with other die-hard pre-med.'s who eat, sleep, and breath academics! For example, my roommate graduated with a 4.0 in Biology/Pre-Med., and she was literally "caged" in her room 24/7 studying like a mad woman! After doing research the past 2 years and drastically improving with my running the past year, I decided to attend graduate school, earn my Ph.D., and then see if I'm still passionate about attending medical school. I've gotten very serious with my running the past year and feel graduate school will be a "healthier" and more flexible option at the present. I want to better the health of others through my research endeavors, while still maintaining a decent quality of life myself.

Seriously, you need to expose yourself to AS MANY THINGS AS POSSIBLE. The research, shadowing physicians, talking to pre-med. advisers, talking to medical school students (preferably runners), the residents, etc..... you need to know what you're getting into and whether you're willing to sacrifice A LOT in your life to be devoted to medicine. You also have to jump several hurdles along the way (MCAT, medical school application, recommendations, interviews, board examinations, residency). Ask yourself-- Are you willing to compromise your own health to try and better the health of others? This is the one question I pondered and what ultimately determined my decision to attend graduate school. I have no regrets for taking the Pre-Med. courses.... I feel I will be better prepared than most graduate students, and I'll always have the option of attending medical school.

Actually, something you should consider IS attending graduate school while trying to finish the prerequisites for medical school; you will get research experience, earn a higher degree, and it will give you more time to decide what you want to do.

There are programs such as the one at Columbia that are designed for people in your situation. Good luck.

Considering you haven't spent a day in medical school, Jaguar, you seem to know a lot about it. For example, you appear pretty confident that it necessarily carries "unhealthy" burdens, but from what I have seen I don't think that this is the case. Maybe it's true of the neurotic pre-med chicks you were surrounded by for the last five years, but pre-med chicks and their neurotic personalities are usually no fun to be around. Once they get to med school, everything changes, though, and they become sex fiends.