With a B.S. in math, what steps do I take toward admission to Medicine School?

Question

After talking with a stranger, I was inspired to go after my original dream of becoming a doctor. I am one year short of a B.S. in math minor in education. Should I go ahead graduate, and take what ever classes I need for medical school at a Jr. college at night (like a chem, and 1 more physics) and teach in the day time.? Then start medical school? Is that possible? Is it too late to pursue my dream? HEELLLLPPPP!!!!!!

Answer 1

Hmm that's tough, since you are already well on your way to getting a degree. Do you have any pre-requisites taken? (I assume no -other than calculus- since your minor is Education).

The problem extends beyond just the pre-reqs themselves, tho. Assuming you do get them out of the way, it will look either awkward or even bad when you show them that instead of taking the required courses at your alma, you took them at second or third-tier ( or lower) colleges- sort of as a way to just dispense with them. I guess there is nothing wrong in doing that if that's your only real option, but there's even more to consider.

Say you do take your pre-req courses, either at your alma or at another college. (That task in and of itself is difficult i f you haven't already taken any). Once you apply, the med school will be wondering why you made the switch. Anyone is allowed to pursue one's dreams, but just having a dream isn't enough (I suggest you try to explain why you didn't realize that dream earlier- make up a good convincing story). They will also want to find out that you are doctor material. The only way to find out you are doctor material is to find out 1. If you can handle it academically. 2. If you have the passion for it. 3. If you have first-hand experience in a field where human contact is involved.

As for #1, you can show this by way of grades(overall as well as pre-requisites) and a good MCAT score. This is the cookie cutter part, difficult, but routine.
As for #2, you must convince the committee that you didn't just come up with some last-minute idea like "Oh, after 4 years of math I think I want to now do a medical degree." If you give them the impression that you're just not sure why you want to be a doctor (besides the obvious prestige/money factor which you don't want to stress too much), you will fail even if your grades are up to par. Medical school is harder than anything you will ever do. It takes passion and committment. The committee will need to be certain you have those qualities. They will want to know: Why math? Why education? Why not something health-related? Why now?
#3 is related: You must show that you not only have a committment, but that you have actually done things that indicate you are serious about the profession and which reflect upon your desire to do it. Volunteer work will be a major bonus for your candicacy. Experience in a health profession is also.

When you apply to medical school, your alma will likely have to send a pre-health committee letter. The pre-health committee (most colleges have them, but make sure) assesses undergraduate students and gives its own recommendations. Usually they require two or three letters of recommendation from sciences (or math) professors. If you have not done so already, ask at your college about whether such a committee exists, and try to file the paperwork ASAP. Try to find two or three professors who can talk about you at length (the pre-health committee will often have a form letter that you hand to your recommender). Start this process early, since letters of recommendation are hardest to get after time has elapsed- and professors take months sometimes to deliver them.

All in all, a medical college will look at both objective factors (like how you rank as far as GPA, grades in the pre-requisites, the MCAT scores) as well as subjective factors (your commitment and passion, your hands-on experiences, the letters from the pre-health committee at your school or independent letters, and an interview). Note that while a great MCAT score can get your foot in the door for an interview, it can't get you in alone.

Usually, med schools have a multi-stage entry process. The grades, MCAT, GPA are part 1 of that process, and get you to an interview. But your mission is not to just have a chance, you mission is to get in. You cannot get in on grades and scores alone.

It's a tough, drawn-out process. If you apply, apply early, but make sure you can put together the best application possible. I suggest you try to talk to your dean or advisor, and to also meet with someone from your school's pre-health committee to see how your school handles the medical school application process..

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

You might do just fine with just your B.S. in math. You should take the MCAT, the Medical College Admission Test and apply to some Medical Schools. Just because you were not a PreMed Major does not mean that you could not get into a Medical School. Your grades and performance in College might be enough if you were a very good student and received good recommendations. PreMed students usually take Biology and Chemistry courses along with Physics and Math. However, this does not mean that students who major in other Course topics would be excluded. I took the LSAT or Law School Admissions Test, without ever taking a course in College that would qualify me to be an Attorney and I was accepted into Law School.

Answer 3

You need to get the basic knowledge base in order to do well on the MCAT. You must know basic Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biology. The MCAT also tests critical thinking skills. The MCAT is only the first step, however. You need to see if your university offers some type of Pre-med advisement, or committe to help you with your applications. Once you take the MCAT, you will need to submit an application to medical schools using AAMC's website application called AAMCAS, or American Assocation of Medicine Application System. This is a central application and once you finish, it will be sent to all the schools you choose. From there, cross you fingers, do well in interviews and good luck!

Answer 4

Don't worry too much. Complete your degree but take some basic biology, organic chemistry, physiology, and cell biology courses at night school. Then take the MCAT (med college admission test), and apply to medical schools in your home state. You'll probably do fine.

Answer 5

What politician with any brain would deny medical insurance to a child? Of course this bill is the beginning of socialized medicine, but I guess we have to start slowly and build from there. We can't expect everyone to like what is happening and that's the unfortunate part, but we can ask that they consider something for the 50,000,000 people who have no or too little coverage to help them out. Hospitals have "credit counselors" and their whole job is to help people "see" it from the hospital's point of view. Medicine is no longer available in America to everyone and it is time that changes or we will never see the end to it. If it happens to medicine, when will it happen to food, and housing? It is already happened to petroleum - ($3 for a gallon of gas) and who knows what else. We have to get a handle on this or we will be too late to make a difference and we can't allow that to happen - again!

Answer 6

Alot of schools offer summer 'prep' programs that may include an MCAT prep course, interviewing workshops, personal statement reviews...mini-medical school etc. Depending on what school's you may want to attend, CALL them and ask if the offer any of these programs(say your name, they may remember your intiative when it comes to interviews). I participated in UCLA's, UCSF's and UConn'; each was very different and varying lengths of time. This also gives you the opportunity to decide if you like the campus environment, and if you like it, you will have a heads up with the Admissions committee, and improve your chances of getting admitted...

Answer 7

Drop all your options, and take Bio, Chem, Biochem, and other courses that are required for med school entry.

That way you can get your B.Sc, and then head to Med School

Answer 8

go on to med .go to school we need good med. people