If I plan to be a doctor, what courses should I major in?

Question

I think it's better to get a bachelor's in some sort of science (like biology or chemistry) instead of going into pre-med, because if I decide I don't want to be a doctor anymore, pre-med doesn't have a degree, and I've accomplished nothing. But which course is the best to take that there will be a need for? I'm sort of torn between pharmacy and medical technology, but any other suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

"Pre-med" is not a major at most colleges. Students who hope to be admitted to medical school can major in anything they want. Most medical school applicants majored in biology or chemistry, but a growing number of others majored in fields as disparate as music, art, anthropology, philosophy, psychology and economics. It often helps students in medical school admissions to demonstrate that they are well-rounded human beings with both strong abilities in and outside of the hard sciences.

"Pre-med" is basically an advisory system that looks after students who hope to go to medical school, makes sure they take the right courses, and helps them to get volunteer positions in area medical practices and hospitals.

Medical technology courses are generally found at community colleges or career schools, not at 4 year universities. The "pharmacy" courses at this type of school is for people who wish to become pharmacist's assistants/pharmacy technicians.

In order to become a pharmacist, one usually finishes a bachelor's degree at a 4 year university, and then goes to pharmacy school. The "pre-med" advisors at universities also make sure pre-pharmacy students take the necessary courses that pharmacy schools require. Some pharmacy schools also admit students directly into a 6 year program (2 years pre-pharmacy, 4 years pharmacy school). Drake University is a good example of this type of program.

So, in answer to your question, you will HAVE to decide between A) a 4 year college, then med or pharm school, or B) a pre-pharm program and then pharm school, or C) med tech or pharm tech at a community or career college.

Answer 2

i want to become a doctor also (obstetrician/gynecologist)! I've been wondering the same thing actually but u could ask ur college advisor( or even high school guidance counselor)! i think that if u were to stick with being a doctor u would be benefited greatly because medicine is one of the few careers where u would be practically guaranteed a job wherever u decide to move or work
and of course u would be respected my many people, have a generous salary,and would be providing care for people who need it!and i understand wat u mean about getting a bachelors that would be great and premed is not necessary a major its like a "track" made up of all sorts of things (mainly sciences of course). Pharmacology would be a good choice but have u ever considered maybe nurse(it's also a career where u could always find work)?? so anyway good luck and I'm hoping u decide to be a doctor(and stick with it !!) GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Personally I would recommend medical technology as your undergraduate, as a medical technology or clinical laboratory science (another name for it) you will take lower division courses like general, organic chem, general bio, physic, calculus, courses that you need for med school admission, and the final two years you will take many in-depth clinical courses like molecular pathology, medical microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, health system management, serology, and pathology. Therefore it provide you with a sound clinical science background. There is currently a great shortage of medical technologist/Clinical laboratory scientist, I know in California, once you finish your BS and pass your licensing test, you can start off at around $30 an hour. Of course salary depend on location. Therefore I believe medical technology is a great backup plan just in case you change your mind about medical school, if you don't like the field of medical technology, and want to switch to pharmacy, all you need is simply apply to pharmacy school to become a PharmD. Since practicing medical technology will require you either be certify or license in some case both, this lead to a much higher salary when compare to other B.S. level research assoicate, in some case you can make double of someone who has a B.S. in biology but lack medical technology certification or license. As a medical technolgist myself, I would highly recommend you to major in medical technology as your undergrad.

Answer 4

I had majored in chemistry since a lot of chemistry courses are prerequisites for medical school, but as long as you take all the necessary courses you can basically major in anything. medical schools are looking for students that stand out, the majority of applicants will have majors in biology and chemistry. You're best bet is to major in something that your are really interested in because if you major in something you think will have great job prospects but do not like, work will be drudgery.

Answer 5

You don't particularly have to be a science major to be pre-med. As long as you fulfill courses that are going to be relevent on the MCAT, then you'll be fine. btw, there is no such thing as a pre-med major.

However, this means you would have to take sciences courses + courses to fulfill your major. (I had a friend who was an English/Comparative Lit major and still got into cornell med.) But the good thing this, if you decide to drop pre-med, you would still have a back up (50% of all pre-med students don't get into med school.)

1. Talk to ur advisor about what are some recommended courses you need to take in order to do well on the MCATs.

2. Make sure you maintain a good GPA throughout college 3.8 or above is required for good Med schools.

3. Get to know your profs well so when you need recommandation letters, they'll be able to write a good one for you.

4. Take MCAT courses, your school should have good deals on them (you can do this summer before your sophomore year and junior year). Do medical/lab research if ur not taking courses, it'll come in handy when its time for your interviews.

5. Research med schools and see what their requirements are, and what they specialize in.

6. decide if you want to take a year off before med school or go straight. deadlines will differ then.

7. find out dedlines for med school applications, MCAT exam dates etc. (this comes first thing ur Junior year). usually its acceptable to take them twice. btw, most schools have "rolling" admisson, which means they accept people as they go for the next school year. so, if u take an exam in april, ur score is not going to come out on time for that application time table..so, plan plan plan....

8. STUDY STUDY STUDY your little butt off....then, you'll be fine. 32 is usually the min MCAT score to get into a top 40 school.

Answer 6

1 Chemistry Medicine, Autonomy Of the human Body, Neurology