How do i get into med school?

Question

I'm fixing to attend community college and i was wondering what classes would help me get into med school?

Answer 1

A degree in biology or chemistry would be very beneficial in medical school. Any B.S. or B.A. with those biology and chemistry upper-level courses (many schools require chemistry up to and including organic chemistry and biochemistry and multiple upper-level biology courses). I am most of the way through my first year in med school now, and I can say that the prerequisites are not just there as yet another "hoop" in the application process. Your first year classes will be very time-consuming (to say the least) and a good base in the upper-level bio and chem courses is VERY important. Keep in mind that the first year commonly consists of biochemistry, cell biology, microanatomy/embryology, neuroscience, gross anatomy, and physiology (some schools run different schedules; this is how ours runs). Just make sure you want to do it and DO it. College is supposed to be fun, so have a good time while staying on top of your studies. Your grades, MCAT scores, recommendations, and interviews are all very important; med schools try to look at the whole person. SO, don't let school get in the way of your higher education (don't sit in your room and study the whole time) but don't let your social life ruin your academics, either. I hope you make it and, if you work hard enough and get a good working relationship with your pre-med advisor, you should be just fine. One word of caution: DON'T get caught up in the prestige of the med school's name. Some claim that a top 20 school is the only way to go. You'll learn, however, that each school prepares you very well to become a doctor (they all go through similar accreditation processes) if you let them. Your medical education is not based on which school you attend; it is 90% on your shoulders. The end result is, essentially, the same: you get to put M.D. behind your name and save people's lives. If you get too caught up in the competition to be at the best school, you lose sight of the goal (which is, of course, to be the best doctor possible and help as many patients as you can). Again, GOOD LUCK! I hope you do well and keep U of Arkansas College of Medicine in mind when you start your applications.

Answer 2

Holy happiness, I don't agree that Psychology is the best degree for Med School. It doesn't matter what undergraduate degree you get as long as you meet the Medical School's prerequisites.

Usually Med Schools require a full sequence course in Biology (particularly Anatomy and Physiology,) General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, and other introductory courses in such things as psychology, economics, business, etc.

By full sequence course I mean CHEM 101, 102, 103 as an example. Your school's numbering may vary depending on the school schedule (semester or quarter.)

The most important thing to do when you are attending a Community College is to work with an advisor that knows the prerequisites for the school that you want to attend, so that you do not have to take extra courses once you transfer. When you transfer to a 4 year school, work with your counselor there to make sure you take their courses that meet Med School requirements.

Answer 3

Psychology is the most preferred Bachelor's degree for success in medical school, after a four year degree in nursing, that is. Here are the universal, world-wide pre-requisites for entrance:
http://www2.umt.edu/pre-med/prepapply_prereq.htm
http://www.stanford.edu/group/spa/gstart/faq1.html#3