Adding a Pre-Med OptionQ. I read your article about how to do pre-med. I am a physics major and decided I wanted to do biophysics related research. I started taking Physiology and general biology, and have become interested in going to medical school. The problem is that it’s very hard to balance my upper division physics courses and the prerequisites for medical school (while working and doing research too). My GPA is now starting to drop. Should I consider dropping my major and what majors would you recommend for lighter workloads and higher GPA's?
A. The first thing I would suggest is NOT to look for an easier major - keep the one(s) you have! Unless you are really saying you are now interested in a major related to Biology and pre-med, and physics is less of an interest than it once was. I think you indicated that having BOTH majors is a new experience. If that is the case, you could just be experiencing an adjustment period where you are getting your bearings and finding what it takes to be successful at both majors (or just with the additional pre-med requirements). You are correct, though, that your GPA needs to be moving in the other direction! I hope you are not adding the new classes on top of what sounds like an already busy schedule... While I applaud you for doing all you are doing, adding something very time consuming like the pre-med requirements probably dictates either giving something up (or just cutting back significantly on it) or adding time in school (through summer school and/or extending graduation). And while you want to show medical schools you can handle the academic rigor, you don't have to overburden yourself. Students often want to add things to their schedule (activities, minors, jobs, volunteering, etc.) without changing their end (graduation) date. Depending on the demands of what they are adding, this may be unrealistic. I tell my students they should try to pursue all of their interests, simultaneously - until something forces you to make choices (money, graduation, etc.). In doing this, you will start to see which ones stimulate you most, and in what ways. Which ones relate to your career, which ones are hobbies, and which ones are simply interests. Which ones are higher or more immediate priorities. Staying in school indefinitely isn't a good idea, but I think professional schools understand it takes longer to complete a major, pre-med requirements, research, AND have a job... One thing you didn't mention and you really need to do is get experience within the medical profession. Virtually any health-related area of study, particularly professional ones like medical school, wants to see volunteer/work/shadowing/ etc. in a healthcare setting on your resume - some absolutely require it. It gives you a more realistic and comprehensive view of the profession. Who knows, you may find you enjoy the research side of medicine more than the patient care side... Back to Articles List |
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