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What advice would you have for a pre-med student? Is there anything you wish you knew before pursuing medicine?
I am currently a high school senior who aspires to become a doctor, but I feel unprepared for the road ahead of me.
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Suzanne’s Answer
Adriana, it's great that you are thinking ahead and wanting to be as prepared as possible for a challenging but very satisfying career. My biggest piece of advice is to get as much clinical exposure as possible to be really sure this is the right move for you. Do you really enjoy caring for patients in a one-on-one setting? Could you see yourself doing this? Does it "call" to you? See if you can find a summer job before college which brings you into direct contact with patients. This might mean getting trained as a nurse assistant (CRNA) or phlebotomist or EMT so that you will be able to do this kind of work as you make your way through the pre-med program.
Try to shadow with a physician or another health care provider to see what it is like. You can ask at your own doctor's office or clinic if they know any shadowing options for you.
Volunteering at a local hospital or clinic is also a way to expose yourself to medicine and what doctors and others do and whether or not you are drawn to this. Your local hospitals and clinics will probably have a volunteer office.
I also suggest you look at the website of the AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges) which has a lot of info for premed students.
As soon as you get to college find the pre-med/pre-health care advisors and establish a relationship with an advisor.
In college, look for the pre-med clubs/organizations and get involved in their activities. They will have good advice.
Write back as you have more questions. Good luck! Wishing you all the best at this exciting time of your life.
Try to shadow with a physician or another health care provider to see what it is like. You can ask at your own doctor's office or clinic if they know any shadowing options for you.
Volunteering at a local hospital or clinic is also a way to expose yourself to medicine and what doctors and others do and whether or not you are drawn to this. Your local hospitals and clinics will probably have a volunteer office.
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Adriana, it's great that you are thinking ahead and wanting to be as prepared as possible for a challenging but very satisfying career. My biggest piece of advice is to get as much clinical exposure as possible to be really sure this is the right move for you. Do you really enjoy caring for patients in a one-on-one setting? Could you see yourself doing this? Does it "call" to you? See if you can find a summer job before college which brings you into direct contact with patients. This might mean getting trained as a nurse assistant (CRNA) or phlebotomist or EMT so that you will be able to do this kind of work as you make your way through the pre-med program.
Volunteering at a local hospital or clinic is also a way to expose yourself to medicine and what doctors and others do and whether or not you are drawn to this. Your local hospitals and clinics will probably have a volunteer office.
Try to shadow with a physician or another health care provider to see what it is like. You can ask at your own doctor's office or clinic if they know any shadowing options for you.
I also suggest you look at the website of the AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges) which has a lot of info for premed students.
As soon as you get to college find the pre-med/pre-health care advisors and establish a relationship with an advisor.
In college, look for the pre-med clubs/organizations and get involved in their activities. They will have good advice.
Write back as you have more questions. Good luck! Wishing you all the best at this exciting time of your life.
Volunteering at a local hospital or clinic is also a way to expose yourself to medicine and what doctors and others do and whether or not you are drawn to this. Your local hospitals and clinics will probably have a volunteer office.
Try to shadow with a physician or another health care provider to see what it is like. You can ask at your own doctor's office or clinic if they know any shadowing options for you.
Suzanne recommends the following next steps: