5 answers
Elizabeth
Student
Montclair, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
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What would you recommend for someone who is looking to explore premed?
I just graduated from high school and am trying to figure out what to study and major in, as well as what a future career might look like.
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5 answers
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
103
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Elizabeth,
Congratulations on graduating from high school! Deciding on your next steps in education and career can be a big decision. Here are a few ideas to help you start:
1. Consider getting a Medical Assistant certificate or degree. These programs teach both administrative and clinical skills, covering subjects like medical terminology, anatomy, lab procedures, medication administration, and billing. Certificate programs are shorter, usually about a year, and are offered at vocational or community colleges. Associate degree programs take about two years and are offered at community colleges. These programs include general education courses to provide a more well-rounded education. Becoming a medical assistant is a great way to enter the healthcare field and learn about various roles.
2. Start taking basic courses at your local community college. A career in healthcare often requires strong skills in science and math. You might begin with classes like Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Statistics. These courses can count towards an Associate's degree and can be transferred for credit if you decide to attend a four-year college later.
3. Look for volunteer opportunities in healthcare settings like local doctors' offices, hospitals, or assisted living communities. Volunteering can give you a sense of the daily tasks of healthcare workers and help you decide if a particular role is of interest to you.
Congratulations on graduating from high school! Deciding on your next steps in education and career can be a big decision. Here are a few ideas to help you start:
1. Consider getting a Medical Assistant certificate or degree. These programs teach both administrative and clinical skills, covering subjects like medical terminology, anatomy, lab procedures, medication administration, and billing. Certificate programs are shorter, usually about a year, and are offered at vocational or community colleges. Associate degree programs take about two years and are offered at community colleges. These programs include general education courses to provide a more well-rounded education. Becoming a medical assistant is a great way to enter the healthcare field and learn about various roles.
2. Start taking basic courses at your local community college. A career in healthcare often requires strong skills in science and math. You might begin with classes like Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Statistics. These courses can count towards an Associate's degree and can be transferred for credit if you decide to attend a four-year college later.
3. Look for volunteer opportunities in healthcare settings like local doctors' offices, hospitals, or assisted living communities. Volunteering can give you a sense of the daily tasks of healthcare workers and help you decide if a particular role is of interest to you.
Matthew Hing
Family Medicine Physician
3
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Elizabeth,
Call the closest medical school to you (speak with the registrar) and ask what college course pre-requisites will be required. You can then 1) select a major which fulfills all or most of those requirements or 2) plan to fulfill those requirements but pursue any humanities (or non-traditional) major of your choosing. The second options can be enriching in terms of making you a more well-rounded physician in the long run.
Good lluck, Elizabeth!
Call the closest medical school to you (speak with the registrar) and ask what college course pre-requisites will be required. You can then 1) select a major which fulfills all or most of those requirements or 2) plan to fulfill those requirements but pursue any humanities (or non-traditional) major of your choosing. The second options can be enriching in terms of making you a more well-rounded physician in the long run.
Good lluck, Elizabeth!
Brett Schlifstein
Anesthesiologist
42
Answers
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Brett’s Answer
Hi Elizabeth,
Sounds like you are interested in applying to medical school to become a physician. If so, make sure you know what pre-requisite courses are required, and then make a rough game plan as to when you will take those courses during your time in undergraduate school.
Now, as for your major - you can choose any major you like and still apply to medical school, as long as you have taken those pre-requisite courses. I would recommend choosing a major that both interests you, and has applicability to a career. Many people change their mind about their career choice during their educational journey, so it's good to have an undergraduate degree that you can put to good use in case you choose not to go to medical school. This might be a major in the sciences, but certainly doesn't have to be. Degrees are expensive and time consuming, so use your time wisely!
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Hospital
Sounds like you are interested in applying to medical school to become a physician. If so, make sure you know what pre-requisite courses are required, and then make a rough game plan as to when you will take those courses during your time in undergraduate school.
Now, as for your major - you can choose any major you like and still apply to medical school, as long as you have taken those pre-requisite courses. I would recommend choosing a major that both interests you, and has applicability to a career. Many people change their mind about their career choice during their educational journey, so it's good to have an undergraduate degree that you can put to good use in case you choose not to go to medical school. This might be a major in the sciences, but certainly doesn't have to be. Degrees are expensive and time consuming, so use your time wisely!
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Hospital
I completely agree with Dr. Schlifstein. Explore interesting courses and extra-curricular activities while you assure you take and do well in required courses.
James Hanson
Madison Buchman
doctor
160
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
There are LOTs of different majors you can choose (any really) to go to medical school/be "pre-med". This doesn't necessarily mean you have to major in a science field (chemistry/biology/psychology/exercise physiology are the common ones). However, those majors typically (though not always) do have the major pre-medical school application required coursework built into the ciriculum/classes that count towards the major. However, you can always major in something else and then you can add on the required pre-med courses in addition to what you need to complete your major. In a good way, having a non-science major can look really cool/unique on medical school applications and help you stand out, however, in a maybe harder/negative way, it may mean increased number of courses to meet the pre-med/your majors requirements or even an extra semester/year if needed.
I would try and shadow local doctors/nurses/PA/techs. You can email people personally or even call their offices and ask if they would accept a student shadowing even for a day or two or if they would be willing to talk and just answer some basic questions/advice instead. Alot of people would love to help students see what their job is like!
I would try and shadow local doctors/nurses/PA/techs. You can email people personally or even call their offices and ask if they would accept a student shadowing even for a day or two or if they would be willing to talk and just answer some basic questions/advice instead. Alot of people would love to help students see what their job is like!
Perry Zuckerman
Psychiatrist
33
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Perry’s Answer
Hello Elizabeth,
ONE: If you are going into your freshman year, then you don't need to have all the answers right now. Look up the requirements for medical schools; they are all quite similar [but there will be some minor variations between them of a course or two]. They will all certainly include Chemistry [probably 2 years], Biology, Physics, Calculus, possibly some English[?], and maybe some other things. Go to various medical school websites and read their undergraduate course admission requirements. Then start taking a first year track of these requirements [for example: Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, maybe some English[?]]; this will give you the ability to explore medical careers without falling behind on the classes you will have to take.
You don't have to declare a major right away. You can think about it, even into your sophomore year.
TWO: The next thing to do is to go to your college's Career Center, and read up on the various careers in the medical field. Then, you can make an informed choice when you are ready to. You may not want to decide right away, but instead give it a few years and let the decision calmly come to you and feel right.
I hope this helps. I encourage you to ask me any follow-up questions you may have.
Perry
ONE: If you are going into your freshman year, then you don't need to have all the answers right now. Look up the requirements for medical schools; they are all quite similar [but there will be some minor variations between them of a course or two]. They will all certainly include Chemistry [probably 2 years], Biology, Physics, Calculus, possibly some English[?], and maybe some other things. Go to various medical school websites and read their undergraduate course admission requirements. Then start taking a first year track of these requirements [for example: Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, maybe some English[?]]; this will give you the ability to explore medical careers without falling behind on the classes you will have to take.
You don't have to declare a major right away. You can think about it, even into your sophomore year.
TWO: The next thing to do is to go to your college's Career Center, and read up on the various careers in the medical field. Then, you can make an informed choice when you are ready to. You may not want to decide right away, but instead give it a few years and let the decision calmly come to you and feel right.
I hope this helps. I encourage you to ask me any follow-up questions you may have.
Perry