Career questions tagged pre-med
Pre-Med is a term used for undergraduate college students who are on track to go to medical school. Popular medical doctor careers include a pediatrician, surgeon, and anesthesiologist. Please read below to find out more. Read more Show less
I am interested in becoming a psychiatrist. What science and math classes should I take?
I've already taken Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Biology for science and math up to AP Pre - Calc.
How should I fill out summer programs responses, especially a resume?
I am an International student who has recently moved from a different country and don't know if there is a specific format to answer short-essay questions in summer programs. Is there a specific technique that recruiters look for when they look over short-essay questions?
Should I take Spanish for all 4 years at my high school?
I am leaning toward taking it all four years and reaching either Spanish 4 or AP Spanish because when I become a doctor, it would be useful for me to communicate with my patients. On the other hand, if I dropped Spanish after my sophomore year, which would mean I would stop either Spanish 2-3, I could take other classes relating to my career
how to cold email for research opportunities?
Hi! I'm currently a sophomore and 15 years old. I want to start cold emailing for research opportunities, but I'm not sure where to begin. Should I email a professor or a graduate student and ask if they know of any professors who have openings? I saw someone recommend that approach. Do you have any tips or a template I could use? I don't have any impressive extracurricular activities or experience, but I am interested in pre-med. Please help!!
what does a typical day look like for you and What’s one part of your daily routine that people might be surprised to learn about ?
For my Literacy class, I am completing a project that involves interviewing a professional in the medical field I'm interested in to learn more about their career journey and experiences. I am very interested in the field of neonatology
I'm a domestic applicant (with U.S. citizenship), but my family will stay in a different country while I'm in college, so I would prefer a safe environment with a location in which I can get the minimum supplies I need by myself, and it would be the best if there is a solid campus-town. I'm currently considering BS/MD or pre-med paths. Are there any universities/colleges that would suit me with these conditions?
College/university in safe environment with a solid pre-med path or BS/MD program.
What should I do if I want to do pre-med for college but I also want to do ballet? I have never really done ballet though...
Ever since I was young I have always been interested in doing ballet but due to financial issues I never could have. I also really interested in doing pre-med but I don't think I'll be able to do ballet. What do I do?
As a senior in high school who plans to study biomedical sciences on a pre-med track, what should I be doing to prepare for medical school?
I am currently an associate in the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), where we get experience through job shadowing and volunteering.
How can gaining clincal experience during nursing school help me decide which specialty I want to pursue after graduation and what are the best ways to explore different areas of nursing while I'm still in school ?
How can gaining clincal experience during nursing school help me decide which specialty I want to pursue after graduation and what are the best ways to explore different areas of nursing while I'm still in school?
What undergrad experience was the most valuable to you as a physician?
What experience during your undergraduate education was most valuable in preparing for your career in medicine? I am a senior in high school preparing to start college next year, and I’m want to make the most of my time in undergrad. My goal is to pursue medicine, specifically surgery. What were the most meaningful things you did during this time that either prepared you for medical school or your career as a physician? And why? Thank you so much! #fall25
What are specific sacrifices that pre-med or medical students often underestimate?
Hi there! I am in 12th grade, and I'm planning to pursue medical school after earning a degree in neuroscience. I'm aware of the time, debt, and sacrifice that come with this path, but I'm trying to get a realistic and holistic understanding of what this field truly demands. Receiving honest advice and insight from an expert with real experience would be beyond valuable to my future decisions, especially now, as I begin to carve out my future.
What are skills in humanities that the those in the healthcare field may desire?
I am a senior applying to college as a pre-med student, hoping to become a doctor. I wanted to know skills in social science or humanities that are valued in the healthcare field.
What is studying neuroscience like? #Fall25
I don't want to know the basics, and I know every school is different. But how does the major differ from other science majors like biology. Especially in a pre-med viewpoint. Will it benefit me studying neuroscience instead of biology? (I do like the topic better) Also, what's the best studying tactics for neuroscience?
What can I do when whatever I do, I cannot make good enough grades in science?
Since my first semester of college, I've noticed that I am struggling with making good grades in my science based courses. Considering I am a science major, the toll that this has taken on me is grave. I have looked up and tried many study habits and methods and feel like nothing is working for me. It's frustrating putting so much effort into something that you want so bad, that nothing is working. It has gotten to the point where my advisor is asking me to consider another major. Knowing that being in medicine is truly my passion it is disheartening to hear. #Fall2025
I am wanting to go into the medical field, how long I have until I have to choose a specialty and what are some ways I can decide?
As of right now I am between orthopedics and pediatrics. But I am still not sure that it is what I want to pursue, any tips?
What is the best college route to follow to in order to pursue my goal of dental residency ? #fall25
I know I need to meet pre-reqs in order to get into either med/dent. school and the best way is through majoring in a science like Biochem. but after that is there other advice you have that is more specific that someone wouldn't just know? #fall25
Will AI (Artificial Intelligence) replace artistic professions like medical and natural illustration Or do these particular occupations depend too much on human rendering and interpretation??
I am a High-school senior who is looking to go into the field of Medical illustration, motivated by a combined love of biology and the arts. But now more than ever I keep on hearing about AI removing job opportunities for artists. I believe that medical illustration, however, relies on a certain degree of human interpretation to be meaningful. So I was wondering whether that would add any protection to the career path? #Fall25
What is the difference between what top medical school are looking for in applicants compared to other schools?
Hello! I am currently a freshman pre-med student at university. I am trying to prepare myself for medical school applications (I know it's a little early, but I want to be prepared with my extracurriculars and activities). I hoping to attend a top medical school, but I do not know exactly what type of applicant they are looking for. I am involved in my university's honors program, doing a healthcare internship in a hospital, involved in research, and participate in various clubs.
What is the best way to connect with professors outside of just attending office hours?
I am currently a pre-med college freshman. I am leading the curve in all of my classes and understand the information taught in lecture, so I feel awkward about attending office hours because I do not really need help with the information but rather just want to get to know my professors.
What is something that isn't talked about in a Biology major?
I am a 17 year old senior in high school and planning on pursuing a pre-med track majoring in Biology. I want to know whats not talked about Biology as a major. I currently take AP Biology but know its nothing compared to college Biology.
What should I do to be sure that a Physician Assistant is what I actually want to do before I continue to take classes and work towards a degree ?
I really want to be a part of the medical field and I have recently learned that physicians assistants are in a growing need. I just want to make sure that before I take out loans and spend money on a degree that this is actually what I want to do for life.
What are good low stress jobs for pre-med to get in clinical / shadowing hours?
Specifically, for either ER or Neurology
When searching for scholarships, what are some keywords or websites to look up and use to find niche scholarships or scholarships that have a low participation rate (for a higher chance of winning) ?
For reference, I am a high school senior looking for scholarships. I want to major in biology or pre-med, and I want to become an optometrist in the future. So far, I've only found one specific scholarship, which was the ACF scholarship. Usually, when I search, the scholarships have expired, or I'm not eligible.
I'm a freshman bio-med major at UCI, and I was wondering how to start a track to medical school. Specializations happen in the 2nd year, and I was wondering how would I switch to the nursing major or the pediatric major?
How and when do I apply to med-school?
When should I expect to take the MCAT & what should I study? Is it unusual to take it going into my sophomore year, and study in the summer?
I am a freshman at UCI
What habits or mindset would help me as I start college on a pre-med path?
I’m a high school senior applying to college, and I want to major in biology on the pre-med track. I know college is really different from high school and it’s a big jump, especially with this major. So I’m wondering what mindset or small habits I should have to keep myself going every day without getting drained.