Questions about Pre-Med

Hey there, folks. I'm thinking about going pre-med but I'm not sure what to expect. Could anyone share what the coursework is like, or how the experience has been for them? Been feeling kind of anxious about making such a big decision.

Following a pre-med track can indeed feel like a big commitment, but you're not alone and many have trodden the path you're considering. Let's break it down:

On a typical pre-med track, you'll take a set of required classes that align with the prerequisites for most medical schools. These include, but are not limited to, Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Statistics, and sometimes English or Writing.

Now, each of these courses can be quite demanding. They often have a heavy workload and can involve similar skills: memorization, lab work, and critical thinking. You'll likely spend a fair amount of time studying, attending labs, writing lab reports, and meeting with study groups. It’s pretty intense, but for students who are passionate about the medical field, it can also be rewarding!

Furthermore, it's crucial to mention that pre-med isn't a major; it's essentially a track or a roadmap. So, while fulfilling your pre-med requirements, you'll also be working towards your chosen major. This can be in a field related to medicine (like Biology or Biochemistry), or something entirely different, as long as you finish your pre-med prerequisites.

The pre-med journey can certainly be challenging, marked by intense coursework, MCAT preparation, clinical experiences, and research experiences among other things. However, many students also describe it as incredibly rewarding. You'll be continuously learning, not just about academics but also about patient care, medicinal ethics, and medical research.

It depends on your inclination towards the sciences, your coping mechanisms under stress, and your passion for medicine. Before fully committing, you could consider taking an introductory science course (like Biology or Chemistry) and see how you fare, and if you enjoy it. It might also be helpful to talk to current pre-med students or advisors at your school to gain their insights.

Remember, choosing the pre-med pathway doesn’t set your future in stone. Students often reconsider their path along the way and that’s perfectly okay. The decision is ultimately yours.