Help :'( I'm lost on the steps I need to take to go into med school.

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2012

I don't think I understand why you're waiting to transfer to a four year university. There's no prerequisite to complete classes at a junior college before you transfer to a bigger school that will help you in your quest to get to med school. In fact, the more credits you complete, the less financial aid you will recieve. If you transfer now, you may even be able to qualify for freshman aid which is a LOT more money than aid you will get as a transfer student with more credits under your belt. Becoming a CNA or an LVN is a path that doesn't really connect up with medical school, just extra time that could be spent doing something else.

brie_1994 · Sep 25, 2012

I don't think I understand why you're waiting to transfer to a four year university. There's no prerequisite to complete classes at a junior college before you transfer to a bigger school that will help you in your quest to get to med school. In fact, the more credits you complete, the less financial aid you will recieve. If you transfer now, you may even be able to qualify for freshman aid which is a LOT more money than aid you will get as a transfer student with more credits under your belt. Becoming a CNA or an LVN is a path that doesn't really connect up with medical school, just extra time that could be spent doing something else.

I thought you had to complete a amount of credits to get in a 4 year if your in a jr college

zoe92 · Sep 25, 2012

@ brie_1994. I don't know where you live but I live in Maryland. At my community college (and four year schools in the surrounding region/states), you don't need to complete a certain amount of credits before transferring. You can trasfer whenever you want as long as you have been admitted. For nursing programs or specific health programs you may need to have pre reqs completed before starting clinicals, but you can usually complete them at a community community or 4 year school. I hope that answered your question from above?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Sep 25, 2012

I highly recommend you talk to the medical school advisor so you do not waste time or money. Best wishes!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2012

Like I said, you're confused about several things.

If you want to be premed, be premed. Nursing classes, CNA classes, and LPN/LVN classes are NOT PREMED COURSES and are a waste of time you could have been using to take classes that would count for premed. The credits you earn from them will not transfer to premed.

Many, if not most JC science courses will not transfer to premed. Many, if not most JC anything courses will not transfer to premed.

Now it's almost October so you've wasted a fair amount of time for this semester, but in the infinite scheme of things it's not so much.

You do not have to do JC before you go to university. You can transfer anytime, assuming you meet the admission requirements of any student applying there-- high school math, language, etc., etc. Shoot for January.

Again, again, again: CALL A MED SCHOOL ADVISOR AT THE UNIVERSITY AND ASK WHAT COURSES YOU SHOULD BE TAKING, and TAKE THEM. I can't see as we have anything else to offer you, and I can't make it any clearer than that.

brie_1994 · Sep 26, 2012

@ brie_1994. I don't know where you live but I live in Maryland. At my community college (and four year schools in the surrounding region/states), you don't need to complete a certain amount of credits before transferring. You can trasfer whenever you want as long as you have been admitted. For nursing programs or specific health programs you may need to have pre reqs completed before starting clinicals, but you can usually complete them at a community community or 4 year school. I hope that answered your question from above?

I completed my pre reqs I'm starting clinical tomorrow! :-D

brie_1994 · Sep 26, 2012

Like I said, you're confused about several things.
If you want to be premed, be premed. Nursing classes, CNA classes, and LPN/LVN classes are NOT PREMED COURSES and are a waste of time you could have been using to take classes that would count for premed. The credits you earn from them will not transfer to premed.
Many, if not most JC science courses will not transfer to premed. Many, if not most JC anything courses will not transfer to premed.
Now it's almost October so you've wasted a fair amount of time for this semester, but in the infinite scheme of things it's not so much.
You do not have to do JC before you go to university. You can transfer anytime, assuming you meet the admission requirements of any student applying there-- high school math, language, etc., etc. Shoot for January.
Again, again, again: CALL A MED SCHOOL ADVISOR AT THE UNIVERSITY AND ASK WHAT COURSES YOU SHOULD BE TAKING, and TAKE THEM. I can't see as we have anything else to offer you, and I can't make it any clearer than that.

You don't get it but thank you.

malamud69, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2012

I've noticed a lot of "negativity" toward your idea on this thread...this negativity seems to be prevalent in many posts concerning this idea. I often wonder if a lot of these nurses are jealous...It often seems to come out of this idea that MD and RN are so totally different..well the reality...even as a newbie I can see this...is we all have to work together and for a truly integrated medical system we need each other and so much of both positions overlap...so give us all a break with the separation rants all ready! Sorry...I digressed... I would say it depends on your situation...I can speak from experience...age may play a role as well. I am currently enrolled in a 2yr RN program w/16 months to go and also have plans to someday go to PA/Med school. I don't know your age/situation..I am 43. Do not be discouraged by the nay-sayers...this whole bit about "you are wasting your time/you wont get the required prereqs etc..." Sure there is some truth...a lot of truth... in having to take a lot of advanced Bio/Chem/Physics etc...but never believe you are wasting your time in nursing school. In my case I am getting the RN not only because I feel drawn to it and feel I will be a great nurse, but the reality is I cannot afford to just go to school! Besides how could working in the trenches with patients on a daily basis not help me in med school?! (Oh I am sure I will get some negative nancy cutting me on that...)So many of these folks touting the idea that you are wasting your time etc...do they work? Are they independently wealthy? With the average cost of med school close to $250,000! A great plan a lot "of us" have is to work as a RN etc... as we begin up the path toward med school and beyond...I have met several PA/MD's that took this route...I will say they seem to be all the better for it! Somebody early on in the thread mentioned oldpremeds.org...great site...you will find a lot of like minded people with similar if not identical plans there as well! Work as a nurse and take the additional premed entry courses...it can be done. Look around a lot of people have done it. Like I said...unless you are one of the 1% you are more than likely going to have to work as you prepare for med school...mind as well be in a profession that is as close as you can get...waiting for the fireworks...

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2012

With regards to jealousy, I went to medical school BEFORE I went to nursing school. Nice try though.

malamud69, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2012

I know the difference between a nurse and a physician I just happen to be interested in both more so in other things in the health field as well. Sense I just graduated from high school I thought this would be good. Start a CNA class and be certified by early December and have a job in that ,while then, working towards getting classes that will put me in premed classes at a 4 year. Does that sound right?

Good for you in standing up to a negative...what did they say "crusty old bat"???

malamud69, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2012

With regards to jealousy, I went to medical school BEFORE I went to nursing school. Nice try though.

Not sure if your context was close to any true context...

malamud69, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2012

With regards to jealousy, I went to medical school BEFORE I went to nursing school. Nice try though.

I am intrigued...did you become an MD???