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

brie_1994 · Sep 28, 2012

Here is the best advice I can give.
Do your CNA since you already are.
Next semester take biology 101 chemistry 101 whatever math class you fall into and english.
This may sound like a tough schedule to some but it is a schedule of dedication which you need to have for the rest of your educational plan, and I'm sure you can handle it if you are made to be a doctor.
Talk to your counselor about the requirements for the 4 year of your choice during the spring so you don't take unnecessary courses.
I am in california and UC davis SOM suggests that you complete your 4 year degree and then apply to the SOM.
Your four year degree would be in biology most likely since there isn't a 'pre-med' degree
So the whole plan for med school plays out like this:
CC major biology (3 years in reality?)
university major biology
Mcat
SOM
Uc davis SOM has its requirements set out pretty simply:
One year (2 semesters)of college-level Biology
One year (2 semesters) of college-level General Chemistry (biochemistry is acceptable).
One year (2 semesters) of college-level Organic Chemistry.
One year (2 semesters) of college-level Physics.
One year (2 semesters) of college-level Math (only calculus, statistics, or computer science will be considered).
For nursing school you need
3 biology courses (not 4)
1 or 2 chemistry depending on the program
You need 1 math (stats usually)
But you don't need physics
Also some nursing programs have nutrition and psychology required
You can see they overlap about 50% so its best if you decide soon which route to take.

Thanks so much and question do you think it would be better to take general Ed at a jr college first

loriangel14, RN · Sep 28, 2012

But I'm saying I'm in a junior college right now n after 2 yrs I transferso I'm using these 2 yrs to b a CNA or upgrade to lvn

You just said so in this post.

PCroizier · Sep 28, 2012

I think it would be best to do as much as you can at the jc and then transfer. I did all my ge and prereqs for nursing at a cc and now am at a 4 year. I think the costs worked out better.

strawberryluv, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2012

Why are you posting this here? Just WHY, go to a doctor forum and ask this silly question.

Stephalump · Sep 28, 2012

Why are you posting this here? Just WHY, go to a doctor forum and ask this silly question.

She'd be eaten alive.

tokebi · Sep 28, 2012

Brie, if you're certain you want to go to a med school, you really don't have time to entertain LVN programs or EMT classes or whatever. I don't know where you are at academically right now, but as PCroizier laid it out for you, there are lots of courses you must complete. Start working on those bio, chem, and math courses. You must do at least calculus, since you will have to take physics with lab. As for chem, most people start from introductory chem (unless they did a lot of course work in high school in chem) and then do two semesters of general chem, which then allows you do move onto two semesters of org chem, which then allows you to take biochem. You can certainly do these at a JC, or just transfer to a 4-year as pre-med. I have to warn you though, when you transfer from JC to 4-year, the new learning curve is steep when you transfer as a science major, and your GPA might take a dive.

Med school these days are friendly towards applicants with non-science majors but you still have to do well on those "pre-med" courses because MCAT will require good knowledge in those. Experience as LVN, RN, EMT? Not that I've heard. In order to be a competitive applicant for 1st tier med schools? Be the top student in those science classes, top GPA, top scores on MCAT.

The best advice is to go to your school counselor.

Crazed · Sep 28, 2012

I am sure i know what I am getting into i just would love some accurate help on how to get there. So do you recommend not getting into the nursing program and to take those classes instead (biology etc.) so when I transfer to a 4 year il be on track?

If you did then you'd know that med school is far more likely to take you if your undergrad is in Philosophy (with high MCAT scores, and all additional courses) than if you have a BSN. Med school admission also has a lot to do with networking, and who you know. You must also be prepared to move because you may not be able to gain admission to a school in your area. Med schools want candidates with diverse backgrounds. It is not enough anymore for a candidate to be well versed in science.

In short you need to be talking to the adviser who is working for the school you want to transfer into. They may not take a community college math or science course for transfer.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2012

I know what I'm getting into honestly. I personally do not think I am waisting time I had clinical today actual and also my instructors teach what RNs would do. I know what medicine is and i know my goal is expensive. I've been in the health academy and learning from my own personal doctor and asking questions.

You are so young....just graduate high school. Any education is always a good thing! It is sooo exciting to be starting off on a new journey.

Nursing is really not the path to medical school. But you can go to nursing school then go to medical school. We are nurses. We are not collage academic counselors/advisers. They are the ones who can truly answer your questions.

Some excellent suggestions have been given to you about how to best achieve your path. Whether or not you choose to take the information........ is totally up to you.

There is not any further information we can give you and in six pages you have a plethora of information to explore.

Congratulations of your beginings of clinical...I'm glad you are excited. Thread closed.