Does anyone have experience in these fields or have any advice? So far I've changed my major three times... to three very different things: 1. Music Business- my original major. I chose this because I was interested in songwriting and marketing myself. However, Music Business majors have just as much of a chance in the industry without a degree... and I felt that the egocentric attitudes of everyone else made me lose sight of the reason I fell in love with music in the first place (Basically, their music > my music, which is the attitude they gave me, making me feel like I wasn't unique) 2. Accounting- I decided to switch for a couple of reason. I was already taking the general requirements for a B.B.A., and accountants make a substantial amount of money starting off. Whereas, with a music business degree I might have made 30K a year starting off. Business has never been an interest of mine; actually, the mere thought of it makes me cringe. I suppose that business is just the direction I've been pushed towards. So... I had an "epiphany" moment today. Maybe I'm just watching too many House episodes or something, but something hit me. I decided I wanted to study medicine (or do something in that field). I would rather be helping people than sitting at a desk crunching numbers and putting money in the bank. Because, if I have to be trapped at a job for 40+ hours a week, it might as well be something I enjoy doing, right? 3. Psychology w/ emphasis in Pre-Med- I've always said that I wanted to help people, and I've always been interested in psychology. So, even if I don't end up going to medical school, at least I'll have a degree in something I enjoy doing. I want to do something meaningful with my life, and I don't feel like business is that for me. Music is somewhat meaningful, but it is sort of a self-indulgence for me... Becoming a doctor is unheard of in my family... it would be like starting over for me and taking myself outside of my comfort zone, but in a good way. Again, any advice would be sincerely appreciated!!!
Well, as far as medical school goes... how are your grades? I majored in Microbiology and Biopsychology and took all the Pre-Med courses. Also took the MCAT. I'll tell you right now that if you're interested in med school, it is insanely competitive. You're fellow applicants will probably have a head start because some of these folk start college right away determined to get into medical school. I'm not saying you can't do it. But you have to be seriously committed. And med school is no joke. Now, if you just want to help people... there are many quicker, easier routes that would allow you to do this. Med school isn't the only option. Just having a degree in psychology might not really be enough to get a worthwhile job. You'd have to get at least a Masters. Or you might want to think about getting some sort of education degree. That'd probably get you some sort of school counselor job. When you say you want to help people... what do you mean exactly? That is kind of vague. And do you have any work experience in health care? If not, you should consider volunteering at the university hospital if there is one. Or some other health care facility. But you could also go in to Public Health, Hospital Management, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy... So how exactly do you want to help people?
Good question. I'm going into my fourth semester (in the spring), and my GPA is at a 3.0 unfortunately. We have plenty of hospitals around where I live and I'm sure there are an infinite amount of volunteer opportunities (Seeing as how I'm from the "volunteer state"). I'm not exactly sure HOW I want to help people, but I know I don't want to deal with their finances. I suppose emotionally or physically (which sometimes go hand in hand) would be a good way to help people. I'm meeting with an adviser on Friday to discuss the options and requirements for med-school. I think by that time I will have better insight on what I'm getting myself into. However, I know it's a HUGE commitment with a very heavy workload. I just think that it's worth taking a chance on, because you are right when you say that most students KNOW that they are pre-med when they enter college. Maybe one of their relatives is in medicine or their parents pushed them towards it... but I don't want to believe that it's too late for me to do something that matters like this. I feel like I've been playing "catch up" all my life, for no other reason than everyone started on things earlier than I did (i.e. music, sports, dancing, etc...). And I was getting VERY GOOD at "catch up".... except then I decided there was no point in it. What's the point of life if you lose all opportunities and resources for becoming successful if you weren't involved or intellectually stimulated when you were younger? Maybe I'll have to work harder than everyone else to get myself back to a stable position, but that doesn't mean it's not feasible. Sorry... I'm ranting. Thank you for your input though, I really appreciate it.
Well, IF you go the med school route... here is your basic road map. Talk to your advisor and stay in touch with him/her! If you haven't already scheduled, start putting some pre-med courses into your next term. Some of the important course you should look into: Calculus I & II (probably already finished this?) Physics I & II General Chemistry Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry II Biochemistry Biology Cellular/Molecular Biology Genetics Human Physiology Human Anatomy Generally, you want to take them in that rough order. And don't forget the associated lab courses. But check with your advisor. You'll probably have to push it to a 5th year and stay for your spring/summer terms if you want to get all this done... and you probably don't want to take the MCAT until you've gone through at least the Physics-Biology portion of that list. Also ask your advisor about other health care fields. There are plenty of other options that don't require you to kill yourself to get in. Start looking at volunteer opportunities in heath care settings. That way, you might have a better idea of what you want to do. I'm not sure how they score the MCAT these days but if you want to be competitive for a US Med School you need to get your GPA up to at least a 3.6. There are also Caribbean medical schools... which are easier to get into but cost more. And that's another thing. If you go to an out-of-state medical school and you don't have scholarships and that sort of thing you might be looking at lots and lots of student loans, unless you or your parents have a good chunk of cash stashed away. I currently owe 230,000 without interest.
I can't help in this area, so I'll give you some general "planning for the future" advice that I've given before; 1) Of course, if you're going to be spending most of your time that isn't sleeping, in work, it makes sense to make that time count. 2) The market continually changes. The way people were taught 10 years ago is barely relevant today. Do something that invigorates you, because then you'll be able to apply it to anything. 3) But don't forget, you shouldn't aim widly. Look around. Think about what kind of responsibilities you want in your job (front line, background, research, promotion, technical, theoretical), then think about what kind of thing you'd like your job to be achieving. Then, look at the jobsites for that kind of work. You'll see what they're looking for, which will give you an aim, and you can combine that information with point number 2.
wow... that's alot of cash. I won't be able to take any sciences next semester because they don't do the 1110 courses until the fall. I go to a liberal arts school and they are supposed to have a pre-med program, but they really specialize in music. So, I am seriously thinking about switching to another school (maybe the one TKO is going to), before fall 2009. It really just depends what this program has to offer, and how much they will actually prepare me for med-school. Thank you for your insight though.... BTW, are you out of school or working, and if so do you like your job?
I'm done. I went to dental school but it is essentially the same thing as med school (as far as requirements, costs, classes) I just finished school and I'm about to start work. So far, I do like working on patients. It depends. Most of the patients I have worked on so far have been great and very pleasant. But some people are a nightmare and you go home wondering why you didn't just major in computer science... But if you get AlphaMan or LizK in here, they may be able to tell you more. I believe they have both been working in health care for years now.
Hey I'm currently in graduate school for counseling psych and work in a Psych hospital as a counselor so here are some tips: Note number one: You WILL have to go to graduate school if you want to be any of the following: counselor ( any kind individual therapy, school, etc.) psychologist medical doctor social worker The difference is time some take 2 years post grad, others 4 plus 2. Seriously consider your own emotional state and personality. Can you deal with other people's shit all day? 3. Prepare yourself for a huge financial commitment and poverty into your mid 30's. Also are you at Belmont?
Psychology with pre-med emphasis? Sounds like you're planning on a career in Psychiatry. There's good money in that.
