1st year of college done!!

[premed101]

Hi Everyone,

I know I have a long way to go, but I wanted some advice regarding this epic journey to med school. I finished my first year at Brandeis University with following courses and grades:

Fall 2006:
Chem I: A
Chem I lab: A
Calc I: A
Writing Course (required): B+

Spring 2007:
Chem II: A-
Chem II lab: A
Calc II: A-
Writing Course (required): B+
Statistics - Econ: A-

I am really pleased with my grades. The slight decline from first semester to second semester is due to work overload. On top of these classes, I completed 20 hours of EMT training during the entire semester. My extra extracurriculars are:

1. Took year off after high school - worked at a real estate firm as marketing assistant
2. Merit Scholarship - Brandeis Sponsored
3. Member of a Fraternity - Academic Chair (Should I mention this? How do med schools feel about fraternities?)
4. Worked at Biology Lab first semester - couldn't work second semester because of EMT training
5. EMT and CPR certified - I will begin to work on campus starting next semester.
6. Summer Research - Medical Oncology department at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA

Now that you have the background, I have a couple of questions:

1. How do med school look at my involvement with a fraternity? We drink and party, but we are very serious about our academics and philanthropy. And, I hold one of the more responsible positions.

2. Any suggestions for the future? What can I do? How am I doing as a med school applicant?

3. One of the things lacking in my current credentials is patient contact. I have the EMT position on campus next year. What else should I do to get more hospital involvement?

4. I will be really busy with Bio/Orgo next year. How do you guys suggest I tackle these courses? Any advice?

5. I am an Econ major at Brandeis. I love Economics, and I decided to take it because I might never get the opportunity to take it later. However, should I still pursue a science major (like bio) to prepare me for MCAT and med school?

Thats all for now. Thank you all in advance for your input.

[ericismyname]

1. I don't know personally.
2. You are doing better off than the majority of the pre-med canidates on these boards.
3. Volunteer at a hospital. Use that as a gateway to meet a physician. Set up some job shadows, get a shining LOR.
4.Haven't taken organic yet, Biology is usually in big stadium seating classrooms and covers basic/beginning advanced topics. It should be an easy class for you.
5. Some people say that non science majors have a tough time compared to the science majors in the beginning of medical school. But statistically speaking to be a science major would be a poor choice when trien to be a competetive canidate. Non-science majors make up the majority of the majors in most US schools and generally have higher GPAs because their major is easier. I think I saw somewhere that 50% of med school students were English majors and that only 33% were Bio majors. There will be a strong sense of support on choosing a degree other than science and still doing the pre reqs. Some students do a undergrad of something easier then go to grad school or post bach education programs and complete their science. Either way is fun, academic advisors generally would advise against semesters filled with only science classes though. :cool:

[jameslynton]

Most of the pre-meds come here with D's, C's and B's and want us to make it better. We can't - if you mess it up the first time. The lessor islands schools are where you are going to wind up.

You however are doing "so fine". I suggest you spend time on the the student doctor network site and start picking a better US medical school. General US news and World report evaluates the top 50 US medical schools both from a research point of view or a practice point of view. Also begin your prep for the MCAT. Even with good grades lots of practice is required for this test.

[BEN52]

Use your EMT card. Not only can you make money, but it will be a great learning experience. You will see the "system" in action. As a medic, I have met a lot of docs with a lot of advice to give..