how strong does your undergrad have to be to predict success in med school?

[whynot101]

:doh: :doh: :doh: So i was wondering about the strength of the undergrad sciences and how they are related to building confidence and predicting your success in med school? assuming the person works and delivers their best wherever required! :shock:

i am asking this because i don't have microbiology and mlecular and i was going to apply to saba without them! but i am doubting my decision because of a friend's advise, she is in american med school in Texas. she strongly suggested that i should build as much and as strong of a science background!

should i spend may be a year or a semester extra? just in case..??? what do ya'll think???

So any of the saba students or alumni out there who can answer my question and more.. please do so! can't thankyou enough for your replies! :p

[mario345]

it helps a lot, especially in courses like biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
it can be brutal to learn these things in a matter of 2 weeks for the first time. and remember, a lot of pharmacology, pathology and immunology is dependant on having a solid understanding of these topics.

if you have been accepted already and feel that you dont know what DNA is...then just try to familiarize yourself with these basic topics...it might prevent a lot of pounding later on.

however, its nothing that you cant come over in SABA...just takes some elbow grease, a cup of coffee, and a cushion...your chair, pen and paper and hours and hours of solid reading and note taking.

good luck.

[sgMD]

it helps a lot, especially in courses like biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
it can be brutal to learn these things in a matter of 2 weeks for the first time. and remember, a lot of pharmacology, pathology and immunology is dependant on having a solid understanding of these topics.

if you have been accepted already and feel that you dont know what DNA is...then just try to familiarize yourself with these basic topics...it might prevent a lot of pounding later on.

however, its nothing that you cant come over in SABA...just takes some elbow grease, a cup of coffee, and a cushion...your chair, pen and paper and hours and hours of solid reading and note taking.

good luck.

I found the answer a bit vague... knowing DNA is highschool stuff! The question was, in my opinion, whether there is a need to have a background in pathobio/microbio/immun/anatomy/physio in undergrad in order to succeed in MD program? (of course the basics).

[RPhtoMD]

Mario345 is definately right on..having a knowledge of molecular bio, biochem and physio will definately help. If you know what a splicesome is, or what histone acetylation does then its easier to link multiple concepts accross biochem and genetics. If you know what hemoglobin is then its easier to visualize the 20 different hemoglobinopathies you will learn by heart. If you understand what GFR is then it just makes it easier to learn multiple regulatory and counter regulatory factors that effect renal function. You will learn more pathways and integration towards disease states in a semester than in multiple undergrad courses--Trust me!. In a week you will cover the equivalent of 4 weeks of undergrad or more. Its deffinately doable without a background, you will just have much less time to familiarize yourself with the concepts. As for Anatomy, unless your a PA or Chiro, dont think it will help that much. A couple of undergrad courses will in no way prepare you for the volume and type of material you will learn. Just hit the books hard from day 1 and anatomy will be fine. I wouldn't worry about patho or pharm because those courses will all be built on what you learn in earlier semesters, and you have to make it that far! But if your starting anytime soon dont worry, just enjoy your last few days of freedom!, as you will all work harder than ever before no matter what your background is. All in all its definately still doable with or without exposure, you just may have to increase your coffee or Rip-it intake.
Good Luck

[mario345]

I found the answer a bit vague... knowing DNA is highschool stuff! The question was, in my opinion, whether there is a need to have a background in pathobio/microbio/immun/anatomy/physio in undergrad in order to succeed in MD program? (of course the basics).
well your question was more vague, and obviously the answer is yes to whatever you asked.
about the DNA, well i was being sarcastic.

again, as i said having a background in advanced science courses definitely helps.

by the way, i went to the same school and same campus as you. i absolutely hated UofT for most of my degree, but as i progressed through basic sciences in saba, i realized that it was worth it. it definitely helped.

some courses i can suggest are: Virology - Dr. Mounir AbouHaidar, easy A if you work hard and WORTH the information...plus, hes a GREAT prof.
Consider molecular and cellular biology and eukaryotic biology...2nd year and 3rd year courses

you must have already taken a 3rd year phsyio course...PSL302 they used to call it when i took it?

the rest, do as you please...these courses are ridiculously tough for that level, however, they make sure that you dont get punded THAT hard when you see this material plus its clinical implications during medical school.

[tylerdurden]

RPhtoMD and mario345 could not have given you better answers. I completely agree. Remember even if you don't have any background at all in a course you can still get an A and be at the top with proper use of time, dedication, and commitment. The first few days of a class will be an intro to big concepts and those few classes will usually cover all the material you would have learned in a basic undergrad course, so if you can keep up from the start you really won't be at a disadvantage compared to others. Remember to start studying after the first day of classes and always try to study as if you have a test the next day! Good luck dude