The struggles of being on a Pre-Med or Pre-PA track are universally known. Rumors of no sleep, zero social life, and a difficult path to actually getting accepted into Med school run rampant among undergraduate students. It’s the sad reality of choosing a track like this one - you must always be prepared to make sacrifices that others don’t always have to make.
The first challenge is choosing a university. Which university is good for medicine? Where will you get the best bang for your buck in terms of an undergraduate education? The pressure to choose a university that adheres to the strict guidelines of Pre-Med requirements is real. It creeps up on high school seniors considering a career in medicine when they start sending out their applications, and it continues throughout the selection process. The most important thing to remember is that the best place for you needs to satisfy both in terms of your plans and your emotional wellbeing. This can be a difficult combination to seek out, but nonetheless, it’s possible. So breathe.
Next is the bigger slice of it all: your major. Should you go with a science major? You can. However, it is a known fact that as long as you take your prerequisite courses and the MCAT, it doesn’t really matter what your major is (unless, of course, it is a business major, in which case you may want to reconsider your career plans). You should never feel limited in choosing your major. If you truly enjoy Anthropology or Philosophy, consider those majors. Psychology is popular among Pre-Med and Pre-PA students as well. Anything in world languages, gender studies, or communications may also satisfy this. Never feel limited - broaden your scope and look into a variety of different focuses. The idea is to leave college well-rounded, and as an excellent candidate for consideration. Straight As and a flawless GPA won’t always save you - a large chunk of it is you as a person, because it will be you that sits in front of the interviewers for various med schools as you’re asked the simple question of why you want to be in medicine.
When it comes to actually taking the courses required for Medical school or PA school, be prepared for a struggle. This isn’t to discourage you, but it is the reality: you will get a 67% on your bio quiz, and it’s okay to cry about it. There will be times when you’re studying while everyone is going out, and that’s okay too. Don’t let the fear of missing out keep you from your studies - you have chosen a rigorous career path, and you should be aware of the challenges that come with it. College is very different than high school in that you could have gotten straight As in high school, but you will find that a strong college GPA is harder to achieve. Be prepared for a decline in your marks, but don’t go down without a fight.
On the other hand, don’t be intimidated by the rigor of your courses. The end result is ultimately your dream and your future, and it’s not an easy decision to enter the medical field. Heavy thought and consideration is required and you should not go forward with anything of the sort unless you are absolutely sure. Once you know this is what you want, the prerequisite courses are simply your road map; they are what you make of them, and the time you put in.
Clubs and activities are just as important. The goal is to build a resume that can distinguish you from someone else with grades identical to yours. Sure, you both have straight As, but if the other candidate joined chess club and studied abroad, you may have a harder time being chosen over him or her. Therefore, getting involved from the day you set foot on your campus is extremely important. Strive for leadership positions; attend co-curricular fairs; network and meet new people in a variety of clubs. However, you should never join clubs just to write it on your resume. Choose clubs that you can talk to interviewers about, ones that elicit true passion and excitement from you. If you cannot explain why you joined Model UN, then maybe it’s best that you don’t join (or put it on your resume, for that matter).
Lastly, don’t forget that you are young. You are young and you have time. Use it to your advantage, every second of it. Study breaks are encouraged; taking care of yourself mentally and physically throughout the process is pertinent. Never let your health deteriorate for the sake of getting the A. Get as much sleep as you can, and maybe skip the 8:30 classes if possible. You won’t regret it later.
