Dominate Premed Show: Advice When You're Changing to Premed Late

premed Feb 15, 2020

If you’re thinking about switching to premed late in the game, such as changing to premed junior or senior year, you might think you’re way behind with no chance of catching up.

Check out this video to find out how you can use your experiences to your advantage and get into medical school from right where you are.

 
  •  “For those of you guys who are switching into premed late, it doesn’t mean that you can’t overcome that disadvantage, because there are some advantages to coming from an outside perspective."
  • This episode answers a question from one of our viewers, Nadine: How do you proceed when you’re a 4th-year student changing from another major to premed?
  • First, EVERY student should strive to have the highest grades possible. Scholarships, programs, and of course, med schools, have high GPA requirements and having great grades can set you apart from the pack and keep opportunities open.
  • Next, many people think they’ve got to change their undergrad major to biology or chemistry or something related. Instead, you should see if there’s any overlap with your current major and have that work to your advantage!
  • Keeping your unique major can help you achieve one of the “D’s” of medical school: Distinct. You’ll be setting yourself apart from all the biology and chemistry majors.
  • Third, consider the overlap with medical school prerequisites, especially the main 6: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, math, and English. There’s also typically overlap with biochemistry as well.
  • Look at the classes that are recommended but not required. What’s the downside of taking them?? Try to take extra science classes and ACE them so you can show med school admissions that you can handle lots of science classes at once.
  • If you already have a career, take it slow on prerequisites. Figure out how you can allocate your time and resources to get the grades you need. Think before you move!
  • Your letters of recommendation are important, but they DON’T have to come from medical professionals! Talk to your boss, professors, or anyone else who can speak to your strong suits. You will need at least one letter from a science professor, though, so be proactive in those classes and make consistent contact with the professor.
 

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