So you think you want to be a doctor Pre-med at MIT

So you think you want to be a doctor Pre-med at MIT Does the smell of latex make you smile? Think Greys Anatomy is the coolest show ever? Can you imagine yourself becoming a cardio-thorasic surgeon like Dr. Burke or Chief of Surgery like Dr. Webber? (do NOT, I repeat, do NOT put yourself though being pre-med if you only want to hang out with McDreamythere are plenty of Patrick Dempseys in the business world, Im sure.) A lot of MIT students enter their senior year without a clue as to what they want to do after graduation. Unfortunately, anyone who wants to go to medical school must make this decision very early on in college, probably around sophomore year. Why? Because medical schools require that applicants have taken certain classes that they feel are pre-requisites to the med school classes. If youre planning to major in chemistry or biology, most of these classes will overlap with your majors requirements. However, if you want to major in engineering, humanities, math (whatever, basically, though it makes it more difficult. Im studying Mechanical Engineering with Biomedical Engineering, for instance), then you have to make sure your schedule accommodates these classes. Heres a list of the requirements: Biology: -Introductory Biology:7.012, 7.013, or 7.014 (everyone takes this anyway, or doing well on the AP Biology test can give you credit) -A biology laboratory (there are couple to choose from, focusing in either pure bio, biological engineering, chemical engineering, or neurobiology) Chemistry: -Principles in Chemical Science: 5.111/5.112 (everyone takes this anyway, too! You also have the option of taking 3.091 (Solid-State Chemistry), though its not recommended because the 5.11-s have a more biological approach while 3.091 is more applicable to materials.) -Chemistry Lab -Organic Chemistry I -Organic Chemistry II Biochemistry: -General Biochemistry (7.05 or 5.07, depending on whether you want to focus on biology or chemistry) Physics: -1 year of physics with lab. Usually, 8.01 and 8.02 suffice. Calculus: -18.01/18.02 (which you have to take anyway) -18.03 for the Harvard-HST Program English: -2 terms of Literature or Writing subjects So those are the classes you have to take. Pretty simple. Unfortunately, Ive faced a lot of scheduling conflicts, but hopefully youll be luckier! When I told people I wanted to come to MIT, they said it wasnt a good school for premeds. In some cases, this is regrettably true. Medical schools pay a lot of attention to your GPA and MIT doesnt have grade inflation like many other universities (Ive heard Harvard is B+/A- centered.) There is pressure to get good grades, but youll get a premed advisor who will help you find med schools that are right for you. I have spoken to my friends who have been through the admissions process and they say that during their interviews, they always got the same reaction: Wow, youre from MIT? Im sure you can handle medical school. Basically, med schools use your GPA to see if youre hard-working, successful, and can handle the rigors of their program, and MIT has a reputation for preparing you well! Also, you have to take the Medical College Assessment Test (MCAT) sometime before your senior year. Its like the SATs for med school, basically, and its highly recommended that you take a prep class. Im taking the class and test this summer, since Ive finished the classes needed for the MCATs. Most MIT students Ive talked to have taken the August MCAT either after their sophomore year, so keep this in mind. Any other questions? Leave a comment or check out the Premed advising site. (Image from amazon.com) Post Tagged #Pre-Med