2 answers
Malia
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
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What's some things that I might struggle with doing sports and academics at the college level
I am wanting to go into sports medicine, and I love playing basketball. #medicine
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2 answers
Leslie Aguilar
Pre-medical Student at the University of Southern California
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Leslie’s Answer
Being a student-athlete is definitely challenging. Managing time is the number 1 struggle of almost all pre-med athletes but it is DOABLE. You just need to make sure to prioritize what's important to you and not slack/fall behind on schoolwork.
Another difficulty I had was handling the constant traveling we had to do for basketball while still staying on top of schoolwork.
Another difficulty I had was handling the constant traveling we had to do for basketball while still staying on top of schoolwork.
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1321
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Becoming a doctor takes years of hard work and dedication to school, but the effort is definitely worth it. The short answer to your question is lack of time. Playing sports at the college level usually takes quite a time commitment, and so does getting a degree while fulfilling medical school requirements.
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a major that interests you so you don't mind devoting a majority of your hours to studying. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
Try to find opportunities to pursue research.
Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT.
Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a major that interests you so you don't mind devoting a majority of your hours to studying. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
Try to find opportunities to pursue research.
Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT.
Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.