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How hard is pre med?
on a scale of 1-10 rate how hard pre med is
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Michel’s Answer
I don’t think a scale is perfect it really depends. MD is harder than DO to get into originally but the schooling for MD and DO are very comparable since they both need to pass step exams. The process is hard for me it was a 8-10. There were a lot of aspects and I came from a family whose highest education was a high school degree at the time. No one in my family knew how hard it was going to be to get in. I had tons of nights where i doubted myself and didn’t know if I was even doing the right thing to get in. I made it to university and I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. If you are passionate and know why you are doing it it is very possible though which is why I gave it an 8-10 and not a 10-10.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Amaia,
Pre-med, the academic track taken by students aspiring to attend medical school, is widely regarded as challenging due to its rigorous coursework and competitive nature. On a scale of 1-10, the difficulty level of pre-med can vary depending on individual strengths, study habits, and time management skills. However, it is commonly rated around an 8 or 9 in terms of difficulty.
The following factors contribute to the perceived difficulty of pre-med:
Academic Rigor: Pre-med coursework typically includes challenging science classes such as biology, chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry. These courses often have heavy workloads and require a deep understanding of complex concepts.
Competitive Admissions: Getting into medical school is highly competitive, with a limited number of spots available each year. This pressure can add to the stress and difficulty of the pre-med journey.
Time Commitment: Pre-med students are expected to dedicate significant time to studying, attending classes, participating in extracurricular activities, and preparing for standardized tests like the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
Clinical Experience: Many pre-med programs require students to gain hands-on clinical experience through internships or volunteering at healthcare facilities. Balancing this experience with academic demands can be challenging.
Research Opportunities: Engaging in research projects is often encouraged for pre-med students to enhance their understanding of scientific inquiry. Research commitments can add another layer of complexity to an already demanding schedule.
Emotional Toll: The pressure to excel academically while maintaining a well-rounded profile for medical school applications can take a toll on students’ mental health and well-being.
In conclusion, while pre-med is undoubtedly challenging, it is also a rewarding path for those passionate about pursuing a career in medicine. Success in pre-med requires dedication, resilience, effective time management, and a genuine interest in the field of healthcare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC provides valuable insights into medical education trends, admission requirements for medical schools, and resources for pre-med students.
Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free online resources covering various topics relevant to pre-med coursework such as biology, chemistry, physics, and MCAT preparation.
Harvard Medical School: Harvard Medical School’s website contains information on their pre-med program requirements and insights into the academic rigor expected at top-tier medical schools.
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate and reliable information on the challenges associated with pursuing a pre-medical education.
GOD BLESS YOU,
JAMES CONSTANTINE.
Pre-med, the academic track taken by students aspiring to attend medical school, is widely regarded as challenging due to its rigorous coursework and competitive nature. On a scale of 1-10, the difficulty level of pre-med can vary depending on individual strengths, study habits, and time management skills. However, it is commonly rated around an 8 or 9 in terms of difficulty.
The following factors contribute to the perceived difficulty of pre-med:
Academic Rigor: Pre-med coursework typically includes challenging science classes such as biology, chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry. These courses often have heavy workloads and require a deep understanding of complex concepts.
Competitive Admissions: Getting into medical school is highly competitive, with a limited number of spots available each year. This pressure can add to the stress and difficulty of the pre-med journey.
Time Commitment: Pre-med students are expected to dedicate significant time to studying, attending classes, participating in extracurricular activities, and preparing for standardized tests like the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
Clinical Experience: Many pre-med programs require students to gain hands-on clinical experience through internships or volunteering at healthcare facilities. Balancing this experience with academic demands can be challenging.
Research Opportunities: Engaging in research projects is often encouraged for pre-med students to enhance their understanding of scientific inquiry. Research commitments can add another layer of complexity to an already demanding schedule.
Emotional Toll: The pressure to excel academically while maintaining a well-rounded profile for medical school applications can take a toll on students’ mental health and well-being.
In conclusion, while pre-med is undoubtedly challenging, it is also a rewarding path for those passionate about pursuing a career in medicine. Success in pre-med requires dedication, resilience, effective time management, and a genuine interest in the field of healthcare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC provides valuable insights into medical education trends, admission requirements for medical schools, and resources for pre-med students.
Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free online resources covering various topics relevant to pre-med coursework such as biology, chemistry, physics, and MCAT preparation.
Harvard Medical School: Harvard Medical School’s website contains information on their pre-med program requirements and insights into the academic rigor expected at top-tier medical schools.
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate and reliable information on the challenges associated with pursuing a pre-medical education.
GOD BLESS YOU,
JAMES CONSTANTINE.
Updated
Joel’s Answer
Greetings!
When I first embarked on my undergraduate journey, I identified as a "pre-med" student. I chose Integrative Biology as my major, believing it to be the perfect stepping stone towards my future. However, as the years rolled by, I found myself dissatisfied with the path I had chosen. I realized I was following a course charted by others' expectations rather than my own desires.
In response, I shifted my academic focus and added Ethnic Studies as a second major. This decision was driven by my personal interests and passions. After graduation, I continued to identify as pre-med and sought out experiences in hospitals and clinics, working alongside seasoned doctors and surgeons. This hands-on exposure gave me a real sense of what being a physician truly entails. And to my surprise, I discovered it wasn't the path for me.
Today, I find myself on a new journey, pursuing a Master's in Public Health. I've never been happier or more content with my career choices.
In conclusion, I urge you to follow your heart and choose a career that brings you joy and fulfillment. Remember, it's your path to carve, so make sure it leads to a destination you truly desire.
When I first embarked on my undergraduate journey, I identified as a "pre-med" student. I chose Integrative Biology as my major, believing it to be the perfect stepping stone towards my future. However, as the years rolled by, I found myself dissatisfied with the path I had chosen. I realized I was following a course charted by others' expectations rather than my own desires.
In response, I shifted my academic focus and added Ethnic Studies as a second major. This decision was driven by my personal interests and passions. After graduation, I continued to identify as pre-med and sought out experiences in hospitals and clinics, working alongside seasoned doctors and surgeons. This hands-on exposure gave me a real sense of what being a physician truly entails. And to my surprise, I discovered it wasn't the path for me.
Today, I find myself on a new journey, pursuing a Master's in Public Health. I've never been happier or more content with my career choices.
In conclusion, I urge you to follow your heart and choose a career that brings you joy and fulfillment. Remember, it's your path to carve, so make sure it leads to a destination you truly desire.
Updated
Audrey’s Answer
Hi Amaia,
Unfortunately, I don't think anyone can give you a satisfying or accurate answer to your question because everyone has different experiences with school and pre-med, so no two people will have the same answer. For example, Michel said he rated it an 8/10. For me, and my experience, I would say maybe a 5 or 6. But despite both being medical students, we went to different schools, had different experiences, different levels of support, etc. So, of course, our experiences being so different, we'll have different perspectives on the difficulty of doing the pre-med path. That's why I don't believe that difficulty, or perceived difficulty, is a good reason to pursue or not pursue a certain career path. I love science and medicine, so pursuing it was probably much easier for me than if I went down the path of, say, a music degree.
"How Hard is Pre-Med?" is not a good question to ask if you're trying to decide whether or not to pursue a medical career. You need to ask yourself questions like "Why do I want to pursue medicine?" or "Am I passionate about this?" or "Do I think I could be satisfied with a different career?" I can't imagine myself doing any other path besides medicine, which makes it easier to succeed because I'm very determined, and I don't doubt if this is the right role for me or if I can be successful in it. Find something to justify that similar determination in yourself, and if you can't find that determination within medicine, then find something that makes you feel passionate and motivated. Ultimately, that will probably help you have a more satisfying and successful career and life in the long run.
I hope this helps!
Unfortunately, I don't think anyone can give you a satisfying or accurate answer to your question because everyone has different experiences with school and pre-med, so no two people will have the same answer. For example, Michel said he rated it an 8/10. For me, and my experience, I would say maybe a 5 or 6. But despite both being medical students, we went to different schools, had different experiences, different levels of support, etc. So, of course, our experiences being so different, we'll have different perspectives on the difficulty of doing the pre-med path. That's why I don't believe that difficulty, or perceived difficulty, is a good reason to pursue or not pursue a certain career path. I love science and medicine, so pursuing it was probably much easier for me than if I went down the path of, say, a music degree.
"How Hard is Pre-Med?" is not a good question to ask if you're trying to decide whether or not to pursue a medical career. You need to ask yourself questions like "Why do I want to pursue medicine?" or "Am I passionate about this?" or "Do I think I could be satisfied with a different career?" I can't imagine myself doing any other path besides medicine, which makes it easier to succeed because I'm very determined, and I don't doubt if this is the right role for me or if I can be successful in it. Find something to justify that similar determination in yourself, and if you can't find that determination within medicine, then find something that makes you feel passionate and motivated. Ultimately, that will probably help you have a more satisfying and successful career and life in the long run.
I hope this helps!
Updated
Midwest’s Answer
It is extremely variable how hard pre-med can be depending on the coursework pursued and the place where you pursue it. Even within a given school, there may be a range of difficulty from the bare minimum pre-med requisites to the version of each class designated for science majors such as chemistry, biology, etc. Traditionally, some courses may serve to "weed out" students who are considering pre-med, such as organic chemistry, which can be challenging depending on one's background and studying techniques.
An extremely important principle for preparing for medical school is that you must achieve academic excellence in order to be competitive in the application process. If you find yourself able to choose between excelling in pre-medical classes which may be deemed as "easier" than classes designed for hard science majors versus taking a more challenging class but potentially getting a B rather than an A, you should choose the class where you will be more likely to get an A. Although for the sake of learning and personal growth you should certainly pursue what interests you the most and what will be challenging for you, the bottom line is that medical schools will receive hundreds to thousands of applications and will use whatever quantitative measures they do have to filter out applicants to arrive at a smaller group.
I am not sure a number between 1 and 10 can be assigned to how hard pre-med is, because it really depends on the institution and it depends on the scale in terms of which majors are 1 and which are 10. Another key point to remember is that you can apply and matriculate to medical school after being any college major that 1) interests you 2) you will excel at and 3) you are passionate about. You do not need to feel confined to any specific premed or science major, although you do need to make sure you take the necessary prerequisite courses to be able to apply to medical school.
Hope that is helpful!
Reflect on your goals and interests
Choose a major that aligns with your passions
Make sure you take each requisite premed course either within your coursework or in addition to it
An extremely important principle for preparing for medical school is that you must achieve academic excellence in order to be competitive in the application process. If you find yourself able to choose between excelling in pre-medical classes which may be deemed as "easier" than classes designed for hard science majors versus taking a more challenging class but potentially getting a B rather than an A, you should choose the class where you will be more likely to get an A. Although for the sake of learning and personal growth you should certainly pursue what interests you the most and what will be challenging for you, the bottom line is that medical schools will receive hundreds to thousands of applications and will use whatever quantitative measures they do have to filter out applicants to arrive at a smaller group.
I am not sure a number between 1 and 10 can be assigned to how hard pre-med is, because it really depends on the institution and it depends on the scale in terms of which majors are 1 and which are 10. Another key point to remember is that you can apply and matriculate to medical school after being any college major that 1) interests you 2) you will excel at and 3) you are passionate about. You do not need to feel confined to any specific premed or science major, although you do need to make sure you take the necessary prerequisite courses to be able to apply to medical school.
Hope that is helpful!
Midwest recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Kara’s Answer
Medical school and being a doctor are very honorable goals. Competition to get in is steep.
1) Get great grades. Do whatever you need to do to do well in high school.
-check with your guidance counselor about shadowing opportunities. Expose yourself to everything.
- volunteer in the hospital
- get a job in a lab
- get any job at a dr’s office
- EMT course
- the more interest you show and work you do related to medicine the better.
- they want serious students who will be successful
2) select a college that has a great premed program. Your courses will be selected for you for the most part so you get them all in to apply for med school.
Focus on your studies.
If medical school is too much or not a good fit. Look into nursing programs which can be very challenging and can be taken to the PhD level.
Physician Assistant programs are very popular now.
Working in a lab setting, or as a technologist : ultra sound, X-ray, physical therapist, speech therapist, respiratory therapist are all great careers.
Best of luck!
1) Get great grades. Do whatever you need to do to do well in high school.
-check with your guidance counselor about shadowing opportunities. Expose yourself to everything.
- volunteer in the hospital
- get a job in a lab
- get any job at a dr’s office
- EMT course
- the more interest you show and work you do related to medicine the better.
- they want serious students who will be successful
2) select a college that has a great premed program. Your courses will be selected for you for the most part so you get them all in to apply for med school.
Focus on your studies.
If medical school is too much or not a good fit. Look into nursing programs which can be very challenging and can be taken to the PhD level.
Physician Assistant programs are very popular now.
Working in a lab setting, or as a technologist : ultra sound, X-ray, physical therapist, speech therapist, respiratory therapist are all great careers.
Best of luck!