Career questions tagged pre-med
Pre-Med is a term used for undergraduate college students who are on track to go to medical school. Popular medical doctor careers include a pediatrician, surgeon, and anesthesiologist. Please read below to find out more. Read more Show less

Are these sufficient enough classes for my career interests?
How is everyone? Hello, Y'all I have a question. I am an aspiring doctor who is a freshman in high school. My current High School course plan includes these classes I have a choice in taking (not English): 10th Grade (Algebra 2 A, Chemistry A, Government+Economics H, Marketing A, IB Physics A). Junior year consists of these (IB Pre-Calculus A, IB History of the Americas H, IB/AP Biology Year 1, IB Business Management, AP Chemistry H, and Health Care Technologies 1 A). Lastly, my Senior year consists of (IB/AP Calculus A, IB 20th Century Topics, IB/AP Biology Year 2, IB/AP Advanced Physics 2 H, and Human Body Systems A) Are these solid enough classes if I do well to get into my dream schools? The University of Michigan and the University of Florida? I plan on taking all the available exams to attempt college credit. Thank you to everyone who helps and responds!

Would you recommend having niche careers over standardized ones, such as pre-med and com sci?
I heard a lot of people recently hate on pre-med and how it's not worth the extra years and debt. I am not considering medical careers, but I am interested in what they think of people with more uncommon careers that don't necessarily need college degrees.

Have you ever struggled to give the best care due to a lack of resources as a cardiologist If yes, what happened??
Please tell me in detail, and what you did to overcome it?

How can I find remote internships for pre-med as a junior?
I am a 11th grader and I am struggling to find summer opportunities that are free and look valuable on my resume. As college applications approach, I feel the need to strengthen my resume.

How forgiving are colleges about grades? Do they care about who I am beyond my GPA?
Hello all, I am a sophomore in high school! And how has your day been? I'd like to ask, do colleges care who you are beyond your GPA/resume? Last year, I averaged a 3.5 GPA first semester and a 3.8 GPA second semester. I'm taking half of the APs my friends are, and not taking any AP science courses that colleges like. Only AP Pysch. Last summer, I slipped in heavy (actual, prescribed medication-wise) depression and made measly grades first semester of this year. I'm taking classes I enjoy next year (General Psych and Anatomy Honors), but I won't be taking any APs I can't handle. I really, really, really! want to be a psychiatrist due to my own specific struggles, and I know the prereqs will be extremely difficult... But I'm wondering-do colleges care about who I am, and my story? Will I have a chance to explain my grades is the better question. Or will they just see another discardable applicant?

To become an anesthesiologist, will it take more or less than 12 years?
I was wondering about this certain thing because after doing some research it says that it would take around 12 years. Does this mean that I am able to finish all of my college in less than 12 years or will it take me more?

Will college be a struggle for me or easy going in the health department?
I'm planning on going into the health department as an anesthesiologist. For school activities would probably go and do mens volleyball.

What internships are in the Chicago area or does anybody know other ways to get involved?
I am a high school sophomore in the Chicago land area and I would like to be a trauma or cardiothoracic surgeon.

Dr. H, I know you're a doctor (or perhaps pursuing that field), and I was curious—why do you incorporate humor in your conversations Isn’t the medical profession typically seen as one that requires a more serious, respectful tone, where humor might not always seem appropriate? ?
I’m just curious because I really enjoy the humor you bring to your conversations. I was wondering, though, if it’s always appropriate to use humor in a professional setting, especially in the medical field?

How exactly do I be a dentist?
I have been thinking about becoming a dentist, but I have like no idea how college really works. I was thinking of going to sac state or sac city college by majoring in biology or biological sciences, and then transferring to UC Davis after 2 years. What should my schedule be like to be on the right track? Is there extra steps I need to do?

What do I need to know to go into the medical field (Dermatology)?
Hi! I am currently a high-school sophomore and would like to pursue a career in medicine, more specifically becoming a dermatologist. I know its a very competitive field and was wondering what high-school classes I should take and what I should be ready for on my path to college and med-school. Thank you!

Prerequisite Classes at a Community College?
Hi everyone, I'm a college student studying on a pre-med track, and I'm planning to take math (calculus) and physics classes at a community college to help reduce the cost of my education. However, I've heard that taking prerequisites like these at a community college might hurt my chances of getting into medical school. I want to save on tuition, but I'm a little scared that this might impact my medical school application. Has anyone had experience with this or can offer advice? Thanks in advance!

What's a rough draft of my next years in education if I want to be a dermatologist and what should I know?
I'm currently a freshman in community college and just switched my major to Biology to pursue dermatology. I want to transfer to UCLA after community college, but there isn't much info on what my career pathway would look like in dermatology starting off at community college.

What is the pathway for a doctor?
What majors can I take for pre-med? How many years does medical school and residency take?

How do you know if you would be a good surgeon ?
I’m a very good hands on learner and have a deep interest in anatomy and other subjects but struggled when it comes to math and some sciences does that mean I would get bad grades for pre med and med school or should I go for med school?

How to Strengthen My Med School Application Beyond Grades?
Hi everyone, I’m looking for ways to make my medical school application stand out beyond just grades. I love helping my community and want to find opportunities that give me both medical experience and a chance to give back. I’ve been thinking about reaching out to medical non-profits for volunteer work, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea or how impactful it would be.Does anyone have suggestions for finding research opportunities, internships, or other experiences that med schools value? Thanks in advance for your advice!

Was becoming a cardiovascular surgeon worth it? Was going through all the schooling and residency worth it? ?
I'm a high school sophomore doing career research and I'm thinking about becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. I've always been interested in healthcare and becoming a surgeon so I'd love some input.

If you could go back in time and know what you know now about your job, would you still choose to be a cardiovascular surgeon?
I'm a high school sophomore doing career research and I'm thinking about becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. I've always been interested in healthcare and becoming a surgeon so I'd love some input.

What motivated you to be a cardiovascular surgeon ?
I'm a high school sophomore doing career research and I'm thinking about becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. I've always been interested in healthcare and becoming a surgeon so I'd love some input.

What is your favorite and least favorite part about your job as a cardiovascular surgeon?
I'm a high school sophomore doing career research and I'm thinking about becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. I've always been interested in healthcare and becoming a surgeon so I'd love some input.

Affordable Online Certifications for Pre-Med Students?
Hey, does anyone know good certifications for pre-med students that I can do online? I’m looking for something practical, like in healthcare, research, or patient care, and ideally at a reduced cost. Also, how do I get started with them online? Any tips or recommendations would be awesome thanks!

can you work throughout OTA or PTA schooling?
I don't like math and want to be an OTA or a PTA, would this be an issue? I also would like to know if I can work or if it is a very intense program. Please tell me what the difference of a OTA and PTA is. I would prefer to work with kids and helping help out.

A struggling 16 yr old!(pre-med,MBA,Business, fashion)
Hi, I’m currently a 16 year old who recently got homeschooled and in my junior year of high school. I’m on a journey on rediscovering myself of what I’m capable of doing( I’m trying to learn what I’m good at and I’m not and who I am). I used to run my own candy business and it was fun interacting with people and getting their feedback on my candy so it got me thinking for quite some time that I love knowing what I do makes people happy and makes their day a bit better with a snack so I was wondering if something in the medical field or maybe fashion because I like the way fashion is and the way it hold confidence over me maybe can be an option because I don’t want to work where I will be behind a computer while working a 9-5 job. I like helping people, marketing objects, social media, being my own boss, making discoveries. Things to know about me: -I get bored to easily if it’s a repeating cycle of the same day -I like to travel -my family plays a big role - I like to challenge myself - I have an ENTP personality -I want to make an impact on people’s life's - I want to make my make name known in the world and leave history behind

How can I contact professionals to shadow/interview?
I'm a 2nd year bio student and I'm still trying to figure out what I want to pursue. I've been thinking about becoming a physician assistant or medical social worker, but I want to learn more about it before deciding. I volunteer at the hospital rn, but I don't get to interact w any professionals (just the hospitality personnel) I'm not sure how to reach out or who to ask to learn more about their experiences #fall2024

How would I write a research paper, or involve myself in medical research?
I am a sophomore in high school in Wayne, NJ. I would like to write a research paper, work on a medical project, or work with a professional in the medical field and create a project. Where can I start, and what is the process?

I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine specifically cardiology. What passion project should I do ?
I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine specifically cardiology. What passion project should I do ? I am in my 8th grade.

Should I be an OBGYN or a midwife?
I really want to be an OBGYN or midwife, but I don't know which one is more suited to what I want to work as. I am really caring and want to deliver babies and take care of the patients but I am also really interested in helping plan the delivery and checking up on the patient. Which would be better for me and how can I see the difference?

What is the difference between Thoracic and Vascular Surgery in relation to Cardiology??
I would like to be a cardiac surgeon and through my research, I have learnt about both cardiothoracic surgery as well as cardiovascular surgery but I can't find a clear distinction between the two,especially the differences and similarities .

What major is best for pre-med?
I am a senior in high school and I am not really sure what to major in. I am interested in Political Science and English Lit but I have heard that you need a science heavy background in order to get into medical school. I am really confused as to what to do? Any advice will be greatly appreciated