Hi K! I had a couple questions:
1. How do I get a letter of rec? A lot of programs ask for one from my professors but I don't think they know me that well. I have no idea where to start because office hours are always jam-packed.
2. Since you're premed, have you taken classes that medical schools require such as psychology, etc? I have no idea what classes I'm supposed to take other than the basic science courses.
Thanks so much!
1. How do I get a letter of rec? A lot of programs ask for one from my professors but I don't think they know me that well. I have no idea where to start because office hours are always jam-packed.
2. Since you're premed, have you taken classes that medical schools require such as psychology, etc? I have no idea what classes I'm supposed to take other than the basic science courses.
Thanks so much!
Dear Anonymous,
1. Truth be told, I'm not sure myself. For lower div classes, I think the best way to get a letter of rec would be through your GSI. Then your GSI can guide the professor on how to write the letter. That's how it is with Bio 1A/1B I believe.. It should be better once you start upper divs since the classes are so much smaller and you can actually get to know your professors :)
2. Do you mean "not required"- psychology is not a required class for med school :) But yes, I have taken classes that are not required for medical school. If you're L&S you're required to take 7 breadth classes and those are not part of the required medical school classes. I've taken a whole range of classes, from psychology to Asian American studies and anthropology. My humanity classes were fantastic and I learned a lot from them. As far as which classes to take, look at the L&S website for the required breadth classes and pick from there. A great thing about breadth classes is that you can take any that interests you while not being restricted to only science-based courses for (in this case) medical school! Take advantage of them! :)
Have a great semester!
-K
Hi K!
ReplyDeleteI've been going through your blog, which is amazing by the way. It's so great of you to take the time to answer questions and give insight in the life at Berkeley. =D
To reciprocate your generosity I wanted to let you know of this book that could be helpful to all the premeds including yourself, because you are still also an undergrad student and must still have alot of questions as to what med school actually is.
The book is called "Med School Confidential, A Complete Guide to the Medical School Experience: By students, for Students" (Bissell DM M.D., Miller RH)
It's pretty much what it says, a guide. It has everything.
It helps with deciding whether or not to be premed as an undergrad, and for the late-comers as a postbac (because there are people who decide to premed after college; I didn't know that but now it seems obvious haha).
It gives some info on the MCAT, med school apps process, choosing a med school, how to handle acceptance/rejection, things to do before going to med school (once accepted), funding for med school, preclinical years, med school courses, actual clinical years, problems in the ward, clinical rotations, applying for residence... it goes on and on... just like the life of a med student haha.
It even has a section where it gives advice for spouses, partners, families, and significant others of med students so that should be helpful.
I haven't read the whole book since I'm just an undergrad sophomore here but the pages I've read were really helpful and helped me get a better sense as to what the career path actually entails.
If you've heard bad things about the book then feel free to bash on it. Haha =D
Thanks and your blog is much appreciated,
Jaclyn