Pre-med at Iowa state? Advice

GoSTATE71

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May 19, 2008
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I just have some questions about doing my pre-med at Iowa State.

Has anyone done Pre-med at Iowa State, i dont really know what i want to major in but something science related

Can anyone give me tips or advice if you've done your pre-med at Iowa state or are currently doing it there...Would you recommend coming to Iowa State, how are the advisors/counselors with helping you, etc.

Thanks!
 

IcSyU

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Nov 27, 2007
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Bio is a very popular way to start and Iowa State would be fine for that....
 

GrindingAway

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My family doctor did it. No idea what he majored in though.
 

ornryactor

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I know a ton of pre-med folks, including some that just graduated in the spring and are now in excellent med schools. They were/are mostly biology or chemistry majors, though there's a couple kinesiology majors. Based on my recently-graduated friends, Iowa State's biology program is fantastic preparation for medical school.
 

2020cy

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Take as much anatomy and physiology as possible. Take as many classes with pre-vet students as you can and if you do well you should be ready for med school. If not, go into business.
 

crazyclone21

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Know many successful friends who did pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry, and pre-physical therapy who just one and two years out of their professional programs at other universities are doing very well. ISU served them well and I'm sure it could serve you well also. Diddo on anatomy and physiology. Biology and many pre-vet courses would be great too. If interested in sports medicine or orthopedics you might try the department of kinesiology and do pre-pt or athletic training. I'm an athletic training alum and they have a great program with a ton of hands on experiences. When I started there in '02 they were a top 5 nationally recognized program. I have many classmates now working as athletic trainers across the country in the NFL and NCAA. Some went on to PT school, sales, and medical school as well. The possibilities are endless...enjoy your adventure at Iowa State!
 
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CyDude16

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Know many successful friends who did pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry, and pre-physical therapy who just one and two years out of their professional programs at other universities are doing very well. ISU served them well and I'm sure it could serve you well also. Diddo on anatomy and physiology. Biology and many pre-vet courses would be great too. If interested in sports medicine or orthopedics you might try the department of kinesiology and do pre-pt or athletic training. I'm an athletic training alum and they have a great program with a ton of hands on experiences. When I started there in '02 they were a top 5 nationally recognized program. I have many classmates now working as athletic trainers across the country in the NFL and NCAA. Some went on to PT school, sales, and medical school as well. The possibilities are endless...enjoy your adventure at Iowa State!

I felt like I just watched on the commercials for Iowa State...But to be the real deal you must whisper the bolded part.
 

ornryactor

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Yep, I just finished my coaching certification, and am working on athletic training certification. Even as a non-major in kinesiology, I've gotten to work with some awesome professors, and had a few cool opportunities thanks to them, as well.
 

GoSTATE71

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Well its came down to either Iowa State or Iowa and I would really really like to be at Iowa State as i've been a cyclone fan my whole life, but i didn't know a whole ton about there pre-med and the brochures didnt do a whole ton for me so i figured id ask alumni and current students, thanks alot your making my decision alot easier I cant wait to be a cyclone!
 

Ms3r4ISU

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I felt like I just watched on the commercials for Iowa State...But to be the real deal you must whisper the bolded part.

And be a recognizable famous alum!
 

CyPride

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Well its came down to either Iowa State or Iowa and I would really really like to be at Iowa State as i've been a cyclone fan my whole life, but i didn't know a whole ton about there pre-med and the brochures didnt do a whole ton for me so i figured id ask alumni and current students, thanks alot your making my decision alot easier I cant wait to be a cyclone!

Pre-med is nothing more than having to take a few select courses, most likely not related to medicine in any shape or form. Organic Chemistry, etc., etc. Pre med is a selection of course, not a major. I've known many students who have gone to medical school and not had a science major at all, but have taken the pre-medical courses to go along with their major. Doesn't matter if you do that at ISU, or Iowa, or any other school.
 

sunset

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My wife and a gaggle of her friends did pre-med at ISU. Their majors ranged from zoology (my wife) to molecular biology (I believe that was their major, they certainly all took a log of those type of classes). Some went on to med school others went to PT or Optometry. They all feel ISU prepared them well.
 

everyyard

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I just have some questions about doing my pre-med at Iowa State.

Has anyone done Pre-med at Iowa State, i dont really know what i want to major in but something science related

Can anyone give me tips or advice if you've done your pre-med at Iowa state or are currently doing it there...Would you recommend coming to Iowa State, how are the advisors/counselors with helping you, etc.

Thanks!

major in what you find interesting. if you major in bio and don't become a doctor then what are you going to do: teach?, research?, drug rep? It is obviously easier to major in chem or bio or such because a lot of the med school pre-reqs are required for these majors anyway but there is nothing to stop you from taking them and majoring in history. in fact it may make you a much more interesting candidate for med school since everyone looks pretty similar with 3.8-4.0 GPA, science major, etc. The biggest things are keep your grades up, get involved in lots of things, and make yourself interesting.
 

joefrog

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I would recommend biology. And of course ISU, and then there is nothing wrong with Iowa for med school. They still do a fantastic job.

I would also recommend a minor in Spanish. Great filler for credits, it is interesting, and would give you a chance to study abroad, which you should absolutely take. Also, it will come in very handy later in your professional life.
 

4VR4CY

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major in what you find interesting. if you major in bio and don't become a doctor then what are you going to do: teach?, research?, drug rep? It is obviously easier to major in chem or bio or such because a lot of the med school pre-reqs are required for these majors anyway but there is nothing to stop you from taking them and majoring in history. in fact it may make you a much more interesting candidate for med school since everyone looks pretty similar with 3.8-4.0 GPA, science major, etc. The biggest things are keep your grades up, get involved in lots of things, and make yourself interesting.

Unless some of the classes you need to take require a certain major and are limited for those not in that major.
 

everyyard

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Unless some of the classes you need to take require a certain major and are limited for those not in that major.

well, in LAS some require a lower level course to enter...like organic chem takes regular chem, but for med school entry purposes they are all required anyway.
 

everyyard

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also, unless you find yourself great at math don't use calculus at iowa state for your math credit...go the stats route. #1 it is much more useful in medicine. #2 calc is a major weed out course for the large engineering contingent going to ISU and most will be taking it VERY seriously and most of the calc I took had a pretty steep grading curve. nothing like shutting down your med school resume in the first semester or working your *** off the rest of your 4 years to cover up a blemish.
 

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