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Why (in USA) there is a pre-med, while there is no a pre- for other professions? What is so special about medicine that it requires a pre-education while other professions don't require it?
(1) There are undergrad programs in pre-law, as well as pre-med.Demystifier said:Why (in USA) there is a pre-med, while there is no a pre- for other professions? What is so special about medicine that it requires a pre-education while other professions don't require it?
May be a way to be sure that critical thinkers go into the study of Law.russ_watters said:A concise "why" is that medicine requires a strong background in general sciences before starting the medicine specific training.
The "why" for law makes less sense to me and I suspect it is partly to create a barrier to entry...
Are you referring to a "pre-law" program? Law differs from medicine in that there are no actual coursework prerequisites for a law degree. A "pre-law" degree or track might be a "nice to have", but for medicine it is a requirement. That's why I think adding a year for the general ed classes every college student takes and calling law a BA would make sense.symbolipoint said:May be a way to be sure that critical thinkers go into the study of Law.
Demystifier said:Why (in USA) there is a pre-med, while there is no a pre- for other professions? What is so special about medicine that it requires a pre-education while other professions don't require it?
The small undergraduate college where I taught for many years has a Health Sciences Advisory Committee that advises students which classes they need to take in order to apply to med school, and writes letters of recommendation for them. I served as the physics department representative for a while, and wrote some of those letters, based on input from the rest of the committee, and from physics professors (including me, of course) who had had those students in their classes.ZapperZ said:Medical schools in the US have a minimum set of requirements for admission, and one can have any major one wants as long as one fulfill those requirements (including 1 year of physics).
I think an important distinction is the following. If you have a BS or MS in physics, you can be a practicing physicist; a PhD s not needed. Similarly, if you have a BS or MS in engineering, you can be a practicing engineer [in some instances, additional qualifications are needed to practice as a licensed engineer, but not all engineers need to be licensed]; a PhD is not needed. But to be a practicing physician, you need a doctorate's degree (MD or other); and to be a practicing attorney, you need a doctorate's degree (JD).russ_watters said:Are you referring to a "pre-law" program? Law differs from medicine in that there are no actual coursework prerequisites for a law degree. A "pre-law" degree or track might be a "nice to have", but for medicine it is a requirement. That's why I think adding a year for the general ed classes every college student takes and calling law a BA would make sense.
A pre-law undergrad program is hardly a barrier for entry to law school. Quite the opposite; see, e.g., https://lawschooli.com/best-majors-for-law-school/russ_watters said:The "why" for law makes less sense to me and I suspect it is partly to create a barrier to entry...
I meant the undergrad degree is a barrier to entry to the profession by requiring more schooling that serves no purpose toward the profession (core courses in an unrelated undergrad degree). If they just made law an undergraduate degree, there'd be more lawyers because it would cost less and take less time.CrysPhys said:A pre-law undergrad program is hardly a barrier for entry to law school. Quite the opposite; see, e.g., https://lawschooli.com/best-majors-for-law-school/
russ_watters said:A concise "why" is that medicine requires a strong background in general sciences before starting the medicine specific training.
The "why" for law makes less sense to me and I suspect it is partly to create a barrier to entry...
symbolipoint said:May be a way to be sure that critical thinkers go into the study of Law.
I made the comment based on your last of the two sentences, that Pre-Law, if it does use the sciences (Natural sciences) could act as a way to bring in students who are critical thinkers. Since Law is very different than the sciences, any such Pre-Law program should buildup courses of some other types than do pre-med/vet/optom/dental; such as specifying a group of Social Sciences and English or Language. Whether this kind of program should be bachelor of something, I am not sureruss_watters said:Are you referring to a "pre-law" program? Law differs from medicine in that there are no actual coursework prerequisites for a law degree. A "pre-law" degree or track might be a "nice to have", but for medicine it is a requirement. That's why I think adding a year for the general ed classes every college student takes and calling law a BA would make sense.
The pre-med track is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in medical school. It covers foundational topics in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, which are essential for understanding the human body and medical concepts. Completing a pre-med track also demonstrates to medical schools that you have a strong academic foundation and are prepared for the rigor of medical school.
Yes, you can major in any subject as long as you also complete the required pre-med courses. Medical schools do not have a preference for specific majors, so it is important to choose a major that you are interested in and can excel in. However, some majors may align more closely with the pre-med requirements, making it easier to complete both simultaneously.
The length of time to complete the pre-med track varies depending on the individual's academic background and course load. On average, it takes about 2-4 years to complete the pre-med requirements. However, some students may take longer if they need to retake courses or if they choose to take a lighter course load.
Yes, there are alternative paths to medical school, such as completing a post-baccalaureate program or a special master's program. These programs are designed for students who did not complete the pre-med track during their undergraduate studies but still want to pursue a career in medicine. They typically cover the same pre-med requirements and can help strengthen an applicant's academic profile.
No, the pre-med requirements may vary slightly between medical schools. It is important to research the specific requirements for each school you are interested in applying to. However, most medical schools require courses in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English, as well as additional courses in psychology, sociology, and biochemistry. It is also important to note that some medical schools may have additional requirements, such as a certain number of volunteer or clinical hours.