I am a single mom of a beautiful 3 year old daughter. I am seriously considering a career in medicine, preferably surgery. I am preparing to return to school this fall. I have only taken business courses for the 2 years I was in school previously. I really need some advice regarding what courses I should begin taking. I have thought about finishing the accounting degree why taking the courses needed to get into medical school at the same time. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know. Thank You

To gain entrance to medical school you will need one whole year of inorganic chemistry sometimes called general chemistry for pre-professional majors not the one offered for non-science or nursing majors this will include the lab, one year of general biology with lab, one year of trigonometry based physics with lab, and one year of organic chemistry with lab. These classes are required by all medical schools and should be taken before one sits for the MCAT which is usually but not always taken between Junior and Senior year (either in April or August. This is due to the fact that you take the MCAT and apply to medical schools one whole year before you anticipate matriculation to medical school. Some schools will also require one year of English (which is usually required for your major), and some also require one year of Calculus or one semester of Calculus and one Semester of Statisticis (the schools that require these last courses are very few so check with individual schools to make sure). Be aware that now some schools may also require Biochemistry and some recommend Cell/Molec. The MCAT format will change slightly for the April '03 MCAT, meaning that a few Organic questions will be replaced with DNA, genetics type questions, and a few less Verbal Reasoning questions will translate into a possible perfect 15 on the Verbal (which now the top score for verbal is represented as 13-15). I would recommend that you go to this web page and purchase the MSAR which will tell you exactly what each school requires to gain admittance. Good luck and hope this helps :p

Hi all, I have truly enjoyed reading all of your introductions. I am attending agraduation banquest this eve to cheer on some finishing residents from my old residency program. I am 44, the mother of 3 beaustiful daughters and am a surgeon. I jsut changed practices to concentrate on breast cancer. This is a new experience for me too since I went from being king of the hill nad moved to a city 1.5 hours away where no on really knows me. I feel like a kid again. Surgery is a difficult area to consider but if you love it and put your mind to it then youcan do anything. I didn't even meet my husband until I was an intern. It was love at first sight for me. After 18 years of marriage, I can truly say it was the right decision. He retired from the military 8 years ago and is truly my support as he takes care of the kids and does most of the home care. I chose not to have kids until the end of residency which worked out well, especially a general surgery residency. MY children are 13, 11, 11. I would be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you for your responses. I am busy gathering as much information as I can right now. I will be returning to school this fall. I will be taking chemistry and biology to start out. I do have one question after medical school do you immediately start general surgery residency? Thank you.