The University of Virginia is full of students who come in as first-years, confident in how they plan to spend the rest of their lives. It feels like everyone is pre-commerce, pre-law, or pre-health. In reality, most people are confused and unsure of what they are even interested in. That may be you, and that’s okay! College is the first time in your life when you can truly decide what you want to do and learn.
Maybe you were a high school student who loved AP Biology and always did well in science and math classes. You might have sworn off humanities classes in college because they just “aren’t how your brain works.” Now, you’re stressed about figuring out what to do with your life, and the thought starts crossing your mind: I can be a doctor. That was me. Over the past year, I’ve cycled through potential careers, from research to clinical pharmacy to becoming a doctor. Medical school is a big commitment, so here are a few things to do before fully committing to UVA’s pre-health track.
Introductory Biology Courses (Biol 2100 and 2200)
These two classes are a good place to start if you are considering a Biology major or pre-health. Many higher-level biology classes build on what you learn in BIOL 2100 and 2200, and the material is also relevant to the MCAT. These are also major requirements for the two most common pre-health majors: Biology and Biochemistry.
BIOL 2100, taught by Professor Kittleson, covers cell biology and genetics. This class is generally considered more difficult, and most students take it in the fall. I would recommend taking it during your first semester for two reasons. First, it gives you an early idea of whether you actually enjoy studying biology at the college level. The class is manageable if you are willing to put in the work, but if you find yourself uninterested in the material, it is better to figure that out early! Second, if you took AP Biology in high school, a lot of the material will still be familiar. That can make the transition into college biology a little easier.
BIOL 2200, taught by Professor Manson, focuses on evolution and ecology. I found this class interesting, and the professor is good. However, if you are primarily focused on the MCAT, I would prioritize understanding the material in BIOL 2100. BIOL 2200 is still important if you plan to major in Biology, so I would recommend taking it in the spring of your first year. Both classes are useful for figuring out whether a Biology major is the right fit for you.
It is important to earn good grades in both classes and understand the material to ensure that you continue to perform well in the major.
Introductory Chemistry Courses (General Chemistry I and II)
Chemistry is another important part of the pre-health track. Most students take General Chemistry I in the fall and General Chemistry II in the spring of their first year. This gives you the option to take Organic Chemistry I starting in the fall of your second year (another requirement for the MCAT).
Personally, I used my AP Chemistry credit to skip the lecture portion of the class. However, keep in mind that this does not cover the lab portion, required for Organic Chemistry Lab. It is worth looking into your options early so you do not accidentally limit the classes you can take later.
Pre-Health Clubs
UVA has so many STEM-focused clubs, and there is probably at least one that fits your interests. I would definitely recommend joining one. One of the best parts is getting to know older students. They have already taken some of the classes you are stressing about and can give you advice about professors, course schedules, and the MCAT. You do not have to figure everything out on your own! And if you missed the fall club fair, don’t worry. There is another one in the spring.
Pre-Health Advising
There is a group of students who work to help pre-health students stay on track. They can do a multitude of things, so if you have any questions (general or specific), they are a great resource. They cannot answer everything, but can help you get to a place where you can discover the answer yourself.
Disciplines
The number one thing I would recommend is exploring all the amazing options UVA offers. There are so many majors, minors, and classes that don’t fit into the “pre-__” tracks everyone is on. You might discover a subject you love that you didn’t know existed otherwise.
The disciplines are a great excuse to take that jump. During my first year, I made sure to only take a few pre-health classes (the ones listed above), and the rest were for my disciplines. I took history, English, American studies, economics, archaeology, and psychology classes just to explore. None are in my intended biology major, but all helped me become a more well-rounded human. They reminded me that I have interests outside of science, and that I do not have to only take classes that will prepare me for medical school.
Here are the classes I took outside of pre-health my first year:
- Introduction to Archaeology (ANTH 2800)
- Vietnam War in Film and Literature (AMST 3630)
- Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics (ECON 2020)
- Introduction to Social Psychology (PSYC 2600)
- Introductory Seminar in History: Protest (HIST 1501) – doubled as Second Writing Requirement!
Here are some classes I am planning on taking in the upcoming years:
- Medical Anthropology (ANTH 2280)
- Principles of Economics: Microeconomics (ECON 2010)
- Studies in Poetry ( ENGL 2506)
- Introduction to Comparative Politics (PLCP 1010)
- Introduction to Programming (CS 1110)
My overall message here is that you don’t need to have everything figured out by the end of your first year. The reason UVA doesn’t require students declare their majors until the end of their second year is so they can feel confident in their decisions after exploring. I understand the pressure to make sure you are not falling behind, especially in a difficult major like Biology or Biochemistry. Start taking the introductory classes on the pre-health track, but don’t neglect the classes outside of your major. You might discover that medicine is exactly where you are meant to be, or you might find a new passion that you didn’t know existed; you won’t know until you try. I am still figuring everything out myself, and that’s okay. The one thing I know for certain is that college gives you four years to learn about the world, not just your major. Do not feel like you need to commit to a career just because everyone else is.