Judy Huynh
Biology, Health, and Society (Major)
Food and Environment (Minor)
Favorite class you took at Michigan:
ANTHRCUL 344: Medical Anthropology
I really liked medical anthropology because it was a break from the rigorous science courses, but I was still learning about medicine. It is a mix of a sociology and medical ethics course, and I thought it was very eye-opening. There are a lot of things we take for granted or were conditioned to believe and this class makes you realize things are not what they always seem. The course taught me to be more empathic and I learned how illness works in different cultures. We also got to watch many films, and the class was not difficult. Overall, this is a really cool class and everyone should take it at one point.
When/How did you study for the MCAT:
I didn’t start studying until summer before my senior year. I decided to self-study so I used Kaplan books and UWORLD/AAMC methods to practice. I made a schedule at the beginning of my studies. It is okay if you don’t stick to your schedule; you’ll learn as you study what works best for you. If you decide to make flashcards/ Anki cards, I recommend making them as you go through the Kaplan books. It is better to get through content faster and give yourself more time to do practice questions.
When did you take the MCAT: January 2021
What was your pre-med experience:
My pre-med experience was tough but rewarding. There are so many pre-meds at Michigan which can be a good and bad thing. Good because there are tons of resources and opportunities. It is easy to find people who have multiple classes with you and to study with. The downside is the large classes and competitiveness. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to form any relationships with my professors but they know classes are big so they are understanding. It is also easier when you start taking upper-level classes since classes are smaller. I also felt a lot of pressure to do everything every pre-med did, but eventually, I learned that it is more important to do what you enjoy. You’ll have to write about your experiences and even talk about them during interviews so make sure you’re doing things you’re passionate about.
Recommendations/advice for current students:
Make time for friends and have fun. You don’t want to look back on college and feel like you spent the entire time staring at a textbook. Make the time to explore Ann Arbor, meet new people, try new restaurants, and have late-night study sessions with friends. When you look back on college, these are the memories you’ll remember.
Schedule:
anon says:
Can I just say I love your schedule and it is so inspiring!!!! A lot of the other exit tickets have people who came in with bio and chem credit so then skipped BIO 171/172 and Chem 125/130 and to see your schedule with those and know that you still got into medical school and had everything work out feels so good thank you! I noticed you have stats 250 as a transfer did you do math 115 and stats the same college if so was having them be transfer credits impact you in anyway? I’m thinking of doing stats 250 in the fall but am scared about the grade distribution for it. Any tips?
Pre-Med Hub says:
Hi!
We are so glad you liked Judy’s exit ticket. While she has since graduated, I’d be happy to answer your question! Generally, it is acceptable to complete math/statistics and other non-science classes as transfer credits, but it is not recommended that you take too many science or pre-med classes at different colleges. I would advise you to talk to a Newnan pre-health advisor about science transfer credits if you are considering them, but you should be good to take math 115 or stats 250 at a different school. While it is known that Stats 250 at UM has a heavier workload than other classes, it is definitely manageable and possible to get a good grade! The professors are very helpful, offer many office hours, and provide students with so many resources to utilize if they are struggling with the material. There are also many components that determine your grade, from homework to quizzes to lab work, so there is a nice balance! Nonetheless, if you do want to take statistics at another college, that is completely fine too and should still be accepted by medical schools.
I hope that helps! Let us know if you have any other questions!
Leen, PMH Advising Manager