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If you are reading this article
it is fair to presume that you are considering
studying for medical school. So how do you start?
Study Medicine and Health Sciences Overseas talks
to the American Medical Association about the
preparation required to apply to study medicine
in the USA.
How should I prepare to
apply for medical school?
Your college or university's premedical
advisor can help you through the application process.
Medical schools will evaluate you on your college
grades, extracurricular activities, and personal
characteristics. Most also require you to take
the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which
analyzes your knowledge of the basic sciences,
your reading and writing abilities, and your problem-solving
skills.
You also should consult the resource book, Medical
School Admission Requirements, (MSAR)published
by the Association of American Medical Colleges,
which provides the specific admission requirements
of each U.S. and Canadian medical school.
Entrance requirements at most medical schools
include completion of course work in biology,
mathematics, chemistry, physics, and English.
But keep your undergraduate experience well rounded
by also studying humanities and the social sciences.
The ideal physician understands how society works
and can communicate and write well. Extracurricular
experiences also are important. You may want to
volunteer at a local hospital or clinic to gain
practical health care experience.
How do I choose among 125
medical schools?
It's a process similar to choosing an undergraduate
school. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I prefer a small or large school?
- Do I like a large class or a small class?
- Am I interested in a career in research, in
clinical practice in academic medicine? While
every school offers opportunities to prepare
for careers in all areas, the variety of curricular
experience varies from school to school. Try
to select schools that fit best your career
goals.
- Which schools have a learning approach that
emphasizes primary care, patient education,
prevention, and preparation for community practice?
What schools have a teaching approach that will
work well for me?
- What kind of financial resources will I need
to attend medical school? What are the costs?
- What types of financial aid are available
at the schools I am considering?
- Are the schools in a location that meets my
needs?
- Are the schools connected to a university
or are they free-standing institutions?
When should
I be ready to apply to medical school?
Most people, about 90 percent,
apply to medical school at the end of their junior
year in college and begin their medical studies
after graduation. Others finish college and work
for several years before beginning their medical
education. Still others participate in "early
admissions" or other collaborative programs
between undergraduate colleges and medical schools,
through which students with a demonstrated level
of maturity and academic achievement can proceed
to medical education at an accelerated pace.
How do I apply
for medical school?
Thanks to the American Medical
College Application Service (AMCAS), applying
to medical school is not as complicated as you
might think. Of the 125 accredited medical schools
in the United States, 117 participate in the AMCAS
program. To apply to any of these 117 schools,
fill out an application, and send it with one
set of your official transcripts to AMCAS. After
the service verifies the information you provide,
it distributes your application to the school(s)
you have selected. For schools not participating
in AMCAS, contact the admissions office directly
for application procedures and materials.
MCAT registration packets should be available
through your health professions advisor. Your
advisor should also be able to help you learn
about the AMCAS process. You must keep on top
of appropriate deadlines. Later in your junior
year, ask your advisor to help you set up a schedule
for submitting all of the necessary documents
to insure that your application is fully considered
and to eliminate unnecessary stress and anxiety.
After you have submitted your application, some
schools will ask for additional information such
as a secondary application, letters of recommendation,
and your specific interest in their programs.
What will the schools look
for and how do they decide?
The key factors affecting acceptance to medical
school include the following:
- Successful completion of required undergraduate
courses
- Grade point average
- Performance on the Medical College Admission
Test (MCAT)
- Extracurricular activities - especially those
reflecting public or health-related service,
volunteer work, and other evidence of your initiative
- Letters of recommendation from undergraduate
health professions advisors and faculty members
as well as physicians and other members of the
health professions, community leaders, and other
individuals who have employed you or supervised
your volunteer experience
- Interviews with medical school admissions
committees. Unlike colleges, which hold interviews
early in the application process, medical schools
arrange them near the end. As they narrow their
selection of candidates, most medical schools
invite the most promising applicants to interview
with faculty and other members of the admissions
committee.
The MCAT measures your knowledge of subjects
within the biological and physical sciences,
including chemistry, which are necessary
prerequisites for the study of the sciences
in medical school. It also tests your ability
to read and interpret information and your
communication skills.
The MCAT is administered twice a year. You should
take the MCAT in the spring of your junior year
of college or in the fall of your senior year.
Your campus health professions advisor has detailed
information about MCAT schedules and information
on medical colleges and medical careers. Your
advisor also can help you evaluate whether your
course mix, grade point average, and MCAT scores
are competitive for the medical schools you are
considering.
Is getting into medical
school as tough as they say?
No question about it-medical schools are looking
for the finest minds and the most motivated students
who have a strong and demonstrated interest in
working with people. It takes a special type of
person to even dream of a career in medicine and
it takes hard work and commitment to make it to
medical school. Today, only about one-half of
those who apply are accepted.
For more information on studying medicine
in the USA contact the american Medical
Association
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