Getting Into Medical School
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, about half of
those who apply are accepted—and more than 96 percent of entering medical
students go on to obtain their M.D. degrees.
How can I prepare myself academically for medical school?
You'll need a strong foundation in mathematics and the sciences
that relate most to medicine: biology, general chemistry, organic
chemistry, and physics. Entrance requirements at most medical schools include completion
of course work in biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and
English.
But a
liberal arts education is a key ingredient to becoming a physician, so it's important for your college experience
to be well-rounded. Taking courses in the humanities and the social sciences will
help you prepare for the "people" side of medicine. The ideal physician
understands how society works and can communicate and write well.
Extracurricular activities also are important. You may want to
volunteer at a local hospital or clinic to gain practical health
care experience.
How do I choose the right school for
my premedical education?
Here are some questions to ask when you consider a college or
university. Your career guidance counselor or science teacher can
help you find the answers. You also should consult the many college
guidebooks found in your school's guidance office, local libraries,
and bookstores.
- Does the school have a good faculty and a reputation for high
academic standards? Is it accredited?
- Does it offer a broad range of courses in the humanities and
in the social, behavioral, and natural sciences?
- Does it have strong science departments with good laboratory
facilities?
- Does it offer all of the required courses I need for acceptance
to medical school?
- Does the college have a designated advisor specifically trained
to help students interested in the health professions?
- Does it have a good track record for having its students accepted
to medical school?
- Does it offer extracurricular activities that appeal to me?
Are there programs to do volunteer work at local hospitals or
clinics?
- Are there programs where I can demonstrate leadership and compassion?
- Does it feel right for me? Am I comfortable with its
size, location, social life, and general atmosphere?
- Is it affordable for me and my family?
How do I choose a medical
school?
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?
For more guidance, see Selecting a Medical School: Thirty-Five Questions I Wish I Had Asked. You also should consult Medical
School Admission Requirements (MSAR), which provides the admission
requirements for each U.S. and Canadian medical school.
When should I 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.
For detailed guidelines, see Application and Admission Timeline.
How can I prepare to apply for
medical school?
Your college or university's premedical advisor can help you through
the application process. Medical school admissions offices 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. Visit the official MCAT Web site to learn more about preparing and registering for the MCAT exam.
What's the MCAT exam like?
The MCAT exam 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 exam is administered multiple times from late January
through early September. You may take the exam up to three times
in one calendar year, although you may register for only one test
date at a time.
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 exam scores are competitive for
the medical schools you are considering.
Visit the official MCAT Web site to learn more about preparing and registering for the MCAT exam.
How do I apply to 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 131 accredited
medical schools in the United States, the vast majority participate
in the AMCAS program. To apply to any of these participating schools,
fill out an application, and send it with one set of your official
transcripts to AMCAS. After the service verifies your information, it distributes your application to the school(s) you
have selected. If you plan to apply to schools that do not participate in AMCAS, contact the
admissions office directly for application procedures and materials.
Your advisor
should be able to help you learn about the AMCAS
process. You must keep on top of appropriate deadlines. 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 do medical 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.
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