3 answers
Tyler
Student
Providence, Rhode Island
11
Questions
Updated
823 views
How do I prepare to get into a good medical school?
I've always wanted to become a doctor. Ever since I was little. In high school I procrastinated a lot, I didn't even pick a college until my senior year. I'm not going to my top pick college and have to settle for an ok college as a result of my procrastination. But I'm different. My head is in the game. I'm going to start my freshman year of college and want to prepare for medical school now. I want to go to the best medical school possible. I've always been gifted in science, especially anatomy and physiology. Chemistry is my weakest area. Any advice? #doctor #medicine #medical-school
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3 answers
Rachel Weinheimer
Surgeon
1121
Answers
Amarillo, Texas
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
In order to become a doctor, you need to complete the pre-med requirements. These include at least a year of biology, 1 year inorganic chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry + labs, physics, calculus, and biochemistry. It helps to have a GPA of 3.5 or better. Your junior year, you will need to take an MCAT study course prior to taking the MCAT. With a solid GPA and MCAT score, you should be a competitive applicant.
Azalea Saemi, MD
Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician & Investor
1
Answer
Updated
Azalea’s Answer
Dear Tyler,
Great question! I will give you the short answer and tell you what I did. Then I'll give you the answer you may not have wanted because it is a truth. I'm not sure I would have listened to anyone with any truths other than encouraging advice when I was going through this, but I will tell you regardless.
Short answer:
1. The road to doctor is a long one but there are many paths to this destination.
A. MD or DO: It does not matter much these days. Some of us are old school and like our Medical Doctorate but you will see surgeons and radiologists and everything in between that have DO degrees. The point is: your standardized test scores and GPA are what matter most.
B. What should I major in: Again, as long as you check off the premed requirements, it does NOT matter what you major in. I majored in Women's Studies and Animal physiology. I liked science but it didn't sufficiently nourish my soul. This track kept me in college 2 extra years. You should not lengthen your college years unless it is to do a year abroad (highly recommended once in a life experience) because longer college = greater debt!
My advice is anticipate and be practical while doing something you enjoy. What does this mean?
You MUST do premed prerequisites. What are you passionate about? Take some courses in which you learn things that move you. Your major should be something useful, eg biomedical engineering, or something totally different than medicine/science to round you and which could get you employment if you needed it, eg finance/econ. Financial knowledge is always an asset and never something you are taught in your medical career.
No need to double major.
C. Your MCAT: Study 2-3 months solid for this. Use a Kaplan course if you need it but the key is studying and most importantly doing questions until you are blue in the face. This will be a 12 hr a day job for 2-3 months. Mock mock mock exams! Do NOT let social matters distract you from your mission.
D. Your GPA: keep it up up up.
E. Pick one volunteer and/or research gig and stick with it the course while in college. If you get publications, even better as they are highly valued.
F. Your personality will determine the field to which you will gravitate. Again, your USMLE step 1 score is the MOST IMPORTANT, then your rotation evaluation and then your grades, and your letters of recommendation....these come later as you prep to apply to residency.
Do NOT go to medical school outside of the US. No matter what you do, this is NOT a good option. Like anything else, there are people out to make $ and what they will not tell you is that once you leave the US, getting back into an accredited US residency (you cannot practice medicine without this) is a steep uphill climb. People have done it but I have seen many who have not been able to get back in and essentially had to derail. You do NOT want to put yourself knowingly into this boat.
Long answer:
1. This is CONSTANT CONTINUOUS sacrifice of your time and loved ones. Your career is at their expense.
2. Depending on the field you enter within medicine, life after residency may get worse not better. Sexism does not go away.
3. People who know less than you will have a lot of control over your life as a doctor (depending on the field you enter). I know too many doctors who hate their lives, and it has little to do with patient care (our love) and everything to do with all the issues/factors surrounding our practice of medicine.
4. In the US justice system, criminals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. In reality and by hospitals, medical boards, patients, and often peers, doctors are blamed and guilty until proven innocent if given the opportunity.
You are at the beginning of your long ascent to the peak, and perhaps did not need to be told the long answer but more information is better than less. Whatever your choices, I wish you dedication, discipline, fortitude, and a passion to help others.
Regards,
A Saemi, MD
Great question! I will give you the short answer and tell you what I did. Then I'll give you the answer you may not have wanted because it is a truth. I'm not sure I would have listened to anyone with any truths other than encouraging advice when I was going through this, but I will tell you regardless.
Short answer:
1. The road to doctor is a long one but there are many paths to this destination.
A. MD or DO: It does not matter much these days. Some of us are old school and like our Medical Doctorate but you will see surgeons and radiologists and everything in between that have DO degrees. The point is: your standardized test scores and GPA are what matter most.
B. What should I major in: Again, as long as you check off the premed requirements, it does NOT matter what you major in. I majored in Women's Studies and Animal physiology. I liked science but it didn't sufficiently nourish my soul. This track kept me in college 2 extra years. You should not lengthen your college years unless it is to do a year abroad (highly recommended once in a life experience) because longer college = greater debt!
My advice is anticipate and be practical while doing something you enjoy. What does this mean?
You MUST do premed prerequisites. What are you passionate about? Take some courses in which you learn things that move you. Your major should be something useful, eg biomedical engineering, or something totally different than medicine/science to round you and which could get you employment if you needed it, eg finance/econ. Financial knowledge is always an asset and never something you are taught in your medical career.
No need to double major.
C. Your MCAT: Study 2-3 months solid for this. Use a Kaplan course if you need it but the key is studying and most importantly doing questions until you are blue in the face. This will be a 12 hr a day job for 2-3 months. Mock mock mock exams! Do NOT let social matters distract you from your mission.
D. Your GPA: keep it up up up.
E. Pick one volunteer and/or research gig and stick with it the course while in college. If you get publications, even better as they are highly valued.
F. Your personality will determine the field to which you will gravitate. Again, your USMLE step 1 score is the MOST IMPORTANT, then your rotation evaluation and then your grades, and your letters of recommendation....these come later as you prep to apply to residency.
Do NOT go to medical school outside of the US. No matter what you do, this is NOT a good option. Like anything else, there are people out to make $ and what they will not tell you is that once you leave the US, getting back into an accredited US residency (you cannot practice medicine without this) is a steep uphill climb. People have done it but I have seen many who have not been able to get back in and essentially had to derail. You do NOT want to put yourself knowingly into this boat.
Long answer:
1. This is CONSTANT CONTINUOUS sacrifice of your time and loved ones. Your career is at their expense.
2. Depending on the field you enter within medicine, life after residency may get worse not better. Sexism does not go away.
3. People who know less than you will have a lot of control over your life as a doctor (depending on the field you enter). I know too many doctors who hate their lives, and it has little to do with patient care (our love) and everything to do with all the issues/factors surrounding our practice of medicine.
4. In the US justice system, criminals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. In reality and by hospitals, medical boards, patients, and often peers, doctors are blamed and guilty until proven innocent if given the opportunity.
You are at the beginning of your long ascent to the peak, and perhaps did not need to be told the long answer but more information is better than less. Whatever your choices, I wish you dedication, discipline, fortitude, and a passion to help others.
Regards,
A Saemi, MD
Richard A.
physician
2153
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
Try to find opportunities to pursue research.
Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT and consider paying for a prep course if you can afford it.
My son used MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2019-2020: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep) Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep
Sold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc
It was about $140 and he achieved his goal score.
Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
Try to find opportunities to pursue research.
Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT and consider paying for a prep course if you can afford it.
My son used MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2019-2020: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep) Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep
Sold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc
It was about $140 and he achieved his goal score.
Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.