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what is the best way to get to med-school?
People have told me that it's in the internships, it's in the patient contact hours you get, its in the experience... what is the best way to get in?
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Midwest’s Answer
The answer is all of the items you listed and more. Components of your medical school application will include academic performance, service, experience, MCAT scores, personal statement, and interviews. Given the sheer number of applications they must process and filter, academic excellence is something you must have but also is likely not something that will set you apart from the other academically excellent applicants. The same can be said about MCAT. The other categories may provide opportunities for you to separate yourself because the work/service and even non-medical experience on your application will be what separates you from other applicants. Hands-on experience and exposure demonstrates that you are invested and that is an important characteristic for any prospective medical student or even resident. Even non-medical experience and hobbies can be extremely beneficial not only in providing something interesting to talk about in an interview but also by demonstrating character traits that prospective medical schools value. There is no prescribed equation for what this is but is simply "something" outside of the standard getting good grades in science classes and doing well on the MCAT. This could include being a varsity athlete, being a musician, forming a side business, organizing or establishing a non-profit organization, leading a mission trip, speaking and engulfing yourself in a different language/culture, becoming a chef, etc etc. Think about it from their perspective and ask yourself what sets you apart? What makes your application interesting and what does that content tell them about you?
Another important part of the application process which you can prepare for is how to answer standard questions such as "why do you want to go to medical school?" and "what do you want to do in 5 and 10 years from now?" Being able to articulate detailed answers to these questions shows that you've taken the time to consider them seriously and have devoted thought to them. The perception you want to communicate to medical schools is that you have taken a mature approach to this process, you have been successful in your endeavors up to this point, and you are invested in becoming a physician, rather than attending to medical school on a whim or because it seems like a good idea.
Self reflect on why you want to do this
Establish answers to standard questions
Immerse yourself in a service/shadowing/internship opportunity of value
Determine what sets you apart and how to communicate that to schools
Another important part of the application process which you can prepare for is how to answer standard questions such as "why do you want to go to medical school?" and "what do you want to do in 5 and 10 years from now?" Being able to articulate detailed answers to these questions shows that you've taken the time to consider them seriously and have devoted thought to them. The perception you want to communicate to medical schools is that you have taken a mature approach to this process, you have been successful in your endeavors up to this point, and you are invested in becoming a physician, rather than attending to medical school on a whim or because it seems like a good idea.
Midwest recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for the advice, Midwest.
Moshe
Updated
Laura L’s Answer
I went to the emergency room(ER) to do a bedside lower extremity venous doppler ultrasound. Upon entering the ER, I realized they were very busy. During the ultrasound procedure, a doctor asked if they could enter the room. I assured them it was completely fine to communicate with the patient while I acquired the ultrasound imaging. The attending just wanted to round on the patient and go over her history. As the conversation went on, it pivoted to current concerns regarding a new inability to completely empty her bladder. The ER doctor then told the patient that she would have the nurse do a bladder scan to check her bladder after she emptied it and see if there was any residual urine present. The patient said that sounds great because she felt that her bladder was getting full and would be ready to empty after the ultrasound. The doctor told her to let the nurse know when she’s ready to use the restroom and the nurse will perform the ultrasound to gather the information.
After I finished the ultrasound the patient wanted her nurse to communicate the need for a post void bladder volume scan. She rang her call bell but as I was cleaning the machine, it was apparent that the ER was really busy and no one was around to help her. I told the patient to wait and I would find the nurse. As a sonographer, I know to get an accurate post void volume measurement that the examination must be done right away. So I didn’t want her to void and then wait twenty minutes for someone to check her bladder and get a false post void volume. I also knew this was really important to the patient to know if she was retaining urine after voiding. Additionally, I knew the doctor would need to order more tests based on the information so for cost effective healthcare measures it was important she receive an accurate read to prevent extra testing that could be based on a false read if someone wasn’t available right away to do her post void scan.
I left my machine by her door and went to find her nurse. I saw her nurse in a room nearby with another nurse hands deep in care with a patient. I knew my patient had a full bladder and needed to empty it right away. I knew the doctor needed a post void measurement recorded by the nurse to know if indeed the patient was retaining urine. It was clear the nurse would not be able to do the job and there was no one else around to help. I knew I could do the post void easily. So with discretion, I quickly communicated to the nurse the situation and offered to do a quick measurement so that the patient could empty her bladder and the nurse could continue with her current care. The nurse was so grateful and appreciated the support and aid.
I returned to the patient and told her that her nurse was unavailable but that we discussed the situation and I would be able to complete the doctor's request so that she could empty her bladder now. The patient was grateful for my assistance. I was able to set my machine backup just in time to measure her post void empty bladder. In conclusion, her bladder was completely empty and her concerns about urine retention were false. I was able to tell the nurse the post void volume measurement was zero. The nurse was so thankful for my assistance. This information is important to gather acutely. Now the doctor knows she has a sensation of not emptying all the way but indeed she is emptying all the way.
It was my pleasure to stay a little longer to help the patient and gather the accurate information for her care and outcomes. The emergency room is a very busy atmosphere and going above and beyond while there helps the patients and the team. It takes a village when it comes to hospital work. I enjoy being able to step up and do what I can to serve my patients and help out the teams.
In this situation, I don’t think the patient overtly was aware of how I went above-and-beyond to assist with her care. Perhaps it is a mild case of demonstrating the connection to the Mission, Values, and Vision of UVA Health. However, I believe there is relevance in celebrating the small stuff or minute situations that blossom and help us grow to become more mature and be ready for more complex and profound accomplishments that demonstrate ASPIRE Values.
At the time, I wasn’t consciously ruminating about ASPIRE behavior, I was just naturally thinking what would be the right thing to do in this situation. I did, at the time, wonder if I was overstepping my boundaries as the scan was not based on my order and would be an unbillable, non-image measure, however I was willing to take that risk because I believe the positive outcome outweighed the “well you’re supposed to do”. It was a situation where I needed to respond promptly to provide the appropriate care and I felt a strong sense of accountability as I knew the whole situation and felt responsible to ensure the patient received immediate assistance and the doctor received accurate results. This event also demonstrates professionalism as I approached the situation by collaborating with the nurse with a positive suggestion and she was thankful as together we would be able to deliver excellent care for the patient. The integrity of this situation lies in the fact that I could have just walked away and not got involved. The patient was indeed just waiting for the nurse to come, she had no idea that the nurse was most likely not going to come for some time. She had no idea that she would be waiting with a full bladder and then if she went and used the bathroom, she might have to wait a long time to get the post void bladder scan at which point there would be false post void residual. All the patient knew was that the doctor told her the nurse would take care of this situation and it would provide them with some information that would help them figure out what was going on. Out of my respect for the patient, the doctor, and the busy team I approached the situation in a compassionate collaborating way as I was committed to being a helpful resource and taking responsibility to the situation and offer a solution to the nurse so that the treatment to the patient would not be delayed and fostering an environment of belonging that promoted unity throughout the organization and the community we serve.
After I finished the ultrasound the patient wanted her nurse to communicate the need for a post void bladder volume scan. She rang her call bell but as I was cleaning the machine, it was apparent that the ER was really busy and no one was around to help her. I told the patient to wait and I would find the nurse. As a sonographer, I know to get an accurate post void volume measurement that the examination must be done right away. So I didn’t want her to void and then wait twenty minutes for someone to check her bladder and get a false post void volume. I also knew this was really important to the patient to know if she was retaining urine after voiding. Additionally, I knew the doctor would need to order more tests based on the information so for cost effective healthcare measures it was important she receive an accurate read to prevent extra testing that could be based on a false read if someone wasn’t available right away to do her post void scan.
I left my machine by her door and went to find her nurse. I saw her nurse in a room nearby with another nurse hands deep in care with a patient. I knew my patient had a full bladder and needed to empty it right away. I knew the doctor needed a post void measurement recorded by the nurse to know if indeed the patient was retaining urine. It was clear the nurse would not be able to do the job and there was no one else around to help. I knew I could do the post void easily. So with discretion, I quickly communicated to the nurse the situation and offered to do a quick measurement so that the patient could empty her bladder and the nurse could continue with her current care. The nurse was so grateful and appreciated the support and aid.
I returned to the patient and told her that her nurse was unavailable but that we discussed the situation and I would be able to complete the doctor's request so that she could empty her bladder now. The patient was grateful for my assistance. I was able to set my machine backup just in time to measure her post void empty bladder. In conclusion, her bladder was completely empty and her concerns about urine retention were false. I was able to tell the nurse the post void volume measurement was zero. The nurse was so thankful for my assistance. This information is important to gather acutely. Now the doctor knows she has a sensation of not emptying all the way but indeed she is emptying all the way.
It was my pleasure to stay a little longer to help the patient and gather the accurate information for her care and outcomes. The emergency room is a very busy atmosphere and going above and beyond while there helps the patients and the team. It takes a village when it comes to hospital work. I enjoy being able to step up and do what I can to serve my patients and help out the teams.
In this situation, I don’t think the patient overtly was aware of how I went above-and-beyond to assist with her care. Perhaps it is a mild case of demonstrating the connection to the Mission, Values, and Vision of UVA Health. However, I believe there is relevance in celebrating the small stuff or minute situations that blossom and help us grow to become more mature and be ready for more complex and profound accomplishments that demonstrate ASPIRE Values.
At the time, I wasn’t consciously ruminating about ASPIRE behavior, I was just naturally thinking what would be the right thing to do in this situation. I did, at the time, wonder if I was overstepping my boundaries as the scan was not based on my order and would be an unbillable, non-image measure, however I was willing to take that risk because I believe the positive outcome outweighed the “well you’re supposed to do”. It was a situation where I needed to respond promptly to provide the appropriate care and I felt a strong sense of accountability as I knew the whole situation and felt responsible to ensure the patient received immediate assistance and the doctor received accurate results. This event also demonstrates professionalism as I approached the situation by collaborating with the nurse with a positive suggestion and she was thankful as together we would be able to deliver excellent care for the patient. The integrity of this situation lies in the fact that I could have just walked away and not got involved. The patient was indeed just waiting for the nurse to come, she had no idea that the nurse was most likely not going to come for some time. She had no idea that she would be waiting with a full bladder and then if she went and used the bathroom, she might have to wait a long time to get the post void bladder scan at which point there would be false post void residual. All the patient knew was that the doctor told her the nurse would take care of this situation and it would provide them with some information that would help them figure out what was going on. Out of my respect for the patient, the doctor, and the busy team I approached the situation in a compassionate collaborating way as I was committed to being a helpful resource and taking responsibility to the situation and offer a solution to the nurse so that the treatment to the patient would not be delayed and fostering an environment of belonging that promoted unity throughout the organization and the community we serve.
Loved reading this, thanks!
Moshe
Hey Laura, this is a great story that illustrates how healthcare is a team effort! However, it doesn't directly answer the question. Do you have suggestions for how students can get these types of hands on experiences without already being a staff member?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Updated
Adrian’s Answer
The most effective approach is to include some medical experience on your resume. It's highly recommended to gain as much hands-on training as you can, as this will distinguish you from other candidates.
Thanks for the advice.
Moshe