3 answers
Emilia
Student
Modesto, California
1
Question
Asked
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What is the first step to going in to med school?
I don't understand what I am supposed to to once i get into collage to go to med-school.
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1351
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
• Choose a pre-med major you love
• Research med school admin requirements
• Build a strong academic GPA
• Preparing for the MCAT exam
• Write personal statement that stands out
• Prepare for medical school interviews
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Aquire medial field work experience
• Shadow medical field professional(s)
• Be involved in community volunteering
• Get experience in academic research
Emilia choose your pre-med major and take the medical school prerequisites. Choose your pre-med major and courses with a strategic mindset. First, you can major in any subject. That’s right, a science major isn’t required to go to medical school. Only the science prerequisites are required, and as long as you complete them, what you major in is entirely up to you. If you’re wondering how to get into med school without pre-med requirements, there is no way around it but to take all required science courses.
You should choose a major in the subject you’re most passionate about and interested in learning. Pursuing a major you’re excited about will make it easier to do well and achieve high grades. Additionally, medical schools love to see well-rounded applicants with unique backgrounds. Every medical school has its own requirements regarding what courses you should take, how many semesters for each course, and which courses to take with labs. So, you’ll need to verify that you’re on track with medical school you have chosen.
Understanding the medical school application timeline is paramount. You must submit all required application materials by the deadline, but applying early may boost your chances of acceptance. Because the application timeline is lengthy, it’s beneficial to prepare about two years before the medical school admission cycle begins. Use this time to build relationships with your professors so you can ask them for recommendations. Ensure you take all prerequisite coursework and begin preparing for the MCAT.
The MACT (Medical College Admission Test) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess your problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles as a prerequisite to the study of medicine. You'll only want to take this six-hour exam once before medical school, so prepare as thoroughly as possible. Medical school admissions officers use the MCAT exam as a indicator of your possible success in there medical school. The exam is designed to test the skills you'll use when you get there, including basic science, verbal reasoning, and your writing ability. The MCAT is a 6-hour and 15-minute computer-based test that has the reputation of being one of the most challenging standardized tests designed.
Hope this was helpful Emilia
Emilia a strong academic performance is essential for getting into medical school. Medical school GPA requirements are competitive, and a high GPA always bolsters your application.
• Research med school admin requirements
• Build a strong academic GPA
• Preparing for the MCAT exam
• Write personal statement that stands out
• Prepare for medical school interviews
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Aquire medial field work experience
• Shadow medical field professional(s)
• Be involved in community volunteering
• Get experience in academic research
Emilia choose your pre-med major and take the medical school prerequisites. Choose your pre-med major and courses with a strategic mindset. First, you can major in any subject. That’s right, a science major isn’t required to go to medical school. Only the science prerequisites are required, and as long as you complete them, what you major in is entirely up to you. If you’re wondering how to get into med school without pre-med requirements, there is no way around it but to take all required science courses.
You should choose a major in the subject you’re most passionate about and interested in learning. Pursuing a major you’re excited about will make it easier to do well and achieve high grades. Additionally, medical schools love to see well-rounded applicants with unique backgrounds. Every medical school has its own requirements regarding what courses you should take, how many semesters for each course, and which courses to take with labs. So, you’ll need to verify that you’re on track with medical school you have chosen.
Understanding the medical school application timeline is paramount. You must submit all required application materials by the deadline, but applying early may boost your chances of acceptance. Because the application timeline is lengthy, it’s beneficial to prepare about two years before the medical school admission cycle begins. Use this time to build relationships with your professors so you can ask them for recommendations. Ensure you take all prerequisite coursework and begin preparing for the MCAT.
The MACT (Medical College Admission Test) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess your problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles as a prerequisite to the study of medicine. You'll only want to take this six-hour exam once before medical school, so prepare as thoroughly as possible. Medical school admissions officers use the MCAT exam as a indicator of your possible success in there medical school. The exam is designed to test the skills you'll use when you get there, including basic science, verbal reasoning, and your writing ability. The MCAT is a 6-hour and 15-minute computer-based test that has the reputation of being one of the most challenging standardized tests designed.
Hope this was helpful Emilia
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
202
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi, Emilia, this is an excellent question. I this this article provides a very helpful overview of the pre-med requirements - https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/articles/how-to-make-sure-you-fulfill-medical-school-requirements-for-admission. Depending upon what kind of medicine you might like to practice, you could take courses that complement the requirements, such as about the history of healthcare in America, public health, child psychology, epidemiology, etc.
You will also have to submit an MCAT score (a standardized test like the SAT or ACT). Your coursework will help you prepare for this, but there are also books and classes to familiarize you with the types of questions and share strategies for how to approach the test. You will not need to deal with this until your junior year in college.
Don't worry if this seems like a lot to digest. Most colleges will have pre-med advisors who could help you choose courses and potentially research opportunities or internships to make you a more attractive candidate.
Good luck!
You will also have to submit an MCAT score (a standardized test like the SAT or ACT). Your coursework will help you prepare for this, but there are also books and classes to familiarize you with the types of questions and share strategies for how to approach the test. You will not need to deal with this until your junior year in college.
Don't worry if this seems like a lot to digest. Most colleges will have pre-med advisors who could help you choose courses and potentially research opportunities or internships to make you a more attractive candidate.
Good luck!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3844
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Emilia,
Hope you're doing well!
The journey to medical school begins with earning a bachelor's degree. Although there's no strict rule about the major, many students opt for science-related fields like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. But remember, medical schools also appreciate diversity, so non-science majors can definitely make their mark too.
After your bachelor's degree, your next milestone is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This standardized exam tests your understanding of scientific concepts, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It's a key part of the application process, helping schools gauge whether you're ready for the medical field.
Once the MCAT is done and dusted, it's time to gather your application materials. This includes your transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statement, and any other documents the medical schools you're applying to might require. Be sure to double-check each school's requirements to make sure you're ticking all the boxes.
If your application catches the eye of the admissions committees, you might be invited for interviews. This is the schools' chance to see your interpersonal skills, professionalism, and fit for their program in action. To ace these interviews, do your homework on the schools, practice common interview questions, and let your passion for medicine shine through.
After all these steps, if you're lucky enough to receive acceptance letters, you'll have to decide which school is the best fit for you. Consider factors like location, curriculum structure, reputation, financial aspects, and personal fit when making this decision.
Remember, getting into medical school is a tough competition. Schools get heaps of applications each year and only a handful of applicants get in. So, it's important to keep your grades up, gain relevant experience through volunteering or research, and show a true dedication to medicine.
To sum it up, your journey to medical school involves getting a bachelor's degree, acing the MCAT, putting together a stellar application, impressing in interviews, and finally choosing the right school. It's a competitive process, but with dedication and a strong academic record, you can make it.
Here are the top 3 authoritative references I used for this information:
1. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - https://www.aamc.org/
2. U.S. News & World Report - https://www.usnews.com/
3. American Medical Association (AMA) - https://www.ama-assn.org/
Wishing you all the best in your journey,
JAMES.
Hope you're doing well!
The journey to medical school begins with earning a bachelor's degree. Although there's no strict rule about the major, many students opt for science-related fields like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. But remember, medical schools also appreciate diversity, so non-science majors can definitely make their mark too.
After your bachelor's degree, your next milestone is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This standardized exam tests your understanding of scientific concepts, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It's a key part of the application process, helping schools gauge whether you're ready for the medical field.
Once the MCAT is done and dusted, it's time to gather your application materials. This includes your transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statement, and any other documents the medical schools you're applying to might require. Be sure to double-check each school's requirements to make sure you're ticking all the boxes.
If your application catches the eye of the admissions committees, you might be invited for interviews. This is the schools' chance to see your interpersonal skills, professionalism, and fit for their program in action. To ace these interviews, do your homework on the schools, practice common interview questions, and let your passion for medicine shine through.
After all these steps, if you're lucky enough to receive acceptance letters, you'll have to decide which school is the best fit for you. Consider factors like location, curriculum structure, reputation, financial aspects, and personal fit when making this decision.
Remember, getting into medical school is a tough competition. Schools get heaps of applications each year and only a handful of applicants get in. So, it's important to keep your grades up, gain relevant experience through volunteering or research, and show a true dedication to medicine.
To sum it up, your journey to medical school involves getting a bachelor's degree, acing the MCAT, putting together a stellar application, impressing in interviews, and finally choosing the right school. It's a competitive process, but with dedication and a strong academic record, you can make it.
Here are the top 3 authoritative references I used for this information:
1. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - https://www.aamc.org/
2. U.S. News & World Report - https://www.usnews.com/
3. American Medical Association (AMA) - https://www.ama-assn.org/
Wishing you all the best in your journey,
JAMES.