4 answers
melany
Student
Gresham, Oregon
1
Question
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What is the hardest part of getting into med school?
Like what grades and requirments do you need.
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4 answers
Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
This can be different person to person. The short answer is the sheer volume of applicants overall and finding a way to standout, some of which is not always in your control. You want to obviously have good grades/MCAT score but you also want to have valuable life experiences, passion activities/projects, participate in your local community through volunteer work or shadowing or working or research, and then additionally learning to confidently advocate for yourself on your application and interview and knowing why you are the person they should accept and how to show that!
Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Medical school applications are expensive and competitive, you want to have good grades but also be well rounded, write a good essay for why you want to be a doctor, volunteer and get involved in your community, having other jobs is also wonderful on a resume, research can be a great resume builder as well
Rita Chuang
Physician
112
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
It's very difficult to get into medical school and it appears to be more challenging. You need the entire package: grades, MCAT scores, extra curricular activities. I advise every premed student work as a scribe. You act like a secretary and type for the physicians. They pay you, you get experience and you can interact with physicians. Not only that, when you go into medical school, it's so much easier because you now have experience and you've already heard the language. My medical students who worked as scribes were so much sharper and did so much better. The other students were good but these previous scribes shined.
Scott Adler
Physician (recently retired)
32
Answers
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Hi Melany! While there is no secret formula for getting into medical school, there are some things that are generally true and which can be difficult. The first and most important one is getting excellent grades including in some difficult classes that are generally required. It is not necessary to major in a science but classes which are usually prerequisites for medical school include a year of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and math. While doing well in your studies, it is also important to carve out time for other activities as medical schools look favorably on applicants with a wide range of experiences. These can be related to medicine such as participating in research or can show a broad range of interests and skills, for example playing in a band or some other nonacademic pursuit. Good luck in your journey.