On the Road to Medical School by Gavin Heath Denmark 2008 Senior Chemistry Major GCSU

Common Course Requirements One Year ( 2 semesters) of One Year ( 2 semesters) of General Biology w/ lab General Biology w/ lab General Chemistry w/ lab General Chemistry w/ lab Organic Chemistry w/ lab and another advanced chemistry such as Biochemistry Organic Chemistry w/ lab and another advanced chemistry such as Biochemistry General Physics General Physics English English

Recommended Courses Biochemistry (strongly recommended) Biochemistry (strongly recommended) Genetics Genetics Statistics Statistics Human Anatomy and Physiology Human Anatomy and Physiology Intro. Psychology Intro. Psychology Calculus Calculus Courses that require writing skills Courses that require writing skills

GPA A GPA around 3.7 is a good aim. A GPA around 3.7 is a good aim. Average usually ranges from 3.5 to 3.7 Average usually ranges from 3.5 to 3.7 Science GPA (math, biology, physics, chemistry) Science GPA (math, biology, physics, chemistry) Challenge yourself Challenge yourself Keep your credit-hours high. Keep your credit-hours high. Look at retaking classes you don’t do so well in. Look at retaking classes you don’t do so well in.

MCAT The MCAT consists of four timed sections: The MCAT consists of four timed sections: SectionQuestionsMinutes Physical Sciences 5270 Verbal Reasoning 4060 Writing Sample 260 Biological Sciences 5270

MCAT Scoring Scores for the multiple choice sections range from 1 to 15 Scores for the multiple choice sections range from 1 to 15 Scores for the writing sample range alphabetically from J to T. Scores for the writing sample range alphabetically from J to T. Score of a 30 P is competitive, but average scores fluctuate each year Score of a 30 P is competitive, but average scores fluctuate each year Scores ≤ 24 are at high risk of rejection. Scores ≤ 24 are at high risk of rejection.

MCAT Information The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is the administrators of the MCAT The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is the administrators of the MCAT The official MCAT web site: The official MCAT web site: Lots of information Lots of information FAQ FAQ Preparation guidelines Preparation guidelines Testing dates Testing dates PRACTICE TEST PRACTICE TEST

When to take the MCAT Take the MCAT late in the spring semester of your junior year. Take the MCAT late in the spring semester of your junior year. April or May are good times April or May are good times Allows you to take it again before applying Allows you to take it again before applying

Shadowing Shadowing or volunteering is extremely important Shadowing or volunteering is extremely important Student with 40 MCAT was denied because he lacked personal skills and showed no clinical experience Student with 40 MCAT was denied because he lacked personal skills and showed no clinical experience You should aim for about 200 hours of shadowing You should aim for about 200 hours of shadowing Start early (5 hours/week x 1 year)= 260 hours Start early (5 hours/week x 1 year)= 260 hours

Shadowing Guidelines Two or more specialties but Two or more specialties but One long term experience is better that multiple short ones One long term experience is better that multiple short ones Build a relationship with an MD Build a relationship with an MD Consistency Consistency Get a letter of recommendation from your shadowing mentor. Get a letter of recommendation from your shadowing mentor.

Research Research experience is a plus especially for the M.D./Ph.D. programs Research experience is a plus especially for the M.D./Ph.D. programs Be thoroughly conversant about it Be thoroughly conversant about it What were the hypothesis, the protocol, the results, the implications What were the hypothesis, the protocol, the results, the implications Do not go on and on about research in an application or interview is you are apllying for the M.D. program. Do not go on and on about research in an application or interview is you are apllying for the M.D. program.

Leadership Medical colleges consider leadership experiences significant for acceptance Medical colleges consider leadership experiences significant for acceptance Leadership Certificate Program (LCP) is a great way to enhance and practice your leadership skills Leadership Certificate Program (LCP) is a great way to enhance and practice your leadership skills

Letters of Recommendation Three letters Three letters College faculty College faculty Physician Physician Personal (not your parents) Personal (not your parents) Four areas: Four areas: How does the writer know the student? How does the writer know the student? What characteristics does the student have that would make him/her appealing as a potential M.D.? What characteristics does the student have that would make him/her appealing as a potential M.D.? How is the student’s general academic ability? How is the student’s general academic ability? What leadership roles has the student had? What leadership roles has the student had?

AMCAS American Medical College Application Service

AMCAS Essay Should show evidence of your sincerity and commitment Should show evidence of your sincerity and commitment Shadowing Shadowing Internships Internships Laboratory work Laboratory work Leadership experience Leadership experience Civic engagement Civic engagement Etc. Etc. Convince the committee that you are more than just a good student Convince the committee that you are more than just a good student

Interview They want to get to know you. They want to get to know you. Passion? Passion? Goals? Goals? Shadowing experiences? Shadowing experiences? Your perception of your own strengths and weaknesses? Your perception of your own strengths and weaknesses? Motivation? Motivation? They want you to get to know them They want you to get to know them Ask questions and show that you are interested Ask questions and show that you are interested They will want to know about incongruous things on your application They will want to know about incongruous things on your application

Now its in their hands! Good Luck!