The competition for medical schools is fierce. According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, the national acceptance rate for medical schools is 43 percent. These top 10 tips are from medical students and doctors to help you prepare for your prehealth profession.
Add some medical experience to your resume.
Shadowing doctors and other medical professionals is a great way to get experience. Admissions committees expect applicants to have little experience treating patients. You still need to become a doctor. They want to see that you have spent time learning about your future career. While job shadowing is an excellent way to gain medical experience, there may be other opportunities outside the scope of the shadowing.
“Med school admissions committees want medical students to have realistic expectations about what a career as a physician will look like. Dr. Sarah Carlson is a Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center resident in vascular surgery and has served on a medical school admissions board. She was an undergraduate who volunteered to take x-rays at a local hospital. This led to an opportunity to speak with the radiologist. He shared his knowledge about x-ray film reading and why he chose this profession. She says, “These types of interactions you should have under your belt.” “Medicine is not for everyone. You must do some soul-searching and meet people qualified to help you. Many doctors are willing to meet with students interested in a career as a doctor.
You can also get medical experience by becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), an EMT volunteer, or a hospital scribe entering data. Some applicants can gain clinical experience by caring for their family members.
Do Research Projects
Demonstrate that you have hands-on knowledge of science. Applying to medical school requires that you have had some research experience undergrad. Dr. Carlson says that most medical schools are looking for students who are passionate about research. She was a pipette and ran assays in Dr. Pushpa’s laboratory at Michigan Technological University. Although it was only a tiny portion of her research, she still conveyed the impact. “I had to explain in my interviews that the greater scope of the research was on inositol-phosphate metabolism.”
Carly Joseph, a medical student, did long-term research on engineered biomaterials. She says that sticking with it allowed her to develop critical thinking skills and ignited her passion for science. I started by learning about biomaterials from my older colleagues, then I moved on to conducting my own experiments and finally presenting at conferences. She made research her top priority each semester and was able to build close relationships with mentors and achieve more than she could have ever imagined.
You can also look into summer programs through college-based programs such as the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates or the AAMC database for summer undergraduate research programs.
Give your time to help others.
Dr. Carlson was a volunteer with Big Brothers-Big Sisters. So did Joseph. Clean the beach, clean it, and walk your dog. You have many non-clinical volunteer options showing you are willing to give back and pay it forward.
They offer many services and programs. Joseph was accepted to Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine. He was part of the Forever Friends program and matched up with an older adult she visited once a month. “I have a strong friendship with her, which has helped me alleviate some loneliness. It’s a win for all!
Dr. Carlson says that doctors are usually very generous and that med schools want evidence of your commitment to the community. “Community service can take many forms, and almost anything qualifies. It could be trash cleanup, mentorship programs, or working at a fundraiser to support a charity.
Ask your prehealth professions advisor for volunteer opportunities on campus and in your local community. These could include volunteering at local food banks, blood drives, shelters for the homeless, or domestic violence victims. You could be a tutor, provide companionship, Meals on Wheels, or walk dogs at an animal shelter. You can also work with Habitat for Humanity or develop clean water sources for Third World nations. For a list of global and community partners that your school has, check with them. You can use the mentors you have created for recommendation letters. Most schools require at least three. And, friendships that you make will last a lifetime.
Select a major you will excel in.
While grades aren’t all that important, they are significant. A competitive GPA (grade-point average) is necessary to choose a field of study. For medical school applicants, the recommended GPA is 3.7 for MDs (medical professionals), 3.5 for DOs [doctors of osteopathy], and 3.4 for NDs (“Doctor of Naturopathic”). Many students considering a career in medicine choose to major in biology. Dr. Carlson, however, earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Her colleagues went on to major in engineering, English, and music.
Pre-med majors are not possible, according to pre-health professions advisor Nicole Seigneurie. She works with students preparing for a career in medicine at Michigan Technological University. There are many programs that students can apply for. For medical school admission, you will need to be able to pass classes such as biology, chemistry, math, and general education. Get help if you have any difficulties in any category.
During her fourth year, Joseph was forced to complete many of the prerequisite courses for medical school. She also had to create a study plan for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Prepare to explain why you want to become a doctor.
Avoid giving generic answers such as “I want people to help me.” There is no correct answer. Be specific. Be specific.
McKenzie is passionate about helping people in the community, especially those suffering from chronic medical shortages. “I’ve always wanted to go back to Houghton Hancock, the place I grew up, to help my rural community.”
Joseph’s dream is to combine a passion for science and directly help others.
Dr. Carlson’s dream began when she was five years old and her sister was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. She encourages applicants to share their initial inspiration and explain how they prepared for the grueling process.
