What are the requirements for med school?
Answer:
What medical school admissions committees look for
Most pre-med advisors will probably agree that maybe 70% to 80% of the admissions decision depends on your GPA and MCAT scores alone (since these are given much emphasis). However, there is more to the admissions decision. The weight placed on different aspects of your overall application varies by school. Some medical schools place very heavy emphasis on the MCAT and don't consider much else, while other schools almost completely ignore MCAT scores unless they are very low. Instead they may place all their emphasis on extra-curricular activities and a well-rounded application.
Generally, the following are the main areas used by admissions committees to evaluate candidates:
1. GPA
2. MCAT scores
3. Application material
4. Recommendation Letters
5. Personal Interview
Note that recommendation letters are written by people (usually faculty, physicians or managers) who have interacted with you in extra-curricular activities or in the classroom. Therefore, these really reflect how you did in the activities that you listed on your application and what type of person you are. (See the recommendation letters section for details.)
The personal statement of your application, the personal interview and recommendation letters all have one thing in common: They allow the admission committee to get a glimpse into your personality, your character and give them an overall impression about you. Numbers on a page are meaningless by themselves. Most applicants have a good GPA and at least a decent MCAT score. So, some of these other factors are just as important (or even more) than your scores and grades.
Your application, scores, grades and recommendation letters will get you the interview. Your personality, character and the overall impression you leave at the interview will get you the spot in the class.
Your activities demonstrate your commitment to the admissions committee. All these extra activities look good on your application and may make it stand out from the rest.
Perhaps you could also argue that most everyone does those things, so you really can't stand out. Reverse that thought: All the more reason to do them so you are not behind your competitors.
And: Not all applicants do these, so you have a chance to stand out.
You can pick one area that you really like and spend way more time there to stand out. If you love research, try to invest years there instead of months. If you love shadowing, (like me) put in hundreds of hours instead of 20 hours only. If you can't stand out everywhere pick one area to do it.
what country are you in? In the US and Canada high school doesn't mean anything as to whether or not you will get into med school.
go to assist.org. it will give u all the requirements to UCSF medical school. also u wil have ot pick a undergrad major..mostly bio . ..or chem..anything to get ur bachlors in. After you bachlors apply to graduate school.
Requirements for med school are a Bachelor of Science, the MCAT, and intangibles.
Worry about getting yourself into a good college. Not med school.
Have you forgotten you need to go to college, first? You will need a four-year degree in one of the soft sciences, biology preferred. It wouldn't hurt to minor in chemistry.
Pre-med coursework includes: general biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, epidemiology, biostatistics, cell biology, microbiology, developmental biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.
Your pre-ACT score is great however it means nothing. To get into med school you need an MCAT score.
One step at a time - get into college first.
While in college, be sure to get some research and volunteer experience.
And are you sure you want to go to med school? My girlfriend is a second year resident now and all she does is complain how crappy her life is.
Good answer from a lot of people. I agree with most.
First, finish high school and go to college. Honestly, if you want to go to med school in US, you should go to college in US. Acceptance is higher from your home state, since many med schools are public institution. Go to a college which has good reputation AND you can get good grade. Why? Going to Harvard, for example, and do mediocre there would not help you get into med school, and neither would going to community college and graduate top of class there.
Secondly, MCAT, GPA, faculty recommendation are all important. However, another important factor is your extracurricular activities. Med school admission committees don't want nerds. They know, from your scores and grades, how good of a science student you are. They will want to know what kind of PERSON you are - whether you can be a good doctor or just a scientist. To be a good doctor, you will need compassion, understanding, and a reason to be there in the first place. Show them that you are a diverse and versatile person.
Third, enjoy your college experience. Don't just concentrate on Premed. Only about 1/3 to 1/4 of the Premeds in my college end up in med school. Many of them find something else to do with their lvies, and some couold not get into med school. Have fun, and if you find something else you like go for it.
Fourth, you don't pick your specialty until last year of medical school - which is like 9 years from now for you. At least 1/3 of the medical students have no idea what they want to be at end of the third year. Don't rush into that decision as well. You might find something else more interesting in medicine.
J has it right. For more details, THE place to look is http://www.aamc.org the Association of American Medical Colleges.
http://www.studentdoc.com/medical-school...
I agree with all of the answers here--med schools don't care about high school. Do well in college and study hard for the MCAT! Also I would recommend at some point that you do some medically related volunteer work. 1) It will help you know if the medical profession is really right for you. 2) Looks great on an application. (But don't do it just for #2).
The medicine and health information post by website user , ByeDR.com not guarantee correctness , is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
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