MEDICAL SCHOOL: THE BASICS, SOME TIPS, AND HOW WE ENDED UP HEREA talk by UCSF studentsSharon OrbachJonathan Robbins9/21/11

ABOUT US

3rd Year UCSF Medical Students In Salinas at Natividad Medical Center,

currently completing our Family Medicine clerkship

OUTLINE

Topics you want us to cover Basic requirements/Timeline Alternate paths Tips from Sharon Jonathan Sharon Questions

GENERAL PREMED REQUIREMENTS

A year of Chemistry along with the appropriate laboratory coursesA year of Organic Chemistry along with laboratory coursesA year of Biology along with laboratory coursesA year of Physics along with laboratory coursesA year of EnglishA year of Calculus or other advanced math classes, including Statistics

MCAT: computerized, multiple-choice testOffered monthly at Prometric testing sites throughout the countryFour sections: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences

SAMPLE TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION DIRECTLY AFTER UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

First and second year – finish premedical requirements, participate in prehealth activities such as volunteering, research,

Third year – continue prehealth activities, maintain a strong GPA, take MCAT, and find recommenders

Summer after third year – apply online using the AMCAS, the earlier the application is submitted, the better!

Fourth year – Secondary applications, received invitations to interview, matriculate by May 15

ALTERNATIVE TIMELINE

A year off between undergraduate and medical school

Post bac programs – finish your pre-med requirements!

Strengthen your application working in a medical field, Teach For America,

MPH, Research, Volunteer work, and travel abroad

ABOUT THE AMCAS

The AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) is a common online application used by all medical schools during the application process

Required sections include Undergraduate transcript Activities & Awards Personal statement explaining desire to go to

medical school Secondary applications vary by school

Questions tailored to school Short answer questions about ethics

FINANCIAL AID

Medical school tuition generally costs $50k per year Most schools offer financial aid The federal government offers loans through the

Stafford program, which don’t have to be paid back until after graduation and accrue interest with a fixed, subsidized rate

Physician salaries depend on specialty, but here are some averages: Family practice: $204k Pediatrics: $175k Emergency Medicine: $216k General surgery: $291k Radiology $354k

MORE THAN GRADES AND TESTS

Extracurricular Activities Volunteering/shadowing/Jobs Teaching Role Leadership Role Community engagement Sports Hobbies—eg music Research

Letters of Recommendation

**TIPS**•Keep a CV•Do what YOU love (it’s your time)•Show interest/Take initiative/Be Curious•Be proactive•Collect Mentors (advocates)

JONATHAN’S PATH

University of Virginia, 2005, Political and Social Thought, minor in biology

Most certainly NOT pre-med in college

TO MED SCHOOL OR NOT TO MED SCHOOL

PhD vs. MD MD vs. MD/PhD vs MD/MS or MD/MPH Post-bac requirements The interviewing trail

Joint Medical Program 5 year, UC-Berkeley, UCSF combined MD/MS No lectures! Small group, case based learning Serious thesis

“YOU ARE EXCHANGING YOUR YOUTH FOR THIS SECRET KNOWLEDGE.”

DR. WILLIAM P. SCHECTER

TRAUMA SURGEONSAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL