They should tell you They should tell you that…that…

Laura Berg MS IVLaura Berg MS IV

University of North University of North Dakota School of Dakota School of MedicineMedicine

Finding a medical Finding a medical schoolschool American Association of American Association of

Medical CollegesMedical Colleges– http://www.aamc.orghttp://www.aamc.org– Link to Medical Schools, Link to Medical Schools,

then “Find a Medical then “Find a Medical School: US and Canadian School: US and Canadian Medical Schools”Medical Schools”

126 Programs 126 Programs registered with the registered with the AAMCAAMC

AMCASAMCAS

American Medical College Application American Medical College Application Service Service – http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htmhttp://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm– 116 medical schools utilize AMCAS 116 medical schools utilize AMCAS – Not all medical schools use AMCAS services!Not all medical schools use AMCAS services!– DemographicsDemographics– Detailed description of grades and courseworkDetailed description of grades and coursework– Work and volunteer informationWork and volunteer information

Additional applications will be required with Additional applications will be required with added fee for many programsadded fee for many programs

What are they looking What are they looking for?for? Grade-point average Breadth and difficulty of undergraduate

coursework Letters of recommendation AMCAS form Extracurricular activities such as student

government and community service Involvement in and quality of health-related

work and research Participation in activities demonstrating

motivation, responsibility, maturity, integrity, resourcefulness, tolerance, perseverance, dedication to service

Knowledge of health care issues and commitment to health care

Interview State of legal residence

UndergradUndergrad

The best major is one that interests youThe best major is one that interests you Be sure to take Pre-med courses including:Be sure to take Pre-med courses including:

– BiologyBiology– ANATOMYANATOMY– BiochemistryBiochemistry

Classes of interestClasses of interest– SPEECHSPEECH– Art Art – MusicMusic

COURSE COURSE REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS

Biology – 2 semestersBiology – 2 semesters Inorganic – 2 semInorganic – 2 sem Organic* - 2 sem Organic* - 2 sem

– * A student may substitute a semester or * A student may substitute a semester or quarter of biochemistry for the final quarter of biochemistry for the final semester/quarter of organic chemistrysemester/quarter of organic chemistry

Physics – 2 semestersPhysics – 2 semesters College Algebra College Algebra Psychology/Sociology Psychology/Sociology Language Arts (English, Speech, etc.) – Language Arts (English, Speech, etc.) –

at least 2 courses at least 2 courses A minimum cumulative and science A minimum cumulative and science

(chemistry, physics, biology, psychology (chemistry, physics, biology, psychology and math) grade point average of 3.0 is and math) grade point average of 3.0 is expected.expected.

Average GPA- 3.69 in my classAverage GPA- 3.69 in my class

Biology (w/lab) – 2 semBiology (w/lab) – 2 sem General or inorganic chemistry General or inorganic chemistry

(w/lab) – 2 sem(w/lab) – 2 sem Organic chem (w/lab) – 2 semOrganic chem (w/lab) – 2 sem Biochem – 1 semBiochem – 1 sem Physics (w/lab) – 2 semPhysics (w/lab) – 2 sem Calculus – 1 semCalculus – 1 sem English composition and literature English composition and literature

– 2 sem– 2 sem Social, Behavioral sciences, and Social, Behavioral sciences, and

humanities – 4 semhumanities – 4 sem– Psychology and at least 2 of Psychology and at least 2 of

the following (history, the following (history, sociology, anthropology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, comparative philosophy, comparative studies, music or art)studies, music or art)

University of

North Dakota

University of

Minnesota – Twin Cities

The ApplicationThe Application

Typed application form Typed application form – Locate a typewriter or resume service Locate a typewriter or resume service

companycompany Personal statement Personal statement Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation

– Most require 3Most require 3 Medical College Admissions Test scores Medical College Admissions Test scores Official academic transcripts Official academic transcripts Non-refundable application fee Non-refundable application fee

Personal StatementPersonal Statement

AttributesAttributes Unique characteristics Unique characteristics Interest in medicineInterest in medicine Participation in research projectsParticipation in research projects HobbiesHobbies Medicine-related employmentMedicine-related employment Motivation and commitment to a medical Motivation and commitment to a medical

careercareer Demonstrate ability to work with peopleDemonstrate ability to work with people Show compassion and empathyShow compassion and empathy PROOFREADPROOFREAD

Letters of Letters of Recommendation Recommendation Appraisals by persons who know the applicant well:Appraisals by persons who know the applicant well:

– College advisorsCollege advisors– Instructors Instructors – EmployersEmployers– ClergyClergy– Peer, roommate, spouse or friendPeer, roommate, spouse or friend

Should addressShould address– Relationship with applicantRelationship with applicant– Applicant's personalityApplicant's personality– ReliabilityReliability– MotivationMotivation

MCATMCAT

http://www.aamc.http://www.aamc.org/students/mcaorg/students/mcat/t/

9 ½ hour test– 8:00 A.M. to

5:30 P.M.– Two 10-minute

breaks– One-hour lunch

break

2004 MCAT Test Date Schedule

Test Dates– April 17, 2004 – August 14, 2004

Regular Registration Deadlines ($190 fee)– March 12, 2004 – July 9, 2004

Late Registration Deadlines ($190 + $50 late fee)– March 26, 2004– July 23, 2004

Section Number of Questions

Time in Minutes

Physical Sciences

77 100

Verbal Reasoning

60 85

Writing Sample

2 60

Biological Sciences

77 100

MCAT MCAT BreakdownBreakdown

Personal InterviewPersonal Interview

Applicants may be invited to interviewApplicants may be invited to interview– Usually 20-30 minutesUsually 20-30 minutes– Team interviewing youTeam interviewing you– Team interviewing you and other candidates simultaneouslyTeam interviewing you and other candidates simultaneously– One-on-one interview One-on-one interview

Applicants should prepare questions about the programApplicants should prepare questions about the program Be prepared to answer questionsBe prepared to answer questions

– Why did you decide on a career in medicine?Why did you decide on a career in medicine?– Where do you see yourself in 10 years?Where do you see yourself in 10 years?– What are your strengths/weaknesses?What are your strengths/weaknesses?– How do you feel about healthcare in the US?How do you feel about healthcare in the US?– Do you feel that healthcare is a right or a privilege?Do you feel that healthcare is a right or a privilege?– Who is your role model and why?Who is your role model and why?– Ethical questionsEthical questions

What happens if you What happens if you are not accepted…are not accepted… Don’t give up!Don’t give up! Waiting listWaiting list Talk to admissions advisor about Talk to admissions advisor about

how to improve your applicationhow to improve your application Keep busy: work, volunteer, Keep busy: work, volunteer,

travel, peace corps, Americorpstravel, peace corps, Americorps ReapplyReapply

You’re You’re accepted! accepted!

Now what?Now what?

Financial AidFinancial Aid

Loans to cover:Loans to cover:– Tuition (~ 10,000 to 45,000 per year)Tuition (~ 10,000 to 45,000 per year)– Living expenses Living expenses – TextbooksTextbooks

Many scholarships availableMany scholarships available Many medical schools do not allow Many medical schools do not allow

outside employment outside employment

CURRICULUMCURRICULUM Year 1Year 1

– PhysiologyPhysiology– Introduction to patient careIntroduction to patient care

Year 2 Year 2 – PathologyPathology– Continued clinical experienceContinued clinical experience

Year 3 – Core clinical clerkshipsYear 3 – Core clinical clerkships Year 4 – Elective clinical clerkshipsYear 4 – Elective clinical clerkships

Learning the BasicsLearning the Basics

USMLE Step 1USMLE Step 1

United States Medical United States Medical Licensing ExamLicensing Exam– http://www.usmle.org/step1/http://www.usmle.org/step1/– Physiology and PathologyPhysiology and Pathology

Taken following the second Taken following the second year of medical schoolyear of medical school

Year 3Year 3

Internal MedicineInternal Medicine OB/GYNOB/GYN PsychiatryPsychiatry Family PracticeFamily Practice PediatricsPediatrics SurgerySurgery

USMLE Step 2 USMLE Step 2

http://www.usmle.orghttp://www.usmle.org More clinically orientedMore clinically oriented

Year 4Year 4

All electivesAll electives Out of state/country rotations Out of state/country rotations

availableavailable

Year 4 exampleYear 4 example

Psychiatry --- MayoPsychiatry --- Mayo Internal MedicineInternal Medicine General surgeryGeneral surgery RadiologyRadiology Eating disordersEating disorders 2 months off for interviews2 months off for interviews Family Medicine --- AustraliaFamily Medicine --- Australia NeurologyNeurology Medical geneticsMedical genetics

GraduatioGraduationn

You are a Doctor!You are a Doctor! The education The education

continues…continues…

Applying to ResidencyApplying to Residency

ERAS – electronic residency ERAS – electronic residency application serviceapplication service– http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/

start.htmstart.htm National Residency Match National Residency Match

ProgramProgram– http://www.nrmp.org/http://www.nrmp.org/

There is still time for There is still time for fun…fun…

KaraokeKaraoke

Malpractice BowlMalpractice Bowl

Medical School vs. Law SchoolMedical School vs. Law School

Still Single?Still Single?

Formal PartiesFormal Parties

Informal PartiesInformal Parties

Questions?Questions?

Please feel free to contact me with Please feel free to contact me with any questionsany questions

lberg@medicine.nodak.edu lberg@medicine.nodak.edu