APPLYING TO MEDICAL SCHOOLS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Advisors:
Jacqueline Sedgwick, MD
Aparna Sreenivasan, PhD
Robert Lerrigo
UCSF – MS3
OUTLINE
About Me Project Goals Timelines MCATs Extracurriculars Taking a Year Off Available Resources Questions
ABOUT ME
3rd Year UCSF Medical Student Working at Natividad Medical Center,
completing the Family Medicine clerkship Continuing community project:
CSUMB PreHealth Advising
PROJECT GOALS
Create long-term solutions to CSUMB’s PreHealth advising needs: Dynamic online repository for application
information Revised course timetables MCAT aids and resources
Help initiate the CSUMB chapter of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA®) Students helping students: Mentor-mentee pairs
Identify existing barriers to application process
TIMELINES Application process: 18 months Preparation process: several years
Know the course requirements: CSUMB Premedical Pathway
http://catalog.csumb.edu/undergrad-education/majors/biology/course-pathways/premedical-freshman-pathway
AAMC General Course Requirements https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/
MSAR https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/msar/
Create a Four-Year Plan* The earlier you submit your AMCAS, the better!
June 1, first day submission
TIMELINE – PREMED FRESHMAN PATHWAY
Freshman
Sophomore Junior Senior
CHEM 110/L, 111/L
211, 212
BIO 240/L, 241/L 242/L, 300 311, 320/L, 310, 414, 490
PHYS 220, 221
MATH/ STAT
MATH 150, 151
STAT 100 or 250
ENVS 211 212
CST 101
FYS 100
Language
2 3
Others Creative/Artistic Expression;Literature and Popular Culture
Community Participation Upper division Service Learning; Culture & Equity; MLO 9 Service in Biology (all 300 level or above)
Vibrancy Activity Vibrancy Theory
Concentration MLO 10 Bio Capstone and Adv Elective
Democratic Participation; US Histories
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
TIMELINE – MCAT DATES 2011Test Date Exam Start
TimeRegistration Opens
Regular Registration Closes*11:59 p.m. ET
Late Registration Closes**11:59 p.m. ET
Tentative Score Release DateAfter 5 p.m. ET
Friday, January 28, 2011 8 a.m. October 6, 2010
January 14, 2011 January 21, 2011 March 1, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011 1 p.m. October 6 January 15 January 22 March 1
Saturday, March 26, 2011 8 a.m. October 6 March 12 March 19 April 26
Saturday, April 9, 2011 8 a.m. October 6 March 26 April 2 May 10
Saturday, April 16, 2011 8 a.m. October 6 April 2 April 9 May 17
Friday, April 29, 2011 1 p.m. October 6 April 15 April 22 June 1
Saturday, May 7, 2011 8 a.m. October 6 April 23 April 30 June 7
Friday, May 20, 2011 8 a.m. October 6 May 6 May 13 June 21
Saturday, May 21, 2011 8 a.m. October 6 May 7 May 14 June 21
Thursday, May 26, 2011 1 p.m. October 6 May 12 May 19 June 28
Thursday, June 16, 2011 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
TBD June 2 June 9 July 19
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 1 p.m. TBD June 22 June 29 August 9
Saturday, July 16, 2011 8 a.m. TBD July 2 July 9 August 16
Thursday, July 28, 2011 8 a.m. TBD July 14 July 21 August 30
Friday, July 29, 2011 8 a.m. TBD July 15 July 22 August 30
Friday, August 5, 2011 1 p.m. TBD July 22 July 29 September 7
Saturday, August 6, 2011 8 a.m. TBD July 23 July 30 September 7
Friday, August 12, 2011 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
TBD July 29 August 5 September 13
Thursday, August 18, 2011 1 p.m. TBD August 4 August 11 September 20
Friday, August 19, 2011 8 a.m. TBD August 5 August 12 September 20
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 1 p.m. TBD August 9 August 16 September 27
Thursday, September 1, 2011 1 p.m. TBD August 18 August 25 October 4
Friday, September 2, 2011 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
TBD August 19 August 26 October 4
Thursday, September 8, 2011 8 a.m. TBD August 25 September 1 October 11
Saturday, September 10, 2011
1 p.m. TBD August 27 September 2 October 11
MCAT: WHEN DO I TAKE IT? When you are prepared:
When course material is fresh When you’re done studying Test prep courses (Kaplan, etc.) are popular, but not required:
know deadlines and test prep center locations (San Jose, La Jolla) At the very latest, aim for a summer MCAT the year
you are applying (>1 year before the start of medical school) Scores obtained before submitting AMCAS Taking a June test scores in by July: The option of retaking the
test Consider taking the MCAT earlier: June 1 AMCAS submission
Keep in mind: You can only register for one test at a time July and August test dates fill up quickly Retaking the MCATs may mean taking the test at another
location Medical schools don’t review applications until receiving the
MCAT scores: September test scores of the year of application may delay the date when the application will be reviewed
MCAT: THE BASICS
Medical College Admission Test An important exam Know your enemy
Computer-based Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample,
and Biological Sciences
Have a plan:1) Start your research early2) Read up on essentials from the AAMC3) Take a free practice test: Your baseline4) Commercial review courses vs. self-studying5) Explore the forums (StudentDoctor.net)
EXTRACURRICULARS* Medical schools want to know why you want
to be a doctor Passion, dedication, progress Shadowing clinicians:
Contact local hospitals Contact your childhood doc
Volunteering: Hospital Auxiliary Social work
Evidence of academic rigor Research Publications
TAKING A YEAR OFF
Is not frowned upon, may in fact be beneficial
Most students take 1-2 years off after graduating
Most common reasons: Students feel burnt-out Students need time to build their application
Post-baccalaureate programs http://services.aamc.org/postbac/
Time for reflection Time to satisfy your interests
TAKING A YEAR OFF: COMMON OPTIONS Volunteering in health and non-clinical settings Internships/fellowships in your field of
interests Studying abroad Medical mission trips Becoming active in school groups Shadowing physicians Clinical/laboratory research Coordinating projects, teaching Peace Corps Becoming an EMT Armed Forces – Reserves
AVAILABLE RESOURCES Student Doctor Network
www.studentdoctor.net Premedical Career Pathway Research –
Stanford www.pcpr.beagooddoctor.org
Association of American Medical Colleges: Makers of the MCAT and AMCAS www.aamc.org
American Medical Student Association www.amsa.org
MCAT Review Courses princetonreview.com/home.asp www.kaplan.com
GENERAL ADVICE You are not alone:
Talk to advisors Talk to upperclassmen Scour the message boards and take notes Do not be intimidated by others – you have
strengths nobody else has The Personal Statement:
Be honest Display your values and your passion Do not reiterate everything that’s been written
elsewhere in the application – emphasize what is important
Journal writing: ask yourself every month why you want to become a health care professional.
INTERESTED IN STARTING AN AMSA CHAPTER?
Member benefits: Access to national AMSA scholarships,
internships, shadowing opportunities Involvement in a well-known medical
organization Involvement in health care politics
Contact Chanelle Shamoun, [email protected]