A career in medicine begins with preparation for medical college.
From age 5 on, whenever someone asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up, the answer was, "A doctor." Now, you're planning your college career with the same goal in mind: to become a physician. To eventually secure your place in an accredited medical school, you'll need to meet certain requirements in your academic and professional life.
The Basics: Coursework
Obviously, a future M.D. will need a strong background in the sciences. Medical schools expect well-rounded enrollees, so it's important not to neglect the liberal arts side of things as well. Coursework in the humanities and social sciences (for example, communication and psychology) can help demonstrate that you will eventually be a physician who can communicate with her patients.
While each medical school has its own requirements for admission, there is a list of common requirements for admission at most medical schools. These include two semesters of general chemistry, plus lab; two semesters of organic chemistry, plus lab; two semesters of general biology, plus lab; two semesters of physics, plus lab; two semesters of English; and calculus, often needed for physics class. Most schools also recommend some coursework in biochemistry, including a lab if possible, and genetics.
Testing, Testing.
Not only did you need a stellar score on your ACT or SAT just for admission to college, now you need to plan for another grueling standardized exam, the Medical College Admission Test. Administered several times annually, you can take the MCAT up to three times within each calendar year. According to the website Student Doc, an estimated 70 to 80 percent of medical students opt to take a professional MCAT preparation course to ensure the best possible score.
Completed Application and Well-Written Essay
You have worked for years to keep a good grade point average in all those science courses, and you've studied for weeks to get a high score on the MCAT. It must be time to let things slide. No, it is not. It's crucial that you don't neglect your application for each medical school you're considering. What you present to prospective schools on your application determines your future, so be certain it is 100 percent correct. This is not the time for careless typos. Since part of your application includes letters of recommendation, you should cultivate relationships with professors and professionals who can recommend you as a medical student. A hastily written, last-minute letter from the English professor you had in your sophomore year is not going to do you any favors.
The Softer Side
While medical schools concern themselves primarily with your academic record and MCAT scores, they will also consider many other aspects of your college career. They will note your extracurricular activities and any volunteering or research you performed while completing your bachelor's degree. Activities that look impressive on your application include those that show your commitment to the medical field. These might include volunteering at the free clinic, peer counseling through your university, or working as an emergency medical technician.
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