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Becoming a doctor – practical advice for the journey for high school studentsSunny Nakae, MSW, PhD CandidateNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Overview
0Outline the progression of education and training0Cover the basics of preparation0Discuss characteristics of well-prepared, competitive
applicants to medicine0Discuss navigating college and premed0Debunk myths and issue precautions0Questions
The journey into medicine0 Becoming more flexible0 Encouraging of diversity in a broad sense
0 Experiences, skills, personal characteristics, courses of study, etc.0 Has numbers that determine consideration, but not necessarily
admission0 Requires persistence, dedication, and support0 Can be a ‘choose your own adventure’ if done right!
Premed PreparationGPAScience GPA
MCAT score Medical exposure
Leadership
Interpersonal skills
Research experience
Community service & evidence of altruism
Civic and campus engagement
Letters of recommendation
Professionalism Writing skills Academic skills (study skills, learning tools)
How it is advertised
High school
undergrad
Medical school
residency
fellowship
practice
What it really can look like
research
High school
undergrad Volunteer for TFA
Post bacc classes
Time off
Career pursuit residency
Master’s program
Medical school
fellowship
Stopping out for family
practice
Components
0Undergraduate degree (4-6 years)**0Medical school (4 years) 0Residency (3-7 years)0Fellowship (1-4 years)0 ** BA/BS- MD programs offer options for completing
both degrees in 6-8 years, depending on the program. Students are essentially conditionally accepted to medical school out of high school
Time line
MCAT
Apply/matriculate
Boards M2 & M3 summer
Apply for residency M4 year
Match/graduate
Boards residency year 1 = fully
licensed doctor
Graduate residency = full
practice (specialty boards option)
Fellowship + additional boards
College choice0 If a student is headed toward professional school, how does
that affect their initial undergraduate college choice?
Choosing the right college0Size 0Selectivity0Public/private0Research intensive0Size of surrounding community0Enrichment opportunities0Curriculum0Campus community/support0Rigor
Bottom Line
0Choose a school where you will THRIVE0 Personally0 Socially0 Pre-professionally0 Academically
A note about community college0Medical schools have different approaches to applicants
who have attended CC0 If a CC is the best option for a student, it’s okay, BUT0Ensure the student has a transfer plan and time line0Ensure the student takes some prereqs at a four-year school0Understand that earning a BS degree is less likely if a
student attends a CC
Premed advisers0Do NOT choose a school based on the premed advising
‘record’ of success0Many advisers act more like gatekeepers than facilitators0Advising varies from a full time dedicated adviser with a
program budget to a professor assigned to keep track of students however they see fit
0Students can get access to ALL information advisers have through the AAMC
0Students do NOT need adviser endorsement to apply or to submit letters of recommendation
Premed advisers0Caution: YOU must take charge of your preparation and may
not have a solid advisor upon which to rely. Seek alternatives.
0You may disagree with your adviser (this is allowed) and you should seek alternative advice if necessary
0Some advisers are discouraging and negative – if you encounter a supremely unhelpful adviser, walk away from the adviser, not medicine!
Premed requirements0Subject to change, but haven’t in the last 100 years01 year of biology01 year of general chemistry w/ labs01 year of organic chemistry w/ labs01 year of physics w/ labs0Usually calculus is a prereq for physics0Can include: statistics, biochemistry, diversity/social justice
courses, medical terminology, etc – vary slightly by school0Some schools ‘require’ and some ‘recommend’
Science Courses0No science courses above beginner/introductory level
freshman year. (maybe none at all)0Regardless of how prepared you are0Take the most difficult science courses latter half of
sophomore year and beyond.0Protect the GPA!!0 “W”s are bad. Given the dilemma, a “W” is always better
than a D or an F.
GPA basics0The GPA will not get you in, but it will keep you out0Make sure you understand rules about
withdrawing/dropping classes0Learn how to calibrate and predict performance0Think about classes over 4 years including summers0Do not take more than two science or math at a time,
especially in the first two years0Again, protect your GPA – it’s a key that unlocks the door of
consideration
GPA rules
0Every class you have ever taken for college credit is calculated into the GPA for applicants to medical school0 Includes concurrent enrollment0 Includes any repeated courses (grades are averaged in, not
replaced – so REPEATING CLASSES WILL NOT FIX A LOW GPA)0 Includes coursework at colleges where no degree was earned0 Pass fail, AP credits, or audited classes are not calculated into
the gpa
Science courses0Utilize the summer to ease the load of simultaneous difficult
classes (even at universities closer to home if it makes sense)
0Understand that counting toward premed and counting toward degree don’t necessarily have to overlap
0Understand that most schools’ premed “tracks” are ANTIQUATED and far from ideal for any student, but first generation college students, students with high financial need, or underrepresented minority students should be exceptionally careful.
Why wait for science classes?0You have two years of general education requirements
anyway0You will want the content fresh for MCAT. Taking classes too
early potentially means less effective learning/performance.0You need letters from professors in science areas, therefore
they want to perform well in those classes and have professors remember them and endorse them.
Why wait for science classes?0Students who underperform in science classes in the first
two years of college change their career aspirations more often and more drastically.
0The pace of science courses in college is intense, therefore you need to be well established as a student before you take science courses0 Academic calibration and self knowledge0 Additional academic success skills0 Resource savvy (supermall example)
Questions about premed coursework – what counts?0What about AP credits?0What about online courses?0What about concurrent enrollment courses?0Are they flexible? What can be substituted?0Are there other requirements besides the general
science ones?0What happens if you don’t have every class?
Activities0Begin pursuits with passion0You should choose a major you LOVE, doesn’t have to
be science!0Select extra-curriculars based on interest, not medical
school relevance0Think about having a ‘hook’ in the application that
will help you stand out0Seek personal growth and community impact. Get
outside comfort zone.0Log your activities as you go0Activities/achievements from HS do not belong on
your med school application
Get involved, find community0Students who are engaged on campus have higher
graduation rates than those who are not.0Follow a plan to ease into activities:
0 Freshman year: attend, decide what to join0 Sophomore year: join, participate in leadership, demonstrate
commitment0 Junior year: seek leadership positions, innovate0 Senior year: be in charge, give back, leave a legacy (leave things
better than before)
Get involved….but0Do not over commit yourself socially or with extra
curriculars at the expense of grades.0Remember that graduate school applications are always
individual. If you don’t take care of business, reviewers will have fewer opportunities to see your strengths
0Learn to balance, so you don’t burn out.0Learn to study – (PS reading is NOT studying)0 If you feel overwhelmed, you should stop and ask for help.
Resources for you0https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/0https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/0Medical School Admission Requirements publication or
online subscription
Cautions/Notes0Off shore MD programs (non-LCME accredited schools)0 International medical schools (non-US, non-LCME)0Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) Schools0Proprietary advising services & consultants0MCAT changes in 20150Pre-Health DREAMers. DACA students can apply! (ask me)0A few significant longitudinal pursuits vs. more experiences
with shorter durations0Grade shopping0Being a cookie cutter applicant
