How Do I Get Into Medical School

How Do I Get Into Medical School?

DNHS Future Doctors of America ClubSeptember 2013

Special Guest Speaker ~ Romeo C. Ignacio Jr., M.D.Naval Medical Center San Diego - Balboa

Pediatric Surgery

Timeline

High School

Why is it important to start early if you want to become a doctor? First of all, you will need to take the necessary steps in high school to attend a college that will prepare you for medical school. Remember that virtually all colleges offer the science classes needed to get into medical school.

But, to get into a prestigious college with an exceptional science program, not only will you need a high SAT score, but you must take the appropriate classes and extracurricular activities to show your desired college that you are developing a passion in a subject you wish to pursue as a career; in this case, Medicine. These competitive colleges see applications of accomplished students on a daily basis; show them something that will put you in the right pile of applications.

What do I do in High School?

These classes include AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, Principles of Biomedical Science, and Human Body Systems. These are good classes to take, but make sure you have available trimesters for enrollment in these classes.

Taking many AP classes in high school is beneficial in the long run because it frees up space in undergraduate school, giving you time to potentially double major in areas such as Biology and Chemistry, which are two majors that Medical schools will be impressed to see that you have completed together. Also, taking Medical oriented classes, such as Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems (as long as you have the space) will show colleges that you are developing a passion.


Consider volunteering or starting an internship at a local hospital, nursing home or other healthcare establishment. Competitive colleges will see this as how you pursue your passion and medical schools will look at this for proof of your exposure to medical settings and commitment to serving others.

Most of you are familiar with the contents of the SAT, but let’s go over it one more time, because it will be a crucial part of your road to medical school. This test includes three sections: Writing, Critical Reading, and Math. This is a timed test, meaning that you will be given a certain amount of time to complete each section. Each section will be worth 800 points, which totals 2400 points. This test is a crucial factor in determining what colleges will accept you, so it will also play a role in determining which medical school you will study at.


In addition to taking the SAT, it will be beneficial to take the SAT II, also known as the SAT Subject Tests. In the SAT II, you take tests in subjects of your choice to show colleges that you have mastery in more subjects than what the regular SAT covers (Writing, Critical Reading, and Math). You can take as many SAT Subject Tests as you want (3 per testing day) but it is difficult to take more than three both because of long gaps between testing dates and your stamina; you don’t want to overwhelm yourself.

College-bound students use the SAT II to take tests in subjects that they would like to pursue as a career later on. Most students who plan on eventually attending medical school take 2-3 SAT Subject Tests. Although many schools, including the UC System schools and Stanford, do not require that you even take the SAT II, most recommend that you take at least two. So, most aspiring medical students take a Chemistry and Biology Subject test with one extra subject of their choosing.


Timeline

High School College

What do we do here?•Take both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests (Biology, Chemistry, + an extra subject) and score high on both tests.•Earn a high GPA, take many appropriate AP classes, including several that show our developing passion. Taking many AP’s will give us room to double major in college.•Volunteer or intern at local hospitals, healthcare facilities, etc.

Now, in college (undergrad school), it is extremely important to take the right classes needed for entry into medical school.

All medical schools require that you take certain undergraduate classes: 1 year of Biology 1 year of Inorganic Chemistry 1 year of Organic Chemistry 1 year of Physics 1 year of Math (Calculus and Statistics) 1 year of English

What do I do in College?

In addition to taking those pre-requisite classes, medical schools will also require that you major in subjects related to the medical field. In most cases, students hoping to get into medical school double major in Biology and Chemistry, while others major in Bioengineering or Biomedical Sciences instead of Chemistry. Majoring in Science/Medical subjects will get you a Bachelor of Sciences degree in that specific subject needed for entry into medical school.

In addition to many other factors, a key component of your admission to medical school is your academic GPA. Most medical schools like to see that you have maintained a strong GPA throughout college, preferably 3.5 or above.

Medical schools will want to see that you have been exposed to the field: Continue to work in a hospital or other healthcare center. Consider shadowing or researching with a doctor to gain some real exposure

to the medical field.


Towards the end of college, in your junior year, it will be time to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). This test is like the SAT for medical schools, and you can take the MCAT up to three times in one year. This test, like the SAT, requires lots of studying, and it is helpful to review your tests and material from the Science/Medical college courses you have already taken. The competitive score for the MCAT is above 30.

The total score is out of 45: Physical Sciences: 15 Verbal Reasoning: 15 Biological Sciences: 15


This test will dictate what type of a medical degree you can pursue in medical school. This, in turn, will also dictate what type of medical field you may go in. If you get a 3.5 GPA in college and a strong (30+) score on the MCAT,

you will be able to go to a medical school with the appropriate courses to earn an Allopathic degree, also known as the M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree. This degree will allow you to pursue any field in medicine. This is the most common type of medical degree.

If you get a 3.0-3.4 GPA in college and a good (25-29) score on the MCAT, you will be able to attend a medical school with the appropriate courses to earn an Osteopathic degree, also known as the D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. This degree will allow you to pursue any field, but most of these Osteopathic schools are located on the East coast. There are barely any Osteopathic schools on the West coast.


If you get a 2.7 GPA or below in college and an average (21-24) score on the MCAT, you will be able to go to a medical with the appropriate courses to earn a Podiatry degree, also known as the D.P.M (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) degree. Unlike the M.D. and D.O. degrees, this degree will not allow you to pursue any field in Medicine but Podiatric fields, such as Podiatric surgery (foot surgery).

After you’ve taken the MCAT and are at the end of your senior year of college, all you have to do is put together a good application (including test scores, extracurricular activities, application essay) to the medical school(s) of your choice. With hard work, good test scores/GPA, and the appropriate college majors, you should be on your way to beginning your first year of Medical school!


Timeline

High School College

What do we do here?•Take both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests (Biology, Chemistry, + an extra subject) and score high on both tests.•Earn a high GPA, take many appropriate AP classes, including several that show our developing passion. Taking many AP’s will give us room to double major in college.•Volunteer or intern at local hospitals, healthcare facilities, etc.

What do we do here?•Take the appropriate undergraduate classes for entry into medical school.• Major in one or preferably two (Double major) relevant subjects for entry into medical school (Biology and Chemistry/Bioengineering/Biomedical Sciences). Also, earn a high GPA.•Continue to be a volunteer/intern at a local hospital or other healthcare facility. •Score a 30 or better on the MCAT.

Special Guest SpeakerDr. Romeo C. Ignacio, M.D.Pediatric SurgeryNaval Medical Center San Diego - Balboa

What Comes Next?

Medical School:What Happens Here?

Coming October 2013

Health & Medicine

How Do I Get Into Medical School