| Prospective students can get confused by the | | | | doctor's offices. |
| medical school admissions process and have no | | | | Admission |
| where to turn for help. The admissions requirements | | | | First, though, even before you apply, you need to |
| for PhD programs are very similar to med school | | | | take the MCAT exam, the Medical College Admission |
| admissions. However, if you have questions about a | | | | Test, and then apply to medical school through |
| certain part of the med school application process, it | | | | AMCAS, the American Medical College Application |
| is always best to consult the most recent edition of | | | | Service. Med schools use a common application |
| the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) | | | | process that is administered by AMCAS, a division of |
| book and then the school directly. There are some | | | | the American Association of Medical Schools. The |
| simple steps to applying for med school and they are | | | | AMCAS application provides medical schools with |
| outlined below. | | | | enough information to make an initial screening; it |
| What Do Medical Schools Look For in a Candidate | | | | includes a modified undergraduate transcript, science |
| Medical school faculties have a responsibility to | | | | and overall GPAs, MCAT scores, information about |
| society to matriculate and graduate the best possible | | | | extracurricular activities, and a short personal |
| physicians, so admission to medical school is offered | | | | comment. Rising tuition costs, decreasing physician |
| to those who present the highest qualifications for | | | | salaries, a troubled medical system, and increased |
| the study and practice of medicine. Medical schools | | | | costs of malpractice insurance are all factors that |
| look for candidates who have integrity, leadership | | | | have affected recent applicant pools, and they are |
| experience, motivation, curiosity, imagination, | | | | leading many prospective students to reconsider |
| personality, volunteer experience, and commitment. | | | | medical careers. |
| Medical schools want to see grades for your | | | | Whereas students can theoretically decide on a whim |
| premedical requirements. | | | | to apply to other types of graduate and professional |
| Also, medical schools seek individuals who are | | | | programs, med school usually requires at least some |
| well-rounded academically. (Also note that some | | | | degree of specific undergraduate preparation. In |
| medical school requirements vary so be sure to | | | | theory, it is easier to get into medical school-and into |
| check out each school's requirements carefully before | | | | a choice residency-now than ever before, simply |
| you apply.) In regard to which major you choose, | | | | because there are fewer applicants for each open |
| while it is true that many students major in the | | | | slot. However, there are still about twice as many |
| sciences, medical schools tell us that it is fine to | | | | applicants as there are open spaces, and med schools |
| major in whatever you like. While most MIT | | | | are still attracting first-rate students. The competition |
| undergrad premedical students major in the sciences, | | | | is still stiff, and med schools have in no way lowered |
| only 44% of the class of 2001 majored solely in | | | | their expectations for the caliber of students they |
| Biology. Medical school Admissions Deans have said | | | | wish to enroll. |
| that they are very pleased to see humanities majors | | | | The people who excel in medicine are those who are |
| or any other major applying to their schools. | | | | happy spending every waking moment thinking about |
| Medical School Admission Interview | | | | medicine - and those are precisely the kind of people |
| After you fill out your application you will have to go | | | | that medical schools are looking for. So if you're |
| to the school for an interview. Your med school | | | | interested in becoming a medical doctor, be prepared |
| admission interview will likely involve questions about | | | | to make huge sacrifices, first in medical school and |
| contemporary ethical or economic problems | | | | then later in your internship and residency. Even when |
| encountered by physicians. They will also ask you | | | | you're not working directly with patients, you will be |
| about your current knowledge about the field of | | | | spending a significant amount of time as a doctor |
| medicine. For example, medical school admission | | | | reading and staying current in new medical techniques |
| committees will expect applicants to have tested | | | | and research. Best of luck with your medical school |
| their suitability for a medical career by seeking | | | | applications. |
| firsthand medical exposure in hospitals, clinics, or | | | | |