3 answers
June
Student
Alaska, MI
1
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What are the things to follow in order to be qualified to study medicine?
What are the things to do to study medicine?
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3 answers
Amina Bahar
PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE CONSULTANT
22
Answers
Cambridge, Maryland
Updated
Amina’s Answer
To be qualified to study medicine, you need to meet several academic, extracurricular, and personal criteria. Here’s a comprehensive guide:
Academic Requirements
1. **High School Preparation:**
- **Strong Foundation in Sciences:** Take advanced courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.
- **Mathematics:** Complete courses through at least pre-calculus or calculus.
- **English:** Develop strong reading and writing skills through rigorous English courses.
- **Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB):** Enroll in these courses if available, as they can strengthen your application.
2. **Undergraduate Degree:**
- **Pre-Med Major:** While you don’t have to major in a science, most pre-med students major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields.
- **Prerequisite Courses:** Complete required courses for medical school admission, typically including:
- General Biology with lab
- General Chemistry with lab
- Organic Chemistry with lab
- Physics with lab
- Biochemistry
- Mathematics (Statistics or Calculus)
- English or Writing
- **High GPA:** Aim for a high GPA, generally 3.5 or above, to be competitive.
3. **Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):**
- **Prepare and Score Well:** Study for and achieve a competitive score on the MCAT. This test assesses your knowledge of the sciences, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Extracurricular Activities
1. **Clinical Experience:**
- **Shadowing Doctors:** Spend time shadowing physicians to gain insight into the profession.
- **Volunteering:** Volunteer in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings.
- **Medical Internships:** Participate in internships or summer programs related to healthcare.
2. **Research Experience:**
- **Laboratory Research:** Engage in research projects, ideally in the biological sciences.
- **Publications and Presentations:** Aim to publish your research or present it at conferences.
3. **Leadership and Service:**
- **Student Organizations:** Take leadership roles in pre-medical or health-related student organizations.
- **Community Service:** Involvement in community service, particularly in health-related areas, is highly valued.
Personal Development
1. **Soft Skills:**
- **Communication Skills:** Develop strong verbal and written communication skills.
- **Empathy and Compassion:** Cultivate empathy and a genuine desire to help others.
- **Problem-Solving Skills:** Enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
2. **Personal Statement and Interviews:**
- **Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:** Write a strong personal statement for your medical school applications.
- **Prepare for Interviews:** Practice for medical school interviews to effectively convey your motivations and qualifications.
Application Process
1. **Application Services:**
- **AMCAS:** For most U.S. medical schools, use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
- **TMDSAS:** For Texas medical schools, use the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).
- **AACOMAS:** For osteopathic medical schools, use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).
2. **Letters of Recommendation:**
- **Secure Strong References:** Obtain letters of recommendation from professors, physicians, or other mentors who can speak to your qualifications.
3. **Secondary Applications:**
- **Complete Secondary Applications:** Submit secondary applications to individual medical schools, which often include additional essays.
Academic Requirements
1. **High School Preparation:**
- **Strong Foundation in Sciences:** Take advanced courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.
- **Mathematics:** Complete courses through at least pre-calculus or calculus.
- **English:** Develop strong reading and writing skills through rigorous English courses.
- **Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB):** Enroll in these courses if available, as they can strengthen your application.
2. **Undergraduate Degree:**
- **Pre-Med Major:** While you don’t have to major in a science, most pre-med students major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields.
- **Prerequisite Courses:** Complete required courses for medical school admission, typically including:
- General Biology with lab
- General Chemistry with lab
- Organic Chemistry with lab
- Physics with lab
- Biochemistry
- Mathematics (Statistics or Calculus)
- English or Writing
- **High GPA:** Aim for a high GPA, generally 3.5 or above, to be competitive.
3. **Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):**
- **Prepare and Score Well:** Study for and achieve a competitive score on the MCAT. This test assesses your knowledge of the sciences, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Extracurricular Activities
1. **Clinical Experience:**
- **Shadowing Doctors:** Spend time shadowing physicians to gain insight into the profession.
- **Volunteering:** Volunteer in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings.
- **Medical Internships:** Participate in internships or summer programs related to healthcare.
2. **Research Experience:**
- **Laboratory Research:** Engage in research projects, ideally in the biological sciences.
- **Publications and Presentations:** Aim to publish your research or present it at conferences.
3. **Leadership and Service:**
- **Student Organizations:** Take leadership roles in pre-medical or health-related student organizations.
- **Community Service:** Involvement in community service, particularly in health-related areas, is highly valued.
Personal Development
1. **Soft Skills:**
- **Communication Skills:** Develop strong verbal and written communication skills.
- **Empathy and Compassion:** Cultivate empathy and a genuine desire to help others.
- **Problem-Solving Skills:** Enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
2. **Personal Statement and Interviews:**
- **Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:** Write a strong personal statement for your medical school applications.
- **Prepare for Interviews:** Practice for medical school interviews to effectively convey your motivations and qualifications.
Application Process
1. **Application Services:**
- **AMCAS:** For most U.S. medical schools, use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
- **TMDSAS:** For Texas medical schools, use the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).
- **AACOMAS:** For osteopathic medical schools, use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).
2. **Letters of Recommendation:**
- **Secure Strong References:** Obtain letters of recommendation from professors, physicians, or other mentors who can speak to your qualifications.
3. **Secondary Applications:**
- **Complete Secondary Applications:** Submit secondary applications to individual medical schools, which often include additional essays.
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
227
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
June,
I'm a PA, and you might find the following link on steps to become a PA helpful:
https://www.aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/
I learned upon moving to the U.S. from Australia that becoming a PA was another way to learn and practice medicine, whereas I thought going to medical school was the only way to achieve that. It looks like you may be considering specifically a career as a surgeon, in the case going to medical school to become a physician would be more appropriate.
PAs practice in all medical specialties and clinical settings though, so feel free to check out the link for how PAs in different specialties and settings practice medicine:
https://www.pasdothat.net/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with. Good luck!
Hwal
I'm a PA, and you might find the following link on steps to become a PA helpful:
https://www.aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/
I learned upon moving to the U.S. from Australia that becoming a PA was another way to learn and practice medicine, whereas I thought going to medical school was the only way to achieve that. It looks like you may be considering specifically a career as a surgeon, in the case going to medical school to become a physician would be more appropriate.
PAs practice in all medical specialties and clinical settings though, so feel free to check out the link for how PAs in different specialties and settings practice medicine:
https://www.pasdothat.net/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with. Good luck!
Hwal
Faith Sani
43
Answers
Updated
Faith’s Answer
To qualify to study medicine, there are several key steps to follow:
1. Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent: Most medical schools require candidates to have completed high school with a strong academic record, particularly in science and math courses.
2. Complete a Bachelor's degree: While some medical schools may accept students with only a few prerequisite courses, most require a Bachelor's degree. Majoring in a science-related field can be beneficial, but any major is generally accepted as long as the necessary pre-medical courses are completed.
3. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): The MCAT is a standardized exam that assesses your knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and critical thinking skills. A competitive score is essential for admission to medical school.
4. Gain relevant experience: Volunteering or working in healthcare settings, shadowing physicians, and participating in research can strengthen your application and give you a clearer understanding of the medical field.
5. Apply to medical schools: Research different medical schools, prepare your application materials (including letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcripts), and submit your applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or individual school portals.
6. Complete interviews: If selected for interviews, be prepared to discuss your motivation for pursuing medicine, your experiences, and your goals in the field.
7. Successfully complete medical school: Once accepted, you will embark on a rigorous medical education program, typically lasting four years, that includes classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and exams.
By following these steps and demonstrating your dedication, academic excellence, and readiness for a medical career, you can increase your chances of qualifying to study medicine.
1. Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent: Most medical schools require candidates to have completed high school with a strong academic record, particularly in science and math courses.
2. Complete a Bachelor's degree: While some medical schools may accept students with only a few prerequisite courses, most require a Bachelor's degree. Majoring in a science-related field can be beneficial, but any major is generally accepted as long as the necessary pre-medical courses are completed.
3. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): The MCAT is a standardized exam that assesses your knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and critical thinking skills. A competitive score is essential for admission to medical school.
4. Gain relevant experience: Volunteering or working in healthcare settings, shadowing physicians, and participating in research can strengthen your application and give you a clearer understanding of the medical field.
5. Apply to medical schools: Research different medical schools, prepare your application materials (including letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcripts), and submit your applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or individual school portals.
6. Complete interviews: If selected for interviews, be prepared to discuss your motivation for pursuing medicine, your experiences, and your goals in the field.
7. Successfully complete medical school: Once accepted, you will embark on a rigorous medical education program, typically lasting four years, that includes classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and exams.
By following these steps and demonstrating your dedication, academic excellence, and readiness for a medical career, you can increase your chances of qualifying to study medicine.