Getting into Medical School For Dummies

Your plain-English guide to getting into the medical school of your dreams Getting accepted to medical school is a long and rigorous process and many students find they need help. If you're one of these students, Getting into Medical School For Dummies is the perfect tool to help you through the process and realize your dream. By providing you with concise information about preparing for and applying to medical school, Getting into Medical School For Dummies prepares you for the application process. Written by an industry expert, it gives you a distinct advantage in the competitive medical school admissions process, preparing you for every step and helping you create your best application. Takes you through the often-overwhelming process of applying to medical school Explains what medical schools and admissions committees are really looking for Provides plain-English explanations of complicated medical school admissions processes If you're one of the over 40,000 students who apply to medical school each year and need help sorting through the admissions schedule, writing statements of intent, and preparing to take the MCAT, Getting Into Medical School For Dummies has you covered!

Introduction 1 About This Book 1 Conventions Used in This Book 2 What You’re Not to Read 2 Foolish Assumptions 3 How This Book is Organized 3 Part I: Planning the Premedical Years 3 Part II: Applying to Medical School 3 Part III: Osteopathic Medical Schools, Dual-Degree Programs, and More 4 Part IV: Nontraditional Applicants, Reapplicants, and Disadvantaged Applicants 5 Part V: You’re In! Getting Ready to Go 5 Part VI: The Part of Tens 5 Icons Used in This Book 6 Where to Go from Here 6 Part I: Planning the Premedical Years 9 Chapter 1: Turning Your Dream of Going to Medical School into a Reality 11 So You Want to Be a Doctor: Thinking about Medicine as a Career 11 Mapping Out College and Participating in Extracurricular Activities 12 Assessing the Medical School Application Process 13 Looking at the timeline13 Taking the MCAT 14 Selecting schools 15 Submitting primary applications 15 Obtaining letters of recommendation 16 Completing secondary applications 16 Interviewing with schools 16 Hearing whether you’re in, out, or waitlisted 17 Considering All Your Options 17 Osteopathic medical schools 18 Dual-degree programs 18 International medical schools 19 Taking Care of Special Situations 19 Nontraditional applicants 20 Reapplicants 20 Minority and disadvantaged applicants and applicants with disabilities 21 Heading to Medical School 21 Confronting the cost 21 Getting off to a good start 22 Chapter 2: Considering a Medical Career 23 Understanding the Pros and Cons of Entering Medicine 23 Evaluating the rewards 24 Assessing the drawbacks and sacrifices 25 Becoming a Physician in a Few Not-So-Easy Steps 25 Starting out: The premedical years 26 Moving closer to your goal: Medical school 26 Preparing to practice medicine: Residency 27 Deciding to go further: Fellowship 28 Finishing at last: Becoming an attending physician 28 Becoming Licensed to Practice Medicine 29 Surveying Practice Types 29 Private solo and group practices 30 Community clinics 30 Academic institutions 30 Practicing as a hospitalist and other options 31 Assessing Your Chances of Acceptance to Medical School 31 Playing the numbers game: Medical school applicants versus seats in medical schools 32 Gauging grades and test scores: GPA and the MCAT 33 Looking beyond the numbers 34 Deciding Whether Medicine is Right for You 35 Chapter 3: Mapping Out Your College Years 37 Understanding the Role of the Premedical Years 37 Building a foundation for medical school 38 Exploring your interests 38 Choosing an Undergraduate School 39 Recognizing that where you go matters 39 Comparing major research institutions and small liberal arts colleges 40 Finding a school with strong support for premeds 41 Looking at location 42 Selecting a Major 42 Going the traditional route: Science majors 43 Taking a different path: Nonscience majors 43 Planning Your Premedical Course Work 44 The essentials: Familiarizing yourself with the prerequisites for medical school 45 Reading the fi ne print: Policies about AP credit and community college courses 45 Going above and beyond: Courses that are recommended but not required 46 Studying Abroad 47 Perusing Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Programs 48 Considering formal post-bac programs 49 Taking post-bac courses independently 50 Chapter 4: Making the Most of Extracurricular Activities 51 Understanding the Role of Extracurricular Activities in Admissions 51 Demonstrating familiarity with the medical field 52 Showing that you have a life outside the library 53 Gaining Clinical Experience 53 Volunteering in clinical settings 54 Shadowing physicians 55 Doing international medical missions 56 Delving into Research 57 Deciding whether to do research 57 Doing basic or clinical research.58 Setting up a research experience 59 Giving Back: Taking Part in Community Service 60 Joining Clubs and Organizations 60 Being part of a premedical club 61 Exploring other clubs and interest groups 61 Having Paid Employment as a Premedical Student 62 Fitting It All In 62 Prioritizing and organizing 63 Balancing depth with breadth 64 Part II: Applying to Medical School 65 Chapter 5: Surveying the Application Process 67 Getting Familiar with the Three Major Steps of the Admissions Process 68 First up: The primary application 68 Next in line: The secondary application 69 Time to talk: The interview 69 Timing Your Application 70 Entering medical school immediately after college 70 Taking a gap year 71 Understanding Rolling Admissions 72 Being Conscious of the Application Timeline 73 Junior year of college 75 Senior year of college 78 Considering Early Decision Programs 80 Getting Help from a Premedical Advisor 81 Using your premedical advising office effectively 82 Finding a premedical advisor if your school doesn’t have one 83 Chapter 6: Tackling the MCAT 85 Beginning with a Few MCAT Basics 86 Registering for the test 86 Getting an overview of the test’s length and structure 87 Interpreting your test score 87 Understanding the Importance of the MCAT in Admissions 88 Recognizing why schools stress the MCAT in admissions 88 Discovering how schools use the MCAT in admissions 89 Checking Out What’s on the MCAT 90 Physical Sciences 90 Verbal Reasoning 91 Biological Sciences 92 Trial section 92 Preparing for the MCAT 92 Examining specific prep approaches 93 Choosing study materials 96 Making a study schedule 97 Preparing for the science sections 98 Mastering the Verbal Reasoning section 99 Perfecting your timing 100 Surviving Test Day 101 Walking through the testing experience 101 Dealing with test-day anxiety 102 Considering the option of voiding your exam 103 Retaking the MCAT 104 Deciding whether you should retake the test 105 Timing your next try 106 Preparing the second time around 107 Applying to Medical School Before You Receive Your MCAT Score 107 Waiting for your scores before you send your application 108 Sending your application to your entire list before you have your score 108 Applying to a few schools without your scores and then adding more 109 Looking to 2015: Major Changes Are Coming to the MCAT 110 Familiarizing yourself with the changes 110 Gearing up for the new test 112 Chapter 7: Choosing Medical Schools 113 Researching Schools 113 Using school websites, admissions offices, and other resources 114 Considering a few factors 115 Determining How Many Schools to Include on Your List 121 When to include fewer than 15 schools 121 When to include more than 15 schools 122 Creating a Balanced List: A Mix of Dreams and Practicality 123 Chapter 8: Putting Together Primary Applications 125 Beginning with the Basics of Primary Applications 126 Sorting out application services 126 Breaking down the primary application 127 Timing your applications 128 Planning your strategy 130 Crafting a Strong Personal Statement 131 Being aware of length limits 131 Using the personal statement effectively 132 Tackling the personal statement step by step 133 Sifting through Personal Statement Examples 140 Example 1: Taking an artistic approach 140 Analyzing why Example 1 works 142 Example 2: Showcasing an adventurous applicant 143 Assessing the intriguing elements of Example 2 144 Example 3: Seeing what not to write 145 Dissecting what went wrong in Example 3 147 Completing the Work and Activities Section 147 Choosing activities and deciding which are most meaningful 148 Writing the descriptions 149 Entering Course Work and Understanding GPAs 151 Wading through course work information 152 Getting a handle on GPA calculations 152 Chapter 9: Looking at Letters of Recommendation and Secondary Applications 155 Using a Premedical Committee Letter versus Seeking Individual Letters 156 In a group: Premedical committee letters 156 Singled out: Individual letters 158 Choosing Evaluators and Requesting Letters 159 The key to great letters: Getting to know your potential evaluators 160 It’s time: Deciding when to ask for letters 161 Step by step: Approaching a potential evaluator 162 In all honesty: Handling a less-than-enthusiastic response 164 Discovering the Characteristics of Strong Letters of Recommendation 164 Submitting Your Letters of Recommendation 167 Sending letters to application services 167 Coordinating your letters through your premedical advisor or a letter service 168 Waiving your right to see your letters 169 Grasping the Basics of Secondary Applications 170 Knowing what to expect from secondaries 170 Surveying the screening process 171 Perusing common secondary prompts 171 Knowing that timing is everything 173 Managing secondaries 174 Chapter 10: Acing the Medical School Interview 177 Looking at the Interview’s Role in the Admissions Process 178 Becoming Acquainted with Interview Formats 179 One-on-one and panel interviews 180 Open fi le, closed fi le, and semi-closed fi le interviews 180 The multiple mini-interview 181 Examining the Elements of a Strong Interview 184 Getting Ready for a Traditional Interview 185 Taking a few basic steps 185 Tackling common interview questions 186 Crafting your responses 187 Doing a mock interview 190 Going a Little Further to Prepare for an MMI 191 Taking a few additional steps 192 Checking out examples of MMI stations 193 Dealing with Logistics 194 Scheduling your interview 194 Getting there 195 Staying in a hotel or with a student host 195 Choosing Your Interview Attire 196 Men’s attire 197 Women’s attire 197 Walking Through a Typical Interview Day Schedule 198 Attending orientation 199 Touring the campus 199 Taking time for lunch 200 Undertaking interviews (finally!) 200 Sending Thank-You Letters 201 Deciding who should get a letter 202 Debating how to deliver the message 202 Compiling a letter 203 Chapter 11: Hearing Back 207 You Did It! Celebrating Acceptances 207 Managing multiple acceptances 208 Going on second look visits 209 Choosing a school 209 Oh No! Suffering Rejections 210 Noting common reasons for rejection 210 Taking the next steps 211 What Now? Working Your Way off Waitlists 212 Distinguishing types of waitlists 212 Knowing what to do if you’re waitlisted 213 Part III: Osteopathic Medical Schools, Dual-Degree Programs, and More 217 Chapter 12: Applying to Osteopathic (DO) Medical Schools 219 Understanding What Being an Osteopathic Physician Means 220 Perusing the principles and philosophy of osteopathic medicine 220 Comparing and contrasting allopathic and osteopathic medical educations 221 Exploring osteopathic medicine 221 Getting a license as an osteopathic physician and matching into a residency 222 Making the Decision to Apply to DO Schools 224 Determining whether osteopathic medicine is right for you 224 Becoming a strong DO applicant 225 Undertaking Applications for Osteopathic Medical Schools 226 Getting an overview of the AACOMAS application 227 Creating a compelling personal statement for DO schools 228 Completing the work, volunteer, and extracurricular activities sections 231 Mastering the interview at osteopathic schools 231 Chapter 13: Exploring Dual-Degree Programs 233 Considering a Baccalaureate-MD Program 234 Examining the mechanics of a bacc-MD program 234 Recognizing the advantages 235 Determining the drawbacks 236 Applying to Baccalaureate-MD Programs 237 Discovering how to be a strong contender for bacc-MD programs 237 Surveying the bacc-MD application process 238 Handling supplemental essay questions 239 Interviewing for bacc-MD programs 239 Getting to Know MD-PhD Programs 240 Describing MD-PhD programs 241 Carefully considering MD-PhD programs 242 Navigating the MD-PhD Admissions Process 243 Figuring out whether you’re a competitive MD-PhD applicant244 Going through the application process for MD-PhD programs 244 Gearing up for additional application essays 245 Interviewing for MD-PhD programs 246 Eyeing Other Types of Dual-Degree Programs 248 Chapter 14: Investigating International Medical Schools 249 Considering Reasons to Apply Internationally 250 Selecting International Schools 251 Researching international schools 251 Asking the right questions 253 Contemplating Caribbean Medical Schools 253 Courting Canadian Medical Schools 255 Mulling Medical Schools in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia 256 Noting Financial Considerations for International Medical Students 257 Tackling Licensure Guidelines and Residency Training for IMGs 258 Understanding licensure challenges for IMGs 258 Landing a residency 259 Part IV: Nontraditional Applicants, Reapplicants, and Disadvantaged Applicants 261 Chapter 15: Doing Things Differently: Nontraditional Applicants. 263 Getting an Overview of Nontraditional Applicants 263 Completing or Updating Premedical Course Work 265 Doing the prerequisite course work required for medical school 265 Updating your academic experiences 266 Undertaking the Application Process 267 Telling your story in the personal statement 267 Using the work and activities section effectively 268 Lining up letters of recommendation 269 Looking at interview tips for the nontraditional applicant 270 Considering Challenges Facing Nontraditional Applicants 271 Returning to school 271 Facing stereotypes 272 Lacking a peer group as a medical student 273 Balancing family life with medical school 274 Chapter 16: Try, Try Again: Reapplicants 275 Timing Your Next Application 275 Reapplying immediately 276 Waiting a year or more 277 Improving the Numbers: Applicants with Low GPAs 277 Considering post-baccalaureate programs with undergraduate-level course work 279 Surveying special master’s programs 279 Taking classes independently 280 Taking Action When the MCAT is the Issue 281 Facing the problem 281 Retaking the MCAT 282 Adding to Your Clinical, Research, and Other Experiences 282 Revisiting Your School Options 283 Applying to a broader range of schools 284 Considering osteopathic or international schools 284 Revising Your Personal Statement 285 Updating Your Letters of Recommendation 286 Chapter 17: Minority Applicants, Disadvantaged Applicants, and Applicants with Disabilities 287 Defining Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine 288 Designating Yourself as Socioeconomically Disadvantaged 288 Surveying Resources for Minority and Disadvantaged Applicants 290 Examining enrichment programs 291 Finding financial resources 292 Applying with a Disability 293 Obtaining accommodations for the MCAT 293 Disclosing a disability 294 Part V: You’re In! Getting Ready to Go 295 Chapter 18: Paying for Medical School 297 Confronting the Cost of Medical School 297 Understanding the cost of attendance 298 Putting together a budget 299 Determining your eligibility for aid 301 Exploring Types of Aid 302 Institutional aid 303 Federal Direct Loans303 Other federal loans 305 Private loans 305 Service-based scholarships 306 Applying for Financial Aid 307 Working during Medical School 308 Chapter 19: Starting Medical School 309 Enjoying the Summer Before: A Time of Relaxation and Preparation 309 Nailing Down Logistics and More 311 Housing 311 Transportation 312 Other considerations 313 Getting Off to a Good Start 314 Staying organized 314 Building a support system 315 Redefining Success as You Progress through Medical School 317 Part VI: The Part of Tens 319 Chapter 20: Ten Things to Know about Medical School 321 Your School Wants You to Succeed 321 It’s Difficult 322 It’s Fun 322 You Start at the Bottom of the Hierarchy 323 Eat and Sleep When You Can 324 Nurses Can Make Your Life Easier — or Harder 324 You Change Your Mind about Your Specialty Many Times 325 Sometimes You Wonder Why You Went 325 You Can Be a Medical Student and Still Have a Life 326 It Goes By Quickly 326 Chapter 21: Ten Terms You Won’t Find in Your Medical School Textbooks 327 Zebra 327 Gunner 328 Scut 328 Hit 328 GI Rounds 329 White Cloud 329 Black Cloud 329 404 Error 329 Benign Rotation 330 Malignant Rotation 330 Index 331