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HoW do I get into Medical School?

Tips for Success as a Premed

 

So why do you want to be a doctor? You have 3 - 4 years to come up with an answer to this question and ground your desire through experiences and coursework. Answering this question is the key to your medical school application. 

Create your own personal 3-5 year timeline on getting to medical school including academic and experiences. This may differ from another student's plan and that's ok...in fact that's what you want. 

Gather a variety of activities and experiences...service, leadership, fun, research, study abroad...a keep a journal of all activities. Include reflection. Journal about your experiences along the way. This way you can find threads and make connections between activities. This is where a premed advisor or consultant can be of assistance to you. Newport can help you weave all of these threads into a comprehensive application that speaks to your strengths and highlights your unique qualifications and talents. 

Get to know 1-2 faculty each semester. You need +/- 5 recommendations (including 2 science faculty) by the time you apply so start collecting names early. Plus, if you apply for summer research, internships or competitive programs you will need recommendations even easier so don't delay. Make connections now!

Form a study group. Each semester assemble a study group that will meet regularly to review material and study for exams. Many universities have formal centers that coordinate study groups while others leave it up to the professor, TAs, department or to individual students. Studying alone will not give you the best overall comprehension of the material. If you have mastered the material, teach others. This will prove if you really know your stuff. Now you can become a study mentor/TA yourself. (looks great on the application too!).

Seek out a research opportunity (Science science or non-science). Evidence based research will be the backbone of your medical practice so take the time to learn about the process of moving an idea through the stages of discovery to a conclusion. Research will help develop your critical thinking skills, allow you to work as a team member, and allow you the opportunity to learn something new. While in the lab, you will be surrounded by mentors, professors, graduate students and more who will help you learn the ropes and could provide a solid letter of recommendation that could prove helpful in your application. Engage in this experience for at least 1 semester or longer (1 year is preferable). What did you learn for this experience? You will be asked on your secondary applications to describe a research experience and reflect upon the lessons you learned. Non-science research can be just as fruitful and provide a great point of discussion. I have seen students conduct research in anthropology, psychology, philosophy, medical ethics, even political science, history and Japanese. Clinical or chart reviews can be interesting to premeds as well. The most important thing is find out what you are passionate about and want to learn more about. Approach a professor and discuss your ideas. Creating your own research project can be equally as interesting as working in an oncology lab.

Visit the Career Center. The Career Center has many resources that you can take advantage of right now! Internship and work databases. Resume help. Interview practice assistance. Recommendation services. 

Learn about the 15 Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students and start gathering these qualities through academics, service, work and research opportunities. Some competencies will be acquired through coursework (quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, written communication), while others through your research or clinical work (scientific inquiry, teamwork, dependability, ethical responsibility) and still others through perhaps your extracurricular, study abroad or service (cultural competence, adaptability, reliability, service). How you incorporate these qualities into your premed path is unique to you and should be embraced. Be you and the rest will follow.  Download the AAMC Anatomy of an Applicant Worksheets for help in formalizing your experiences with reflections.

Manage your stress. Be yourself. Don't give up what makes you happy, healthy and balanced. Keep playing the guitar. Keep dancing. Keep writing. Keep reading. Practice Mindfulness. 

Seek Current Medical Student Suggestions. Research what successful applicants have done knowing that your path will be slightly difference. The University of Michigan Medial School published a great article in March 2017 entitled ‘Why I Became a Doctor’: Michigan Medicine Physicians Share Their Stories. You can also follow the series Dose of Reality from the University of Michigan M.D. Student Blog and hear stories, reflections and perspectives from the field. 

Suggestions and Helpful Links For Premeds