Preparing for Medical School

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Preparing for Medical School

• Sue McPhatter
• Transfer Center Counselor
• (23 yrs as premed advisor at UCSD)
• Make Tues. Wed. appts. with Sue
• in the Transfer Center

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Todays Agenda

• What is medical school like
• Types of medical school
• Why go to med school?
• Academic preparation
• Experiential preparation
• What schools look for

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Very Important

• See premed advisor soon after you transfer to
  four year college or university.
• Premed advisor has admission data for that
  colleges applicants, and will tell you what you
  need to do before you apply.
• Ask that advisor about reference letters and
  service they can provide you.

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The Medical Degrees

• Allopathic (M.D.)
• 3.4 3.7 GPA, strong MCAT scores
• Osteopathic (D.O.)
• 3.0 3.5 GPA, good MCAT scores
• Podiatry (D.P.M.)
• 2.7 3.0 GPA, average MCAT scores
• All require same science course pre-requisites
• All require the MCAT some experience
• All can work independently
• Continuing education required throughout career

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Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)

• Historically, the traditional medical degree
• Over 125 schools in U.S.
• Some acceptable foreign medical schools
• Admission can be easier
• M.D. accepted world-wide
• The best option for international work
• Can pursue any specialty training
• Can teach in M.D. medical schools
• Requires USMLE (three parts)
• U.S. Medical Licensing Examination
• Tests science and clinical skills

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Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

• D.O. degree after 4 yrs.
• May not be accepted in some foreign countries
• Basic sciences rotations same as M.D., and
• Includes osteopathic philosophy techniques
• Holistic, hands-on approach with patients
• Musculoskeletal manipulation
• Other non-surgical, non-drug therapies
• Can pursue all medical specialties
• Three schools in the West most back East
• Bay area, Pomona, Phoenix area
• Similar licensing exam required
• 2/3 of D.O. grads pursue residency in M.D.
  setting
• They take are req. to take the USMLE also

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Podiatry (D.P.M.)

• 1st 2ndyrs. sciences, labs, intro to podiatry
• 3rd 4th yrs. core rotations, orthopedic
  podiatry rotations, and podiatric surgery
  rotation
• 2 or 3 yr. Residency required
• 2 yr. residency to become podiatric surgeon
• Not including. rear foot and ankle
• 3 yr. residency to become podiatric surgeon
• Including rear foot and ankle
• Licensing exams required throughout training

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Med School Curriculum (M.D.)

• 1st 2nd yrs (the healthy body)
• Science lectures labs
• Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology,
  etc.
• Intro to clinical interviewing
• Some patient contact (more at some schools)
• Some schools use case study approach
• Science electives
• General topic electives
• Can begin research projects
• Take Part One of USMLE (science knowledge)
• at end of second year

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M.D. curriculum (cont.)

• 3rd 4th yrs (the sick body)
• Core rotations in clinics hospitals (1-2 mos.
  each)
• Surgery, family med, peds, emergency med,
  psychiatry, ob/gyn, internal med others
• Elective rotations in subspecialties, e.g.
• Oncology, orthopedics, dermatology,
  neurosurgery, etc.
• Elective time for research, public health
  project, experience abroad, study at other med
  schools
• Apply interview in 4th yr for
  internship/residency
• Take Part Two of USMLE (Clinical Skills)
• At end of 4th year

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After Medical School (M.D.)

• One year internship in general medicine
• Part Three of USMLE after that year
• required for medical license
• 2 to 5 yrs residency in specialty area
• Can then work as specialist (e.g., Ob/Gyn)
• 2 to 3 yrs fellowship for sub-specialty
• Can then work as sub-specialist
• e.g., pediatric oncologist, neurosurgeon, etc.

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Length of Specialty Training

• For all M.D. D.O. graduates
• 3yrs pediatrics, internal medicine,
  family medicine, emergency medicine,
  general practice medicine
• 4-5 yrs. psychiatry, general surgery,
  orthopedic surgery, dermatology, radiology,
  others
• 6-7 yrs. neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, others

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Cost of Medical Training

• You pay for medical school (4 yrs)
• 20K to 60K/year, 30-40K average tuition
• Some financial aid available
• Students generally borrow significant amount
• You are paid for
• Internship year (general medicine)
• About 35K to 40K per year
• Residency years (specialty)
• About 40 to 45K per year
• Fellowship years (sub-specialty)
• More than residents make

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Why Go To Medical School?

• To help others through knowledge of science
• Your love of science (esp. biology chemistry)
• You are a problem-solver
• You possess intellectual curiosity
• You want lifelong learning
• You enjoy teaching others
• Its a calling and becomes your identity
• You enjoy being a leader or making decisions
• You enjoy being in authority position

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Personal Characteristics Needed

• Maturity ethical integrity
• Motivation and determination to succeed
• Interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in helping others
• Willingness to accept responsibility
• Energy, enthusiasm, physical stamina
• Compassion, empathy, altruism
• Problem-solving skills good judgment
• Awareness of the medical profession
• Exposure to various cultures life problems
• Cultural competency stressed
• Able to accept constructive feedback criticism
• Ability to lead, teach or influence others

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Academic Preparation

• 1 yr. General biology (not botany)
• 1 yr. General chemistry
• 1 yr. Organic chemistry
• 1 yr. General physics
• 1 yr. College level math (calculus statistics)
• 1 yr. College English composition (120 124)
• Upper division biology recommended
• Biochemistry, physiology, genetics, one U.D. lab
• Bachelors degree in any major
• Breadth in humanities, social sciences, arts
• Can do all course prep here at Grossmont
• Except upper division science courses

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Your Transcripts

• AP units can count for required courses
• All grades count in GPA, except APs
• Original grades of repeated courses count
• Comm. College units grades count
• Better to get W than to repeat D or F
• Not too many W or CR/NCR grades
• Upward GPA trends look good
• Light course loads dont look good
• Unless you were working full time or ??

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Medical College Admission TestThe MCAT

• Test of general biology, chemistry, organic
  chemistry, physics, verbal reasoning, writing (2
  essays)
• After 2007, MCAT will be offered all year
  (all-day exam)
• Need average or better scores to be admitted
• Take MCAT in Spring of year before you graduate
• Apply to med school that summer for following
  fall
• Repeated MCAT scores are not averaged
• Many take commercial MCAT prep course

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MCAT Scores

• Biological, Physical, Verbal sections
• Each section scored 0 15 8 is national mean
• Writing section
• Scored J through T O is national mean
• M.D. requires 10s or higher
• D.O. requires 8-9s or higher
• D.P.M. requires 7-8s
• Multiple MCAT scores are not averaged
• Highest scores used for admission

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Experiential Preparation

• Demonstrated commitment of service to others
• Working, interning, or volunteering to help
  others
• Medically related experience helpful
• Hospital, clinic, nursing home, public health
  clinic
• Clinical research through a medical school
• Teachers aide, asst. or tutor (any school level)
• Community agencies (homeless shelter, geriatric)
• Leadership on or off campus
• Including captain of NCAA team or officer in
  student org
• Volunteer with a physician mentor
• Medical mission work, other church work

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Scientific Research ??

• Research exp. required for M.D./Ph.D. program
• Pre-med research experience shows
• Independent interest in science
• Dedication initiative in independent work
• Intellectual curiosity
• Can help a low GPA applicant
• Can be a good source of faculty reference letter
• Explore summer research programs
• Desire to contribute to scientific knowledge
• Find year-long research oppties. after transfer

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When to Get Involved?

• ASAP!!!! That means NOW!!
• Volunteer or work summers school year
• Minimum 6-12 mos. in one location
• 4 to 6 hours per week
• Keep record of your service there
• Keep supervisors name, address, phone
• For reference letter when applying

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What Medical Schools Look For

• To predict success in 1st 2nd yrs med school
• Total college GPA (from all colleges)
• Science GPA (all math, biology, chemistry,
  physics grades)
• MCAT scores
• Rigor of academic experience
• Including caliber of bachelors degree college
• Course load difficulty

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• To predict success in 3rd 4th yrs. beyond
• Reference letters (from faculty and others)
• Application essays, including life experiences
• Answers to specific application questions on
• Challenges and hardships
• Diversity of background and experience
• Handling of ethical dilemmas
• Goals for the future
• Interview the applicant to learn
• What is motivating the student
• Their interpersonal skills
• The sincerity of their goals

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Many applicants take one or more years off after
college graduation before applying to medical
schools
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Application Process

• MCAT in Spring of junior year, or earlier
• Apply June/July to application service
• Transcripts, essays, select schools, approx.
  1,000
• August November, send supplemental
• More essays, photo, reference letters, 500-1,000
• September March, interviews at schools
• Costs include plane fare, hotel, business attire,
  etc.
• Rolling admission notification
• October 15 through following summer
• Average Californian applies to 20-25 schools
• May get 5 interviews, then admitted to 1 school
• May not be admitted and have to reapply the next
  year
• Total application cost may exceed 2500 or 3000

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What To Do If You Are Rejected?

• Take a deep breath, then
• Call the schools and find out why
• Assess your chances for reapplication
• Assess what you need to improve
• Ask yourself how determined you are
• Choose best course of action
• Should you consider alternate careers?

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Maybe You Need More Experience, or ?

• Peace Corps, Americorps, or ?
• More exposure to health care?
• More time helping others ?
• Could research experience help ?
• Should you repeat some courses ?
• Should you repeat the MCAT ?
• Do you need stronger reference letters ?
• Evidence of maturity responsibility ?
• Post-baccalaureate programs ?

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Post-baccalaureate Programs

• 1 to 2 year programs after B.A./B.S. degree
• To show potential to succeed in med school
• Can be a Masters degree or just courses
• Some courses are with medical students
• MCAT prep included
• Research project usually included
• Strong programs at
• Georgetown, Boston U., Chicago Medical College,
  Drexel U.
• Some programs for underrepresented applicants
• Good admission rates to medical school

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Transfer Center has

• AAMCs Guide to Medical School Admission
• Includes info on all U.S. M.D. programs
• Also, check out the following Web sites

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• www.aamc.org (M.D.)
• Info on careers, preparing, applying, and M.D.
  medical education
• www.aacom.org (D.O.)
• Info on same as above, for osteopathic med
• www.aacpm.org (D.P.M.)
• Info on same as above, for podiatric med
• Also, good info at UCSDs Career Center site
• http//career.ucsd.edu
• then, click on Medical School Information