The Road to Medical School

1
The Road to Medical School

• Dr. David Frank
• Chemistry Department
• CSU Fresno
• McLane 159 (278-2273 email is better)
• davidf_at_csufresno.edu

2
The Path to Becoming a Physician

• Bachelor Degree
• Possibly Post-bac work to shore up soft GPA
• Medical School - 4 years
• Residency - Minimum of 3 years (1st year often
  called internship)
• Optional Fellowships for further specialization

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Have A Plan

• Academics - Required Courses, Bachelors
  Degree
• Extracurricular Activities (including medical
  experience)
• MCAT
• Research
• Letters of Recommendation
• Finances for the Application
  Process

Diploma
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www.csufresno.edu/premed
www.fresnostate.edu/premed
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What Should I Major In?

• Whatever interests you the most.
• English, philosophy, history, and music majors
  have higher acceptance rates than Chem or Bio
  majors (fewer apply), but also may take longer to
  graduate to get all of the pre-reqs.
• Advantages of Biology or Chemistry major
• Premed prereqs are part of the degree
  requirements
• Science (BCPM) GPA is buffered by taking more
  science classes
• Better preparation for first year of med school
• Higher priority at getting into impacted first
  year Chem 1A/1B and Biol 1A/1B.

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Undergraduate Academic Preparation

• 1 year of General Chemistry (1A and 1B), even if
  you have AP credit. NOT 3A/3B
• 1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab 128 A
  129A, then 128B and 129B)
• 1 year of General Biology with lab (Biol 1A and
  1B), even if you have AP credit. NOT Biol 10
• 1 year of physics with lab (Phys 2A/B Does not
  have to be physics for physics majors).
• Math 75 76, or Math 75 and Math 101
  (Statistical Methods 4 units)

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AP Credit

• In general we advise pre-med students to take
  general chemistry and biology at Fresno State
  (not a community college) even if they have AP
  credit for these courses.
• However, you can check with the medical schools
  in which you are interested to find out about
  their policy on AP courses.
• The medical school might allow an upper division
  course in the particular discipline to fulfill
  the requirement.
• Hard to know early on which med schools you will
  choose to apply to

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Academics - Courses Required by Many Medical
Schools

• 1 year of English (composition stressed)
• 1 year of Math (calculus, statistics, computer
  science)
• 1 semester of Biochemistry

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Academics Other Courses

• Physiology (Comparative or Human can help
  with the MCAT)
• Genetics (can help with the MCAT)
• Human Anatomy (just before entering can help
  with first year med school)
• Cell Biology Molecular Biology (can help with
  first year med school)

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Academics Other Courses
Because the the MCAT in 2015 will change, we
strongly advise students who may take this exam
to take One or two semesters in introductory
psychology -PSYCH 10. Introduction to
Psychology (3 units) -PSYCH 40T. Topics in
Research Design and Statistics One or two
semesters in introductory sociology -SOC 1
or 1S. Principles of Sociology (3-3 units)
-SOC 3. Critical Thinking about Society (3
units) Introductory Biochemistry
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Before applying, make sure that you have
fulfilled the course requirements for the medical
schools to which you intend to apply.
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Academics Count

• Aim for a minimum 3.6 GPA, for BOTH your overall
  GPA as well as your BCMP (Biology, chemistry,
  math and physics) GPAs.
• For allopathic medical schools, the GPA is
  calculated based on all courses taken, even those
  for which you applied for grade substitution.

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www.aamc.org/msar
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Stanford Irvine
Upper Division Biology
Statistics
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Nationwide 18,000 seats and 43,000 applicants
42
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Western University of Health Sciences College of
Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Candidates for admission must have a minimum
science GPA of 3.30, a minimum overall GPA of
3.30, and a minimum average MCAT score of 27.
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The Old MCAT (Before 2015)

• Three Multiple choice parts
• Verbal Comprehension
• Physical Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Writing Sample is gone in 2013
• Be sure that you have completed all the
  coursework required
• Take practice exams. Scores on these will
  determine whether you are ready to take the real
  one. These are available for only 35 each, after
  the first free one, from AAMC.

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The New MCAT (Begins 2015)

• Natural Sciences concepts in biology, general
  and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics
• Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations
  of Behavior Concepts of introductory psychology
  and sociology, and introductory biology concepts
  that relate to mental processes and behavior.

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The New MCAT (Begins 2015)

• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills be able
  to analyze, evaluate, and apply information
  provided by passages from a wide range of social
  sciences and humanities disciplines.
• Does not testing specific knowledge
• Does test analysis and reasoning skills you need
  for medical school
• may prompt you to read broadly as you prepare
• Along with many others, passages about ethics
  and philosophy, cross-cultural studies and
  population health are included.

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The New MCAT (Begins 2015)
https//www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat20
15/
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MCAT Timing

• The best timing is to take the MCAT in the spring
  of the calendar year prior to the year you plan
  to enter. (For most this will be April of their
  junior year.) However, do not take the MCAT
  before you are ready.
• The MCAT is now offered on-line on 24 different
  days during the year. The exam is now a half-day
  test on some days, both a morning and afternoon
  exam is offered. There is a test site in Fresno.
  Register early to be sure you get the date and
  site you want.
• Go to the AAMC website for information and
  registration.

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MCAT Preparation

• While taking chemistry, biology and physics,
  remember you are preparing for the MCAT.
• Check the AAMC website and consult The Official
  Guide to the MCAT Exam available from AAMC
• For MCAT2015, visit
• https//www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mc
  at2015/
• Remember to schedule in preparation time before
  taking the MCAT. Consider the Kaplan prep course
  (2000).
• Dont ever take the MCAT for practice its
  expensive (230). Plan to take it only once.

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MCAT Preparation
Change your high school study habits Rote
memorization doesnt work so well for the MCAT.
You need to develop conceptual thinking
skills. Start making notes from your text as
well as lectures. Organize the material by
topic. Look for logical connections between
all of the facts, don't just memorize
isolated facts. Read and review notes for
understanding. This all takes TIME (2-3
hours of study for each hour in
class)
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(No Transcript)
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What Do I Do In The Summer?

• There are lots of summer opportunities for
  students interested in being physicians. Check
  the internet, the AAMC and the aspiringdocs
  websites.
• Applications are due between January and March
  and are extensive. Look into programs early.

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Extracurricular Activities

• Medical Experience
• Leadership
• Volunteer Service
• Research

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Keep Good Notes

• Keep track of your extracurricular activities and
  the hours you devote.
• You might want to keep a journal of clinical
  experience to record your experiences and
  maturation its good material for that personal
  statement.

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Letters Of Reference

• Two science faculty, one non-science faculty, and
  one or two others
• Remember while taking courses that you are going
  to need letters of recommendation.
• Doing research with a professor helps him/her get
  to know you and write a more credible letter.
• Have the letters on file the spring semester
  before you apply (April/May of junior year).

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Letters Of Reference

• Most med schools use the AMCAS letter
  distribution service. They only accept letters
  from AMCAS.
• You must provide each letter writer with your
  AMCAS Letter ID found on your AMCAS Letter
  Request Form, as well as your AAMC ID.

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Letters Of Reference

• Instruct the letter writer to either send your
  letter to AMCAS directly, or to Ms. Hall in the
  Information Center (S1-136). In either case, the
  letter must be accompanied with your AMCAS Letter
  Request Form, as well as your AAMC ID.
• We shall send your letters to AMCAS on your
  instruction. If all are being sent to the same
  schools, they can be sent as a packet with the
  same Letter ID .
• Advantages of our service we keep copies of your
  letters which may be needed for scholarship
  applications, for non-AMCAS schools, and for
  AACOM applications.

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The Application Process

• Primary Application - takes time!
• transcripts from all college-level schools
• personal statement
• record of extracurricular activities
• names of letter of recommendation writers for
  those medical schools that use the AMCAS service
  for collecting letters of recommendation

• Secondary Applications
• more essays
• request letters of recommendation be sent to
  AMCAS, the MD application service. (Letters to
  AMCAS can be sent after the primary application
  is submitted.)
• unless school is not using the AMCAS letter
  distribution service.

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Secondary Application
Institution 1 What is your interest in XYZ
School of Medicine? Insitution 2 Describe
your motivation to become a physician. What
do you see as the most significant issue the
medical profession will face in the next 40
years? What personal benefits have you gained
from your major extracurricular activity?
What personal benefits have you gained from your
research/teaching experience? Given the
opportunity to share dinner conversation with one
person (deceased or alive) who has made a
significant contribution to science, medicine or
human service, identify the individual you would
select and why?
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• Institution 3
• Please explain your reasons for applying to XYZ
  School of Medicine. We understand that you are
  probably applying to several medical schools. We
  are interested in why you have placed XYZ School
  of Medicine on your list of schools. (max
  character limit 1500)
• Please describe any unique characteristics you
  have that will contribute to the diversity and
  bring educational benefits to the entering class.
  (max character limit 1500)
• If you are not in a degree-seeking program,
  please indicate what you will be doing from the
  time you complete this application to the start
  of medical school.

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The Interview

• Choose medical schools carefully. Know what they
  offer and what you offer them. Review your
  application and their catalog. Talk to medical
  students. Find out about hospital affiliations,
  curriculum, student support.
• If possible, engage in a mock interview.

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The Interview

• Your experience in medicine. You need to explain
  your experiences that have helped you to
  understand the reality of a medical career.
• You have the longevity, discipline, motivation,
  and resiliency to succeed in medical school. How
  can you convey the evidence of these traits?
• You have thought about, and to some degree
  understand, the current and future state of
  medicine.
• How can you convey to the interviewer that you
  are one of them.

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Planning for Necessary Expenses

• All professions have application expenses.
• Med school 4000 to 8000 ()
• MCAT review class 2000
• schools you apply to where you interview.
• AMCAS Application 160 first school, 32 each
  additional school (UC Berkeley avg 20 25
  schools)
• Secondary applications 70 to 100 each in CA
• AMCAS has a Fee Assistance Program.
• Dont short-change yourself on the application
  process.

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Item Cost
MCAT Test 230
MCAT Preparation 2,000
Initial AMCAS Application 160
Each additional school (24 is average) _at_ 32 768
Secondary Application (20 _at_ 100) 2000
Travel Costs to Interviews 3000
Total 8158
Stanford 463 interviewed, 86 accepted. Rush
399/130 (19 33)
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Resources Getting Started

• Premedical Web Site
• Advising
• Informational Sessions, Conferences on and off
  campus (i.e., UC Davis conference)
• HCOP (Health Careers Opportunity Program, targets
  students from educationally or economically
  disadvantaged backgrounds.)
• AEW (Academic Excellence Workshops, NSCI 40T,
  LSAMP program)

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More Resources

• Student Clubs Fresno State Premed Club (only
  premeds), AMSA Chapter (anyone interested in a
  health profession), Tri Beta Biology Club
• Natural Science class The Art and Practice of
  Medicine (NSCI 1 spring class)
• Academic Research Associate Program at Community
  Regional Trauma and Burn Center headed by Dr.
  Greg Hendey and administered by Brandy Snowden.
  (NSCI 110)
• Research Opportunities-during the year and in the
  summer
• Conferences Given by Medical Schools for Premed
  Students

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Yet More Resources

• Scribe Program at St. Agnes Hospital headed by
  Dr. David Claypool
• Other scribe programs via CEP America at
  Community, Clovis, and Madera.
• Workshops on Personal Statement Writing and the
  Application Process
• Service to Collect and Send Out Letters of
  Reference. (You must open a file with me and
  sign a form to either waive or not waive your
  right to see your letters of reference.)

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Plan B
Postbaccalaureate Programs academic
record-enhancement, career changing,
underrepresented groups, economically or
educationally disadvantaged groups.. CSU
Fullerton CSU East Bay Charles Drew
University Mills College San Diego State
University San Francisco State University
Scripps College UC Berkeley Extension
University of Southern California
UC Postbaccalaureate Consortium http//meded-postb
ac.ucsd.edu/ Helps educationally and economically
disadvantaged students get into medical school.
Must be committed to practicing in underserved
communities of California. Post-bac
nationwide http//services.aamc.org/postbac/
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Plan B
Caribbean Medical Schools There are three
medical schools in the Caribbean that stand out
St. Georges University in Grenada, West Indies,
Ross University in the Commonwealth of Dominica,
and American University of Antigua.  Students
admitted to St. Georges have an average GPA of
3.34, and an average MCAT of 28. At Ross, the
average GPA is 3.4, with a range of 2.7 - 4, but
for early admission they require at least an
overall GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA (BCPM) of
3.25, with an MCAT score of at least 24. Also
UAG School of Medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico
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Plan B

• Options
• 1. Medical Doctor 6. Optometrist
• 2. Podiatrist 7. Physician
  Assistant
• 3. Dentist 8. Nurse
• 4. Pharmacist 9. Ph.D.
• 5. Veterinarian 10. Clinical Lab
  Technician

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Excellent Books

• Medical School Admission Requirements
• The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam
• Complications A Surgeons Notes on an
  Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande, M.D.
• Better A Surgeons Notes on Performance by
  Atul Gawande, M.D.
• The Checklist Manifesto, by Atul Gawande, M.D.

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Useful Web Sites

• Advising Information
• www.csufresno.edu/premed
• www.aspiringdocs.org

• General Information
• www.aamc.org/meded/start.htm
• www.aacom.org
• www.amsa.org

• Interviews
• www.studentdoctor.net/interview/index.asp
• Scholarships
• www.fastweb.monster.com

• Summer Opportunities
• www.cmu.edu/hpp/intern.html
• www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/health_sciences/
  summer_opportunities.html
• www.aamc.org/members/great/summerlinks.htm