Preparing for a Career in Medicine
The MCAT Exam
The Application Process
For the Non-Traditional Student

Preparing for a Career in Medicine

When should I begin to think about preparing for a career in medicine?
ASAP! As you enter college, if you are serious about a career in medicine you must ACTIVELY seek out advisors and mentors who will begin to help you prepare academically for the science courses you will need. In addition, you need to investigate possible research programs and volunteer opportunities that are available at your institution or at outside agencies (i.e. hospitals, summer programs through medical schools, etc.) YOU MUST CONTACT THE PREMEDICAL ADVISOR AT YOUR COLLEGE (here at Hunter it is Mrs. Wood-Hill), IF ONE IS AVAILABLE; TO DETERMINE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST MEET FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW!!!

What activities should I participate in to help me define and solidify my goals to become a physician?
Interest in medicine cannot be based on childhood dreams or parental influence. Volunteering at a hospital, clinic, nursing home or other health related field would give you insight into the profession. Look for opportunities to observe the doctor/patient relationship. Note the teamwork needed between doctors, nurses, technicians, and administrators for quality medical care to occur. Pay attention to the paperwork needed: charts, insurance forms, prescriptions, referrals to specialists.  Develop a relationship with the residents and medical students on call for many hours a night! Be observant and you will gain valuable insights regarding your potential for a medical career.

What courses should I take in college?
Medical schools require one year of general biology, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, and one year of general physics. The biology sequence should be designed for biology majors rather than for allied health fields such as nursing. The physics sequence can be non-calculus based or calculus based. Several schools ask for a year of calculus or a year of college level math. Statistics and computer programming courses often meet this requirement.

Do I have to major in a science?
NO, absolutely not!  Medical schools need to see that you have completed all necessary requirements as listed above. Other than that you are free to major in any area you’d like, English, history, philosophy, music, art, etc. You should major in a subject you find interesting. Medical schools want to see a successful student and successful students take courses that interest and excite them.

Are there any other activities I should be involved in?
Medical schools look for qualities such as leadership, curiosity, initiative, and a love of learning. To show that you possess such qualities you should look to tutor, take on a leadership role in a school based or community based club or activity. (President of your premed club or Sunday school /Girl/Boy Scout leader/ youth group coordinator, etc.) You should take challenging courses and read books that reflect an interest in the world, not just the sciences. Continue to develop any hobbies or sports that you are interested in and begin to explore new activities.

When do I begin actively preparing for medical school applications?
Medical school requires that you complete an entry exam – THE MCAT. This exam can be taken 18 months or 12 months in advance of your entry into medical school. Therefore, the year you take the MCAT is the same year that you can make application to medical school. By 2003 the MCAT will be offered on the computer so you should begin to become comfortable with studying in this manner.

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The MCAT Exam

What does the MCAT exam consist of?
The MCAT exam is an intense, four-hour, on-line exam. It consists of three sections; biological sciences, physical sciences and verbal reasoning scored numerically, the highest score possible a 15. There is a separate writing section that is scored with letter grades, the highest letter possible being a T and the lowest an L. The MCAT has moved to an online format for 2007 with twenty two test dates throughout the year. www.aamc.org

What topics does the MCAT cover?
The biological sciences section of the MCAT encompasses topics in biology and organic chemistry.  The physical sciences section covers general chemistry and general physics (non-calculus based).  The verbal reasoning section has passages from many areas: social sciences, ecology, political sciences, the humanities and arts. The writing sample consists of two essays on a topic that will be provided. You can get more information from www.aamc.org.

Are there any publications that give more specifics about the MCAT?
AAMC (The Association of American Medical Colleges) administers the MCAT and the AMCAS application. They have several publications that provide detailed information regarding the MCAT.  In particular they have the MCAT STUDENT MANUAL, which outlines the specific topics covered by each section of the exam. Their website is: www.aamc.org.

If the MCAT is such a big exam, how should I best prepare for it?
You should give yourself 9 months to 1 year to prepare for this exam. This means reviewing all of your coursework and then beginning to actually prepare for the format of the exam. There are many review books available and you should purchase as many of them as you can afford. In addition, you may wish to register for a prep course through one of the commercial test prep programs. (www.DrFlowersMCAT.com, Kaplan, Princeton Review, ExamKrackers). Check with your institution and the medical schools in your area for possible MCAT prep programs also. Many medical schools offer reviews in the summer. 

How many times can I take this exam?
There is no limit to the number of times you may take this exam. However, you will need to allow 90 days to elapse before taking the exam again.

How do medical schools feel about my taking the exam more than one time?
Some medical schools use the best set of scores you gain; others will average the two sets of scores; some will use the best of your individual scores from multiple sessions. Anyone can have a bad day and therefore most institutions look at your second scores favorably when they increase.  However, there is the risk that your second set of scores will not increase but actually decrease in one or more sections. This will not be reviewed favorably! Therefore, if you must repeat the exam do so when you are SURE that your preparation has been adequate.

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The Application Process

What does the application process entail?
Application to most medical schools is made through a processing center AMCAS. The AMCAS application is a web-based program and therefore you should invest in the fastest computer possible for use at home or at school. The application service provides medical schools with a central processing center where you send transcripts and the AMCAS application. The application is sent to AMCAS and then forwarded to schools you designate. Once the AMCAS application is complete you will receive additional supplemental applications from the schools you’ve selected.  These supplemental applications ask for additional information about you and provide you a forum to elaborate on both your strengths and perceived weaknesses. In addition, you will be asked to send letters of recommendation attesting to your ACADEMIC potential for a career in medicine. Personal testimonies from your job, your Senator, etc. are great and should be included with your packet of letters but will not substitute for letters showing your study skills, writing skills, or your ability to do science! These letters can be written as early as your freshman year of college, with another letter added to your file each semester. This allows for a show of growth and maturity in your academic skills. 

What does the AMCAS application consist of?
The AMCAS application consists of a biographical sheet asking for information about yourself, your family, your education thus far, and your academic honors, extracurricular activities, work experience, research and volunteer experiences. It also asks that you provide a one page personal statement, which should outline your motivation for a career in medicine and other pertinent information regarding your life. Lastly, the application asks that you provide transcript information for any US or Canadian college you’ve ever attended.  

When should I apply to AMCAS?
The AMCAS application is available in May each year. Students may send the completed application in as early as June 1st. Students who take the April MCAT will receive their scores at approximately the same time (June 1st). Thus, April test takers will have an opportunity to assess their choices for schools based on their MCAT scores. They can then complete their secondary applications over the course of the summer and look forward to interviewing in the early Fall. With any luck these students will receive an acceptance to medical school by Christmas. Students who take the MCAT by August will have scores by the end of September. Students should not plan on taking the exam later than September for entry the next year.

What purpose does the secondary application serve?
Many medical schools use the secondary application as an opportunity for you to provide them with more insight into your application. Questions vary but usually ask for more detail regarding your interests, training, personal qualities, and motivation for a career in medicine. The secondary is also used to assess the strength or weaknesses in an application so take the time to answer each question carefully. 

When do I send my letters of recommendation?
Individual faculty members or your premedical committee should send letters of recommendation as soon as you begin to receive your secondary applications. Check with your institution regarding their policies on letters of recommendation and adhere to any deadlines they have established. At Hunter we will send all letters electronically to the medical school. This will require payment of a small fee ($10.00) for this service.

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What should the letter of recommendation contain?
There are several ways that letters of recommendation are handled; depending on the institution you attend. Many schools offer to write a composite letter, which will include letters of evaluation from faculty, jobs, research, and volunteer experiences (this is what we do at Hunter). Many schools only offer a letter service; here your individual letters would be housed for the length of your college education and they would be sent as a package to medical schools. In either case, YOU should have some sense of who will write you the best, most comprehensive and supportive letter. Check with your institution regarding the specifics of the letter writing process at your school.

How many letters should I have?
You should check with your institution but a good rule of thumb is to have as many letters from SCIENCE faculty as possible. Then your advisor has the option of sending them all or selecting those that reflect upon you most favorably. At Hunter you need at least six lecture and six lab evaluations in order to qualify for a Committee letter.

What if I take my MCAT’s in August? When should I apply?
The August MCAT scores will not be available until approximately the end of September. Students who are applying for medical school that year MUST submit their AMCAS application before this date and therefore apply to schools “in the blind”. These students should complete their AMCAS application between August 1st and August 15th. They can then hold onto their secondary applications until the MCAT scores arrive. Applications will not be complete until their MCAT scores arrive and their secondary applications are reviewed. Thus interviews for this cohort of students will not begin until late in the year. With the new on-line exam students who take the MCAT in August should no longer fear that they are at a disadvantage.

What are the deadlines on the AMCAS application for?
The deadlines on the AMCAS application are student deadlines for having the AMCAS application complete. These deadlines are NOT for the secondary applications or for the letters of recommendation. However, deadlines are not DUE DATES. Your application should be sent at the earliest possible time. 

Are there deadlines for the secondary applications?
The secondary application has its own deadline. This deadline differs from school to school. When the secondary application is complete your file is sent to the Admissions Committee for review. 

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Why is it so important to have my application completed early?
Most medical schools have a rolling admission policy. This means that they review applications as they receive them. Obviously then, those applicants who complete their applications early are reviewed and considered for interview earlier. The other advantage is that, as in all things, reviewing thousands of applications is both time consuming and tiring. The earlier applicant is seen with a fresh eye; the late applicant is looked at through the eyes of someone who has already seen many, many applications. The early applicant has few people to compete with and the reviewer has no idea if stronger applicants will come in later in the application season. On the other hand, the later applicant is now subject to comparison to the many applications that have come before.  Particularly for students with marginal grades and MCAT’s, an earlier application is essential.

Does this mean that if my grades and MCAT’s are poor I can expect an interview if I apply early?
NO!  However, if your grades and MCAT’s are close to what a school normally expects you stand a much better chance of receiving that interview and thus have a greater chance of being accepted.  NEVER apply to medical school with grades and MCAT scores that are not competitive.

What are competitive scores and grades?
Each medical school publishes guidelines as to what their previous entering classes mean MCAT and science GPA were. This information is available through the schools’ websites and through publications such as the AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements book. On average, students should be prepared to score better than the national average in each section and have a science GPA of at least 3.50 for consideration. 

Are there differences in what my scores and grades should look like if I come from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background, or are a member of a minority group?
Not really. Students in these categories should have MCAT’s that reflect the national average (usually 8’s and 9’s in each section for a combined score of 24-27) and science GPA’s of at least 3.20. Also, minority and other disadvantaged students must be able to demonstrate why their GPA’s are lower; i.e. working many hours, children at home, etc. In addition, minority and other disadvantaged students should be able to show that they plan on practicing in an underserved community. The types of volunteer work the students involve themselves in usually demonstrate this. As affirmative action comes under increasing scrutiny and attack, students, ALL students will need to show their willingness to practice in these areas.

How do I know if I fit one of these categories?
Economically and educationally disadvantaged students come from very poor neighborhoods or low achieving school districts. This is usually documented information when you enter college and you may have been placed in special college programs designed for this type of student. Most medical schools will ask you to explain why you belong in this category. Minority students are those students that meet the criteria of minority status as defined by AAMC: African American, Puerto Rican, Mexican American or Native American. In certain states the category of other Hispanic will also qualify you for minority consideration. 

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For the Non-Traditional Student

I am changing careers/field of study. Can I make successful application to medical school?
Medical schools are very interested in the non-traditional student. They appreciate the dedication and sacrifices usually involved in making a career change and therefore look upon these individuals favorably. You have to show them how and why this change came about.

What do I need to do to make a successful application?
Students who are planning to change careers must show how their interests have evolved over the years and how they plan to utilize previous skills/talents while pursuing their medical career. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the medical field based on concrete experiences. Lastly, these students, many of whom are older applicants, must demonstrate excellence in their academic progress.

How old is too old?
Medical schools cannot legally reject someone because of their age. However, in reality, medical school is a lengthy, expensive process and therefore students 40+ years old should really consider carefully the plusses and minuses of trying to do medical school at this late date. This does not mean that medical schools will not accept older applicants. One does, however, have to consider the competitiveness of the application, the length of training, and the rigors of training. 

Are there other health care professions that an older applicant can look at?
Osteopathic schools, podiatry schools, foreign medical schools and physician assistant programs all seem to look more favorably on the older applicant. Why? These specialties have a history of taking non-traditional students. Also, schools outside the country are more willing to take older applicants because they are generally better prepared to take on the challenges of learning in a new culture.

I was a premed student in college but have been out of school for several years.  Are my grades sufficient?
If it has been more than 5 years since completing your premed requirements you should take additional courses in science. Retaking coursework to review and maximize your chances of success on the MCAT is a good idea or you may take other hard science courses. Medical schools will want to see that your dedication is real and therefore expect that you take some postbaccalaureate coursework. If you have been out of school more than 5 years it is STRONGLY recommended that you retake some if not all of your premed requirements again. If you have completed a graduate degree in science in the interim then you need not repeat any coursework expect to improve your performance in classes where you received a “C” or less. 

Who will write my letter of recommendation if I’ve been out of school for many years?
One reason to retake or supplement your previous sciences is to reestablish your contacts with a premedical advisor. Check with your undergraduate institution regarding their policy regarding supporting students who have been out of school for several years. If they are unable or unwilling to support you then it is imperative that you take enough courses at another institution to warrant support as a postbaccalaureate student. Again, check the policy at the school you wish to attend and conform to whatever requirements they have. If you are unable to amass enough work to justify support in the form of a committee letter then you will have to ask individual faculty to write letters on your behalf. Hunter postbaccs are required to take at least 6 of the lectures and labs at Hunter to qualify for support.

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