There is a reason that those two little letters—MD—following a person's name seem to carry so much weight. Few disciplines are as exclusive or as rigorous as the field of medicine, and even fewer professions are so well respected. Though the road to medical school is a long and demanding one, a deep-seated love of science combined with a lot of careful preparation can significantly ease the process.
What You Need Beforehand
There is no “standard” set of requirements for all medical schools and, contrary to widespread assumption, one need not hold a bachelor's degree in science to be considered a worthwhile candidate. In fact, some of the most respected medical school professionals view medicine as a delicate balance between science and art, so it can be beneficial for a prospective student to demonstrate passion beyond the sciences.
That said, there are courses that commonly appear on medical school-bound transcripts, including:
- General biology
- Physics (with lab)
- General (inorganic) chemistry (with lab)
- Organic chemistry (with lab)
- Calculus
- English
Medical schools usually pre-screen students by computer to confirm that they meet all the necessary requirements before beginning the official application process.
Plan as an Undergrad
Maintaining an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher is essential in the pursuit of a medical education. Most schools also consider a score of 30 or higher on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) a competitive edge.
Although there is certainly more to being a good physician than possessing an impressive academic background, the MCAT is the most widely used and accepted examination for prospective doctors. The test provides a thorough measure of a student's skills in the areas of verbal reasoning, physical sciences, biological sciences, and essay writing.
There are other things students can do to “beef up” their medical school applications. Among them are completing independent research projects, “shadowing” a practicing physician, and volunteering their services.
Since these optional activities can be construed by admissions officers merely as aggressive strategies, it is important for applicants to complete these optional projects with the utmost dedication and diligence, so that no questions of motive are raised.
Find a Study Group
An estimated 70–80 percent of all medical school applicants have taken an MCAT test preparation course, which is a pretty good indication that this is one important test where students need to come prepared.
As with most graduate examinations, traditional “study” methods are equally important when taking the MCAT as learning to navigate the stylistic intricacies of the test itself.
In addition to developing good study habits for the MCAT, it is important for students to continue this pattern once they've been accepted to medical school. The curriculum is often highly technical and the schedule rife with stress, but self-discipline and a genuine desire to succeed are powerful tools in a student's quest to become a medical professional.
