They should tell you that… Laura Berg MS IV University of North Dakota School of Medicine

Finding a medical school American Association of Medical Colleges American Association of Medical Colleges – –Link to Medical Schools, then “Find a Medical School: US and Canadian Medical Schools” 126 Programs registered with the AAMC 126 Programs registered with the AAMC

AMCAS American Medical College Application Service American Medical College Application Service – –116 medical schools utilize AMCAS –Not all medical schools use AMCAS services! –Demographics –Detailed description of grades and coursework –Work and volunteer information Additional applications will be required with added fee for many programs Additional applications will be required with added fee for many programs

What are they looking for? Grade-point average Breadth and difficulty of undergraduate coursework Letters of recommendation AMCAS form Extracurricular activities such as student government and community service Involvement in and quality of health-related work and research Participation in activities demonstrating motivation, responsibility, maturity, integrity, resourcefulness, tolerance, perseverance, dedication to service Knowledge of health care issues and commitment to health care Interview State of legal residence

Undergrad The best major is one that interests you The best major is one that interests you Be sure to take Pre-med courses including: Be sure to take Pre-med courses including: –Biology –ANATOMY –Biochemistry Classes of interest Classes of interest –SPEECH –Art –Music

COURSE REQUIREMENTS Biology – 2 semesters Biology – 2 semesters Inorganic – 2 sem Inorganic – 2 sem Organic* - 2 sem Organic* - 2 sem –* A student may substitute a semester or quarter of biochemistry for the final semester/quarter of organic chemistry Physics – 2 semesters Physics – 2 semesters College Algebra College Algebra Psychology/Sociology Psychology/Sociology Language Arts (English, Speech, etc.) – at least 2 courses Language Arts (English, Speech, etc.) – at least 2 courses A minimum cumulative and science (chemistry, physics, biology, psychology and math) grade point average of 3.0 is expected. A minimum cumulative and science (chemistry, physics, biology, psychology and math) grade point average of 3.0 is expected. Average GPA in my class Average GPA in my class Biology (w/lab) – 2 sem Biology (w/lab) – 2 sem General or inorganic chemistry (w/lab) – 2 sem General or inorganic chemistry (w/lab) – 2 sem Organic chem (w/lab) – 2 sem Organic chem (w/lab) – 2 sem Biochem – 1 sem Biochem – 1 sem Physics (w/lab) – 2 sem Physics (w/lab) – 2 sem Calculus – 1 sem Calculus – 1 sem English composition and literature – 2 sem English composition and literature – 2 sem Social, Behavioral sciences, and humanities – 4 sem Social, Behavioral sciences, and humanities – 4 sem –Psychology and at least 2 of the following (history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, comparative studies, music or art) University of North Dakota University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

The Application Typed application form Typed application form –Locate a typewriter or resume service company Personal statement Personal statement Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation –Most require 3 Medical College Admissions Test scores Medical College Admissions Test scores Official academic transcripts Official academic transcripts Non-refundable application fee Non-refundable application fee

Personal Statement Attributes Attributes Unique characteristics Unique characteristics Interest in medicine Interest in medicine Participation in research projects Participation in research projects Hobbies Hobbies Medicine-related employment Medicine-related employment Motivation and commitment to a medical career Motivation and commitment to a medical career Demonstrate ability to work with people Demonstrate ability to work with people Show compassion and empathy Show compassion and empathy PROOFREAD PROOFREAD

Letters of Recommendation Appraisals by persons who know the applicant well: Appraisals by persons who know the applicant well: –College advisors –Instructors –Employers –Clergy –Peer, roommate, spouse or friend Should address Should address –Relationship with applicant –Applicant's personality –Reliability –Motivation

MCAT rg/students/mcat/ rg/students/mcat/ rg/students/mcat/ rg/students/mcat/ 9 ½ hour test – –8:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. – –Two 10-minute breaks – –One-hour lunch break

2004 MCAT Test Date Schedule Test Dates – –April 17, 2004 – –August 14, 2004 Regular Registration Deadlines ($190 fee) – –March 12, 2004 – –July 9, 2004 Late Registration Deadlines ($190 + $50 late fee) – –March 26, 2004 – –July 23, 2004

SectionNumber of Questions Time in Minutes Physical Sciences Verbal Reasoning 6085 Writing Sample 260 Biological Sciences MCAT Breakdown

Personal Interview Applicants may be invited to interview Applicants may be invited to interview –Usually minutes –Team interviewing you –Team interviewing you and other candidates simultaneously –One-on-one interview Applicants should prepare questions about the program Applicants should prepare questions about the program Be prepared to answer questions Be prepared to answer questions –Why did you decide on a career in medicine? –Where do you see yourself in 10 years? –What are your strengths/weaknesses? –How do you feel about healthcare in the US? –Do you feel that healthcare is a right or a privilege? –Who is your role model and why? –Ethical questions

What happens if you are not accepted… Don’t give up! Don’t give up! Waiting list Waiting list Talk to admissions advisor about how to improve your application Talk to admissions advisor about how to improve your application Keep busy: work, volunteer, travel, peace corps, Americorps Keep busy: work, volunteer, travel, peace corps, Americorps Reapply Reapply

You’re accepted! Now what?

Financial Aid Loans to cover: Loans to cover: –Tuition (~ 10,000 to 45,000 per year) –Living expenses –Textbooks Many scholarships available Many scholarships available Many medical schools do not allow outside employment Many medical schools do not allow outside employment

CURRICULUM Year 1 Year 1 –Physiology –Introduction to patient care Year 2 Year 2 –Pathology –Continued clinical experience Year 3 – Core clinical clerkships Year 3 – Core clinical clerkships Year 4 – Elective clinical clerkships Year 4 – Elective clinical clerkships

Learning the Basics

USMLE Step 1 United States Medical Licensing Exam United States Medical Licensing Exam – –Physiology and Pathology Taken following the second year of medical school Taken following the second year of medical school

Year 3 Internal Medicine Internal Medicine OB/GYN OB/GYN Psychiatry Psychiatry Family Practice Family Practice Pediatrics Pediatrics Surgery Surgery

USMLE Step More clinically oriented More clinically oriented

Year 4 All electives All electives Out of state/country rotations available Out of state/country rotations available

Year 4 example Psychiatry --- Mayo Psychiatry --- Mayo Internal Medicine Internal Medicine General surgery General surgery Radiology Radiology Eating disorders Eating disorders 2 months off for interviews 2 months off for interviews Family Medicine --- Australia Family Medicine --- Australia Neurology Neurology Medical genetics Medical genetics

Graduation You are a Doctor! You are a Doctor! The education continues… The education continues…

Applying to Residency ERAS – electronic residency application service ERAS – electronic residency application service – National Residency Match Program National Residency Match Program –

There is still time for fun… Karaoke

Malpractice Bowl Medical School vs. Law School

Still Single?

Formal Parties

Informal Parties

Questions? Please feel free to contact me with any questions Please feel free to contact me with any questions