ACADEMIC PREPARATIONACADEMIC PREPARATIONFOR MEDICAL SCHOOLFOR MEDICAL SCHOOL

Medicine Needs YOUMedicine Needs YOU … … African Americans, Latinos/as, and Native African Americans, Latinos/as, and Native

Americans comprise Americans comprise 2525 percent of the U.S. percent of the U.S. population, but only population, but only 1212 percent of US medical percent of US medical student graduates and only student graduates and only 66 percent of percent of physicians in practice... physicians in practice...

So we’re offering our advice in hopes that you will So we’re offering our advice in hopes that you will be able to join the ranks and thereby increase the be able to join the ranks and thereby increase the percentagespercentages

There is no magic formula for getting There is no magic formula for getting into into medical school medical school

We, University of Chicago students, didn’t We, University of Chicago students, didn’t have an identical journey to medical have an identical journey to medical schoolschool

Important Important ConsiderationsConsiderations

General Pre-med PointersGeneral Pre-med Pointers Take the time to find out how you learn

and to determine what mixture of studying techniques works the best for you

Get to know your professors Helps you understand and enjoy the material

more – and is a great way to begin cultivating relationships for LOR!

Utilize your resources! Go to office hours, review sessions and your learning center

General Pre-med PointersGeneral Pre-med Pointers Research is good to have on your

application-whether it is basic science, clinical or social sciences research

Continuity of extracurricular activities is good to have on your application Conveys passion about the activities in which

you were involved Being involved in some of your activities

consecutive years and holding leadership positions in these activities are good ideas

General Pre-med PointersGeneral Pre-med Pointers Activities/Organizations to Consider

Activities in which you are genuinely interested Organizations that allow you to use your

talents Outreach activities that acquaint you to

community issues Health or medically oriented programs/projects

that provide or reinforce reasons for wanting to become a physician

Activities that allow you to add to your sense of self

General Pre-med PointersGeneral Pre-med Pointers Your success during your freshman year

will not determine whether or not you are accepted into medical school A strong upward trend and having a long

pattern of excellence by the time you apply  You can fail classes your freshman year and

still go to med school  Find an activity that de-stresses you and

do it regularly

FRESHMAN YEARFRESHMAN YEAR Choose in which organizations you would

like to be involved, and run/apply for leadership positions in them at the end of the year

Choose a volunteer activity about which you are passionate, and engage in the volunteer activity

Meet with a premed advisor and make an honest assessment of where you are in your pre-med path.

FRESHMAN YEARFRESHMAN YEAR Determine what you want to do this summer

SMDEP, work in a lab, or do something different Find a class that really fascinates you to take

next year Think about whether or not you want to go

abroad Choose a clinically related activity in which

to get involved during your sophomore year and possibly during the upcoming summer

FRESHMAN YEARFRESHMAN YEAR Chicago Academic Medicine Program

6-week non-residential tuition-free summer program for freshman and sophomores

Helps students build knowledge base and academic skills for success in a pre-med program

Group-learning and team-building projects Interactive lectures on 3 major organ systems Clinical shadowing opportunities Pre-medical advising $1000 stipend

Application Deadline: Monday, March 14, 2011

FRESHMAN YEARFRESHMAN YEAR Start saving up for an MCAT class (if you

want to take one), application fees and the interview trail MCAT class-$1800 Application Fees-$2000

Note: AAMC will reduce your application fees if you can show financial need

AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) – http://www.amcas.org/FAP

Interview-$300-$400/interview (assuming a flight and a hotel stay)

SOPHOMORE YEARSOPHOMORE YEAR Engage in a clinical experience Volunteer Pursue leadership positions again for your

junior year Decide when you want to take the MCAT If you can complete the pre-med

requirements early, consider taking the MCAT early (e.g. summer before junior year or during winter break of junior year)

SOPHOMORE YEARSOPHOMORE YEAR Decide on the science classes in which you

are going to obtain letters of recommendation from professors

Plan your junior year schedule so that you can focus on doing well in those classes

Plan to do something geared toward your pre-med path this summer

If you are interested in working in a lab, make sure you investigate summer research programs at your institution and elsewhere

SOPHOMORE YEARSOPHOMORE YEAR Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in

Research (PSOMER) 8-week research, education, and mentoring

experience with University of Chicago faculty Research presentation at the end of the program Advising sessions with Pritzker admissions officers $3,200 stipend Participants will live on campus

Projects range from basic science laboratory to clinical research projects

Application Deadline: Monday, March 7, 2011

SOPHOMORE YEARSOPHOMORE YEAR Meet with a pre-med advisor and make an

honest assessment of where you are in your pre-med path

“Developing Application Portfolio” Handout Decide on additional experiences and

classes that would be helpful in order be competitive for medical school

Consider whether or not you want to apply during your senior year or take some time off

JUNIOR/SENIOR YEARJUNIOR/SENIOR YEAR Take the MCAT Take all subjects on the MCAT-biology,

chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics-before taking the MCAT

Register early-spots fill up very quickly Also, sign up with the AAMC Medical

Minority Applicant Registry (Med-Mar) Program when you take the MCAT

JUNIOR/SENIOR YEARJUNIOR/SENIOR YEAR If you can afford it, consider an MCAT Class Pros-

Structured study regimen Additional resources-lectures, books, practice

exams Cons-

Costly A waste if you do not apply yourself Not absolutely necessary-but have to be very

disciplined if do not take a class

JUNIOR/SENIOR YEARJUNIOR/SENIOR YEAR Alternatives to taking a class:

Study from review books specifically made for the MCAT as not all topics on the MCAT are covered in college courses

Look for summer programs or scholarships that provide free or reduced MCAT prep

The AAMC provides one free practice exam online Order others for $35 each from website

WWW.E-MCAT.COM

JUNIOR/SENIOR YEARJUNIOR/SENIOR YEAR Take the MCAT during the summer or

after/during a light semester MCAT=2 ClassesUnderstand that preparing for the MCAT

is like preparing for a marathon Allot at least 3 months of intensive

studyingPRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Take at least 6 practice exams before you take the exam

JUNIOR/SENIOR YEARJUNIOR/SENIOR YEAR Obtain letters of recommendation

Provide your CV and personal statement to all recommenders

Give recommenders at least 1.5 months If recommender will be mailing your

recommendation, provide an addressed and stamped envelope

JUNIOR/SENIOR YEARJUNIOR/SENIOR YEAR Determine whether or not you want to

apply during your senior year or take some time off The gap year will never hurt you – it is better to

apply once you're the best candidate you will be

“Are You Applying This Year?” HandoutEngage in a clinical experience

Volunteer

APPLICATION PROCESSAPPLICATION PROCESS Review requirements of each school and

the average GPA and MCAT scores of accepted students

Determine your “safety,” “feasible” and “reach” schools

The Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) profiles ever medical school in the US, Canada

Check the MSAR well before applying to see the school’s numbers , requirements, and curricula

The MSAR aka Your Best The MSAR aka Your Best FriendFriend

Another Essential Text: Another Essential Text: MSOUSMSMSOUSMS

Review Minority Student Opportunities in US Medical Schools (MSOUSMS) – learn about recruitment, applicant and matriculant data by gender, race and ethnicity

Also provides descriptions of programs designed to provide opportunities for racial/ethnic groups underrepresented in medical education E.g. summer programs and educational

partnerships

APPLICATION PROCESSAPPLICATION PROCESS APPLY EARLY

Many schools have rolling admissions, so when you apply is very very important!

Submit your AMCAS primary application by July 4th

Obtain sample interview questions from a pre-med website

Do 2-3 mock interviews before you have your first interview

APPLICATION PROCESSAPPLICATION PROCESS Research each school thoroughly before

you interview Write down questions that you would like to

ask your interviewers Try to stay with a host when you interview Send thank-you cards to your interviewers

after each interview

GOOD LUCK!GOOD LUCK!

For Additional Questions: jtayl14@gmail.com

Thank You To: Washington University in St. Louis College of

Arts and Sciences University of Pennsylvania Office for Diversity

and Community Outreach Powerpoint is available at

http://snma.uchicago.edu/