|
PREMED TIMELINE: Reprinted with permission from Keepsake 98-99, A Guide for Minority Premed Students (Vol. 7, No. 1) |
Dr. Stan Eisen, Director |
As you can see from the basic requirements, students may choose any major. At medical school, you'll find students who majored in literature, economics, computer engineering, biology, chemistry, and pharmacy. The most important factor is that you choose something that interests you and which you excel (i.e., getting mostly A's and B's).
Complete General Chemistry and at least one other science premed requirement. Taking General Chemistry early allows you to take Organic Chemistry the following year. Why do you want to do this? This allows you to retake the course if you do poorly, and it also allows you do get it out of the way so that you can take interesting upper division courses in your major without being overworked. Admissions committees look at a student's performance in Organic Chemistry as an indication of that student's ability to handle the course work in medical school. So if you did poorly in Organic (i.e. less than a B-), you may consider retaking the course in the summer between your Sophomore and Junior year, or your Junior year. You may have to retake the course at another school.
You should decide during your Freshman Year what extracurricular activities you would like to pursue during your undergraduate career. This includes both volunteering and being involved in organizations. Think about what you like to do. Pick a couple activities and stay with them throughout your undergraduate program, but try to stay away from being too spread out and not being able to contribute significantly in any of your activities.
Some students may have to work to put themselves through school. Just pick at least one extracurricular activity that is important to you. Working and paying your way through college is admirable, it demonstrates your ability to assume responsibility and stay focused with your goals.
Towards the end of this year, begin thinking about what you want to do for the summer. Scholarly endeavors in research laboratories are a major bonus. Most of the competitive schools look if applicants have worked in labs.
Sophomore Year
By now, you should have completed your General Chemistry requirement and one other premed science requirement. Plan to tackle Organic chemistry this year and finish another science premed requirement; therefore, you should have all your science premed requirements out the way. If you do poorly in any of these courses (less than a B-), you should consider re-taking them in the Summer or your Junior Year.
Send away for catalogs during your sophomore year so that you can be familiar with specific requirements or visit their web sites. Check with your premed advisor to get the information from AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR).
Contact admissions offices and schedule a visit to favorite schools to begin to develop a relationship with them.
You also want to demonstrate educational interests go beyond science. Take literature, humanities, or foreign language courses. For those not majoring in science, you have an advantage here -- your educational interests are already diverse. Just keep in mind that the breadth of your education is just as important as the level of difficulty.
For the Summer, plan on pursuing your research, volunteer, and extracurricular interests. You should also consider studying for the MCAT. Some will say this is slightly early in the game, but you should plan on taking the MCAT during the Fall of your Junior Year. (Ed. Note: I disagree with the timing. The consensus among preprofessional health advisors is to take the MCAT during the Spring of your Junior Year, or in August, during the Summer between Junior and Senior years. {SE})
Junior Year
This is the big year. You are completing the remainder of your premed courses, taking the MCAT, and preparing your application to medical school, in addition to doing well in your course work. This may seem difficult. It is. Don't worry, however, with some organization and a plan, you will be able to accomplish these goals.
If you decided to study over the summer take your MCAT's in the Fall. (Ed. Note: As I mention in the Sophomore Year section, I recommend taking the MCAT when you have already taken General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, AND Physics, i.e. the end of your Junior Year, or during the summer prior to your Senior Year. {SE}) Take as many MCAT practice tests as you can (full-length ones if possible.) If you are unable to structure the time to study effectively for the MCAT, consider taking a prep course.
Start writing your personal essay during the Winter. Make sure you write, re-write…and then re-write some more. This is one of the most important elements in your application since it allows the admissions committee to know you better.
When the applications are available in the Spring, request an application from AMCAS and the non-AMCAS schools. An electronic version of the AMCAS application is also available.
If your MCAT scores are low, you may consider applying for the Spring MCAT. (Ed. Note: That is, the August exam prior to your Senior year. See my note in the Sophomore Year section. {SE})
Send in your application to AMCAS the FIRST day they will take them, usually in June. Remember that 80% of US AMCAS applications are submitted by June 30; don't be late. (Ed. Note: At the same time, don't be too hasty. The personal statement really is important. That statistic of 80% is probably high. What I've read is 40% are submitted by June 30. {SE}) Be sure to keep a copy for yourself. Send in your non-AMCAS applications as well. At this time, also request letters of recommendation to be sent to the schools from your premed committee (if you have one at your school), from your professors, research advisor, or individuals you have selected (see the page about recommendation letters to determine who you should ask.)
Aim to have your application materials (i.e. MCAT scores, secondary applications with fee, letters of recommendation, transcript, and your photographs) completed and submitted to the schools by August. This means your application is ready for review in August. This is important. The sooner you have your application completed, the better. This considerably increases your chances of becoming accepted.
Senior Year
Your hard work and preparation in the previous year will pay off. If you have submitted all your application materials by August, you just need to relax and wait for interviews.
Enjoy your final year in college and start preparing for the interview. Invitations for interviews will generally come in October and later. The invitation may also come sooner if you completed your application before August. At your interview, inquire about the notification process for that individual school.
Search for sources of financial aid using the Internet, as well as the guides available through the medical schools that you are considering attending.
Acceptances, waiting lists, and rejections are sent out at different schedules, depending on the school. Some schools have rolling admissions, where offers for admission are sent out after each admissions committee meeting. At other programs, offers may not be sent out until after a set deadline. Contact the admissions officer at the schools you applied for more information.
If you are placed on the waiting list, there are several things you can do. First, update your application by sending in your first semester grades from your Senior year, recent publications or awards, or even a letter stating your interest in attending that school.
In the circumstance you are not offered an acceptance, you should review your application with your premed advisor and determine your strengths and weaknesses. You may want to spend a year polishing your application for resubmission.