Getting Into Med School

[MphsBlues]

Both of my boys are in pre-med and one graduates in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions on how he needs to approach getting into med school? He has quite the resume' as far as school activities and fellowship work (he did a research fellowship on improving chemotherapy treatments by replacing the drug, Cisplatin with something that doesn't have the side effects). He knows, also, that he must do well on the MCAT, but any other helpful advice would be appreciated.

 

[BearCat204]

Dont have anything to provide as far as advice, but congratulations

 

[vader]

Paging kiddiedoc...

Congratulations by the way. I know you must be a proud papa.

 

[MphsBlues]

Thanks, guys. I think my oldest has pretty well covered the bases on most of it, but hey, anything else that helps him would be appreciated. I know it's mostly about the MCAT, but I'm not a doc.

 

[BearCat204]

Thanks, guys. I think my oldest has pretty well covered the bases on most of it, but hey, anything else that helps him would be appreciated. I know it's mostly about the MCAT, but I'm not a doc.

Mine will be going into pre med this fall, so I might be the one asking you for advice here soon.

 

[Goldie]

I would suggest shadowing opportunities with other physicians. They may have something at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

Here is a link:UTHSC | College of Medicine

I would call and see if they have any shadowing opportunities. I work at UTMCK and I can tell you that shadowing is an excellent opportunity especially for students who are interested in the medical field. Usually they can select a physician and ask to shadow for a number of weeks. That would help with not only experience but also could lead to an excellent reference.

 

[MphsBlues]

Mine will be going into pre med this fall, so I might be the one asking you for advice here soon.

Oh, good. I know it's a nervous time, but I'm sure he'll do well if he's committed. I know a couple of things. Grades are REALLY important, and having a resume' of research and/or internship help. I also know there are some really expensive MCAT prep courses, if you are willing to sped the money and he/she is willing to put forth the effort. We have not gone that route, but maybe after he takes it in July(I think it is) we may decide to.

 

[MphsBlues]

I would suggest shadowing opportunities with other physicians. They may have something at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

Here is a link:UTHSC | College of Medicine

I would call and see if they have any shadowing opportunities. I work at UTMCK and I can tell you that shadowing is an excellent opportunity especially for students who are interested in the medical field. Usually they can select a physician and ask to shadow for a number of weeks. That would help with not only experience but also could lead to an excellent reference.

Thanks, Goldie. :hi: He has shadowed his pediatrician once, on top of his fellowship at Saint Jude. He is currently looking for other opportunities like this. I will tell him about the one at UTMC, as well.

 

[BearCat204]

Oh, good. I know it's a nervous time, but I'm sure he'll do well if he's committed. I know a couple of things. Grades are REALLY important, and having a resume' of research and/or internship help. I also know there are some really expensive MCAT prep courses, if you are willing to sped the money and he/she is willing to put forth the effort. We have not gone that route, but maybe after he takes it in July(I think it is) we may decide to.

Yes, we have already looked into MCAT prep courses for her, but I dont think she really has to worry about that until her Junior year.

 

[utvots]

If you know any Doctors have them write letters to the university supporting and recommend your sons' acceptance into the program

 

[MphsBlues]

If you know any Doctors have them write letters to the university supporting and recommend your sons' acceptance into the program

Thanks :hi:
Dr. Shappley ad Dr. Ziebarth have already agreed to write letters for him. I'm sure the doc that was overseeing his research at Saint Jude will write a letter, as well.

 

[PKT_VOL]

I was pre-made as well. Advice to get in is pretty standard and vanilla: good grades, good MCAT score, extracurriculars, volunteer work, good recommendations, etc.

One unconventional piece of advice would be to seek out various people in in the industry who will show/explain the downside of medicine (shadowing tends to spin a positive light on things; at least my experience). It has been my experience that many who are in the pre-med route have tunnel vision. Make sure you really want to go the medical school route (vs research or another profession). I know too many who discovered this once in medical school which can be disastrous.

Another thing I would recommend would be to take a year off. It would help with the point above (making sure you really want to go that route) and it gives you break from school so you don't get burnt-out (also a big problem for medical students).

I wish them the best of luck!

 

[MphsBlues]

I was pre-made as well. Advice to get in is pretty standard and vanilla: good grades, good MCAT score, extracurriculars, volunteer work, good recommendations, etc.

One unconventional piece of advice would be to seek out various people in in the industry who will show/explain the downside of medicine (shadowing tends to spin a positive light on things; at least my experience). It has been my experience that many who are in the pre-med route have tunnel vision. Make sure you really want to go the medical school route (vs research or another profession). I know too many who discovered this once in medical school which can be disastrous.

Another thing I would recommend would be to take a year off. It would help with the point above (making sure you really want to go that route) and it gives you break from school so you don't get burnt-out (also a big problem for medical students).

I wish them the best of luck!

Solid. Thanks! I have discussed whether or not he should choose pharmacy, research, private practice, etc.. He seems dead-set on going the med school route. Not yet sure about my youngest. But this sounds like good advice. He does plan to take a year off and work/study. I will make it a point to let him know that he should consider the possibility of burnout and what not before diving into it.
Cheers! :hi:

 

[milohimself]

I've finished my bachelor's degree in public health (after some years lollygagging) and am started on a premed route. I had a long series of conversations with a friend who is a resident at university of Washington, and she said that the whole process is open ended enough that you can always allow for room to get into whatever it is you want to do, be it research, clinical practice, etc. I'm personally still aiming for an MPH

 

[MphsBlues]

I've finished my bachelor's degree in public health (after some years lollygagging) and am started on a premed route. I had a long series of conversations with a friend who is a resident at university of Washington, and she said that the whole process is open ended enough that you can always allow for room to get into whatever it is you want to do, be it research, clinical practice, etc. I'm personally still aiming for an MPH

Congrats on the degree, Milo. I hope it works out for you.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Most has already been said, but GPA and MCAT scores are very important. Take the tough science and math classes. Any work or volunteer experience in the medical field makes for great discussion in an interview. If they have a good relationship with their Pediatrician, that would be a terrific source for recommendation letters. Make sure any written essays are well done and try to make them memorable... Personal experiences that attracted them to the field, for example (I discussed my grandmother's fight with cancer). Look and dress the part: remember that most interviewers are older and conservative. I would also read up on current medical trends and the changes that the ACA and Obamacare have brought.

I hope that helps.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Oh, and I'm not crazy about taking a year off. They want to see dedication and a drive to succeed.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Doesn't hurt to have an ace in the hole if med school is a must. Seems like I've run into a lot of Caucasian david Lipscomb grads who then went to Mehary medical school, a hbc. We had a small med school at Mercer that was started for the purpose of training small town docs and while it's grown some in scope of its mission I'm guessing it's a little easier to get accepted there than medical college of georgia or emory. Seems like I've heard etsu is easier to get in than the med school in Memphis. And of course there's the osteopathic schools.

 

[MphsBlues]

Most has already been said, but GPA and MCAT scores are very important. Take the tough science and math classes. Any work or volunteer experience in the medical field makes for great discussion in an interview. If they have a good relationship with their Pediatrician, that would be a terrific source for recommendation letters. Make sure any written essays are well done and try to make them memorable... Personal experiences that attracted them to the field, for example (I discussed my grandmother's fight with cancer). Look and dress the part: remember that most interviewers are older and conservative. I would also read up on current medical trends and the changes that the ACA and Obamacare have brought.

I hope that helps.

Thank you, KDoc :hi: In the next two weeks he'll be taking the finals on micro and immuno. His work experience at St. Jude should carry some weight. I think he's pretty well got his bases covered, but I did want advice from someone in the know.
What I didn't think about was the point you brought up about the interview. He will dress the part, for sure. And he knows his stuff but I also didn't think about this Obamacare thing - or ACA, so thanks. We will look into them.
And a big thank you for taking the time, doc. Cheers!

 

[MphsBlues]

Doesn't hurt to have an ace in the hole if med school is a must. Seems like I've run into a lot of Caucasian david Lipscomb grads who then went to Mehary medical school, a hbc. We had a small med school at Mercer that was started for the purpose of training small town docs and while it's grown some in scope of its mission I'm guessing it's a little easier to get accepted there than medical college of georgia or emory. Seems like I've heard etsu is easier to get in than the med school in Memphis. And of course there's the osteopathic schools.

Thank you :hi: Yes, I think it's quite easier to get into the one at ETSU than UT's med school. I hope beyond hope that he can get in because he is not crazy about going to a DO school.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Thank you :hi: Yes, I think it's quite easier to get into the one at ETSU than UT's med school. I hope beyond hope that he can get in because he is not crazy about going to a DO school.

Depending on his desired specialty, DO may not be an issue. There were a number of DO's in my Peds Residency.

 

[MphsBlues]

Depending on his desired specialty, DO may not be an issue. There were a number of DO's in my Peds Residency.

Exactly what he wants to be - a Pediatrician. Second choice, Oncology and working at St. Jude. Although, I suppose the two are worlds apart.. Frankly, I don't know, that's just a uninformed guess.

 

[milohimself]

Oh, and I'm not crazy about taking a year off. They want to see dedication and a drive to succeed.

I was gonna second this. I've heard that from a number of residents

 

[kiddiedoc]

I was gonna second this. I've heard that from a number of residents

Yeah, if you need a year off after college, then med school and residency probably isn't the right course

 

[kiddiedoc]

Exactly what he wants to be - a Pediatrician. Second choice, Oncology and working at St. Jude. Although, I suppose the two are worlds apart.. Frankly, I don't know, that's just a uninformed guess.

St. Jude is precisely where I felt called to practice Peds. Oncology is tough... Have to be able to separate your emotions from your work. I thought about it but after losing a couple of patients I had become close to, I knew I couldn't do it.