Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience.By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising.By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our
platform.For more information, please see our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy . Medical School Admission: Myths versus Realities Myth #1: "I should major in biology or some other natural science if I want to go to medical school. Perhaps I will major in pre-med." Other myths related to Myth #1: Reality: Reality: Competitive grades are critical to being a successful applicant. Students should be encouraged to study the major of their choice. Reality: Myth #2: "If I graduate with a double major or degree, I will have an advantage over other applicants." Other myths related to Myth #2 Reality: Myth #3: "Freshman year doesn't really count. I'm just starting college. Besides, I can repeat any courses I did not do well in." Reality: Repeating courses for medical admission is generally not recommended as repeated courses for MD admission will be averaged. Instead, the schools would prefer to see students take advanced work in the same subject and do well. Myth #4: "If I don't finish college in four years, I will appear weak to medical admissions committees." Other Myths Related to Myth #4: Reality: Students are not perceived to be at a disadvantage if they complete a degree in 4+ years as long as the record shows that applicants can handle full work loads (i.e. it IS a disadvantage to take 4+ years to graduate if the reason is because of light semesters, frequent withdrawals from classes or repeated courses.--see myth #6) The average age of first-year enrollees in US medical schools is approximately 24-25 and the number of non-traditional applicants applying continues to increase. Myth #5: "The most important part of my application is my GPA." Other myths related to Myth #5 Reality: Myth #6: "I can take a minimal amount of credit hours per semester (12) and one science at a time to assure I do well." Other myths related to Myth #6: "I can take my challenging sciences in the summer to concentrate on one at a time." Reality: Summer work is completed at an accelerated pace. This is extremely rigorous work to complete in 6 weeks as opposed to 15 weeks. Thorough knowledge and understanding of the material is required for the MCAT. Time not spent learning the material in the summer will then need to be invested later to prepare for the MCAT. Myth #7: "As long as I have some medical exposure a few months before applying, that will be enough." Other myths related to Myth #7: Reality: "Too much is never enough." "HOW do you know you want a medical career?" While medical schools realize that exposure through family members does provide insight as to what being a physician is like, an applicant needs to demonstrate that THEY are inherently interested and motivated to pursue this career. There may be a concern about possibly family pressure to pursue medicine and applicants need to be sure they know through their own experiences the demands of the field they are entering. Myth #8: "Since I did not do well on my MCAT exam, I can go to an off-shore medical school that does not require the MCAT. This way I will not be a year behind." Other myths related to Myth #8: Reality: Transferring to a US medical school after completing work at another medical school is extremely unlikely and an applicant should not count on it. In order to transfer to the US, a seat has to be available. Medical students in the US rarely vacate their seats. Myth #9: "I have the motivation and drive, and I will do whatever I need to do to be admitted to medical school. I will get admitted one day." Other myths related to Myth #9: Reality: All students need a "Plan B" and a strong motivation is not enough to gain a seat in medical school. Non-competitive repeat applicants raise questions regarding their judgment. The application process is not a lottery system. Repeat applicants need to present with significantly different credentials or the same result (non-acceptance) will likely occur. Students may devalue other health career options because they have not educated themselves about them. There are approximately 64 allied health professions that contribute to the health care of others. They include respiratory therapists, genetic counselors, physicians assistants, nuclear medical technologists . . . "Professional schools will forever seek students who communicate effectively, who rigorously pursue intellectual intelligence, and who find purpose, satisfaction, and dignity in human service." Mike Magee, MD What year of medical school is the hardest?According to NRMP and other online sources, the hardest year of medical school is first year. Year one of medical school is the most difficult for many reasons. Some of these reasons include: moving to a new location.
How many hours do most medical students study?Some medical students study anywhere between 8-11 hours a day during their exam period, with most students hovering around the 3-5 hour mark on a normal day. However, it often depends on which year they are in (first year vs. final year), how far away exams are, and the individual's motivation to study.
What classes are required for most medical schools?Most medical schools require the following courses:. One year of Biology with lab.. One year of General Chemistry with lab.. One year of Organic Chemistry with lab.. One semester of Biochemistry.. One year of Physics with lab.. One year of English.. How many terms are in medical school?The Clinical Years consist of five terms for a total of 80 weeks. This listing does not indicate the sequence of clinical courses.
|