How to get into medical school?

Answer 1

Those who choose to go into medicine often have a lifelong dream of entering the profession. That is a good thing because going to medical school is not as simple as making a decision during the junior year of college. Medical school is very competitive. Most medical schools receive many more applications than they have slots to fill. For this reason, only the best and brightest will fulfill their dream of going to medical school.

Preparing for medical school in high school

Preparing for medical school should begin at the high school level. This includes a rigorous high school curriculum of advanced courses in areas such as chemistry, physics, Biology, algebra, and calculus. Taking these courses at the advanced placement level in high school will prepare a potential medical student for the rigors of a college pre-med program. Since the type of undergraduate colleges to which aspiring medical students apply look for well rounded students, it is also important to participate in extracurricular activities and take on leadership responsibilities while in high school.

Undergraduate preparation for medical school

Undergraduate preparation for medical school generally involves getting a degree in an area of science like physiology, chemistry, or zoology. Some prospective medical students major in other areas but science courses are need to qualify for medical school. Freshmen who aspire to become medical doctors should heed an early warning--partying too much will not leave time for the kind of study necessary for a high grade point average. Procrastination and cramming will not suffice when one wants to get into medical school. The individual who wants to go to medical school must make studying a priority or find another major.

Medical school will involve hard work

Once accepted into medical school, students can expect to be challenged in academic classes and in clinical courses designed to provide hands on experience. However when the courses are completed and the clinical work is done in medical school, then comes the residency where new doctors get intense training that prepares them to work independently. Once this is completed, the next step is completing the medical examination for licensure and if successful, the new doctor is ready to practice. But learning continues. Doctors continue there education through specialized courses to keep up with medical advances and technology.