Becoming a Doctor

1. Becoming a Doctor What you need to know

2. There are many paths to medical school

3. Applying to medical school http://www.aspiringdocs.org

4. Traditional path: First year Find out what resources are available at your school: Career Placement Office, premed advisor Take biology Join pre-med clubs Apply for summer programs early Look for future research opportunities volunteer

5. Traditional path: Second Year Take chemistry with lab Apply for summer programs or jobs early Volunteer Find a mentor!

6. Traditional Path: Third Year Take physics and organic chemistry Prepare for MCAT early Meet with advisor and request recommendations early Avoid difficult courses in spring (MCAT) File AMCAS and non-AMCAS applications in June Investigate medical schools

7. Traditional Path: Senior Year Take biochemistry and other major requirements Check Career Placement Office for help with interview skills Interviews Have fun during summer. Your last chance!

8. Key Points! Be certain that you want to be a doctor Find a mentor Get to know your professors�Go to office hours Spend a few months writing a good essay and ask someone to review it Don�t over commit! One or two activities that you love better than 10

9. Extracurricular Activities Community service: Volunteer work-- medical or non-medical Tutoring Research�lab or clinical Sports, hobbies, talents Jobs

10. Summer Programs for Minority Students NYU School of Medicine-- summer research program Weill Cornell--Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program Harvard Medical School--Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program www.aamc.org/members/great/summerlinks.htm

11. Other research opportunities NIH: www.training.nih.gov/student/sip/catalog/ index.asp Pediatric research: www.pediatricresearch.org Mayo Graduate School: www.mayo.edu/mgs/surf-old.htm http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/ps/minority/minorityaffairs/resources.html

12. The Application (AMCAS) 1. Biographic information 2. Post-secondary experiences: Extracurricular, awards, honors 3. Personal comments: Very important! Why medicine? Motivations? Hardships or challenges? Anything else that needs to be explained�like that D- in organic last semester.

13. The photo

15. Choosing a school

16. Choosing a school Apply to 12 to 20 schools State schools less expensive Where is the school located? What is their record for minorities and disadvantaged students? What is the reputation of the school? Will you be happy there?

17. TIPS AAMC Fee Assistance Program�reduces MCAT fee from $180 to $75 and 10 medical school applications free. Register with Medical Minority Applicant Registry at the time that you take the MCAT (minorities and disadvantaged) Keep good records!

18. Record Keeping Make photocopies of everything you send Record dates Keep track of your applications. When will you hear from the schools? If you don�t hear in 2-3 months, call or email to make sure your application is complete

19. Spreadsheet

20. Letters of recommendation Choose people who know you and can comment positively about your personal qualities and/or intellect Waive your right to see letters Request EARLY! Make an appointment to request letter�not email Ask if they can write a strong letter Provide resume, personal statement Send a thank you note

21. Strengthening your application when you have weak GPA or MCAT Retake MCAT in fall Raise GPA by taking additional science courses or post-bac year D or lower, you must retake course Take science courses during summer or at different school Get graduate degree Take a year off and apply later

22. Admissions Committee: What are we looking for? GPA overall (undergrad and grad/post-bac) GPA science Is there a upward trend in grades? MCAT score (highest score) Extracurricular activities/ leadership/ commitment/ personal statement College attended/ major/ letters of rec. Interview

23. Personal statement and Interview

24. The personal statement Your chance to �talk� to the admissions committee and convince them to accept you. Make it interesting. Tell a story. Hook the reader in the first paragraph. Make it personal Focus�Don�t ramble on about too many topics.

26. The personal statement: Getting started How do you know that you want to be a doctor? What experiences led you to this decision? How has your interest in medicine changed or developed over time? What were major turning points in your life?

27. Personal statement: Getting started What are your goals? Why do you think you will be a good doctor? What have you done to demonstrate your interest in medicine? What person most influenced your life?

28. Tips Write and re-write Read and proof-read Don�t depend on �spell check� Check grammar and punctuation Read your essay into a tape recorder and listen to it Ask others to read and comment

29. More tips Avoid political statements Stay positive Don�t complain Avoid the �I� trap Lecture the reader Don�t use words that you don�t understand

30. The Interview An interview offering means that you are acceptable for admission Prepare for interview: Study the school catalog Make sure you ask questions Dress for success Be on time

31. Dressing for success Suits for males and females Minimal jewelry Conservative make-up Remove excess piercings Neat hair Take care of hygiene SMILE!

32. Interview Tips Remain calm, relaxed and composed Look at the interviewer If you don�t know the answer, be honest Enthusiasm and interest in the school count Write �thank you� note to interviewer

33. GOOD LUCK!