On the Road to
Medical School
by Gavin Heath Denmark
2008 Senior Chemistry Major
GCSU
Common Course Requirements
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One Year ( 2 semesters) of
General Biology w/ lab
 General Chemistry w/ lab
 Organic Chemistry w/ lab and another advanced
chemistry such as Biochemistry
 General Physics
 English
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Recommended Courses
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Biochemistry (strongly recommended)
Genetics
Statistics
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Intro. Psychology
Calculus
Courses that require writing skills
GPA
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A GPA around 3.7 is a good aim.
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Average usually ranges from 3.5 to 3.7
Science GPA (math, biology, physics, chemistry)
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Challenge yourself
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Keep your credit-hours high.
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Look at retaking classes you don’t do so well in.
MCAT
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The MCAT consists of four timed sections:
Section
Questions
Minutes
Physical Sciences
52
70
Verbal Reasoning
40
60
Writing Sample
2
60
Biological Sciences
52
70
MCAT Scoring
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Scores for the multiple choice sections range
from 1 to 15
Scores for the writing sample range
alphabetically from J to T.
Score of a 30 P is competitive, but average
scores fluctuate each year
Scores ≤ 24 are at high risk of rejection.
MCAT Information
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The Association of American Medical Colleges
(AAMC) is the administrators of the MCAT
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The official MCAT web site:
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm
• Lots of information
• FAQ
• Preparation guidelines
• Testing dates
• PRACTICE TEST
When to take the MCAT
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Take the MCAT late in the spring semester of
your junior year.
April or May are good times
 Allows you to take it again before applying
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Shadowing
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Shadowing or volunteering is extremely
important
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Student with 40 MCAT was denied because he
lacked personal skills and showed no clinical
experience
You should aim for about 200 hours of
shadowing
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Start early (5 hours/week x 1 year)= 260 hours
Shadowing Guidelines
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Two or more specialties but
One long term experience is better that multiple
short ones
Build a relationship with an MD
Consistency
Get a letter of recommendation from your
shadowing mentor.
Research
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Research experience is a plus especially for the
M.D./Ph.D. programs
Be thoroughly conversant about it
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What were the hypothesis, the protocol, the results,
the implications
Do not go on and on about research in an
application or interview is you are apllying for
the M.D. program.
Leadership
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Medical colleges consider leadership experiences
significant for acceptance
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Leadership Certificate Program (LCP) is a great way
to enhance and practice your leadership skills
Letters of Recommendation
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Three letters
College faculty
 Physician
 Personal (not your parents)
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Four areas:
How does the writer know the student?
 What characteristics does the student have that
would make him/her appealing as a potential M.D.?
 How is the student’s general academic ability?
 What leadership roles has the student had?
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AMCAS
American Medical College Application Service
AMCAS Essay
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Should show evidence of your sincerity and
commitment
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Shadowing
Internships
Laboratory work
Leadership experience
Civic engagement
Etc.
Convince the committee that you are more than just a
good student
Interview
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They want to get to know you.
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They want you to get to know them
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Passion?
Goals?
Shadowing experiences?
Your perception of your own strengths and weaknesses?
Motivation?
Ask questions and show that you are interested
They will want to know about incongruous things on your
application
Now its in their hands!
Good Luck!