Considering a Career in
Medicine:
Preparation and
Considerations
Marianne Smith M.D.,FACP
Director of Medical Student Education
c) Department of Medicine
d) Staten Island University Hospital
e) Clinical Assistant Professor
f) SUNY Downstate
a)
b)
Agenda
1.
2.
Questions to ask yourself about a career in medicine
Preparation
High school, college, advisors/mentors, volunteer work,
research, financial considerations, med school admissions,
MCAT 2015
3.
Types of paths to medical school
Traditional vs. non-traditional
4.
5.
6.
Medical school: what do you learn?
Residency and Beyond
Resources
AAMC, Aspiringdocs.org, AMSNY
7.
Panel discussion and audience questions
Questions to Consider
-
-
Do I enjoy helping people?
Am I compassionate and empathetic towards others
and their problems?
Do I enjoy critical thinking and problem solving?
Do I have an interest in learning?
Do I have good communication skills?
Do I have an interest in new and ongoing
developments in medicine and other sciences?
Commitment to a Lifetime of
Learning
-
As in any other science medicine is ever changing,
always conforming with the newest research on
how to most effectively and ethically practice and
treat patients
-
A career in medicine implies a commitment to
continually keep oneself educated and informed
Medical education isn’t just 8 years – it’s a lifelong
process
-
Preparation
High School
Academics
High school

Four years of science, mathematics and English

Balanced with humanities

AP courses (especially in math and sciences) helpful
for lessening and/or preparing for college workload
Not required, but also helpful for college admissions

If available, elective or AP courses in psychology or
sociology
Extracurricular Activities

Volunteering* and shadowing at
local hospitals and healthcare
centers/organizations
•
Volunteering very important for
college AND medical school
admission

Participating in summer programs
for high school students
interested in medicine
•
Check to see if the schools
(colleges and med schools) you
wish to apply to have any HS
programs
•
Look for research opportunities, it’s
never too early! Check major
institutions in NYC. Many have hs
student programs. (Sloan, Mt. Sinai,
etc.)
Extracurricular

Volunteering
 Local
hospitals, healthcare
organizations/clinics, first aid/EMS centers
etc.

Summer programs for high school students interested
in medicine
 Volunteer-based,
prep-based
research-based, college
Preparation
College and Undergrad
Academics:
Undergraduate

4 years, graduating with either Bachelor of Arts or
Bachelor of Science Degree
 Prerequisites intended to prepare students for demanding
workload of med school
 Should have balanced, well rounded transcript consisting
of:
 Med school prerequisite courses (sciences and math)
 Humanities and Arts
 Social sciences
 Foreign language
 Generally no set premedicine major; can choose any
major and apply to med school
 Most science prerequisites covered in major
requirements for “typical” premed major (bio, chem
etc.)
Academics:
Science Prerequisites

General chemistry sequence


General biology sequence


One full year lecture and lab
Biochemistry


One full year lecture and lab
General physics sequence


One full year lecture and lab
Organic chemistry sequence


One full year lecture and lab
One semester
Mathematics : Calculus ,statistics
Academics:
Other Prerequisites

Varies by med school
 Generally:
 At least one( better more ) psychology and one other
social science course (i.e. sociology)
 A year or equivalent of foreign language (usually
required by colleges for graduation)
 A year or equivalent of an English/writing course (also
usually required by colleges)
 A presence of humanities courses, including a course
focusing on a different culture (also required by most
schools)
 Can supplement transcript with practical med schools
sciences such as Cell Biology, Anatomy and Physiology
Immunology, Microbiology etc.
Extracurricular
Passion is important

Volunteering
 Local hospital, healthcare center/clinic, EMS, shelters
 Food pantries, churches
 EMT certification
 Volunteer or private ambulance company
 Research and shadowing
 Research with college faculty or academic medical
centers
 Shadowing opportunities may be useful for exposure
to medicine as well as establishing connections for
research opportunities/collaborations
 Summer programs for undergraduates
 Typically research and/or shadowing based
 Check to see if med schools you wish to attend have
any that interest you
Advisors/Mentors






Contact your advisor as soon as you know that you are
interested in medicine
They will recommend the required courses
Give information on volunteering and research experience
College advisors will assist in developing a timeline for
taking required prerequisites and applying for the MCAT
Make sure to establish ongoing contact with at least three
science professors-you will need letters of recommendation
But Remember- there is more than one road to medical
school and- if first you don’t succeed-try again!
Financial Considerations

How much does medical school cost?
 What is the average debt a medical student
incurs?
 Are physician salaries keeping up with the debt
incurred? With the downturn in the economy
and tightening of state and local budgets
funding for medical education has been
compromised.
 How do I pay for medical school? Federal
student loans, nonfederal loans, grants,
scholarships, financial aid.
Financial Considerations
•The
median amount of debt for the class of
2014: $180,000*
•The median 4-year cost of attendance for the
class of 2015: $226,447* (public school) and
$298,538* (private school)
•The 2013 median starting salary for Internal
Medicine (first year post residency):
$180,000**Although debt and cost are high, so
is the starting salary for the average primary
care physician.
MCAT 2015
The exam has changed to keep pace with the changes
in medicine
The competencies required for medical school are
shifting
A major change is the new section on Psychological,
Social,& Biological Foundations of Behavior
MCAT 2015 Format

Standardized, computer-based multiple choice test
designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and
knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science
concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of
medicine

Four multiple choice sections:
1.
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
2.
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
3.
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
4.
Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior

Individual section scores range from 118 – 132

Total scores range from 472 – 528

7.5 hours, including two 10 minute breaks and one 29
minute lunch break
MCAT
•
Typically taken in the calendar year prior to
the year in which you plan to enter medical
school
•
•
•
Usually during junior or senior year of college,
or post graduation once all prerequisites are
completed
Highly reccommended that you complete
biochemistry and molecular biology/genetics
courses prior to taking the exam
In a single testing year, you can take the
MCAT up to 3 times
Path to Medical School
In 2013 there were 48,000 total applicants, 21,070 were accepted
Shorter Training, Less Tuition
A few medical schools are experimenting with accelerated programs especially for
students who wish to enter Primary Care where students graduate in three years.
Nontraditional Routes:
7 Year Programs
Combined BS/MD
•
•
Undergraduate courses typically completed in 3 years,
and direct start of graduate medical education courses
in the last 4 years
Typically no MCAT, with direct admission into the
associated medical school
Nontraditional Routes:
Post-Baccalaureate Programs

Postgraduate programs to complete med school prerequisites or as GPA
boosters offered at undergraduate institutions and Medical Schools
•
Complete major and receive BA/BS first, then
complete med school prerequisites, usually
along with some 1st year med school courses
•
Generally 2 types, both of which can be either
master’s programs ( MS in Biomedical Sciences)
or simply supplementary to your college
curriculum:
•
1.
GPA booster programs
2.
Nonscience major/career change programs
Some have MCAT/undergrad GPA requirements,
others do not. Acceptance to med school not
guaranteed.
Mt Sinai Flexmed Program




This is a program for college sophomores in any major
to apply to early acceptance to the Icahn School of
Medicine at Mt Sinai
It is extremely competive and admissions will take your
high school records and SAT into
consideration.(icahn.mssn.edu/flexmed)
Applicants must have completed at least one year of
Chem, Bio or Physics. There is no MCAT required if
accepted.
There are accelerated summer programs at Mt Sinai
for Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Genetics.
Medical School
What do you learn?
Year 1
 Biochemistry,
Cell Biology, Medical
Genetics, Gross Anatomy
 Structure
and Function of Human Organ
Systems, Neuroscience, Immunology
Year 2
 Abnormal
Structure and Function
 Infectious
Diseases, Pharmacology,
Pathology
 Clinical
 Health
Diagnosis and Therapeutics
Law
Year 3
 Generalist
 Internal
Core
Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery,
Obstetrics/Gynecology, Psychiatry,
Family and Community medicine
Year 4
Subinternship
Subspecialty Segment
Dermatology, Orthopedics, Urology,
Cardiology, Pulmonary, Neurology,
Ophthalmology, Sub Internship, ER, ICU
Applying and interviewing for residency
programs
Residency and Beyond
GOOD LUCK AND
STAY STRONG!
www.siuh.edu/future