MEDICAL SCHOOL: THE BASICS, SOME TIPS, AND HOW WE ENDED UP HEREA talk by UCSF studentsSharon OrbachJonathan Robbins9/21/11
ABOUT US
3rd Year UCSF Medical Students In Salinas at Natividad Medical Center,
currently completing our Family Medicine clerkship
OUTLINE
Topics you want us to cover Basic requirements/Timeline Alternate paths Tips from Sharon Jonathan Sharon Questions
GENERAL PREMED REQUIREMENTS
A year of Chemistry along with the appropriate laboratory coursesA year of Organic Chemistry along with laboratory coursesA year of Biology along with laboratory coursesA year of Physics along with laboratory coursesA year of EnglishA year of Calculus or other advanced math classes, including Statistics
MCAT: computerized, multiple-choice testOffered monthly at Prometric testing sites throughout the countryFour sections: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences
SAMPLE TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION DIRECTLY AFTER UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
First and second year – finish premedical requirements, participate in prehealth activities such as volunteering, research,
Third year – continue prehealth activities, maintain a strong GPA, take MCAT, and find recommenders
Summer after third year – apply online using the AMCAS, the earlier the application is submitted, the better!
Fourth year – Secondary applications, received invitations to interview, matriculate by May 15
ALTERNATIVE TIMELINE
A year off between undergraduate and medical school
Post bac programs – finish your pre-med requirements!
Strengthen your application working in a medical field, Teach For America,
MPH, Research, Volunteer work, and travel abroad
ABOUT THE AMCAS
The AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) is a common online application used by all medical schools during the application process
Required sections include Undergraduate transcript Activities & Awards Personal statement explaining desire to go to
medical school Secondary applications vary by school
Questions tailored to school Short answer questions about ethics
FINANCIAL AID
Medical school tuition generally costs $50k per year Most schools offer financial aid The federal government offers loans through the
Stafford program, which don’t have to be paid back until after graduation and accrue interest with a fixed, subsidized rate
Physician salaries depend on specialty, but here are some averages: Family practice: $204k Pediatrics: $175k Emergency Medicine: $216k General surgery: $291k Radiology $354k
MORE THAN GRADES AND TESTS
Extracurricular Activities Volunteering/shadowing/Jobs Teaching Role Leadership Role Community engagement Sports Hobbies—eg music Research
Letters of Recommendation
**TIPS**•Keep a CV•Do what YOU love (it’s your time)•Show interest/Take initiative/Be Curious•Be proactive•Collect Mentors (advocates)
JONATHAN’S PATH
University of Virginia, 2005, Political and Social Thought, minor in biology
Most certainly NOT pre-med in college
TO MED SCHOOL OR NOT TO MED SCHOOL
PhD vs. MD MD vs. MD/PhD vs MD/MS or MD/MPH Post-bac requirements The interviewing trail
Joint Medical Program 5 year, UC-Berkeley, UCSF combined MD/MS No lectures! Small group, case based learning Serious thesis
“YOU ARE EXCHANGING YOUR YOUTH FOR THIS SECRET KNOWLEDGE.”
DR. WILLIAM P. SCHECTER
TRAUMA SURGEONSAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL