Wednesday, September 18, 2013

How to improve your chances at getting into Medical School


The competition for medical school is tough. There can be hundreds of applicants applying for each open spot in a program. This is true of the schools in the United States, as well as in the Caribbean Medical Schools. However, there are several steps you can take to greatly improve your chances of admission.

The first thing you need to do is pay attention to your application and make sure you get the basics right. You should make sure you meet all of their minimum requirements. If you don't have the grades or MCAT score they are looking for, there is no reason to apply. You should also ensure that the form is filled out correctly. Follow every direction exactly as it is given and look it over several times to make sure the spelling and grammar are correct. You should use a professional email address. If you have a school address, that is perfect. Otherwise, you can always sign up for an account. You want to make sure that you leave a good first impression and that you appear professional from the start.

The next thing you need to do is find ways to make yourself stand out. Most applicants are very similar on the surface. They have great grades and have multiple extra curricular activities. In addition, many of these activities are similar. You need to figure out what makes you stand out. Think about any of your experiences, both personal and professional, that are unique. This is where you want to share past experiences that are relevant to what you are going to do, as well as other things that set you apart, whether they are sports competitions, awards, fund-raising, research, or anything else. However, you need to make sure you are completely honest. Your information will be checked and dishonesty will ruin your chances.

You need to take time to ensure you have stellar references. This is another way to help you stand out. You want to carefully choose who writes your letters of recommendation and ensure they think highly of you. You also want to make sure that others review your application. Ask parents and partners to look over what you have done, as well as any professors you are close to. Take the time to ask for their suggestions and comments because they may be able to pick up on things that you missed.

The final thing you need to do is see that your application is turned in on time. Don't wait for the last minute. If you start early, you will have plenty of time to get it right. Often schools have rolling admissions, so you are better off if you can turn it in as early as possible. This is when the most spots are available. If you do things right, you can greatly improve your chances of acceptance.




Monday, September 2, 2013

Essential Tips for New Medical School Students


 Medical School is a huge undertaking. It is known to be once of the most difficult and time consuming challenges a person can take. However, with the right tips, it is possible to excel, as well as to get a great head start on your future career as a doctor.

The most important thing in medical school is to make sure you know the material. As a doctor you will need to quickly be able to remember an astounding amount of material. In order to do this you will need to study hard and frequently. You should use mnemonic devices to help you remember long lists of information. Test yourself on the material and have others test you as well. Pay attention in class, and take notes to help you remember everything that is covered. It is even a better idea to do extra work and start early. With the amount of material you will need to know, it is best to begin studying some of the material as soon as you know you will be attending medical school. Anatomy is one subject that deserves a large amount of your time and attention. This is a crucial subject and you need to be familiar with all the material. Studying frequently will help you stay ahead of the game and master the massive amount of information you need.

It is also important to make connections. Becoming friends with and talking to more experienced students can help you avoid numerous pitfalls. They can tell you about their experiences and allow you to learn from their mistakes. This is far more beneficial than having to make your own mistakes. Find mentors in the field you are interested in as well, and find professors who will be able to write letters of recommendation for you when you need them. This is a very important aspect of your future and should be kept in mind from the very beginning of your medical school experience.

You also need to be aware of your own health. While you will be undertaking a very stressful and time consuming education, it is important to make sure you still get sleep and that you have the chance to take a break. If you don't take care of your health, it will eventually catch up with you.

If you keep these tips in mind, you will have a successful experience and will be on the road to a very rewarding career as a doctor. These are, by far, the most important things to keep in mind when you are undertaking a medical education.