The clinical portion of the training, traditionally the last two years of medical school, involves clinical rotations, during which time you will receive basic instruction and hands-on experience with patients in the major medical specialties.
The curriculum varies for each medical school, and some medical schools have a more integrated, multidisciplinary program and begin clinical training and patient interaction during the first week.
How students are graded varies from school to school. There are a small number of schools using a competency-based evaluation system that measures student progression in learning a certain set of competencies throughout the course of medical school.
To see individual medical school policies on grading, see the Education section of the Medical School Admission Requirements. Grades do matter in certain instances, but they are only one criteria by which you are evaluated during medical school. Some schools introduce patient interactions early on some in the first week! Typically, you do clinical rotations, also called clerkships, during the third and fourth year of medical school. Rotations give you firsthand experience working with patients in various specialties under direct supervision of a faculty member, fellow, or resident.
The types, number, and length of rotations vary from school to school, but training usually includes clerkships in internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. Your school may have different requirements.
Sheryl Recinos, MD, MA, is giving back to those who helped her through her unusual path to medical school. When choosing a pre-med major, keep in mind that medical school admissions committees have no prerequisites when it comes to degrees. Choose a degree or major in which you have a real interest. Be sure to take English, biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math college algebra or above , regardless of your major choice.
Begin to research specific medical school admissions requirements, timing, and other application factors as early as possible, even during your freshman and sophomore years of undergraduate study. Although GPA is important, medical school admissions committees seek students who demonstrate a balance between their academic success and other interests. This information will give you a good idea of current averages.
Whether you meet or exceed the averages reported, remember that each application involves a variety of factors, including but not limited to academic performance. Don't let your GPA determine whether you apply. The computer-based, multiple-choice, standardized test assesses critical thinking, writing skills, and basic knowledge of science.
The medical college admissions committees will consider your MCAT scores in the admission decision process. While an MCAT score in a high percentile can boost your medical school application, it is not the only consideration for admissions. Medical schools look at many factors in an application, and may even consider individual MCAT section scores to be as important as an overall score. A variety of guides and materials are available to help you study for the MCAT. No matter what study resources you decide to use, be sure you are familiar with all that the MCAT will test on before you invest in any products.
As you plan out your study schedule, leave plenty of time for practice tests. Taking practice tests will help ensure you are meeting your study goals and know what to expect once the big day arrives.
Make it a priority to become familiar with MCAT eligibility and overall testing requirements before signing up to take it. If you have financial limitations, you may apply for fee assistance to minimize the costs of taking the MCAT.
When applying for medical school, you will be required to write a personal statement. Although, this essay is often the last part of the application process, you should start preparing for it as early as possible.
This is one part of the admissions process in which you can have direct influence and should aim for the best product possible. While admissions committees often emphasize that they do not advise students about what to write in their personal statement, there are specific themes and topics that can be included.
Your personal statement should reflect your goals and the qualities that are unique to you, so that you stand out. As you start your essay, take the time to carefully reflect on the academic foundation you have built and the experiences that have contributed to the development of your character and led to your decision to pursue a career in medicine.
Medical school admission requirements include a personal interview, though the specific processes differ among schools.
Interviews may take place on or off campus. Generally, the interview assessments are added to the admissions file. Medical school admissions committees view involvement in extracurricular activities very favorably.
If you can maintain a competitive grade point average in a rigorous curriculum and still actively participate in extracurricular activities, this demonstrates a high aptitude and work ethic.
Many successful pre-med students join a variety of organizations, play varsity and intramural sports, participate in theatrical and singing groups, and volunteer. Leadership positions in these areas can also show commitment and personal growth. However, it must be emphasized that no amount of involvement in extracurricular activities can substitute for a good academic record or strong MCAT scores.
Successful pre-med students have clear priorities and have learned to manage their time wisely. Work experience related to the medical field is of particular value when applying to medical school.
Many admissions committees will view this type of medically-related work experience favorably. Traditionally, students take four or five courses in various disciplines at the same time.
However, some schools focus on a single subject for a shorter block of time—say, three or four weeks—then move on to another. Other schools take an interdisciplinary approach to pre-clinical coursework, in which each class focuses on a single organ, examining all the anatomy, pharmacology, pathology and behavior relevant to that system.
Third and fourth year medical students do rotations at hospitals and clinics affiliated with their school, culminating with taking and passing USMLE Step 2. Students doing rotations assist residents in a particular specialty such as surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine or psychiatry. During this time, you'll probably feel like a cross between a mindless grunt and a skilled apprentice. You'll interact with patients and perform basic medical procedures along with any tasks the resident doesn't want to do.
While some rotations, such as Internal Medicine, are required at all programs, others have more unique clerkship requirements. The length of time you spend in a rotation depends on the hospital's focus or strength. At some schools, the surgery rotation is three weeks long; at others, it is three months. The character of the hospital will also color your experience.
If the setting is urban, you can expect increased experience with trauma, emergency medicine, or infectious disease, as well as exposure to a diverse patient population.
Clinical rotations will not give you enough expertise to practice in any specialty that's what a residency is for. They will give you a breadth of knowledge and help you consider potential career paths. You can train to be a primary care doctor at any medical school.
But programs that emphasize primary care tend to include more patient contact, coursework in patient handling, and longer clinical rotations in general fields.
Many are actively involved in the surrounding communities, offering volunteer opportunities in the clinical care of indigent populations.
If you're looking to pursue a career in academic medicine or biomedical research, you should look for schools with strong research programs.
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