Step by Step Guide from the AAMC

Mfurfur · 17-02-06, 22:46

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Meet with premed advisors. If not required get one assigned anyway.
Join premed science and other related clubs. Participate in minority and nonminority clubs. This allows for both support systems and greater exposure. Also, get to know junior/senior premed students. They can provide a wealth of information on completing the AMCAS application as well as preparing for the MCAT examination.

Avoid credit card debt!
Take biology with lab. Note: If you are a science major, the sequence of your science courses may differ.
Find out what the rules are for applying to med school for your college (i.e. do you need to be accepted into a premed program? Do you have to get a committee letter vs. letters from individual faculty.

Develop good study habits.
Solicit applications for summer programs.
Start to think about what you want to do for the summer. Note that many summer programs require that you have some science courses already completed. The end of your sophomore year may prove to be a better time.
Spring Semester

Complete all applications for summer programs, including letters of recommendation, and meet all deadlines.
Make arrangements now to secure employment if you plan to work in the summer.
Summer

Volunteer work (i.e. hospitals, lab)--The goal here is to get exposure to the health care field. Be careful not to saturate yourself with just one type of experience.
Research--This is a good opportunity especially if you are thinking about an MD/PhD degree. A note of caution: Unless the lab is willing to teach you they may require that you have completed some science courses. You may want to pursue this after your sophomore year.

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Take General Chemistry 1 with lab
Start thinking about your major. Remember you don t have to be a science major. Plan your schedule carefully so that it s challenging but not too heavy a courseload especially if you are working part-time.

Good Study Habits!
Get applications for summer programs. If you choose to do research in the summer now is a good time because you have more science courses under your belt.
Meet with your advisor and discuss your program.
Discuss some options with your advisor (i.e. summer school, meeting regularly with a tutor) if you did not do well in your freshman year (transition from high school to college can be tough!). Under no circumstances does this mean you cannot become a physician.
Spring Semester

Continue with requirements for major.
Submit all applications for summer programs. Remember to meet those deadlines!
Summer

Get a job--It is important to learn what it is like to have the responsibility of a job. It will also provide you with earned income. This can also be put on your medical school application. In addition to seeking employment, and just as important, participate in a volunteer experience. For example, Nursing Homes provide a wonderful opportunity to volunteer your time and really make a difference doing so.
Apply to summer programs--There are many different programs that are designed to meet specific student needs. You must decide which one is right for you. Do you need one that is an enrichment program (for advanced students) or a remedial program (to help reinforce the basic science courses)? The remedial program is advantageous for those students who had difficulty with the sciences the previous year. Also there are programs that are strictly research-based or provide MCAT preparation. Some programs have limited clinical exposure.

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Take Physics and Organic Chemistry before sitting for the MCAT exam.
Visit presentations from recruiters.
Strengthen the relationship with your premed club members. Participate in premed conferences and other campus activities.
Contact and get information from schools to which you are interested in applying.
Start making decisions about the type of medical school you want to attend: What region of the country, Size of school, Minority makeup, Faculty/student ratio, Curriculum--traditional or problem-based learning style
Spring Semester

Take the MCAT exam. Be sure you are prepared. Avoid taking the MCAT just to see what it is like. Make sure to have scores sent to the institutions to which you are applying.
Meet with your advisor. Since there are hundreds of other students, ask him/her when recommendations are due.
Request letters of recommendation.
Visit schools, if possible, and talk with minority affairs officers, minority students, and admissions deans.
Summer

Get medical school applications from AMCAS or directly from the school. You want to be able to file early!
Pay attention to fee waivers. If you are eligible for a fee waiver from AMCAS you are probably eligible for a fee waiver from those institutions to which you are applying for the secondary application. You should ask.
Have transcripts sent to AMCAS (make sure you know the deadlines) or directly to the school if required.
Study over the summer if you are re-taking the MCAT.

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Re-take MCAT if necessary (August).
Take biochemistry or advanced science courses.
Finish up major requirements.
Prepare to go on interviews
Check with Career Placement Office if there is anyone to help you with interviewing skills .
Get a good interviewing suit. Business attire.
Spring Semester

Prepare for graduation.
Prepare to attend pre-freshman summer if your medical school offers it.
Summer

Seek employment on campus as a tutor as an option to regular employment. Employment the summer before entering medical school may be factored into your financial aid package. Also, this is a good way to reinforce your academic skills and knowledge base.
Enjoy yourself! Travel, if possible. Relax! Do something you always wanted to try. Have fun!
You can do it!

17-02-06, 22:46	#1
Mfurfur Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 55	Step by Step Guide from the AAMC Freshman Year Fall Semester Meet with premed advisors. If not required get one assigned anyway. Join premed science and other related clubs. Participate in minority and nonminority clubs. This allows for both support systems and greater exposure. Also, get to know junior/senior premed students. They can provide a wealth of information on completing the AMCAS application as well as preparing for the MCAT examination. Avoid credit card debt! Take biology with lab. Note: If you are a science major, the sequence of your science courses may differ. Find out what the rules are for applying to med school for your college (i.e. do you need to be accepted into a premed program? Do you have to get a committee letter vs. letters from individual faculty. Develop good study habits. Solicit applications for summer programs. Start to think about what you want to do for the summer. Note that many summer programs require that you have some science courses already completed. The end of your sophomore year may prove to be a better time. Spring Semester Complete all applications for summer programs, including letters of recommendation, and meet all deadlines. Make arrangements now to secure employment if you plan to work in the summer. Summer Volunteer work (i.e. hospitals, lab)--The goal here is to get exposure to the health care field. Be careful not to saturate yourself with just one type of experience. Research--This is a good opportunity especially if you are thinking about an MD/PhD degree. A note of caution: Unless the lab is willing to teach you they may require that you have completed some science courses. You may want to pursue this after your sophomore year. Sophomore Year Fall Semester Take General Chemistry 1 with lab Start thinking about your major. Remember you don t have to be a science major. Plan your schedule carefully so that it s challenging but not too heavy a courseload especially if you are working part-time. Good Study Habits! Get applications for summer programs. If you choose to do research in the summer now is a good time because you have more science courses under your belt. Meet with your advisor and discuss your program. Discuss some options with your advisor (i.e. summer school, meeting regularly with a tutor) if you did not do well in your freshman year (transition from high school to college can be tough!). Under no circumstances does this mean you cannot become a physician. Spring Semester Continue with requirements for major. Submit all applications for summer programs. Remember to meet those deadlines! Summer Get a job--It is important to learn what it is like to have the responsibility of a job. It will also provide you with earned income. This can also be put on your medical school application. In addition to seeking employment, and just as important, participate in a volunteer experience. For example, Nursing Homes provide a wonderful opportunity to volunteer your time and really make a difference doing so. Apply to summer programs--There are many different programs that are designed to meet specific student needs. You must decide which one is right for you. Do you need one that is an enrichment program (for advanced students) or a remedial program (to help reinforce the basic science courses)? The remedial program is advantageous for those students who had difficulty with the sciences the previous year. Also there are programs that are strictly research-based or provide MCAT preparation. Some programs have limited clinical exposure. Junior Year Fall Semester Take Physics and Organic Chemistry before sitting for the MCAT exam. Visit presentations from recruiters. Strengthen the relationship with your premed club members. Participate in premed conferences and other campus activities. Contact and get information from schools to which you are interested in applying. Start making decisions about the type of medical school you want to attend: What region of the country, Size of school, Minority makeup, Faculty/student ratio, Curriculum--traditional or problem-based learning style Spring Semester Take the MCAT exam. Be sure you are prepared. Avoid taking the MCAT just to see what it is like. Make sure to have scores sent to the institutions to which you are applying. Meet with your advisor. Since there are hundreds of other students, ask him/her when recommendations are due. Request letters of recommendation. Visit schools, if possible, and talk with minority affairs officers, minority students, and admissions deans. Summer Get medical school applications from AMCAS or directly from the school. You want to be able to file early! Pay attention to fee waivers. If you are eligible for a fee waiver from AMCAS you are probably eligible for a fee waiver from those institutions to which you are applying for the secondary application. You should ask. Have transcripts sent to AMCAS (make sure you know the deadlines) or directly to the school if required. Study over the summer if you are re-taking the MCAT. Senior Year Fall Semester Re-take MCAT if necessary (August). Take biochemistry or advanced science courses. Finish up major requirements. Prepare to go on interviews Check with Career Placement Office if there is anyone to help you with interviewing skills . Get a good interviewing suit. Business attire. Spring Semester Prepare for graduation. Prepare to attend pre-freshman summer if your medical school offers it. Summer Seek employment on campus as a tutor as an option to regular employment. Employment the summer before entering medical school may be factored into your financial aid package. Also, this is a good way to reinforce your academic skills and knowledge base. Enjoy yourself! Travel, if possible. Relax! Do something you always wanted to try. Have fun! You can do it!
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