Early Medical School Acceptance Programs Gaining Popularity Comments Off

Filed under Growth Opportunities, Medical Schools
Written by Fred on 26th Apr -10

It seems that with the need for more med schools students, one of the tactics that med schools are coming up with is an alternative pre-med programs for interested and eligible students. Usually called early medical school acceptance program (or some variant of that), the programs are designed to guarantee the student’s acceptance to med school, granted that they keep their grades up during the undergraduate years. Students under these programs are also allowed to major in fields that do not fall under hard sciences such as humanities as long as they are able to take core pre-med courses.

Some of the universities that we have already reported on offering such programs include the University of Alabama in Birmingham and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Other universities that also offer similar programs are the Lake Superior State University, The University of Michigan-Flint, and Michigan State University. Surely we will see more of this trend in the near future, especially with the brewing debate on whether a more holistic education will make for doctors that are more compassionate and caring.

Extraversion A Plus in Applying to Med Schools Comments Off

Filed under Growth Opportunities, Interaction With People, Interview Situation
Written by Fred on 10th Dec -09

A study by the University of Minnesota indicates that personality is a predictor a student’s success in med school. The study showed that students that have some of the key personality factors to success in med school are conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness.

While conscientiousness may have always been a factor that everyone knew contributed to academic success, the level at which extraversion affects academic performance positively came as a surprise since many equated the trait with poor grades.

The study, which is an eye opener, will surely have implication on the admissions process of medical schools with interviewers now noting the extraversion and agreeableness of a person as a positive attribute.

What this means for interviewees is that during interviews it is very important to appear as extraverted as possible. Time to brush up on those interpersonal skills!

Work Experience and the lack of it Comments Off

Filed under Growth Opportunities, Interview Situation
Written by Fred on 20th Oct -08

Not everyone aiming to get into med schools have the work experience to back them up, or at least fatten their resumes. What should you do if you are one of these people?

The simplest thing that you can do if you still have time is to make sure you get some experience! Get experience really quick by volunteering your time and services in local nursing homes, hospitals, or even caring for a loved one. Volunteering in an institution will be plus points since you can also use your “boss” their as a reference. As for caring for friends and family you get to at least mention the fact in interviews. Just make sure you also research on the background of their ailment (Are they recovering from surgery/an accident or do they have chronic illnesses or rare disorders?) so that you can explain and show your knowledge of the medical aspect of the care and also how you know that the care you provided was correct.

If by the time the interview is due and you still have no real work experience, then make sure to be honest and just highlight your other strong points as well as your observations and reflections on what you have seen in hospitals and other health care environments, even if just as a visitor or patient.