How to Find Research Opportunities

So why is research important? Medical school admission committees like seeing research experience on your application because it shows your strong interest and background in science. Some research experience, combined with a fair amount of volunteering and clinical experience, provides all of the extracurricular activity you will really need to impress med schools. 

So how do you actually go about finding research opportunities?

Well, the biggest and most important thing I can stress is that you must be proactive in your search for research opportunities. They will not fall in your lap. In the same way it can take some work to find a job, it will most likely take some work to get into research. You must seek out this opportunity and do all you can to get it. 

For starters, if you are looking to do research in a particular field or discipline, the best place to check is the website for that department. Find listings for chemistry or physics professors and search for postings about research on the website. Many times they will post things on their website to inform students about a research opportunity. If you can't find anything posted directly on the website, email the professors and ask them if they need any help with their research or if they know someone who does. Just trying these things can usually get you a spot helping to perform research but in certain cases you may need a little more help.

Ask your friends and classmates if they know of any professors that need help with research. It isn't uncommon for one of your fellow classmates to also be doing research, so they might be able to help you land a job. If they can't, see an adviser about it. Usually they will be able to get you in touch with someone who can give you the information you need. 

 Finding a good opportunity for research can be work but it is definitely worth it.

These will be the main ways of getting into research if you are at a large university. However, there are more unconventional students that still need to find a way to get research experience. 

For example, what if you are at a community college or small liberal arts college that doesn't have much in the way of research?

There may be more work required for these particular students than those enrolled in larger universities. But it is still very possible to get your research experience. If you are located near a large university, then this is the best place you can look. Many colleges have outreach programs that allow students like you to help in research although you aren't a student. The downside is that this may mean you have to sacrifice a summer rather than have the opportunity to perform research during the academic semester. This complicates things but of course it is still possible.

Many students don't know when it is the right time to search for these research opportunities. They either wait too long or ask too early and get discouraged when they are turned down. My advice is to begin seeking these opportunities as early as possible. Many professors do not even accept seniors because the energy he/she exerts into training them is wasted when they leave several months later. It is not uncommon, however, for professors to turn down freshmen because they consider them too inexperienced. This isn't a big deal and you shouldn't be discouraged if this happens. If nothing else, this professor now knows your name and will be more likely to accept your help in the future. Keep trying until you finally get that position you want. 

It is important for you to keep your grades high if you want to get involved with research. Professors set their own rules about who is allowed to participate in their research, which can mean some very strict policies. Some professors are more lenient, of course, but some only accept help from those with a 3.8 or higher!

The last topic I want to talk about when it comes to research is money. This is something that varies from school to school and professor to professor. Some of these professors are willing to pay you for good, hard work that contributes significantly to their research. But don't be surprised if a particular professor doesn't have the funding or isn't willing to pay you. I believe that the experience you gain from doing research and the boost your application receive make up for the fact that you will not get compensated for your work. 

Good luck finding research opportunities at your school or in your area! I hope my advice helps you to earn that spot and impress those admission committees.

All About the MCAT

The MCAT is the single most important factor (next to GPA) in determining whether you will get into med school. A low score on the MCAT can ruin your application and destroy your chances of becoming a doctor. A good score will impress admission committees and can get you admitted when all other aspects of your application are weak.

So what exactly is the MCAT? Well, it is a test published by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges.) It is known as the Medical College Admission Test and is used by schools to determine your critical thinking skills and scientific knowledge.The MCAT will test your knowledge in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Organic Chemistry.

Be prepared to do a lot of studying for an impressive score.

There are four sections to the test: Physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing sample, and biological sciences. However, the writing sample section will no longer be part of the test starting in 2013 so I will not bother talking about it here.

Your score on each section can range from a 1 to a 15. This score is converted from your "raw score", which is the questions you answered correct out of the total number of questions from the section. For example, raw scores from 40 to 43 on a particular section may equal a score of 11, while raw scores from 44 to 46 may equal a score of 12. 

The average MCAT score for accepted students is typically between 27 and 32 for most schools, but there is a large difference between the least selective schools (with an average MCAT score of about 25) and the most selective schools (some with an average MCAT score of 36 or more). 

This graph shows the average MCAT score for students that were accepted into medical school. As you can see, competition is only getting more fierce as time goes on, so you must get a high score to be competitive. 

Well, hopefully this post provided a good overview of the test and soon I will write a post with the goal of leading you through the ambitious task of studying for this monster of a test and getting that great score you want.

How to Get Straight A's

The average GPA for acceptance into U.S. medical schools ranges from about 3.5 (at less selective universities such as Eastern Virginia Medical School) to almost 3.9 (at the most selective schools, such as Harvard Medical School.) Admissions committees will typically look at both your core GPA and your science GPA.

Visit this page to view medical school admissions statistics (although a few years old) or purchase the book Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) for more up-to-date numbers.

It's apparent from these statistics that you need a high GPA to be competitive as a pre-medical student. Generally a GPA of 3.5 and above is seen as competitive, however your goal should be to make your GPA as high as possible. Think for a second about how impressive it would be to have a 3.8, or even a 4.0, on your application. It would certainly impress most medical schools, and since it is one of the most important factors in admission, it can make or break you when it comes to getting in.

So how do you go about getting good grades? I will start by saying that you should always aim for an A. In every class, on every test, and on every quiz, your goal should be 100%. I realize this may sound unrealistic to a lot of you, but the first step to succeeding is setting a goal for success. You will be surprised at how well you can do with hard work and a few helpful strategies.

The Schedule

Picking your schedule is one of the most important factors determining your success. Now, as a pre-med student, your schedule is probably already going to be very difficult. You're going to have to take Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus, among other courses. However, there is a lot you can do when making your schedule to ensure you get that perfect 4.0.

• Don't take too many classes - This one is pretty obvious. If you take too many classes, it is easy to begin feeling overwhelmed by the work load, which will make all your grades suffer. Try to stay around 15-18 credit hours max. 
• Take classes that interest you - Don't shy away from more challenging classes out of a fear that your GPA will suffer. If you genuinely enjoy learning about a particular subject, I guarantee you that it will make for an easier class than a supposedly "easy" class that does not interest you at all. 
• Balance your schedule - Knowing you will need to take some very difficult courses your first few years of college, you should do what you can to balance your schedule. Plan accordingly to make sure you don't have to take several hard classes one semester. Don't shy away from taking easy classes to benefit your GPA and balance with your difficult classes. However, try to pick classes that interest you, not just classes that other students say is easy.

Performing in Class

• Go to class - Another obvious one, but I am writing it out to emphasize how important it is. Instructors typically only test on material that is presented in class. This varies depending on the professor, but test material is rarely taken from the dark depths of your textbook. Being in class allows you to hear the information while also writing it (if you are taking good notes). Don't think that reading your book is enough to do well in the class. You should never skip class because you think you can get more of the material learned on your own.
• Take good notes- Your notes serve as a transcript of your instructor's lecture. They can be the easiest material to study from when it comes time to take a test, so it is crucial you take good notes. This isn't a skill that can be easily taught, however, I can give a few tips to make the job easier. Develop some sort of shorthand to get more information down in less time. Use abbreviations such as w/ instead of with. Take notes in a style that is legible and useful to you. Don't worry about making them look nice because they are for your benefit only. You don't need to write down every word the instructor says, but make sure you pay attention because they often emphasize points that are important. In other words, they are alerting you to potential test material. 
• Review your notes immediately after class - Review your notes the first chance you get after class. Just looking over them again will boost your retention of the material significantly. If you have other classes right after earlier classes then just review the notes the first chance you get. 
• Pay attention to the syllabus - The syllabus is that useful piece of paper that has information on your assignments, quizzes, and tests. Basically it is the schedule that the class follows. Instructors usually mention assignment information in class. However, sometimes they do not so you must read the syllabus closely to even know what is coming up. Pay attention to the instructor and don't be afraid to mark your syllabus if he/she makes changes to important dates. 

Acing the Test

• Stay organized - Keep your notes in chronological order, with good titles telling you what each section of notes is about. I suggest buying a calendar or using a computer program or website to keep track of upcoming test/quiz dates or due dates of important assignments. A calendar provides a clear visual indicator informing you of important events that are approaching. 
• Develop good study habits - The single most important factor determining your grade will be the work you put into it. I recommend you begin studying at least a week before important exams. This gives you time to absorb the information rather than simply remembering what you need to for the test. 
• Stay calm - Many people freak out or get extremely nervous when it comes time to take a test. This is the worst thing you can do because it makes it harder to focus. Take deep breaths and tell yourself you know the material. It won't be the end of your life if you do poorly on one test. And if you took good notes and properly prepared yourself, there's no chance that you will struggle through the test.  

You'll quickly realize how easy it can be to get straight A's if you follow a few simple guidelines and put a little bit of hard work into it. I'm not saying that these hints are the miracle cure for bad grades but following them will most likely give you a significant boost to your GPA.

If you need more help with your grades, then I would look into purchasing a book written for students trying to improve their grades like you. Here are a couple I recommend:

Getting Straight A's by Gordon W. Green focuses on 10 rules that you should follow to ensure you get the grades that you want. It's gotten great reviews and I've read it myself. Check out the reviews on amazon to decide if it's something you think will help you. There are numerous success stories of people who completely turned around their GPA from using Dr. Green's system.

What Smart Students Know: Maximum Grades. Optimum Learning. Minimum Time. by Adam Robinson is considered a classic in the study guide sub-genre. It has helped plenty of people transform their grades and it continues to get great reviews.

Other resources:

VueMinder is a great calendar program that has fantastic customization. There is a free version that can be downloaded from their website. I recommend it to anyone who would rather use computer software than a physical calendar.

How to take good notes:
http://suite101.com/article/how-to-take-good-notes-in-college-to-improve-study-skills-a265567
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/notes-tips.htm

Overcome test anxiety:
http://www.studygs.net/tstprp8.htm
http://www.testtakingtips.com/anxiety/index.htm

Quizlet for studying vocab and making practice tests.

What Medical Schools are Looking For

For those who don't know, medical school admission is extremely competitive. Somewhere between 30%-50% of all applicants get into any medical school.

Notice that there are two "catches" here. The applicants does not include of all the students who began their undergraduate curriculum as pre-medical students but later switched and ended up not applying to any medical school. In addition, this statement includes students that may have applied to many medical schools, but only got into one. Your goal as a pre-medical student should be to make yourself so competitive that you can pick your school, rather than letting your school pick you.

So how do you go about making yourself look good in the eyes of the medical school admission committees?

Well it would help to know what the admission committees look for when considering which applicants to accept. I will rank each potential factor on a student's application according to how important it is in the eyes of these committees.

Most Important

These are the most important aspects of your medical school application. Focus on making these as strong as possible before worrying about other facets of your application, as these are weighed the most heavily by the admission committees.

• GPA - Your GPA tells the admission committees about your aptitude as a student and your ability to handle a rigorous workload. The average GPA for accepted students varies between medical schools, however most lie between 3.50-3.80. Therefore, to be competitive you would ideally want to be at or above this level (3.80-4.00). 
• MCAT - Your score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) will give medical schools a numerical value to measure your knowledge in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics as well as your reasoning ability. The average MCAT score varies greatly between medical schools, however the median range seems to be between 27 and 33. The most selective schools have average MCAT scores of 36-38. 

If you are curious about viewing more statistics from medical school admissions or would like to know the average GPA and MCAT scores from a particular school, I would suggest purchasing the Medical School Admissions Requirements. It is published by the AAMC (a.k.a. the Association of American Medical Colleges. They are the organization that also publishes the MCAT). Inside the MSAR are the average GPA's and MCAT scores for almost all accredited American medical schools, as well as a whole lot of other useful info (such as information on dual degree programs.) 

Very Important

Although not as important as your GPA or MCAT score, these are important enough that they can be determining factors of whether you are accepted or rejected. Make sure these are strong, but don't let them get in the way of a high GPA or MCAT.

• Letters of Recommendation - Before your interview, your letters of recommendation are the only measures of personality that the admission committees have access too. They use these to determine if you are the right "fit" for the school. (They don't look for particular personality types. They just want to know that you are liked and respected.)  The admission committees are looking for letters that prove how well the writer knows you, while also speaking highly of you.
• Research Experience - Having experience in research during your undergraduate years shows admission committees that you have a strong foundation and interest in science. Anyone expecting admission to a MD/PhD program must have a significant amount of time invested in research to show his or her commitment to scientific research.
• Volunteering -  Volunteering (whether it be in a healthcare setting or not) communicates to the admission committees your dedication to philanthropic efforts. Physicians are often seen as humanitarians due to their responsibility of helping others. Having volunteer experience helps to show that you care enough to donate your own personal time to help others. 
• Clinical Experience - Medical School admission committees want you to know you want to be a physician. So they expect you to have spent time being near a doctor, in a healthcare setting, dealing with patients. The best way to get this experience is to shadow a physician. Another path to consider is becoming certified in another healthcare profession, such as a nursing assistant, phlebotomist, or EMT.

Important

Although many see these as no more than "fluff" on an application, they can help give you an edge over other applicants. These should be treated, however, as the least important parts of your application. Don't allow them to take precedence over the more important parts of your application.

• Leadership Experience - Medical schools like seeing that you were in a position of organizing or planning events. The most common leadership opportunities are within clubs or organizations at your school.
• Extracurriculars - Most other activities that don't fall into any of the other categories above count as part of this one. Non-clinical work experience, member of a school club, athlete. These are often seen as bonuses that show how many activities you were involved in, but do little else to boost your standing in the eyes of the admission committees.

So now you know what medical schools are looking for when choosing which applicants to accept. Hopefully it is a little easier to envision the kind of student you need to transform yourself into to impress your ideal medical school.  Having a strong showing in each of these categories can make you a competitive applicant destined to get into the medical school of your choice.

Introduction

Hello, and welcome to my blog "The Complete Pre-Med"! My hope for this blog is to create a helpful, welcoming environment designed to guide aspiring doctors through the rigors and challenges of being a pre-medical student. I intend to provide all the resources and assistance necessary to lead students to allow them to pursue their personal goals. Even if this blog helps only a few people, I will feel proud of myself knowing that I have helped someone achieve their dream of becoming a doctor. Please feel free to leave a comment, whether it be a question, feedback, or anything else.

The following is a list of posts I would like to include in this blog.

• What Medical Schools are Looking For
• How to Earn Straight A's Throughout your Undergraduate Career
• The MCAT: What it is and Why it Matters
• How to Prepare for the MCAT
• How to Find Research Opportunities at your School
• Why Clinical Experience Matters and How to Get it
• How to Find Volunteer Opportunities at your School and in your Community
• Overview of the Admissions Process
• The Importance of Leadership on your Application
• Rounding Off your Application
• MD/PhD Programs - Are they right for you?
• How the MCAT will change in 2015
• How to Impress Elite Medical Schools
• And many more, depending on the attention my blog receives and what (if anything) my readers want.

Thank you for reading! I hope my blog helps to smoothly move you on to the path of becoming a doctor!