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Hi All, I started medical school this fall and learned a few things that I wish to share with non-trads that have been away from academics for several years, which I wish I knew when applying. I got some pretty good advice from sdn and some bad advice. Here are things that I would have done differently if I was applying to schools now.
1) When evaluating schools get the schedule and see how much study time you are given. Look for schools with the least amount of class and greatest number of free hours to study. If you are in school from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., you're basically left with 5 hrs or so (at most) to study and this may not be enough if you have been out of school for a while. Also, try to find out if the school has a 5 year decelerated option (it's nice to know it exists if you need it), but don't ask about this at interviews.
2) In the same vain as number one, look for the least required extracurricular activities. Ideally no required physician shadowing, no forced trips before exams and the like (you want your first two years to be dedicated to doing well on your in-class exams and the boards).
3) Teaching quality and recorded lectures are very important as are access to old exams. This is really hard to evaluate. I asked about this at the interview for every school, but I didn't get an honest answer. Go around and ask students and search for reviews (though these may be hard to find... unlike in undergrad where you have whole websites dedicated to reviewing profs). The first year teachers I've had to deal with range from mediocre to really bad. Also, we had a lot of issues with recorded lectures, which has sucked given that I really needed to re-watch some of them.
4) Don't waste your time in-class if you aren't learning. This was a huge mistake I made. I went to class to get exposure to material... it's a complete waste. Either read up before the lecture so you can optimize learning in-class or watch the recorded lecture so you can pause it if you don't understand something or just review notes and power points if your school makes them available.
5) Prepare for every class. You should at least have the basics of what is going to be covered today. If you don't you are going to get lost pretty quickly and are again wasting your time.
6) Be military with time. Plan life/study schedule and stick to it as best as you can.
7) Don't only relax the summer before starting medical school (this was probably the worst advice I got from sdn). If you've been out of school a while (more than 2 or 3 and certainly if more than 5), I would actually go ahead and start reading science textbooks again (preferably in subjects that you are about to cover in the first semester). Figure out how you learn best (auditory, visual, kinesthetic). Spend a lot of time coming up with a study strategy that will work for you. There is going to be a tremendous amount of material thrown at you and if you don't know how to process it panic attacks, anxiety and depression will ensue and you'll loose your purpose and start hating medical school and this is not a position you want to find yourself in.
8) The MCAT does not prepare you at all for medical school. A misconception that I had is that some of the material from the MCAT would help carry me through my first year of medical school. All those hours put in for the MCAT are basically just a checkbox. I hope one day the MCAT serves as a prep test for med school. In a little over half a semester of med school, the only thing that has overlapped with MCAT material is Ohm's law (V=IR was mentioned in cellular physiology), skeletal muscle contraction and action potential generation.
9) If you are going to medical school in a different state, move at least a month before. If you need a car, get a certified pre-owned one with a warranty. And, ideally, live alone or, if you have to, another medical student (assuming you aren't married of course... if you are, then live with your significant other).
10) If you see yourself doing anything else, do it. I often dream of my old job and wonder why I left a six figure income for med school (which I'd describe as signing up for voluntary torture), but I really want to do this. I would be happy returning to my old job if I fail out, but only at that point.
My first semester of medical school has been a bit of a disaster because I basically didn't do the above. If I could do it all over, I'd pick the other school, move to the state a month in advance, come up with study strategies that work, buy a better car and live alone. If you do these things, you are destined to have a great transition into the right school for you. Good luck!
1) When evaluating schools get the schedule and see how much study time you are given. Look for schools with the least amount of class and greatest number of free hours to study. If you are in school from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., you're basically left with 5 hrs or so (at most) to study and this may not be enough if you have been out of school for a while. Also, try to find out if the school has a 5 year decelerated option (it's nice to know it exists if you need it), but don't ask about this at interviews.
2) In the same vain as number one, look for the least required extracurricular activities. Ideally no required physician shadowing, no forced trips before exams and the like (you want your first two years to be dedicated to doing well on your in-class exams and the boards).
3) Teaching quality and recorded lectures are very important as are access to old exams. This is really hard to evaluate. I asked about this at the interview for every school, but I didn't get an honest answer. Go around and ask students and search for reviews (though these may be hard to find... unlike in undergrad where you have whole websites dedicated to reviewing profs). The first year teachers I've had to deal with range from mediocre to really bad. Also, we had a lot of issues with recorded lectures, which has sucked given that I really needed to re-watch some of them.
4) Don't waste your time in-class if you aren't learning. This was a huge mistake I made. I went to class to get exposure to material... it's a complete waste. Either read up before the lecture so you can optimize learning in-class or watch the recorded lecture so you can pause it if you don't understand something or just review notes and power points if your school makes them available.
5) Prepare for every class. You should at least have the basics of what is going to be covered today. If you don't you are going to get lost pretty quickly and are again wasting your time.
6) Be military with time. Plan life/study schedule and stick to it as best as you can.
7) Don't only relax the summer before starting medical school (this was probably the worst advice I got from sdn). If you've been out of school a while (more than 2 or 3 and certainly if more than 5), I would actually go ahead and start reading science textbooks again (preferably in subjects that you are about to cover in the first semester). Figure out how you learn best (auditory, visual, kinesthetic). Spend a lot of time coming up with a study strategy that will work for you. There is going to be a tremendous amount of material thrown at you and if you don't know how to process it panic attacks, anxiety and depression will ensue and you'll loose your purpose and start hating medical school and this is not a position you want to find yourself in.
8) The MCAT does not prepare you at all for medical school. A misconception that I had is that some of the material from the MCAT would help carry me through my first year of medical school. All those hours put in for the MCAT are basically just a checkbox. I hope one day the MCAT serves as a prep test for med school. In a little over half a semester of med school, the only thing that has overlapped with MCAT material is Ohm's law (V=IR was mentioned in cellular physiology), skeletal muscle contraction and action potential generation.
9) If you are going to medical school in a different state, move at least a month before. If you need a car, get a certified pre-owned one with a warranty. And, ideally, live alone or, if you have to, another medical student (assuming you aren't married of course... if you are, then live with your significant other).
10) If you see yourself doing anything else, do it. I often dream of my old job and wonder why I left a six figure income for med school (which I'd describe as signing up for voluntary torture), but I really want to do this. I would be happy returning to my old job if I fail out, but only at that point.
My first semester of medical school has been a bit of a disaster because I basically didn't do the above. If I could do it all over, I'd pick the other school, move to the state a month in advance, come up with study strategies that work, buy a better car and live alone. If you do these things, you are destined to have a great transition into the right school for you. Good luck!
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