Getting my Fact's Straight

[Akarashi]

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Greetings, everyone =]

I'm currently in Highschool in Canada, I've had the ambition to become a M.D one day for several years now.

I've read around that big factors in acceptance to medical school include: LOR's and Apps and some other terms I've misplaced. Could someone clear this up as well as other important factors I should prepare for university / college and hopefully med school?

 

[MilkmanAl]

In general, a competitive med school applicant will have a solid GPA and MCAT score, maybe ~200 hours of clinical experience, and some research experience. Other extracurriculars are gravy. Rec letters, as always, are quite important, as is your personal statement. You can find much more detailed information in the stickied threads in the Pre-Allo forum.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

In general, a competitive med school applicant will have a solid GPA and MCAT score, maybe ~200 hours of clinical experience, and some research experience. Other extracurriculars are gravy. Rec letters, as always, are quite important, as is your personal statement. You can find much more detailed information in the stickied threads in the Pre-Allo forum.

+1 The stuff you mention is considerably less important than GPA and MCAT. Your GPA is the same as in high school, but only with your college classes.

The MCAT is a standardized test a la the SAT or ACT, except that it's a combination of knowledge (from college level biology, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry) and quick-thinking/"intelligence" type stuff.

These two factors are by far your most important ones in terms of getting into med school. As Al mentioned, you'll need to do a decent amount of volunteering in medical and non-medical related areas, and also shadow doctors for 50+ hours. All this occurs over the next 3 years or so, so kinda warm yourself up to the idea. Just be sure to do well in college to start.

 

[RedRaider19]

Greetings, everyone =]

I'm currently in Highschool in Canada, I've had the ambition to become a M.D one day for several years now.

I've read around that big factors in acceptance to medical school include: LOR's and Apps and some other terms I've misplaced. Could someone clear this up as well as other important factors I should prepare for university / college and hopefully med school?

Welcome to SDN Akarashi! The advice from MilkmanAl is spot on. A big thing that a lot of people forget going into college is to be well rounded. Judging by the intelligence of your post, and that you are already looking on these boards, you will probably be fine with grades and the MCAT, assuming you work hard. Make sure you get active your freshman year in different organizations. Find a good volunteering organization, but don't forget to find an organization just for fun! Having a life outside of academics is crucial for doing well in college, and for actually maintaining a real life. Every med school interviewer I have had has brought up what I do for fun outside of school. Just bringing it up, because it often gets left out.
Good Luck!

 

[the duck]

Welcome to SDN Akarashi! The advice from MilkmanAl is spot on. A big thing that a lot of people forget going into college is to be well rounded. Judging by the intelligence of your post, and that you are already looking on these boards, you will probably be fine with grades and the MCAT, assuming you work hard. Make sure you get active your freshman year in different organizations. Find a good volunteering organization, but don't forget to find an organization just for fun! Having a life outside of academics is crucial for doing well in college, and for actually maintaining a real life. Every med school interviewer I have had has brought up what I do for fun outside of school. Just bringing it up, because it often gets left out.
Good Luck!

From what I understand, Canadian medical schools care less about ECs about about GPA and MCAT than American schools, not saying they dont matter, but really focus on getting a high GPA and MCAT.