Info for an IB student, please

[Hopes2BMD]

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Hello everyone,

I'm new here and I assume this is the right area to ask the following questions. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

I am currently attending the final year of the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Program outside of the USA and I have interest in studying medicine in the United States. I am aware how the American pathway to the MD degree functions. First, college, then graduate school (medical school)...

What I would like to know is how much would the IB diploma really help me when applying to pre medical college programs in the US as I plan on being offered a scolarship?
I have registered for both the "standard" SAT (Math, Critical Reading etc.) and SAT Subject Specific Tests (Chemistry and Math Level 2). I also plan on taking the TOEFL test.
So, could someone please inform me on the most important things colleges look for in order to offer a scholarship? Which are more important, IB scores or SAT scores? Also, are there any other requirements (apart from IB, SAT and TOEFL) anybody might suggest?

Also, which college courses do you suggest as the "best" for medical schools in terms of giving students the most adequate preparation for medical school?
Which courses and majors should someone who plans on getting into medical school select while in college?
Do all colleges have pre med programs?

Thanks

 

[sgtbrushes]

Giant block of text crits you for 1,430 damage. You die.

What I would like to know is how much would the IB diploma really help me when applying to pre medical college programs in the US as I plan on being offered a scolarship?

A clarification: there is no such things as pre medical college programs in the US. Many other countries (Pakistan and the UK come to mind) have combined B.S./ M.D. programs inherent in the sytem. While a few schools in the U.S. do this, it is not the norm. You must simply gain admittance to a college or university in the U.S. Once there, you will declare your major anything you want. While pursuing this major, you will also take the required courses for US Allopathic Med School (2 semesters each): General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, English, Biology, (Some schools): Math

I have registered for both the "standard" SAT (Math, Critical Reading etc.) and SAT Subject Specific Tests (Chemistry and Math Level 2). I also plan on taking the TOEFL test.
So, could someone please inform me on the most important things colleges look for in order to offer a scholarship?

I graduated high school in 2004, so it may have changed a little since then. Most U.S. universities require either the SAT or ACT (some schools accept one or the other). These scores are widely acceptable for entrance, scholarship, honors criteria, etc. I am in the honors program at my university and never took any of the SAT subject specific tests. Merit scholarships are hard to come by; you will have to talk to your financial aid office at the school you're attending for specifics. Need-based scholarships (for U.S. citizens) are based on either your or your parent's earned income from the previous year. If cost is going to be a big issue in undergraduate attendance, I can't give you much advise on that. Sorry.

Which are more important, IB scores or SAT scores? Also, are there any other requirements (apart from IB, SAT and TOEFL) anybody might suggest?

SAT scores are more important. TOEFL is important for admission to college, but it is probably not as important for med school admission. You will do an interview at any med school before you are accepted, and if you cannot communicate adequately in English, you will not be admitted.

Also, which college courses do you suggest as the "best" for medical schools in terms of giving students the most adequate preparation for medical school?

Academically, take the med school pre-requisites I listed above. Some suggest upper-level biology courses such as genetics for MCAT prep, but some say this is not necessary. Anything you learn in undergrad that is relevant to medicine will be re-taught in med school.

Which courses and majors should someone who plans on getting into medical school select while in college?

As long as you complete the medical school pre-requisites, the electives you take and the major you have are irrelevant. Take what you enjoy learning.

Do all colleges have pre med programs?

Again, a bit of a misconception; there is no such thing as a pre med program. You can major in anything you want, minor in anything you want, or don't minor at all. You will want to contact someone at your school to see how many of their graduates matriculate to med schools. I'll go out on a bit of a limb here and say that almost all US state university graduates matriculate students into med school. Do some research for private schools.

 

[Shinobiz11]

I had the same thing typed as you dude, then my internet crashed.... 🙁

Anyway, you can also use the search tool if you have more questions.

 

[Hopes2BMD]

Thanks, guys.👍