Lots of Questions

[m11p]

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Hey everyone,
I have quite a few questions about applying to medical school (forgive me if these have already been answered, I have read through a lot of the threads but couldn't find answers to these questions. Please respond with a link if you think it has been answered before. Thanks).
Background info: I'm a sophomore (Class of 2012) at a four year university (not highly ranked) and my major is philosophy with a minor in biology. Oh and I'm also an international student.
1. When exactly does one apply to medical school? I'm a little confused. Are you supposed to apply in your junior year if you want to go med school after your senior year (which would mean that I apply in the summer of 2010)? Or do you apply at the end of your junior year and beginning of senior year (which would mean that I apply in the summer of 2011, right before my first semester as a senior)? When should I take the MCAT, April of 2010 or April 2011 (I picked april so that I have enough time to retake it if I need to)?
2. Is it best to apply (with an ok MCAT score and a decent GPA) to med school or do a master's program (at drexel or EVMS for example) and then apply for the first time? I guess what I'm trying to say is, how much does reapplication affect your chances?
3. What exactly shows leadership? Does it matter if it is medically related or not? For example, I founded my own wedding photography business, does that count?
4. Any international students (with a degree from a University in the US) who have gotten into medical school? If so, is the interview process different? What schools are you applying to if you are an international student?
5. How much does an F really affect your application? Long story short, I had a really rough second semester freshman year, my best friend passed away and it was pretty hard on me. I had two F's (one was in calculus and the other was in a biology lab), one B(a philosophy course) and one incomplete (in a biology course, but I am currently in the process of making up work for this course and should hopefully at least get a C). I'm doing much better now, so there will be an upward trend but will the F in the biology lab and calculus bring me down (I plan on retaking both courses this coming Spring)?
Thank you in advance for answering my questions!

 

[Stixman28]

please begin by using the search tool

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/search.php

it is your friend. if you have questions after that, we will be happy to answer them

 

[Marathon Doctor]

Hey everyone,
I have quite a few questions about applying to medical school (forgive me if these have already been answered, I have read through a lot of the threads but couldn't find answers to these questions. Please respond with a link if you think it has been answered before. Thanks).
Background info: I'm a sophomore (Class of 2012) at a four year university (not highly ranked) and my major is philosophy with a minor in biology. Oh and I'm also an international student.
1. When exactly does one apply to medical school? I'm a little confused. Are you supposed to apply in your junior year if you want to go med school after your senior year (which would mean that I apply in the summer of 2010)? Or do you apply at the end of your junior year and beginning of senior year (which would mean that I apply in the summer of 2011, right before my first semester as a senior)? When should I take the MCAT, April of 2010 or April 2011 (I picked april so that I have enough time to retake it if I need to)?
2. Is it best to apply (with an ok MCAT score and a decent GPA) to med school or do a master's program (at drexel or EVMS for example) and then apply for the first time? I guess what I'm trying to say is, how much does reapplication affect your chances?
3. What exactly shows leadership? Does it matter if it is medically related or not? For example, I founded my own wedding photography business, does that count?
4. Any international students (with a degree from a University in the US) who have gotten into medical school? If so, is the interview process different? What schools are you applying to if you are an international student?
5. How much does an F really affect your application? Long story short, I had a really rough second semester freshman year, my best friend passed away and it was pretty hard on me. I had two F's (one was in calculus and the other was in a biology lab), one B(a philosophy course) and one incomplete (in a biology course, but I am currently in the process of making up work for this course and should hopefully at least get a C). I'm doing much better now, so there will be an upward trend but will the F in the biology lab and calculus bring me down (I plan on retaking both courses this coming Spring)?
Thank you in advance for answering my questions!

Im an international student too but I'll be applying on the 2011-2012 cycle. I recommend you to get the MSAR book from AMCAS. Its like 25 bucks and it will anwser a lot of your questions. I'm gonna give u some quick answers but they're gonna address your problems entirely:
1) U apply in the summer of 2011 if u want to start med school on the fall of 2012
2) Your best bet is to apply with a solid MCAT (30+) and a solid GPA (3.7+). Masters wouldn't count unless they are a SMP of a university with a med school.
3) Sounds dumb but something that shows you are a leader is leadership: like being a president, vicepresident or supervisor of an organization.
4) There have been many foreign students getting into US med schools with an US degree but is not easy at all. I think that from all the internatioal students that apply each year about 15% of them get in. Check MSAR to see what med schools accept application from int' students.
5) Get straight A's from now on. You really need a solid GPA if u want to be a doctor. MD schools take into account all the college credits you have taken, even if you repeat the class. So an F on Calc I + an A on Calc I (retake)= C on Calc I.

Good luck.