When should I.....?

[FT 9]

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Firstly, I would like to say that I'm a freshman in college and I'm pretty much clueless on a lot of things regarding medical school. Hopefully my questions will not overwhelm you guys.


When should I start studying for the MCAT?
When should I take the MCAT?
When should I start undergraduate research?
What should I start research (does it have to be medical related? can i do nanotechnology or chem?)
When should I apply for medical school?
How many medical schools should i apply to?
What are some classes (apart from med reqs) that I should take?

 

[vickpick]

Firstly, I would like to say that I'm a freshman in college and I'm pretty much clueless on a lot of things regarding medical school. Hopefully my questions will not overwhelm you guys.

1. When should I start studying for the MCAT?
2. When should I take the MCAT?
3. When should I start undergraduate research?
4. What should I start research (does it have to be medical related? can i do nanotechnology or chem?)
5. When should I apply for medical school?
6. How many medical schools should i apply to?
7. What are some classes (apart from med reqs) that I should take?

1) start during the summer after sophomore year.
2) junior year - doesnt matter when. just before the school year ends.
3) Its not a must, unless u wanna do 3 extra years in med school getting ur MD/PhD. If u wanna research anyways, late sophomore year or junior year is fine - thatll be enuf to get u a year of experience.
4)its doesnt matter what field it is in. as long as its science
5)summer after junior year.
6)10 or more. (all depends on how u feel with ur score and what tier schools u apply to)
7) biochem, genetics, cell, microbio

 

[Cro]

Firstly, I would like to say that I'm a freshman in college and I'm pretty much clueless on a lot of things regarding medical school. Hopefully my questions will not overwhelm you guys.


When should I start studying for the MCAT?
When should I take the MCAT?
When should I start undergraduate research?
What should I start research (does it have to be medical related? can i do nanotechnology or chem?)
When should I apply for medical school?
How many medical schools should i apply to?
What are some classes (apart from med reqs) that I should take?

1) Three to four months before you plan on taking the MCAT. Your prerequisites should be finished by this time or you should be finishing them up this semester.
2) January or spring of your junior year (or whenever you feel comfortable, it's not a race)
3) At the earliest, beginning of your sophomore year (but realistically the summer before your junior year is a perfect time to start).
4) You can research whatever interests you. It doesn't have to be clinically related or even science related.
5) After your junior year if you have everything in order
6) 15-30 depending on the strength of your application
7) Classes you'll never be able to take again

 

[bellakk]

There are two books than will really help you out.
-Med school confidential
-getting into medical school by kaplan
they go over all aspects of applying to med school, I really wish I had found these books when I was a freshman! (you can get used copies on amazon or half.com for like $5)

MCAT:
You want to take the MCAT by the end of your junior year. You'll want to start studying 4ish months ahead of your mcat date. But make sure you complete all of your required med school prereqs first.

Research:
I personally do not think research is necessary for med school acceptance. I think clinical experience is much more important (unless you want to be a research physician). If you have your heart set on research, then pick something that interests you. I dont think it needs to be health related, but it should be in a science.

Applications:
you will submit your applications a year before you hope to start medical school which is usually the summer between your Jr and Sr. year. I think its average to apply to 10-12 schools.

Classes:
Take upper division sciences. Biochem, Genetics, Cell Biology, Anatomy (either comparative vertebrate or human), Physiology, Embryology. I would also suggest taking a reading/writing intenstive english course. Med school requires A LOT of reading, so they like to see that you can survive a course based upon it. Plus I believe it will help you with your applications since you will be a better writer than someone who just too freshman english 1 and 2.

Dont forget to do fun stuff too! Get a minor in something just because it is interesting to you! Be involved in an extracurricular that has nothing to do with health or medicine because you love the people. Whatever. Just make sure and dont forget to enjoy college. In 3 years, your personal statement will be more fun to read that someone who spend 3 years in the library and as president of the premed club.

 

[brooklynblunder]

take it easy. find out what you want to make out of your college experience first. you obviously seem like you will be naturally concerned with you academics, so i think that will/should be set (hopefully). if not, thats okay too. just enjoy college man

 

[BlitzSleep]

1) Three to four months before you plan on taking the MCAT. Your prerequisites should be finished by this time or you should be finishing them up this semester.
2) January or spring of your junior year (or whenever you feel comfortable, it's not a race)
3) At the earliest, beginning of your sophomore year (but realistically the summer before your junior year is a perfect time to start).
4) You can research whatever interests you. It doesn't have to be clinically related or even science related.
5) After your junior year if you have everything in order
6) 15-30 depending on the strength of your application
7) Classes you'll never be able to take again

This

Also, start volunteering whenever you get a chance at your local hospital and shadow some docs. Also it's important to do something like pushblish your research or find a cure for cancer.