Young medical school applicant: applying and recomendations

[Sonya]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi Guys and gals,

I'm new to this place, but it seems like a terrific site with a lot of useful information, and a lot of other students to learn from.

Anyway, this is my situation,

I'm a pre-med student majoring biomed engineering at Washington Univ. The thing is I am starting my senior year of univ and I am yet only barely 18 yrs.

I will definetly be going into medicine career, eventually. How do you think medschools will react to this age issue. I have figured I will wait two or three years after graduation before I start medschool. I think this will be better because I will be older, not be worrying about mcat/applic essay during my junior/senior year, and will give myself time to figure what exactly i want to do.
I'm definetly interested in academic medicine. I have been doing research the past 2 years, have one publication as second authour, have 3.84 GPA, have extractivities (tutoring other students, ER volunteer, shadowed a physician).

My brother followed a similar course as i am know, and started applying for medschools when he was 16 to matriculate at 18. He had similar credentials as mine (not as strong academics), and he got zero admiss for MD applying to 20-30 schools. two years later he applied and got 2 or 3 admiss and matriculated as MD PHD at Univ Illinois.

So my questions are, how do you think medschools would look at age. When do you think is a good age to apply. If i did a phd and then MD, i'd be on the older side (assuming I'm that interested in research, which is something i need to decide)

What are the advantages of having a MD PhD vs MD?
I'm trying to decide what I'd do those two years, besides medschool applications, and giving myself a break from 70 hr weeks 🙂. Right now I believe I'll do research work, or some work in academics. I'm also thinking I want to do some significant extra activities. I know I'll enough recomendations and qualification that say i'm good in academics, so It'd be good to get rec's for non science/classwork.

In terms of recomendations, I came to Washington Univ from a community college two years ago. ALL my non science courses were done at the community college. There were some profesors who will remember me, and say good. Not absolutely outstanding, but pretty good (upper 5% i GUESS). Also, my significant extra activities were done there. Some how, in the extra activities I have done during univ time, I don't think i could get good references. So do you think I should use recomendations from the community college for non science rec? The problem with that is that it was a while ago, and the people there know me as "young". Here at univ, no one know much of the age issue. What are they looking for in non-science recs? Would it be better to give some one from extra activ or non science class?

Ok, thank for reading all that. Those are all the questions i've been churning thru this summer. All input, frank and honest is appreciated.

-Sonya

 

[Resident Alien]

Im a 19 yr old applying for this year's cycle-cum debacle ( 😛 ). I am interested in opinions on this issue too.

 

[moo]

I think the only reason your brother was rejected everywhere was because in most states, you have to be 21 before you can legally practice medicine. After four years, he would only be 20. I'd normally not recommend people go to med school too young. I could've graduated HS when I was 16 but stuck it out another couple years cuz I wanted a life. But in your case, if you're interested in academic medicine it may be beneficial. Most people hit their academic peak right around their 20s so you might be able to do some big things! I know one of my friends wishes he coulda graduated earlier so that he could've gotten his PhD done and started on research.

 

[Sonya]

he applied at 16, so he'd be starting at 18. ending 22.

usually students see patients starting 3rd year.. right?

"cylcle-cum debacle"..?????

 

[moo]

Originally posted by Sonya:
•he applied at 16, so he'd be starting at 18. ending 22.

usually students see patients starting 3rd year.. right?

"cylcle-cum debacle"..?????•

Applied at 16? how can he be 18 when he matriculates? In any case, I think 16 is way too immature, I don't care how smart.

 

[BeckyG]

Hi Sonya,

I think it's great you're asking these questions. Most students who graduate early from college just assume they'll go directly to medical school. It shows a modicum of maturity and makes me think you'll do well in the process and as a physician, all other factors (grades, etc) being competitive. I have known people who started med (or grad - Ph.D.) school at 18 and who were completely burnt out by 22 (or 24 for grad school). Or, they realized that medicine is not what they truly wanted. So, all I'm saying is that it is great that you are thinking about these issues, not only from an admissions standpoint, but also from a personal viewpoint.

Anyway, as to your specific questions:

1) I'd say that if you feel ready for medical school and have a competitive application, then you could apply. I personally think that a couple of years in the "real world" would be good for ANYONE after college - it gives you time to consider what you want for yourself out of life and what kind of career you want. It also gives you time off from studying, so that when you go back, you are really excited to be there.

2) Medical schools will want to make sure you are mature. They will want evidence of this in every aspect of your application and they will expect mention of this in your recommendations. If you can prove you are mature (or as mature as the rest of the world 😉), then you should not have too many problems. Keep in mind that if a student does a "combined" program, he/she starts med school at 20. So, 18 is not that far off.

3) Your recommendations should come from faculty at your 4-year college, if possible. Community college profs might be OK, but Adcoms will want recs from 4-year college professors. Also, make sure your professors believe you are mature enough for med school. At my undergrad, when a student applied to med school, she received a recommendation from a professor stating that he believed she was not mature enough for medical school. Her pre-med committee told her to get the professor to change the rec or to get rid of it. It was a critical issue. Also, regarding who should write the letters: get 2 from science profs, one from a non-science prof. Make sure these people know you well and will write good letters for you. Ask them if the letter will be good - they usually will be honest. Finally, if you take some time off and work in a lab prior to applying, a letter of rec from that person (your lab advisor) would probably be very helpful.

4) There is no "perfect" or "correct" age to apply to medical school. Apply when you know you want to go and you have the experiences and record to prove your dedication to medicine.

5) I wouldn't "waste time" (in my words) pursuing a Ph.D. prior to med school. If you want an MD and Ph.D., then apply to combined programs. Spend your "free time" prior to med school trying other things out, getting exposure to different fields, types of medicine or research labs.

If I were lucky (and smart) enough to finish college at 18, I would take some time to have fun, explore different fields, figure out what I really want to do, and then go for it. You might be too young to know Doogie Howser, M.D. - a TV show about a "kid" doctor. If you do, I'd say this: you have a lot of life ahead of you and probably have spent most of your life focusing on school and "the future." Take some time out (unlike Doogie) and have some fun. You have a tremendous advantage in terms of time and many opportunities lay at your feet. Explore them and have fun - and apply when YOU feel ready.

Good luck!

- Becky

 

[CoffeeCat]

.