Do you aspire to become a medical doctor? Many people aspire to be doctors, but this is not an easy feat since the profession is preserved to a few high school students with an excellent science background, high GPA, strong commitment to study medicine, and relevant extracurricular activities. However, where there is a will, there is always a way. Read on to learn the tips on how to successfully apply for medical school.
You Must Have Impressive Grades
Applying for a medicine degree can be easy but getting a place is difficult if you do not have excellent grades in relevant science subjects. You must accumulate at least two A grades in your A-levels in high school. The screening process is very thorough, and the chances of your application being thrown out are high if you do not meet the requirements. If possible, you can also request a recommendation letter from your mentor. You may also be required to take an aptitude test and make sure you prepare well for this crucial exercise.
Gather All the Information Required
The selection process for students intending to join a medical school is a bit different from other undergraduate programs. You need to collect transcripts from all schools that you have attended and list extracurricular activities that you are interested in and also performed in high school. You must also provide contact details for your mentors and supervisors in different activities at school. The other important thing is to list all medical schools that you have applied to so that you can weigh the chances of getting a place.
Choose Combined BS/MD Programs
The selection process for aspiring medical students is thorough, and very few people can make it to the final list. However, these combined programs allow prospective undergraduate students to enroll directly from a BSc or BA degree to the school of medicine. It is possible for students who meet this criterion to obtain theirs without formal applications. What you should know about these programs is that they are a preserve of the privileged only.
In some cases, these BS/MD programs may require eligible students to write MCAT tests and pass with specific credits to continue with the program. You must keep a high GPA score, or else you may drop from the program. These combined medical programs take eight years to complete just like the conventional medical school where the candidates are expected to complete four years in undergraduate school, then the other four years in medical school. On a lighter note, the combined BS/MD programs are cost-effective, and they come with more resources for the students. On top of that, the students also enjoy flexible course scheduling.
Provide a Strong Personal Statement
Your personal statement matters when you are applying for a place to join a medical school. The statement is crucial since it reflects your personality that is used to evaluate if the medical field is your calling. You must proofread everything and try to get a physician to read it before you apply for a place. In your outline, you can also list all your interests and justify why you want to join the medical school.
Use an Appropriate Email Address
It is vital to use a professional email since it reflects something about yourself. You need to show that you are organized in everything that you provide in your application. You should avoid using your business email if you have one. On top of that, you also need to provide your address and contact phone number so that the enumerators can contact you should the need arise.
Apply Early
All applications by prospective medical students should meet strict deadlines, and you should not lose out on this. Instead of submitting a late application, you would rather apply the following year when everything is in order. You need to apply in June or July because all late applications are not considered. If you do not succeed, you can take an undergraduate degree in biomedical science then apply later for postgraduate admission to the medical school. All the same, you need to know that it will take you eight years to complete your medical degree.
If you are interested in applying for a place to study medicine at your preferred medical school, there are certain things that you should know. You must collect all relevant information and make sure that you have good passes in science subjects. The other important thing that you should remember is to provide a strong personal statement that reflects your ambition to be a doctor. You must also provide relevant work experience in a healthcare institution.