APPLYING

There are approximately 125 accredited allopathic medical schools in the United States. Detailed information about these medical schools can be obtained through the Association of American Medical Colleges www.aamc.org. For help on applying to medical schools, check out The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Also, talk with your Health Professions Advisor at Macalester.

There are several factors that influence your acceptance to medical school.

MCAT SCORES

Your MCAT score is important in determining whether or not you are accepted to the medical school of your choice.
All schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Canada require the Optometry Admission Test. For information: Optometry Admission Testing Program 211 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678, Phone: 312-440-2693 anf Fax: 312-587-4105. (Test date is: Oct 25, 2003-Deadline: Sept 15, 2003)

But of course, the following factors are just as significant.

GRADES
Good grades, especially in your science classes, are important for admission to medical school. The mean GPA for the class entering medical school in 1997 was 3.56. Students with GPA's lower than 3.0 are usually only admitted if they have demonstrated improvement in their academic performance in the last two years of college, or if they demonstrate exceptional ability in other areas. While good grades are necessary for admission to medical school, an exeptionally high GPA (3.9-4.0) is not required, especially if it comes at the expense of other experiences that demonstrate "leadership, social maturity, purpose, motivation, initiative, curiosity, common sense perseverance and breadth of interests." (AAMC Guide, 1999-2000)

• Did this high ability applicant fail to apply himself/herself to undergraduate studies?
• Did this student take a combination of courses far more difficult than that taken by the average student?
• Has this student had to work long hours in addition to taking coursework?
• Has this student been involved in worthwhile activities that interfered with studies?
• Has the applicant's interest in medicine developed only recently, and are most recent grades a better indication of true ability?

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Medical schools look for students who are broadly educated and who have undertaken challenges that build maturity, character, perseverance and leadership skills. They also look for a genuine interest in health care and an understanding of the realities of clinical practice. This often takes the form of health-care work in the community (e.g. internships, volunteer work, summer employment, clinically-related research, etc.)


SO WHAT DO I DO
Your work at Macalester must include a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, but because medical schools look for passionate commitment and intellectual drive, you should plan to major in a discipline that is truly and deeply interesting to you. Work toward an independent, in-depth research project in your major your senior year. Hone your communication and interpersonal skills. Take courses that enhance your ability to critically analyze complex problems. And donate your time and energy to the betterment of the Macalester community and the broader community.

MEDICAL TRAINING

All physicians begin their training by attending an accredited medical school for at least four years. Medical training consists of classes (or, in some cases, case-study tutorials) in the basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and pathology) and in clinical medicine. While the first two years are usually devoted primarily to classroom or tutorial work, students usually begin to learn how to interview and examine patients, and take medical histories. The last two years are usually devoted to clinical education and usually involves clinical clerkships in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetric-gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. After completion of medical school and successful completion of the Medical Licensing Examination, newly minted physicians enter residency programs in the medical specialty of their choice. These residencies vary in length from three years (e.g. family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics) to seven or more years for highly specialized training (e.g. cardiovascular surgery, anesthesiology, pediatric oncology.) At the end of the residency period, the physician must pass the certification exams in the area of specialization to become "board certified" to practice medicine in this field. During the residency period, physicians may also take time out (from a few months to a few years) to do research in their area of specialty. This additional work may result in a Master's or Ph.D.

HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Different health professions require different planning. Though in the future, this website will expand to include a variety of those professions, at the moment, this section focuses primarily on preparing for allopathic medicine (M.D.). The following is a list of possible health professions...

Advanced Practice Nurse	Chiropractic Medicine	Dentistry (D.D.S.)
Nursing (R.N.)	Optometry (O.D.)	Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Physician Assistant (P.A.)	Podiatry (D.P.M.)	Public Health (M.P.H.)
Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)	Certified Nurse Midwife	Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)	Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)	Doctor of Nursing (N.D.)
Medicinal Chemist	Nurse Practitioner (NP)	Pharmaceutical Scientist
Pharmacist (PharmB)	Pharmacognosist	Pharmacologist