How To Be A Successful How To Be A Successful Medical School Medical School

ApplicantApplicantAde OlasunkanmiAde Olasunkanmi

Class of 2009/BALSA Co-Class of 2009/BALSA Co-PresidentPresident

NYU School of MedicineNYU School of Medicine

Medical School OverviewMedical School Overview

Medical School ProgramsMedical School ProgramsMD DegreeMD DegreeMD/PhDMD/PhDMD/MPHMD/MPHMD/JDMD/JD

Medical School OverviewMedical School Overview

11stst 2 years 2 years The curriculum is devoted primarily to The curriculum is devoted primarily to

interdisciplinary biomedical science courses interdisciplinary biomedical science courses taking place in lecture halls, conference rooms taking place in lecture halls, conference rooms and laboratoriesand laboratories

There are small group learning sessions that There are small group learning sessions that emphasize topics covered in lecturesemphasize topics covered in lectures

There are also courses in which students There are also courses in which students interact with patients, learn the basics of interact with patients, learn the basics of patient-doctor communication, acquire patient-doctor communication, acquire physical examination and diagnostic skills physical examination and diagnostic skills

Medical School OverviewMedical School Overview

22ndnd 2 years 2 years In both inpatient and outpatient settings, students In both inpatient and outpatient settings, students

learn to apply clinical skills and the biomedical learn to apply clinical skills and the biomedical sciences knowledge of the 1sciences knowledge of the 1stst 2 years to problems 2 years to problems of human diseases and illnessesof human diseases and illnesses

Required clerkships during the 3Required clerkships during the 3rdrd/4/4thth year include year include Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry,

Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Neurology, Ambulatory Care, and RadiologyNeurology, Ambulatory Care, and Radiology

There are also elective months during the 3There are also elective months during the 3rdrd/4/4thth years during which the student can do research or years during which the student can do research or pursue other areas of interestpursue other areas of interest

Preparing For Medical SchoolPreparing For Medical School General RequirementsGeneral Requirements

EnglishEnglish Inorganic ChemistryInorganic Chemistry Organic ChemistryOrganic Chemistry General PhysicsGeneral Physics General BiologyGeneral Biology Mathematical StatisticsMathematical Statistics

Additional courses, not required, but very helpfulAdditional courses, not required, but very helpful GeneticsGenetics Molecular BiologyMolecular Biology NeurobiologyNeurobiology Anatomy & PhysiologyAnatomy & Physiology

FUN and LOTS OF FUNFUN and LOTS OF FUN

Preparing For Medical SchoolPreparing For Medical School

DO NOT FORGET the mighty GPADO NOT FORGET the mighty GPATake those classes that could get you Take those classes that could get you

easy As to boost your GPAeasy As to boost your GPAPlan on how and when you want to Plan on how and when you want to

take your required classestake your required classesTaking organic chemistry, genetics and Taking organic chemistry, genetics and

molecular biology in one semester could molecular biology in one semester could either mean you are a genius or you either mean you are a genius or you have not put much thought into ithave not put much thought into it

Preparing For Medical SchoolPreparing For Medical School

Anybody could sit down and study all Anybody could sit down and study all day and get Asday and get AsWhat sets you apart is that you could What sets you apart is that you could

get your As and also be good at other get your As and also be good at other thingsthingsMentoring other studentsMentoring other studentsClub/Student leaderClub/Student leaderVolunteering outside the schoolVolunteering outside the schoolResearchResearchHospital volunteeringHospital volunteering

The New Computerized MCATThe New Computerized MCATTest Section Questions Time

Tutorial (optional)   10 minutes

Physical Sciences 52 70 minutes

Break (optional)   10 minutes

Verbal Reasoning 40 60 minutes

Break (optional )   10 minutes

Writing Sample 2 60 minutes

Break (optional)   10 minutes

Biological Sciences 52 70 minutes

Survey   10 minutes

Total Content Time   4 hours, 20 minutes

Total Test Time   4 hours, 50 minutes

Total Appointment Time   5 hours, 10 minutes

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/testexpfaq.htm

The New Computerized MCATThe New Computerized MCAT

It is NOT and adaptive testIt is NOT and adaptive test The test is a fixed form, currentlyThe test is a fixed form, currently

The new test has the same content focus as The new test has the same content focus as the paper testthe paper test

Test now offered multiple times during the Test now offered multiple times during the yearyear

You are allowed to take the exam 3 times in You are allowed to take the exam 3 times in a given year, but you can ONLY register for a given year, but you can ONLY register for one exam date at a timeone exam date at a time

Scores are released 30 days after testScores are released 30 days after test

The New Computerized MCATThe New Computerized MCAT

ResourcesResourcesMCAT Practice OnlineMCAT Practice OnlineKaplan/Exam Crackers/PrincetonKaplan/Exam Crackers/PrincetonRemember, the aamc website is your Remember, the aamc website is your

friendfriend(http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/sta(http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm)rt.htm)

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICEPRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

The Personal StatementThe Personal Statement

Your personal statement says a lot about youYour personal statement says a lot about you Write, rewrite and rewrite!Write, rewrite and rewrite! Give your personal statement to 2 or 3 Give your personal statement to 2 or 3

people to critiquepeople to critique One of the people to read your essay should One of the people to read your essay should

preferably be someone who doesn’t know preferably be someone who doesn’t know youyou For example, one of your creative writing English For example, one of your creative writing English

professorsprofessors Take criticism in stride. Don’t get offendedTake criticism in stride. Don’t get offended

The ApplicationThe Application

Choose the schools you want to apply to Choose the schools you want to apply to thoughtfullythoughtfully

Know the schools’ application proceduresKnow the schools’ application procedures AMCASAMCAS Secondary applications/essaysSecondary applications/essays DeadlinesDeadlines

Your letters of recommendation are importantYour letters of recommendation are important Ask if your professor would be willing to write you a Ask if your professor would be willing to write you a

letterletter Don’t wait too late before you start asking for letters of Don’t wait too late before you start asking for letters of

recommendationrecommendation ONLY ask professors who know you well enoughONLY ask professors who know you well enough

A generic letter of recommendation will not do you any A generic letter of recommendation will not do you any goodgood

The ApplicationThe Application

Submit your applications earlySubmit your applications earlyFollow throughFollow through

It is your responsibility to call the It is your responsibility to call the schools and make sure that your file is schools and make sure that your file is completecomplete

Everything in your application is fair Everything in your application is fair gamegame

Why you are interested in schoolWhy you are interested in schoolCurrent events: assisted suicide, Current events: assisted suicide,

Universal Health Care, HPV vaccine, Universal Health Care, HPV vaccine, cloningcloning

Hypothetical social and ethical Hypothetical social and ethical situationssituations

Be prepared to ask at least 2 questions Be prepared to ask at least 2 questions at the end of the interviewat the end of the interview

The Interview*: The Interview*: Topics for DiscussionTopics for DiscussionThe Interview*: The Interview*:

Topics for DiscussionTopics for Discussion

Section adapted from Dr Polite’s presentation

The InterviewThe Interview

If possible, do mock interviewsIf possible, do mock interviewsBefore your interview, research the Before your interview, research the

schoolschoolOn the day of the interview, dress On the day of the interview, dress

professionallyprofessionallyRemember, anything on your Remember, anything on your

application is fair game application is fair game Always, ask your interviewer questionsAlways, ask your interviewer questions

DO NOT ask questions you could find the DO NOT ask questions you could find the answers to on the school’s websiteanswers to on the school’s website

Types of InterviewsTypes of Interviews

Faculty Faculty DeansDeansStudent (most common mistake: Student (most common mistake:

being too casual, comfortable with being too casual, comfortable with your interviewer)your interviewer)

Group/PanelGroup/Panel

Appropriate Dress: MenAppropriate Dress: Men

suit (black or blue)suit (black or blue)dark socksdark sockspolished dress shoes polished dress shoes hold off on colognehold off on colognegood deodorantgood deodorantwell-groomed hair well-groomed hair

Appropriate Dress: WomenAppropriate Dress: Women

suit (black, blue, or tan; pants or suit (black, blue, or tan; pants or skirt) skirt)

closed toe shoes closed toe shoes pantyhose (bring extras) pantyhose (bring extras) well-groomed hair well-groomed hair manicured nailsmanicured nailshold off on perfume hold off on perfume good deodorant good deodorant little jewelrylittle jewelry

Appropriate DressAppropriate Dress

Ways to be individual/ creativeWays to be individual/ creativemen: ties (sharp, crisp colors)men: ties (sharp, crisp colors)women: scarves, accessorieswomen: scarves, accessories

Inappropriate attire Inappropriate attire open toe shoes, sandalsopen toe shoes, sandalsdresses, short skirts dresses, short skirts

Basics about the Basics about the InterviewInterview

BE ON TIME. BE ON TIME.BE ON TIME. BE ON TIME.Research the school prior to the Research the school prior to the

interviewinterview If flying, bring light luggage that you If flying, bring light luggage that you

don’t have to check indon’t have to check in*** Be polite to everyone. (Treat *** Be polite to everyone. (Treat

everyone as a potential admissions everyone as a potential admissions interviewer)interviewer)

Basics about the Basics about the InterviewInterview

Turn off your cell phoneTurn off your cell phoneWinter time: wear boots, bring Winter time: wear boots, bring

shoes.shoes.Be prepared to go on walking tours.Be prepared to go on walking tours.Bring mints, mirror. Bring mints, mirror. Did I mention be on time!! If you Did I mention be on time!! If you

will be late, call the school’s will be late, call the school’s Admissions Office.Admissions Office.

Purpose of the Interview: Purpose of the Interview: Mutual Exchange of Mutual Exchange of

InformationInformationGather information about your Gather information about your

character.character.Give applicant an opportunity to Give applicant an opportunity to

explain interests or accomplishments explain interests or accomplishments which do not come across adequately which do not come across adequately on application.on application.

Allow interviewer to provide additional Allow interviewer to provide additional information about the school.information about the school.

Key Point: You are your own Key Point: You are your own salesperson!salesperson!

Preparing for the Preparing for the InterviewInterview

Reread your application and Reread your application and personal statement before your personal statement before your interview.interview.

Bring interview invitation and Bring interview invitation and information with you.information with you.

Know yourself. Be able to express Know yourself. Be able to express yourself. Think about how you can yourself. Think about how you can express the following:express the following:Areas/attributes of importance in Areas/attributes of importance in

preparing for a career in medicine.preparing for a career in medicine.Your past experiences and Your past experiences and

accomplishments that relate to these accomplishments that relate to these areas.areas.

Your strengths and weaknesses in the Your strengths and weaknesses in the following areas: academics, personal following areas: academics, personal attributes, and motivation.attributes, and motivation.

Preparing for the Preparing for the InterviewInterview

Preparing for the Preparing for the InterviewInterview

Preparing for the Preparing for the InterviewInterview

Again, research the schoolAgain, research the schoolCheck out their websitesCheck out their websitesPick a few things that you like about the Pick a few things that you like about the

schoolschoolStrengths and weaknesses of the Strengths and weaknesses of the

curriculumcurriculumDo mock interviewDo mock interview

The InterviewThe Interview

Start off with a firm handshake, Start off with a firm handshake, address the interviewer with title address the interviewer with title (Dr.)(Dr.)

Maintain good eye contactMaintain good eye contactLISTENLISTENRelax and be yourselfRelax and be yourselfAnswer the question that you are Answer the question that you are

askedaskedAnswer clearly and conciselyAnswer clearly and concisely

The Interview, cont.The Interview, cont.

Be humble. Avoid Be humble. Avoid anyany trace of trace of arrogance.arrogance.

Avoid inconsistencies in your Avoid inconsistencies in your responses to different interviewers.responses to different interviewers.

Avoid the appearance of fatigueAvoid the appearance of fatigue

CommunicationCommunication

Be mindful of nonverbal Be mindful of nonverbal communicationcommunicationLack of focusLack of focusPosturePostureNervous habitsNervous habits

Nail biting , toe tapping, hair twirlingNail biting , toe tapping, hair twirling

Verbal CommunicationVerbal CommunicationProper grammarProper grammarAvoid the non-essentials: like, umm, Avoid the non-essentials: like, umm,

yeah yeah