Going through the medical school admissions process can be an overwhelming task. One way to go about this is to prepare yourself emotionally and mentally so that you’ll be able to send the requirements on time and increase your chances of getting admitted into your dream school.
Coming up with a winning “essay about myself”
The medical school “essay about myself” requirement is one way of conveying your values and qualities that are of utmost importance to you. However, this “essay on myself” requirement must be presented it a way that it will emphasize the characteristics that will justify your “about myself” side that is suitable for medical school. One of the most important points to discuss here is basically why you want to pursue medicine.
Career decision-making does not necessarily lie on pure reasons. That is why most aspiring medical students find it hard to express their desire to be a doctor. And most of the reasons will be like that of every other applicant. Thus, there is a need to show your uniqueness in conveying your ideas. Avoid clichés and ideal ideas that are so vague. It will be better to describe your most influential experiences and the message will just unfold naturally.(1)
Acing that med school exam
Another requirement for medical school is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is a tandardized entrance examination required by medical schools in the United States and Canada. It gauges the rospective applicants’ academic ability for medical school. Thus, every applicant should definitely give their full efforts in preparing for this exam. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the layout and types of questions that will be asked. Develop a plan about your target score and divide your time to study each subject area. Try answering sample questions to determine what your weaknesses are so you can work on them prior to the exam. It will be better if you answer sample questions under the prescribed length of time just like the real exam so you will be used to think better and faster under time constraints. Remember that practice is the key in learning this invaluable skill.(2)
Submitting your requirements on time
It will be more beneficial on your part if you submit your requirements earlier than the deadline, at least two weeks before the deadline or as soon as you have completed them. By doing so, you can have more time to process any deficiencies. Since you have completed your requirements, you will be able to properly mange your time for other application-related activities such as preparing for the MCAT or doing some volunteer works.(3)
(1) http://209.85.173.132/custom?q=cache:JfUpKz550QsJ:www.jhu.edu/admis/pdf/2009/universal_app_supplement.pdf+application+essay&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=google-csbe
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCAT
(3) http://www.swarthmore.edu/x8890.xml
Going into medical school is not an easy decision to make. There are several factors you have to consider. Plus, making sacrifices is part of pursuing a career in the medical field. To help you make the right decision, the following are the advantages and disadvantages of getting into med school.
Pros
Most of the people who became medical doctors or are currently medical students have been dreaming about it ever since they were young. As a very prestigious, rewarding, and established profession, a medical career surely is one of the best careers out there.(1) Furthermore, you will have the capacity to serve humanity by providing good medical services to your community. Pursuing a medical career also entails continuous learning, which means that your mind will not deteriorate. As a medical doctor, you will invariably be a leader and teacher of health in your community. And of course, once you are established, you can expect financial gains. Furthermore, it may be the most gratifying endeavour that you will do in your life.
Cons
Do not forget that as a medical doctor, you will literally be handling people’s lives. That is why studying medicine is one of the most gruelling, demanding, and extremely difficult academic paths you can ever take. The medical school will get the best out of you, and it will be very stressful.(2) It will also take much time to reach your goal, which is an established, high-earning practice of course. Usual attendance to a medical school would be four years of undergraduate studies, plus several years of internship, residency, and fellowships depending on your specialty. You will also be sacrificing much when you are in medical school, such as spending time with family and other affairs. Lastly, in the absence of a good scholarship aid, it is financially draining.
Do you really want to?
With the advantages and disadvantages of both studying in medical school and eventually practicing a medical career, you might think twice before pursuing it. If it is really your passion, and if you really believe that it is your calling, then it will be worthwhile. Just imagine yourself in other careers and if you still think that it’s medicine, then so be it. Just prepare yourself, physically and emotionally.(3) Another preparation you can do is to come up with a good essay about myself or admissions essay. To help you out, read a sample essay about myself online. A reliable sample essay about myself should help you come up with a concise and engaging med school admissions essay about myself.
(1) http://gradschool.about.com/od/medicalschool/f/advdoc.htm
(2) http://fmignet.aafp.org/online/fmig/index/medical-school/surviving.html
(3) http://www.phd-survey.org/advice/advice.htm
Attending medical school is no joke. There are a lot of factors that will call for intense physical and mental exercise, not to mention the rigorous training residents have to undergo after graduating from medical school. For that matter, it is important for a person to be firm and decided to be involved in the field of medicine.
What you need at the starting point
To start a career in medicine, you must first apply to a medical school. The application process itself may already be challenging because there are several requirements from students. For one, while a bachelor’s degree in any field is acceptable, you will be better equipped for medical school with a degree in the natural or social sciences. You must also take the MCAT and have an acceptable GPA in college. In addition, a personal statement is required when applying to medical school. To write an excellent personal statement, use the entries in sample essay about myself blogs as a guide.
Experiences to expect in medical school
Medical school education and training lasts for four years. The first two years are spent in classrooms where you will listen to lectures, take exams and learn and memorize a great amount of information. During the third year, you will be exposed to the clinical and practical side of what you’ve learned and will be required to apply the lessons. The fourth year is spent doing rounds in wards and surgical operations. By this time, you must also start to think about the field you want to specialize in.
After the graduation march
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you will have to train in a teaching hospital as a resident doctor. You’ll have to balance adequate rest and application of your lessons in the hospital for several years, depending on which specialization you are training for. The more complicated and more challenging specializations require up to seven years of training while the less challenging ones require only three years at the least. After your residency, you may opt to undergo more specialized training through a fellowship. The fellowship may last for two to three years.
More challenges but also more rewards
The road does not end for a doctor who is able to stand on his or her own two feet. To earn a living, you must continue your practice. Depending on how you work, you may go through every working day dealing with moderately stressful situations or face major challenges like getting sued for malpractice. Moreover, depending on your specialization, you may earn around $100,000 to several million dollars per year. So, to get to the peak of your medical career, you have to be dedicated to the field and love your job.
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