Medical schools are highly competitive. The national acceptance rate is 43 per centum, according to information compiled by the Clan of American Medical Colleges. Utilise these height ten tips from doctors and medical students to help you set up for your pre-health profession.

1. Get Some Medical Experience on Your Résumé

Job shadow with doctors and other medical professionals. Admissions committees don't expect applicants to have real experience actually treating patients. After all, you're non a doc however. But they do want to know that y'all've spent fourth dimension getting to know what your future job would exist similar. Task shadowing is a cracking mode to get some medical experience but at that place are other non-shadowing opportunities that may be available to you.

"Med school admissions committees want students to have realistic expectations for what a career in medicine will be like. says Dr. Sarah Carlson, a vascular surgery resident at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, who has too served on a medical school admissions commission. As an undergraduate, she volunteered to file 10-rays at the local infirmary, then parlayed that into an opportunity to talk with the radiologist. He explained both how to read ten-ray films, and why he chose his profession. "It's those types of interactions that are of import to take under your belt," she says. "Quite frankly, medicine isn't for everyone, and then information technology'due south all-time if yous exercise some soul-searching and spend some time with the people who have the job you want. Most doctors are happy to sit down downwards with students who are considering a career in medicine."

Other ways to become medical experience include becoming a Certified Nursing Banana (CNA), a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), or as a hospital scribe doing data entry. Some applicants are able to gain clinical experience by helping to care for family unit members.

2. Do Research Projects

Student holding a pippet and looking at a bottle

Demonstrate your hands-on science knowledge. "Undergraduate research experience really shines through on medical schoolhouse applications. Most medical schools want students who are interested in research, and the best way to bear witness that interest is to come up in having already gotten your feet wet" says Dr. Carlson. She did pipetting and ran assays for Dr. Pushpa Murthy's lab at Michigan Technological Academy. Information technology was a small-scale role of the research, only she conveyed the overall impact. "I had to explain at my interviews that the larger scope of the inquiry was about inositol phosphate metabolism."

Medical pupil Carly Joseph did long-term enquiry in engineered biomaterials. "Sticking with it gave me time to larn how to recollect critically and ignited my passion for science," she says. "I started off simply learning about biomaterials from older students in the lab, then gradually worked up to doing my own experiments and eventually presenting at conferences." By choosing to make enquiry a main priority each semester she was able to form shut relationships with faculty mentors and accomplish more than during undergrad than she ever imagined.

In addition to college-based inquiry programs, you tin can investigate summer offerings, including those through the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program or bank check out the AAMC database for summer undergrad research programs

3. Put in Time Serving Others

Dr. Carlson volunteered with the Big Brothers-Big Sisters organization. So did Joseph. Rake leaves, build an accessibility ramp, clean the beach, walk a domestic dog. In that location are lots of not-clinical options for volunteering that demonstrate your willingness to pay it forward and give dorsum.

"They have many different programs and services." Joseph, accepted into Key Michigan University'south College of Medicine, was office of the Forever Friends plan, matched with an elderly woman she visited a few times each month. "I 've formed a peachy friendship with her, and hopefully, helped alleviate some loneliness. It 's a win-win!"

"Doctors are mostly pretty altruistic people, and med schools want to see that you lot care about your community or accept some drive to contribute to the greater adept," says Dr. Carlson. "Community service comes in many forms, and really annihilation qualifies, from trash cleanup and mentorship programs to working the concession stand up at a fund-raiser for a charity—anything that requires some unpaid time for a skilful cause."

Ask your pre-health professions advisor nearly volunteering opportunities on campus or in your community, which could include helping at local food banks or blood drives, local shelters for the homeless or those dealing with domestic violence. You could tutor, deliver good companionship and Meals on Wheels, or walk the dogs at a local brute shelter. Take an culling jump break and work with Habitat for Humanity or on developing make clean water sources for Tertiary World countries. Check with your schoolhouse for a list of customs and global partners information technology works with who tin use your fourth dimension and talents. The mentors you develop volition come in handy when it's fourth dimension to get together recommendation letters—well-nigh schools ask for at least 3—and the friendships you develop will last a lifetime.

4. Choose a Major Yous Volition Excel In

Grades aren't everything, but they're extremely important. Choose a field of study that will yield a competitive GPA (grade point boilerplate). The recommended GPA for medical school applicants is 3.7 for MDs (medical doctors), 3.5 for DOs (doctors of osteopathy), and 3.4 for NDs (Doctor of Naturopathic). While many students who are planning careers in medicine determine to major in biology, Dr. Carlson earned her bachelor'due south in chemistry. Many of her colleagues majored in even more unexpected fields, including engineering, English language, music, and classics.

"It 's OK if you lot 're not on the pre-med track right away when you start college; pursue experiences that genuinely involvement y'all and rely on guidance from your kinesthesia mentors to navigate your path"

There is no such thing every bit a pre-med major, says pre-health professions counselor Nicole Seigneurie, who works with students preparing for medical careers at Michigan Technological Academy. "There are so many dissimilar programs students tin use to." You will however need to do well in both your cumulative and your science GPA, classes like biology, physics, chemical science, and math, that are required for medical schoolhouse admission. If yous are struggling in any classes, get help right away.

During her fourth year, Joseph had to have many of the medical schoolhouse prerequisite classes that were non part of her engineering curriculum and build a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) study plan into her schedule.

v. Apply to Multiple Schools

Student sitting at a laptop

Improve your odds by not placing all your hopes on one school. Do individual enquiry on each school, says Seigneurie; application requirements can vary from schoolhouse to school and from twelvemonth-to-year.

She also notes that you can reach out to admission committees with specific questions nearly the programme and expectations. And, she says, don't be bummed if at beginning yous don't succeed. Try once again. "If you don 't get accepted into the school of your dreams, it 's OK! Schools have many applicants and tin 't take everyone," says McKenzie, who was accepted into the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. "My dad, who has been a family unit medico for 29 years, oftentimes tells me, "An MD is an MD, it doesn't matter where you get to school."

"Don't take it personally when you go some rejections—they happen at every stage of the game. If you cast a wide net, you'll increase your likelihood of getting an credence."Dr. Carlson

Other ways to get noticed among the hundreds or fifty-fifty thousands of medical school applications submitted each twelvemonth: send supplemental materials beyond your application. For example, "if you've published a paper, consider sending a copy of the publication with a handwritten annotation to the manager of admissions, indicating you really hope to be considered for acceptance," she says.

half dozen. Study Early and Ofttimes for the Medical Higher Admission Test, or MCAT

MCAT scores range from 472-528. Accepted medical students average around 508. Recommended study fourth dimension: 300-350 hours.

Take a course and buy books and report on your own. Find the method that works for you. Take practice tests many times and don't allow your do scores spook y'all, says McKenzie. "I used the Kaplan book series, and studied by reading, highlighting, and taking notes. The existent MCAT was not every bit hard as the Kaplan test, in my opinion." The pre-health professions counselor can help you find the resource you need.

You can also bring together a pre-wellness professions club or clan at your school, including Blastoff Epsilon Delta, the national honour society for health pre-professionals. Members help each other get set for tests, along with hosting speakers and events to help proceeds knowledge and experience.

vii. Larn Another Language

"I speak Spanish almost every day at piece of work," says Dr. Carlson. "It 's what I use the near from my premed pedagogy." Joseph spent a semester in Chile. "Focusing on linguistic communication, culture, and people challenged me in a me in ways that technical classes couldn't and was critical in my preparation for medical school. If yous 're thinking most studying abroad, do it. Communication and understanding unlike cultures are crucial skills for anyone entering the medical field, and medical schools wait for applicants who make the try to broaden their horizons culturally."

Medical volunteer programs abroad are another option to gain both life and wellness-care related experiences. Students are placed in hospitals and clinics in both rural and urban settings where staff is inadequate. Piece of work, with professional guidance, tin can include giving vaccinations and other tasks interacting directly with patients, as well as helping to make facilities cleaner and more attainable. Programs are commonly for people aged xviii and older

8. Don't Skimp on Extracurricular Activities

Students playing trumpets with a choir behind.

Testify that you're interested in other things also schoolwork. Dr. Carlson says having outside interests makes you stand up out (she plays violin in an orchestra). "It's OK to indicate some of these personal interests on your med school applications—they give the interviewers something to relate to you with," she says. "I interviewed one applicant who only got a C in biochemistry, but he wrote lots of letters to the admissions committee highlighting his other strengths. Nosotros accepted him, and he turned out to be a star."

"Medical schools like to encounter commitment in their applicants, be information technology to sports, piece of work, or extracurricular activities," says McKenzie. "It 's easier to not join clubs and just exercise homework and relax, but devoting time now to extracurricular commitments is worth information technology in the long run. These experiences also give you skillful opportunities to become to know people who tin write the letters of recommendation."

Joseph says to choose activities based on what works all-time for y'all. Aim for quality rather than quantity.

"There 's a lot of pressure to have as many leadership roles as possible and be involved in tons of student organizations. For me though, having a few deep and lasting experiences was the way to get. I chose to invest my fourth dimension in enquiry, improving my Spanish, and volunteering," she says.

9. Be Polite and Be Yourself at Interviews

Research the schools y'all're interested in and look at mission statements, so you know something nigh the establishment that yous tin can share at the interview. Practice answering interview questions. When yous arrive, be courteous to everyone you run into at the interview, including the receptionist.

"Schools are interested in learning what kind of student and person you are," says McKenzie. Schools invest in students and are looking for a good fit.

If you demand help with effective trunk language, knowing how to dress professionally or for other tips, check out your school's Career Services office, which may offer mock interview opportunities and other techniques to help you present your best cocky.

10. Be Ready to Explain Why You lot Want to be a Dr.

Standing student in business attire writing in a notebook

Avert generic answers like "I want to assist people." There'southward no one right reply. Be specific. Tell your story.

McKenzie's dream centers on helping people shut to dwelling house, in an underserved surface area that suffers from chronic physician shortages. "I have ever wanted to return to the Houghton-Hancock area, where I grew up, and to serve my rural community."

For Joseph, the dream centers on combining a passion for science with helping others in a direct way.

Dr. Carlson 's dream started when she was five years erstwhile and her sis was born with cystic fibrosis. She reminds applicants to go across that initial inspiration during application interviews and explain how you've prepared for a grueling process that is not for anybody. "After medical school comes residency, and and then—for some—fellowship, bookish track positions, publications, and navigating an always-evolving health care system," says Dr. Carlson.

Bonus Tips for Getting into Medical Schoolhouse

Dr. Carlson has two more important suggestions to help you successfully apply to medical school:

Inquire a Mentor or Counselor to Choice Upward the Phone and Brand a Call for Y'all

"This is an unwritten rule that everyone does and nobody ever told me until I was several years into my training," says Dr. Carlson. "If you desire to go to a item school, find a style to have 1 of your mentors or advisors reach out to the admissions committee on your behalf."

For example, if you wanted to go to the University of Michigan inquire your counselor or some other mentor to telephone call the managing director of admissions or whatever other person they know and advocate for you lot. Electronic mail can also be effective, she says. "Information technology'due south a bonus if your mentor/advisor actually has a personal contact at the medical school you're interested in. "There is a culture of 'I can vouch for this person' that goes very far in the medical world. A phone telephone call won't go you in if your awarding is terrible, only if y'all're on the cusp of acceptance and someone makes a call on your behalf, it can requite you the button you need to be accepted."

Don't Exist Agape to Self-Promote (In a Apprehensive Way).

"Information technology's OK to highlight the accomplishments you're proud of; put these in your required personal argument or find a manner to piece of work them into conversation during interviews. The key is to practice it humbly only confidently: 'I was fortunate enough to win a instruction laurels from my fourth dimension as a chemistry lab TA, and that's something I'm really proud of.' Information technology'southward OK to exist proud of your own achievements! Selectively highlighting a few make your application stand up out from the rest."

Exercise you have the personal skills it takes for a career in medicine?

Medical students must be dedicated and focused. "A significant amount of personal sacrifice comes along with the training, and if you don't have a great motivation, y'all won't find the sacrifice worth the reward," says Dr. Carlson. If you can answer yes to these questions, or you're willing to find the resources to work to develop any of these vital skills you could meliorate, you lot increase your chances of being able to accomplish what information technology takes to exist accepted into medical school.

Are you empathetic, mature, and emotionally intelligent?

Compassionate people are kind. They are aware of suffering in the self and other living things, and they want to assistance alleviate suffering. Mature people are able to accept responsibility. They are considerate of others, patient, and supportive of others, amidst other qualities. Emotionally intelligent people are aware of their emotions. They tin can harness and utilise their emotions to problem-solving and other tasks and manage emotions—like existence able to cheer up yourself, or other people, or to infuse calm into a state of affairs.

Are you hard-working?

Difficult-working people are conscientious nearly correctly performing duties and tasks on time. They are willing to put in the hours necessary to achieve goals.

Are you lot a high achiever?

High-achieving people are motivated to set and complete ambitious goals. They have a passion to excel in the field they choose to work in and are not daunted by obstacles.

Are you socially conscious?

Socially conscious people strive to stay informed and enlightened most the world around them, including how people interact with the economic system, teaching, and both physical and social environments.

Do you have first-class quantitative and qualitative skills?

People with quantitative skills tin perform analyses and other concrete and measurable tasks. 2 examples of quantitative skills are data interpretation and math. People with qualitative skills are able to perform broad skills. Resilience and inventiveness are two examples of qualitative skills.

Pre-Health Professions at Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech's placement charge per unit into medical school is 60 to 70 percentage (well above the national boilerplate) and is near 100 percent for concrete therapy school. Choose a pre-health profession and prepare for your hereafter today.