ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Each medical school establishes its own admission requirements. The
details of these vary considerably. If you are interested in a particular
school, you should study its specific requirements. Most schools specify
one year of course work each in biology and physics, and two years of
chemistry. These courses must include laboratory work. A year of English
(with emphasis on writing skills) is a common requirement. About forty
percent of medical schools have a math requirement, and half of these
specify calculus. Most medical schools recommend a broad background in
the social sciences and humanities; some have specific requirements.
A number of medical schools have additional science requirements--many
recommend additional courses in biology and chemistry. The courses most
commonly suggested are biochemistry, genetics, and
developmental biology.
The program suggested would also be appropriate for dental schools;
physics is not covered on the Dental Admission Test, but it is required for
admission.
Most medical and dental schools do not consider "S" an acceptable grade
in a required course. Thus, all courses taken to meet professional school
requirements should be taken for a letter grade. Since an admissions
committee cannot judge whether an S is an A or a D (and is more likely to
assume the latter), it is seldom advisable to take any course on an S/U
basis. Good grades and strong test scores are very important factors
in the admission process, and since medical school admission is very
competitive, students must develop strong work habits and not be
distracted from their goals.
You can review a list of the top 50 medical
schools in the country
ACQUIRE EXPERIENCE IN A MEDICAL SETTING
Medical schools require that a student have experience in a medical setting, meaningful leadership skills, a demonstrated willingness to help others through voluntary service, and a well-rounded education and personality. Medical experiences can be acquired in any number of creative ways.
Volunteering in hospitals will help you gain experience in the medical field
and better understand your own interests. In addition,
it adds valuable credentials to your resume. A good way to start
is to volunteer in an emergency room, where you will have
an opportunity
to help on a variety of tasks.
It may also provide an opportunity for you to get to know individual
physicians and connect with specific divisions
(e.g. pediatric, cardiology)
so that you can shadow the
clinicians as they go about their daily clinical rounds. In
addition to watching them, actually helping with specific tasks or
projects will be a valuable experience.
Emory holds orientation for its volunteers periodically,
about once every semester. After the orientation, each volunteer
has an interview with the volunteer manager, Tracy Russell-Gonzalez.
Her number is (404)712-7638.
Emory House Staff Assistant Program is a good outlet
for gaining first-hand medical training.
Piedmont hospital is also a good place and it is easier to get in.
Their volunteer number is (404)605-3273. Some of the students
have dealt with Shirley Holberg and they like her.
It will be ok to deal with anyone in charge.
They normally are very helpful.
Enroll in an internship: Investigate the possibility of
doing an internship in a medical setting.
Check with the career center. Some places that you can consider, e.g.,
Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention,
Chemistry Internet Resource for Research by Undergraduate.
Consider internships both locally and in your home town.
Become an EMT: There are three levels of certification: EMTs can be certified as Basic,
Intermediate, or Paramedic. Basic is the
lowest level of certification, then
Intermediate, and Paramedic is the most
advanced.
EMT-Basics can assess vital signs such as
pulse, blood pressure, and respiration.
They may control bleeding, administer
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), treat
shock victims, immobilize fractures, apply
bandages, splint fractures, treat and
assist heart attack victims, and conduct
emergency childbirth. EMT-Basics use and
care for emergency equipment, and know
dispatch language and terminology.
EMT-Intermediates complete the duties of an
EMT-Basic and more advanced procedures.
These procedures include using
defibrillators (electronic devices that
apply an electric shock to restore the
rhythm of a fibrillating heart), and other
intensive care procedures.
EMT-Paramedics have the highest level of
certification and are authorized to
administer intravenous drugs and to operate
complicated life-support equipment. In
addition, EMT-Paramedics learn to interpret
electrocardiograms (EKGs) and perform
endotracheal intubations.
You can learn
more about becoming a certified EMT by visiting
this website on EMT which has
information about EMT training.
