MEDICAL SCHOOL: THE BASICS, SOME TIPS, AND HOW WE ENDED UP HERE

1. MEDICAL SCHOOL: THE BASICS, SOME TIPS, AND HOW WE ENDED UP HERE A talk by UCSF students Sharon Orbach Jonathan Robbins 9/21/11

2. ABOUT US • 3rd Year UCSF Medical Students • In Salinas at Natividad Medical Center, currently completing our Family Medicine clerkship

3. OUTLINE • Topics you want us to cover • Basic requirements/Timeline • Alternate paths • Tips from Sharon • Jonathan • Sharon • Questions

4. GENERAL PREMED REQUIREMENTS A year of Chemistry along with the appropriate laboratory courses A year of Organic Chemistry along with laboratory courses A year of Biology along with laboratory courses A year of Physics along with laboratory courses A year of English A year of Calculus or other advanced math classes, including Statistics MCAT: computerized, multiple-choice test Offered monthly at Prometric testing sites throughout the country Four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences

5. SAMPLE TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION DIRECTLY AFTER UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES • First and second year – finish premedical requirements, participate in prehealth activities such as volunteering, research, • Third year – continue prehealth activities, maintain a strong GPA, take MCAT, and find recommenders • Summer after third year – apply online using the AMCAS, the earlier the application is submitted, the better! • Fourth year – Secondary applications, received invitations to interview, matriculate by May 15

6. ALTERNATIVE TIMELINE • A year off between undergraduate and medical school • Post bac programs – finish your pre-med requirements! • Strengthen your application • working in a medical field, Teach For America, MPH, Research, Volunteer work, and travel abroad

7. ABOUT THE AMCAS • The AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) is a common online application used by all medical schools during the application process • Required sections include • Undergraduate transcript • Activities & Awards • Personal statement explaining desire to go to medical school • Secondary applications vary by school • Questions tailored to school • Short answer questions about ethics

8. FINANCIAL AID • Medical school tuition generally costs $50k per year • Most schools offer financial aid • The federal government offers loans through the Stafford program, which don’t have to be paid back until after graduation and accrue interest with a fixed, subsidized rate • Physician salaries depend on specialty, but here are some averages: • Family practice: $204k • Pediatrics: $175k • Emergency Medicine: $216k • General surgery: $291k • Radiology $354k

9. More than Grades and Tests • Extracurricular Activities • Volunteering/shadowing/Jobs • Teaching Role • Leadership Role • Community engagement • Sports • Hobbies—eg music • Research • Letters of Recommendation

10. **TIPS** • Keep a CV • Do what YOU love (it’s your time) • Show interest/Take initiative/Be Curious • Be proactive • Collect Mentors (advocates)

11. JONATHAN’S PATH • University of Virginia, 2005, Political and Social Thought, minor in biology • Most certainly NOT pre-med in college

12. TO MED SCHOOL OR NOT TO MED SCHOOL • PhD vs. MD • MD vs. MD/PhD vs MD/MS or MD/MPH • Post-bac requirements • The interviewing trail • Joint Medical Program • 5 year, UC-Berkeley, UCSF combined MD/MS • No lectures! • Small group, case based learning • Serious thesis

13. “YOU ARE EXCHANGING YOUR YOUTH FOR THIS SECRET KNOWLEDGE.”DR. WILLIAM P. SCHECTERTRAUMA SURGEONSAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL