Description
Book SynopsisThe one-stop, comprehensive resource for students considering a career in medicine
In recent years, applying to and getting accepted to medical schools in the U.S. has become increasingly difficult. In 2020–2021, only 38% of the 53,370 students who applied to U.S. medical schools were accepted. For the most prestigious medical schools, the acceptance rate was just 1.4–2%. Pre-Medicine: The Complete Guide for Aspiring Doctors by Joel Thomas, Phillip Wagner, Ray Funahashi, and Nitin Agarwal is a comprehensive roadmap that guides aspiring physicians through the rigorous process of preparing for and getting into medical school in the U.S. By bringing together multiple authors with different life experiences and perspectives, this unique book has broad appeal to students from diverse backgrounds.
The text is organized by five sections: The Pre-Med Primer, Succeeding as a Pre-Medical Student, Applying to Medical School, Medical School and Career Insights, and an Appendix. This invaluable resource tackles challenging topics and addresses uncomfortable questions that necessitate engagement with multiple opposing viewpoints and careful data analysis. The first and foremost goal of this book is to provide essential information to individuals that need it to succeed in their pre-med and medical school journey.
Key Features
- Authors graduated from the U.S. News Top 20 medical schools and/or trained at a Doximity Top 20 residency program
- Demystifies the lengthy and confusing medical school application process, providing practical advice and evidence-based strategies for successfully tackling each step, starting in high school
- Provides readers with a realistic and honest picture of the daily challenges and rewards that aspiring physicians face—from pre-med to residency
This is a must-have resource for anyone who is considering a career in medicine. The no-holds-barred insights shared in this book will greatly optimize the chance of medical school applicants gaining admission to their top choice.
Table of ContentsSection I: The Pre-Med Primer
1. The 30,000-Foot View
2. What Medical Schools Look For
3. The Pre-Med Principles
4. The Types of Pre-Medical Students and Paths to Medical School
5. Building Your Narrative
6. Common Pre-Med Diseases and How to Treat Them
Section II: Succeeding as a Pre-Medical Student
7. Guaranteed Admission Programs and Early Assurance Programs
8. Schools, Majors, and More
9. Timing, Class Structure, and Personal Schedules
10. Obtaining a Solid GPA
11. Extracurriculars
12. Clinical Experiences
13. Shadowing
14. Volunteering
15. Research
16. Gap Years, Employment, Graduate Degrees, and Post-Baccalaureate Fellowships
17. Crushing the MCAT
18. Self-Care and Wellness
19. Finding Mentors
Section III: Applying to Medical School
20. The Big Picture
21. Before You Begin: Application Strength Analysis
22. Before You Begin: Application Cycle Prophylaxis
23. Letters of Recommendation
24. DO, MD, and International Schools
25. Dual-Degree Programs: MD/PhD, MPH, MBA, JD, and Others
26. Medical School Rankings
27. Making Your List: What Schools Do I Apply To?
28. Primary Application: AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS
29. Transcript Review
30. Activities and Meaningful Experiences
31. Personal Statement
32. Altus Suite: CASPer, Snapshot, and Duet
33. Secondary Application
34. Interviews
35. Interview Trail Travel and Attire
36. Wait-List and Update Letters
37. Financial Aid
38. Acceptance and Decisions: What Really Matters When Choosing the One School
39. Before and After Matriculation
40. Plan B and Reapplication
Section IV: Medical School and Career Insights
41. Real Talk on a Medical Career
42. Real Talk on the Medical School Experience
43. Real Talk on Succeeding in Medical School
44. A Peek at the Residency Application Process
45. A Day in the Life in Medicine
46. Nonclinical Careers
47. Stories of Inspiration
Section V: Appendix
Appendix A: Resources
Appendix B: Medical Specialties and Subspecialties
