Looking to Get Your Medical Doctorate? 4 Things You Need to Know Before You Apply
Are you interested in becoming a doctor? Before you apply for the MCAT, there are some things you need to know. Here are five things you need to know before you apply for a medical doctorate.
- What Is The MCAT and What Is On the Test?
In an article by Dan Diomand on Forbes.com, she says, “…admissions committees rely heavily on a student’s MCAT score when making their decisions.” The MCAT is a computer-based, multiple-choice standardized test required for admission into a medical college.
The exam measures a student’s knowledge of general chemistry, organic chemistry, general biology, biochemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology. This exam will test your critical analysis and reasoning skills and takes approximately seven and a half hours to complete.
You will need to be able to apply your knowledge to interpret and solve complex problems. The exam rewards students on their ability to apply test content in these four areas:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Sign Up, Study and Prepare for The Exam
Be prepared to study for a minimum of eight weeks. Keeping this in mind, make sure you sign up to take the MCAT and allow yourself plenty of time to study. Also, you need to know when your application is due for admissions, which will also help determine which test date is best for you to sign-up for. Check for the MCAT registration dates and make a plan for when you will register.
There are several ways to study and prepare for the medical college admission exam. One option is to sign up for an online or in-person prep class. These classes are designed to help prepare you for the exam by giving you study tips, sample questions, and practice tests.
Another option is to join a local study group or find one online. Having a group of people to study with will give you a better understanding of what areas you need to study more. Lastly, if you prefer to study with one person, you can find a study partner. Focusing on one-on-one interaction with another person who is taking the exam will give you time to help each other and take plenty of practice exams.
- Research Medical Schools
It is extremely important to do your research on medical schools. You can begin by searching online for potential schools. Find articles that rate the schools and discuss the programs they offer. Plan a visit to several schools you are looking to apply at. While you are visiting the school, set up a meeting with the admissions office. Have a list of questions ready to ask about the school, the medical program, and anything else that is important for you in a school.
While at school, talk with current students and get first-hand knowledge of what you can expect at the school. You can also meet with recent graduates or alumni of the schools to get another perspective. Make sure you know your options and choose which school is the best one for you.
- Know The Admissions Process
When applying to medical school, it is important to know the admissions process. Make sure to do your research to know deadlines and what the application needs to include. Getting acquainted with the process will help you be better prepared when the time comes to submit your application. Make sure you have everything you need to get into the school of your choice.
Before you apply to medical school, there are some important things you need to know. In order to get into the school of your choice, you need to make sure you are fully prepared for the process and choose the right school for you.
