medical school application essays

It is a common notion that one who applies and gets accepted in medical school should always be a science major, with an undergraduate course in the field of biology or chemistry. But what if you have taken up linguistics or arts related major in college? Would you still qualify for admission in a medical school?

The answer is yes, you can still qualify for admission in a medical school. There may be additional course units, however, that you still have to take. Like other medical school students, you also need to fulfill the requirements for admission in a medical school. These include letters of recommendation, personal statements, and the entrance exam. For non-science majors, here are some tips that could help you go by:

* Even if you have a non-science major back in college, chances are, you still have science subjects that you have attended. Make sure that you have passing marks in all of them to increase your chances of getting admitted.

* Before you apply to a medical school, make sure you have taken these science courses: biology, chemistry, physics, and maths. Some medical schools would require you to have units in basic psychology. If you haven’t taken these courses yet, then you have to take at least units of these to qualify for admission in a medical school.

* There are also certain non-science courses that serve as prerequisites for medical school. These are English, humanities, and some social sciences.

* Write your personal statement really well. In the typical personal statements of medical school applicants, they usually detail their experiences in dissection, mixing chemicals, naming organic compounds, and other lab work. Without a solid scientific background, what you ought to do is to establish the link between the medical field and your own non-science endeavors. Also discus traits or skills that you have developed through your non-science major.

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A career in the medical field does not simply mean attending medical school, poring through medical books, or wearing scrubs. You also have to consider which specific medical specialization you are going to build a career on. After all, you also have to help yourself survive and make a living.

Need help in choosing your own medical specialization? You may get your cue from the most competitive medical specializations listed below:

* Neurosurgery - This is medical specialization deals with the nervous system or the brain in particular. It is a highly competitive medical specialization because it is so meticulous. There is no room for mistakes in neurosurgery, as you deal mainly with the central organ of the human body. If you commit even just a single mistake during a surgery, patients on the operating table may suffer from paralysis, coma, psychosis, brain damage, or even death.  Despite the risks, some med students still choose to specialize in neurosurgery because of the challenge and excitement it brings.

* Dermatology - This medical field is mostly concerned with skin care. It is competitive basically because people have been so concerned about their physical looks, especially the condition of their skins. Dermatology is otherwise known as the science of skin care, which covers skin conditions that range from purely cosmetic (skin whitening, skin tanning, wart removal, acne removal) to treatment of skin diseases (melanoma, impetigo, dermatitis, Hodgkin’s lymphoma). Pay is also competitive in the field of dermatology. Aside from numerous skin problems dermatologists have to deal with, they also have to be updated with the latest techniques and technology used in the field of skin care.

Applying to med school

When applying to med school, you may submit medical school application essays that also include the medical specialization you wish to take. State good reasons for your choice and how the field may benefit you or serve a particular interest. Just make sure that your  medical school application essays are brief but engaging enough to hook readers from top to end.  Ideally,  medical school application essays should let readers know more about you through your personal interest, traits, and experiences.

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Choosing the field of specializations is one big decision to make in the career of a medical practitioner. Medical specializations are the specific line of expertise of a medical practitioner. If you are a medical practitioner, you might be needing some help in choosing your medical specialization. Here are some tips to guide you through:

* Never let salary be the sole reason in choosing the field of specialization that you would like to take. Look for a specialization that will help you gain personal satisfaction and professional recognition by doing what you love most.
* Focus on a medical specialization that you are passionate about, one which is aligned with your skill set. That way, you will be able to do your duties effectively, so all else will follow.

Below is a shortlist of popular medical specializations:

* Pediatrics - This is a medical field that is most concerned with the health and welfare of infants and children. Pediatricians check for the young patient’s vital signs, as well as ensure the kid’s physical, mental, and social health. They also give tips and appropriate medication to avoid chronic illnesses and maintain proper nutrition in children. This medical specialization is quite popular because pediatrics generally have many patients to care for.

* Plastic Surgery - This medical specialization is most concerned with the reconstruction of physical deformities as well as the enhancement of physical features. In other words, plastic surgeons are called the doctors of beauty, because they are the ones who are known to deal with appearances. They perform surgeries on patients who need to improve a part of their body.

* Obstetrics and Gynecology - This medical specialization deals with the female reproductive health. Pregnant or not, women should schedule regular check-ups with their OB Gynes. This way, they can treat any hormonal imbalance or abnormality.  OB Gynes also help ensure safer delivery for pregnant women.

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A teaching hospital is a medical institution that provides two-tiered service. Aside from medical care and services, its facilities are also used for the practice of medical interns and other medical professionals. Looking for the best teaching hospital in the United States? Following is a list of the top three teaching hospitals in the USA:

* Johns Hopkins Hospital –  Named as one of the best medical institutions and teaching hospitals in the country for 18 years, Johns Hopkins Hospital is also known for specialized services in the field of neurosurgery, pediatrics, endocrinology, and urology. Be an expert in one of these many fields when you practice at John Hopkins Hospital. This teaching hospital also gained recognition for the the first ever operation on a blue baby, the identification of the three types of polio viruses, and the discovery of restriction enzymes. This medical institution offers good training and education for its in-house medical practitioners.

* Massachusetts General Hospital - This teaching hospital is one of the oldest medical institutions in the country. Massachusetts General Hospital has been known to be a highly innovative medical institution. This teaching hospital constantly seeks out new ways to improve medical and clinical practices through its affiliation with Harvard Medical School. This institution has also one of the biggest funding for a hospital-based research program, which is up to $400 million every year.

* Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center - All its medical services and programs are consistently getting recognition due to the top-notch medical services and programs it offer. The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is also highly regarded for its low mortality rate, advanced medical equipment, and quality of its medical practitioners. What keeps the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center afloat on the list of top teaching hospitals in US is its investments on the field of education and training.

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What does it mean when a medical school has the lowest student-teacher ratio? How does student-teacher ratio affect the quality of education? Read on to find out.

* A medical school with low student-teacher ratio is concerned on building an interactive relationship with its students more than on being the biggest medical institution in the country or in the world.
* This kind of medical school may be more concerned on the quality of education and the training it provides rather than the number of its students
* A medical school with one of the lowest student-teacher ratio screens its applicants so carefully that not many students actually get the chance to make it to admission.

In short, medical schools that maintain a low student-teacher ratio may offer quality education because of the close interaction it offers between teachers and students. By maintaining a more open communication line and ensuring that each student can cope with the learning pace, these medical schools are known for the professional training and academic excellence they offer students.

So, which medical schools right now have the lowest student-teacher ratio? Here’s a shortlist:

* Harvard Medical School
The secret to Harvard Medical School’s success is the quality of education it provides. With over 10,000 esteemed members of the faculty, this med school strives for academic excellence. By focusing on the education of each student, Harvard Medical has  built a solid reputation as one of the top med schools in the country.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Like other reputable med schools, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine offers high quality education and training to students with low student-teacher ratio. This med school is also known for its method of teaching, combining  intensive clinical mentoring with  basic science education. This is what they call the “Hopkins Model.”

* Washington University School of Medicine
This St. Louis, Missouri medical school is known for having a low admission rate. This is because the administration wants to rigidly screen applicants in able to preserve the quality of its graduates and integrity of the med school.. With low student-teacher ratio, this medical school is able to provide equal opportunity and quality education to each student.

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The AMA style, developed by the American Medical Association, is a format used for citation. This is used to cite references that you used in writing your research papers. You can use the AMA style in writing your documents or papers on medicine, health, and science-related topics. This style is more frequently used by medical journalists, medical practitioners, and medical students when they do their research.

Guidelines on the AMA format

Sources are enumerated at the end of the paper. The sources are listed based on their chronological appearance on the paper. Every entry is numbered and not bulleted. And the citation elements are separated by periods.

Rules in citation

In the case when some elements are not present, just proceed to the next element in the chronology. You can only put the page number if you cited a text in a specific page. When you write the author’s name, put the last name first, followed by a comma, then the first name and the middle initial last.

Chronology of elements for book citations

In book citations, you have to put the author’s name first on the list, then the chapter title, the editor’s or the translator’s name, the book title, volume number, book edition, the place of publication, book publisher, copyright year, and lastly, the page numbers.

Chronology of elements for journal citations

For journal articles, the article title and subtitle comes first, followed by the abbreviated name of the journal; then, comes the year of publication. What come next are the volume number and then the supplement number. Last, you have to input the page number.

In journal articles, you don’t have to write the first name of the writer. Just write the last name, the first name initial, and the middle initial.

Chronology of elements for Internet sources

For sources gathered from the Internet, the necessary elements are the author’s name, the article or the name of the web page, the URL source, and the date of accession.

Rules in citing Internet sources

Although citing online sources is not advised, it is now acceptable in the AMA style. When the source is an abstract of the study or from an online journal, you have to put it inside brackets. Never forget to include the notation of the online journal you cited.

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There are many things you can do to ensure survival in med school. One of the essentials in surviving med school is by joining study group sessions. Joining study sessions have many benefits for med school students. For one, you can find out which among your medical school classmates can be your regular partner when you study for exams. Study group sessions will also give you a chance to improve your study habits and, as a result, your performance in the academe.

Being responsible

Because study group sessions are functional if every member performs his or her duty well, there is no room for you to procrastinate. You have to bear in mind that, in a study group, your efforts have to benefit all the members of the study group, so you have to be responsible for all the tasks assigned to you.

Sharing ideas

One great feature of study group sessions is the sharing of ideas among the members. In these sessions, you have a chance to explain a concept to everybody or pose questions that the group can brainstorm on. Through these exchanges of ideas, you will learn many things. You will also have better chances of knowing what to expect on your tests because of these discussions.

Developing essential skills

Friendship and better study habits are not the only things established in study group sessions. You will also have a room for the development of your skills necessary in succeeding in the career path you choose. In study group sessions, you will develop your self-confidence and improve your interpersonal skills which are very important skills needed by a doctor. The sessions will also train you to improve your listening skills, attention span, and ability to recall. The exchange and analysis of ideas in group sessions will also enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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There are many requirements in applying for a medical school. Among the most important requirements are the medical school application essays. Another important thing that matters greatly in the admissions process aside from the medical school application essays is the interview. The following are some tips on how to create a good impression during the admissions interview.

* Come to the interview wearing the proper attire

It is very important that you wear proper attire for the interview. You don’t have to wear a designer suit or dress to impress the interviewer. Just wear clothes that would give you a professional-looking aura. If you are a guy, wear a carefully ironed suit and if you are a girl, choose a slightly conservative dress. It is advisable that you should not wear accessories, heavy makeup, and cologne or perfume to avoid distracting the interviewer.

* Sit properly during the interview

During the interview, you have to sit straight to appear as a no-nonsense individual. Sitting straight also gives the impression that you are professional and attentive. This is very important because your behavior greatly matters in an interview.

* Be sincere in answering the questions

You have to be honest in answering questions. You should not exaggerate in your answers just to impress the interviewer. You have to remember that the interviewer is experienced in what he or she is doing, so that person can easily tell if you are lying.

* Be polite during the interview

Some interviewers will really make you nervous. Stay cool and calm, this is just a trap. The interviewer is just testing your temper. So be cool all the time. Always show your respect. You should also remember to say thank you after your interview is done.

Bearing these tips in mind will help you survive the medical school interview. Always remember that the admissions interview is as precious as your medical school application essays, so you have to take both seriously.

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When you are equipped with a medical degree, your concern is where to pursue your medical practice. You can choose between a private hospital or a government hospital. But before you make a decision, you have to consider your priorities. You have to determine if your concern in medical practice is the equipment, facility, or salary. To help you decide what type of hospital suits your wants and needs, read the following comparison between practicing in a government hospital and in a private one.

Difference between a government hospital and a private hospital

A government hospital or public hospital is a medical institution funded by the government. The budget for the operation of this hospital comes from the government. A private hospital, on the other hand, is a medical institution run by private owners and medical insurers.

Salaries

Working in a private hospital means a higher salary than working in a hospital run by the government. Aside from the comparatively low salary in a government hospital, working in it can be so stressful because there is a large number of patients in this hospital. Remember that a government hospital charges lower than private medical institutions.

Debts

In case you were one of the recipients for the government’s financial support program when you were studying, working in a government hospital is an easy and fast way to pay off your debts. You just have to perform public service to pay off your debts, and one way of doing this is by becoming a resident in a government hospital.

Medical facilities and equipment

If you want to work in a hospital that has complete and up-to-date medical equipment, a private hospital is for you. A private hospital has enough funds to buy advanced facilities. A government hospital, on the other hand, has a limited budget so it lags behind a privately owned one in terms of equipment and other facilities.

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Medical school can be quite expensive. One way to lessen the financial burden of pursuing your study in a medical school is through a student loan. When you come to a point when you need financial aid, you can come to your school’s financial aid office or money lenders for loans. You don’t have to worry too much because paying off student loans has become quite convenient. You don’t have to be a big shot professional to be able to pay off your student loans. You just have to bear in mind the following tips:

* Determine the specifics of your debt

Calculating your debt is the first step in paying off your student loans. What you should do is to gather all your student loan notices or inquire the school’s financial aid office about your debt. You have to make sure that your total debt is exclusive of any other financial obligations.

* Contact your lender

When you have already an idea of how much your debt is, you have to phone your lender and ask if you could meet. Persuade the lender to extend your payment term or to reduce the interest rate of your loan. You have to make the lender see your financial situation to broaden the chances that he or she will grant your request.

* Consolidate loans

Consolidating loans simply means that your various debts are combined into a single loan. By consolidating your debts, you will only have one loan to think of. You will also have a payment term and a payment rate. Loan consolidation is beneficial to fresh graduates for through this they can simultaneously pay off debts and they can save more money.

* Save money

When you have consolidated your loans, you have to exert that extra effort to save. To save enough money to pay off your loan, you have to cut down on some unnecessary activities such as going out for a movie or a concert. Saving will also let you deal with the monthly due dates better.

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