How to Get Into a Top Tier Medical School

There are 130 accredited medical schools in the United States and 17 in Canada. Most schools accept 150 or less students per year; simply getting into any medical school is difficult. Nevertheless, for some, only the top 20 schools will do. If you want to gain acceptance to a medical school you have to stand out amongst your peers; in order to gain acceptance at a top tier medical school, you must be one of the best.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 
    

   While in high school make a firm decision that you want to go to become a doctor. Search the internet, visit a doctor's office, and read as much as you can about what it's like to be a doctor. Realize that you will have about 11-15 years of schooling and training before becoming a "real" doctor. Once you have made that decision, the journey can begin.

2. 
    

   Study hard in high school and get accepted to a large 4 year university or attend a community college and study hard so that you can transfer to a large 4 year university. Some medical schools like to take undergraduates from their own institution, so that may be useful depending on where you would like to go.

3. 
    

   Major in whatever you like for your undergraduate degree. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to major in biology or biochemistry. In fact, you will most likely get better grades in another major if you enjoy it. There are many history majors in medical school.

4. 
    

   Get good grades. You don't have to get a 4.0 GPA to get into a top tier medical school, however, you need to beat the automatic cutoff. If you have a 2.5 GPA most top tier schools won't even look at your application. Try to get a minimum 3.2 GPA, although to be more competitive, you should shoot for a 3.6+ GPA.

5. 
    

   Take the MCAT and get at least a 32 (although a 35+ would be ideal). If you do not get at least a 32 on the first try, take it again. Take an entire summer and study. Take a review course, alienate yourself from friends, and study.

6. 
    

   Do research. You do not need to do biological research. This is one huge advantage of attending a large university; you will have many research opportunities. E-mail your professors and ask for a position in their lab.

7. 
    

   Do community service. Show that you are willing to give back to the community. Do something you enjoy and stick with it. Run for leadership roles and show that you have commitment.

8. 
    

   Do something medically related. Whether this is part of your community service, research, or other activity, you must show that you have experienced the medical field and you like it. Shadowing a doctor is a great way to do this.

9. 
    

   Write a great personal statement that represents you and apply early. Many schools accept students on a rolling basis, which means that when they find a student they like, they accept them. Schools do not wait until all the applications are in, so don't be on the bottom of the pile.

10. 
     

    Get accepted and brag to your pre-med friends that you'll be attending that west coast or Boston school that you wanted!

Tips & Warnings

• There are exceptions to each and every one of these steps. However, having all of these things under your belt will make you a great candidate.
• This is by no means a definitive guide! The paths to medical school are many and highly variable; there is no perfect formula for getting into a top tier medical school.

Resources

• Aspiring Docs, part of AAMC

[Cazban]

on 12/2/2008 Thanks, it seems straight forward enough.