Chase Hall, Suite 208
Phone: 610-896-1148
Fax: 610-896-1338 |
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What Math courses do I need for med school?
Two semesters of Calculus are recommended by most schools, but AP credit
can fulfill all or part of the math requirement for many. The Med School
Admissions Guide book in Michele
Taylor's office has all the requirements listed or you can find them
at www.aamc.org under each school. If
you have AP credit for BC calculus from Haverford, you don't have to take
any more Math. Some students take 114 to be certain, and a good grade
and solid background in calculus helps in Physics and other science courses
and in particular if you're interested in a research career. A very few
schools such as Harvard ask for 2 semesters of college math.
Can I use AP credit to fulfill Chem, Bio or Physics
requirements?
No- only to allow you to take higher level courses. In particular, if
you skip Inorganic Chemistry here and go directly into Organic, you will
need 2 more courses in Chemistry in college. One may be Bio 300 superlab-
which is essentially a Biochemistry course and helps give you great background
in molecular biology and genetics required in modern medicine.
Can I take any required courses in the summer?
Some students have taken Physics in the summer, especially those considering
time abroad junior year. They have chosen schools near home and courses
compatible with that school's premed courses. You can get Haverford credit
if you get it approved with the head of the Haverford department. You
don't need Haverford credit for med school.
A few have taken Chemistry, especially some late deciders
on going into medicine. Most med schools like to see the basic courses
in science taken at Haverford or Bryn Mawr during the school year. It
is sometimes difficult to predict the quality of the course in the summer
as faculty change from year to year, and 2 months is a shorter time to
adsorb all the material in these fact-packed courses.
Can I take another reading/writing course outside
the English Dept to fulfill the 2 semester English requirement most schools
have?
Absolutely, though sometimes it requires you to get more paperwork from
the registrar or deans or advisor describing the course etc to the secretary
in the admissions office. It is usually easier to take 2 semesters in
the English Dept remembering that one semester can be taken senior year.
Can I take pass/fail courses?
Certainly, though not in the premed requirements and don't take so many
that med schools think you haven't challenged yourself academically.
Should I major in science?
If you love the subject, it is a wonderful choice. Pick something you
like and will do well in. Medical schools are interested in a wide variety
of majors and we've had majors in Music, Anthro, History, Poly Sci, English
who have done well. Most are Bio or Chem majors however- probably because
of the strength and laboratory opportunities of those cutting edge departments
and the likelihood that someone interested in medicine would be most interested
in science. A science major also helps frequently with the science GPA
, the first thing an admissions officer looks at. Sometimes despite hard
work you can't do your best in the first large science courses which depend
on preHaverford course experience and different, new study skills learned
in college the first years. The upper level courses frequently show higher
grades as you've had time to learn how to show what you've learned on
tests and your truer ability.
How can I fit all these courses in and study abroad for a semester
or two?
Studying abroad has been a wonderful experience for many Haverford students.
Before you decide come talk with your major advisor and the premed advisor
to see how you can fit in everything you need. Remember that you should
not take any of the required courses for premed since the grades are very
different abroad and course material is not always similar to the American
system. You need to be very organized if you wish to apply to go to med
school the year after graduation. It may be harder to get the strongest
recommendations if you are not here to get to know your major department
teachers during junior year. The MCAT test is usually taken in April of
Junior year. It's not given in many foreign countries and you may not
want to be studying while you are experiencing a new culture. If you have
finished all the science requirements by the end of Soph year you may
take it the following August if you feel you are ready. If you take it
in August after returning, you will have already had to apply and choose
schools before you know your score results. Thus, many students choose
to apply after their senior year which works well, giving them a year
to work and live on their own away from academics before starting med
school. (About half of applicants now do not go to med school immediately
after college.)
What extracurricular experiences are best?
Whatever interests you most! As a physician you'll help your diverse patients
best by understanding the diversity of life and how to get along with
many types of people- and also have outlets outside medicine that give
you joy in life. Getting involved in the Haverford community and contributing
will give you meaningful experiences- whether in sports, the arts, leadership
positions, as peer advisor in customs or as UCA. It's usually best to
do a few things meaningfully and well than to dabble superficially, tho
that can be fun too! Community service is looked upon very highly.
How about medically related experiences?
If you want to become a physician it's good to personally learn what's
involved. Firsthand experience either in the summer or during the school
year is a good idea, especially where you're able to get in the action
and actually help someone personally and see if that makes you want to
come back and give more. Shadowing an alum or other physician in as many
specialties as you want will give you another view/s and you can arrange
that through the alumni office or career development office. For those
who like EMT, there is a course here usually in the spring to give you
a start. Students have volunteered at Bryn Mawr Hospital or at UPenn or
Lankenau tho it's best not to do that freshman year.
When should I take the MCAT- Medical College Admissions Test?
The "SAT" for med school is usually taken in April of Junior
year when the basic course requirements are finished. It is also given
in August, and has sections on verbal reasoning (reading passages), a
writing sample, a biology section including organic chemistry and a physical
science section with physics and inorganic chemistry questions to test
analytic ability, not memorization. It tests stamina (an all day test)
and is expensive. You should take it after you have done practice tests
and know you understand what is required and can do your best. Most med
schools look for 9/10s or above.
Who will write my letters of recommendation?
Early February of junior year, if you decide to apply to enter med school
directly after college, you will begin talking with Michele
Taylor about the application process and asking for recommendations
from those who know you best and whom you choose to recommend you.
You will want to think of the 6 letters from people who
know you the best- both academically and personally. Usually you will
like to ask two or more from your major department and include at least
2 in science, other faculty, coaches, those you've worked closely with
in the summer or other jobs or extracurricular activities.
By April of the year before you wish to enter med school
these will be collected by Michele
Taylor and Committee on Recomendations to Medical School and united
into a letter from Haverford including input from you gathered in writing
an essay and information on your activities and meetings with Michele
Taylor.
When do people apply to med school and how?
The process usually starts in February of the year before you hope to
start school, in a meeting with Michele
Taylor. You then start to ask for recommendations from professors
and those who know you well and prepare for taking the MCAT in April or
August of that year. June is the date most people fill out and send their
AMCAS application now over the internet. Interviews start in the fall
and decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year, finishing
mostly in May. If you have multiple acceptances at that time you must
decide on one school. Places on the wait list then begin to open up and
some applicants get admitted during the summer. Medical schools start
in August or September.
What grades will I need to be accepted?
If by the time you apply you have a 3.3 Science GPA from Haverford you
can be reasonably certain to be interviewed. Rising scores over time are
best and the very top programs accept students with 3.6 or higher usually.
Michele Taylor can help give
you information on previous Haverford students' success in the past. Many
individual life experiences play into admissions decisions and she can
give you individual advice and help on choosing schools when you are ready
to apply. Many medical schools know Haverford and the quality of its premedical
courses and Quaker community and will look at each student's whole application
above and beyond the numbers.
How about MCAT scores?
If you have 10s or over in each section you should be OK at most schools.
Below that you may wish to retake them. See Michele
Taylor to discuss it.
What can I do if my grades aren't good enough?
Many applicants take courses in science their senior year and after Haverford
to strengthen their academic record and prove they have the solid background
in science needed in medicine today. Some go on to postbaccalaureate programs
or take summer courses. It is best to come speak to Michele
Taylor early on if you find you are not doing as well as you would
like to explore ways to improve or to wait to take science courses later
if your study skills and time do not permit you to concentrate on those
courses and do well that year. There is plenty of time!
Do many students take time between Haverford and
Medical School?
Almost half of students are waiting to apply until after graduating from
college nationwide, allowing them to take a breather between two intense
academic experiences, study abroad, acquire more medically related experience,
live on their own and get a salary and strengthen their application. Those
who have done it from Haverford highly recommend it.
When should you come to meet Michele Taylor?
Michele Taylor would love
to meet you any time in your career at Haverford and beyond. Whenever
you have a question or just want to talk, come to Chase Hall, Suite 208
on a Monday or Friday (best to phone Cheryl Mathes at 896-1148 M-Fin the
am or email her at Cheryl Mathes
to be sure Michele Taylor
is available) For emergencies Michele
Taylor is available by email as well.
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