In almost all countries the need for skilled doctors and nurses continues to grow. Every country, requires medical staff to help the growing number of patients and people in need, especially in those nations where there is an ageing population more reliant on health care. Applying for admission to medical school requires that students prepare themselves academically before being accepted. Likewise, their training upon admission will require that students commit several years to their education. Every university with a medical program has its own admission criteria, therefore the question of how hard it is to get into medical school can be a tricky one as the answer depends on the school you are applying to . There are however a number of common stipulations that potential students must first meet before they can be admitted as medical students.
In the following article, we investigate some of the requirements for being accepted into medical school.
Admission Criteria
Most potential medical students are encouraged to start their preparation for their training before they graduate from preparatory school. While they are still in their teens, students are encouraged to take subjects such as biology and chemistry. These courses form the basic subjects that all medical students must successfully pass before they can continue with their formal education. Having an early introduction to these subjects will only assist the potential medical student.
Undergraduate Degree
Applicants must show that they are as prepared academically as they can be before being admitted. Most medical schools also require that applicants possess a four year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university . A majority of schools require that applicants first obtain an undergraduate degree, preferably in a field closely associated with math, science, or psychology. However, these fields are not the only degrees accepted. People can generally major in any subject, so long as they obtain their degrees from schools that are accredited. While not specified, it is suggested that a degree in biology or chemistry is deemed to be more preferable than a degree in other less related subjects.
Continuing one’s education after obtaining an undergraduate degree is required for those who want to become doctors. They must apply for and complete specialized training before they can enter the medical profession in this capacity.
Volunteer experience
In addition to an undergraduate degree, students with a suitable amount of volunteer experience on their resumes are at an advantage. While many professional careers do not consider volunteer service, the medical profession encourages applicants to have some experience working for the betterment of others.
Admissions test
Students also must present for an admissions test before being admitted to their desired program. Their scores on the medical admissions test indicate how prepared they are and whether or not they will understand the core curriculum that will be taught in their formative training. If students’ scores are too low, their applications will be denied, and they may be encouraged to study for the test again and reapply at a later date.
Pre-Admission Interview
Students are also expected to be present for a pre-admission interview. Many students may be concerned about their interview. Those wishing to enter a preferred medical college often expect to be asked questions that relate to medicine, science, and math. However, the pre-admission interview also seeks to find out how personable students are and how engaged they are with society. They might be asked questions that range from current events to what do they think about a specific local news item. The variety of queries obviously differs depending on the institution.
In many cases this style of questioning is completely relevant to their studies. Professors and administrators prefer students with well rounded personalities. Well-rounded individuals often become better doctors and pose a better chance of being admitted than those who struggle with such queries.
Financial Assistance
Another requirement that may come last in some students’ minds centres on paying for their education. Post-graduate candidates are often not eligible for the same scholarships or grants as undergraduate pupils. However, these students may receive financial assistance from student loans, federal work programs, and the military if they are active or former members of the armed forces.
Summary
Meeting the requirements for medical school can be confusing if students do not know what to expect. These criteria generally involve graduating from college, some volunteer work, and interviewing for admittance. Pupils who are engaged, knowledgeable, and prepared for this educational pursuit stand a better chance of acceptance.
It’s also important to remember that the pre admission process is important but not necessarily reflective of the course material when directly compared to other degree courses. While most of us are aware that medical school is extremely challenging with a high drop out rate, the entry requirements are less to do with the overall difficulty of the course and more related to the popularity of the degree obtained. For instance Chemical engineering is recognised universally as one of the most challenging degrees a student can obtain, however the requirements are often less than that of a medical student as a degree in engineering is less popular than a degree in medicine. As a result the level of difficulty in obtaining enrolment in medical school is often reflective of the popularity of the program being offered.
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