Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
If the sole fact that this school is located in Baltimore, Maryland makes you choose not to get into Hopkins, then you’re forgetting that the modern hands-on teaching methods used in all other med schools came from this institution. If that makes you take a second look at Hopkins’ website, get ready to spend more than just a few seconds browsing through it. Aside from pioneering the modern method of letting med students handle and participate in medical procedures to learn, Hopkins is a veritable institution that is a pioneer in so many ways. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is one of the first schools to admit women into med school. Hopkins is also one of the premier academic institutions to house faculty and personnel who are researching and developing government-funded projects in human development. For information on the admissions process, visit the school’s admissions page at its official site.
Harvard School of Public Health
This institution certainly lives up to its name. The Harvard School of Public Health demonstrates that people studying there will go on to become the best professionals in their fields of interest. In-depth researches in specializations and various studies done in the Harvard School of Public Health have served as the backbone of various campaigns implemented in the US such as the “designated driver” during nights out. This institution can also be credited with the discovery of the HIV2, the polio vaccine, and other medical breakthroughs. Located in culturally and financially affluent Boston, Massachusetts, students can have an exciting time studying in Harvard. To apply to this school, just visit the school’s official site and get more information from the admissions page.
Duke University School of Medicine
Though the Duke University Medical School is a young institution than most of its contemporaries, it’s already a big player by having been ranked as one of the top 5 medical schools in the US. Thanks to a substantial grant awarded by the US National Institutes of Health, Duke University students and faculty have pioneered many studies and breakthroughs in medicine. Students who are lucky enough to get into Duke can have the chance to work with the country’s top medical professionals, do research in scientific and medical fields, and have access to modern and complete facilities for research and execution. For admissions information, visit the school site.
Not all medical graduates pursue a career in medical practice. Turning away from emergency rooms and laboratory testings, however, doesn’t mean that you have to throw away everything that you learned during your four years in medical school. You can still use your medical education in a non-hospital setting. Here are some alternative career options for medical graduates like you.
Genetic counseling
If genetics was your favorite subject in medical school, then you should probably consider a career in genetic counseling. Genetic counseling is a health profession that involves the provision of medical information and emotional support to families with histories of genetic disorders. Your job as a genetic counselor is a mix of doctor duties and social work: you investigate a family’s hereditary background and analyze genetic patterns to help them understand the risks of genetic disorders and implications of birth defects.
Important courses: genetics, biology, psychology, and public health
Medical examiner
Do you enjoy watching CSI more than House, M.D.? If you do, then put your medical education to good use by becoming a medical examiner like Al Robbins. Your job as a medical examiner is like your typical activity in gross anatomy class: you cut up cadavers. The only difference between the two, aside from getting paid lots of money, is that medical examination requires you to determine the person’s cause of death. Your role is very essential in forensic science because it will be the main focus of the investigation.
Important courses: physiology, anatomy, pathology, and biochemistry
People develop dreams of becoming of doctors because they wish to do good in this world by saving other people’s lives. Wearing a scrub suit, however, is not the only way to do that. You can still touch other people’s lives by applying the knowledge you gained in medical school to counsel people and giving expert advice to different organizations and companies. So, if you feel like traditional medical practice is not for you, then don’t worry. You can still save lives.
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All-nighters are unavoidable in medical school. With overwhelming medical school work given in very limited time, you have no other choice but to pull an all-nighter. Many medical students even consider it as a “rite of passage” to the medical world. Losing hours of sleep to get work done is not the healthiest thing to do, but sometimes it is the only option you have. Here are some tips to help you cope with medical school all-nighters.
Limit sugar and caffeine intake
Coffee, chocolate, soda, candy, and energy drinks are very popular during all-nighters because they will keep you up all night long. Intake of sugary food and caffeinated beverages, however, affects your concentration – a definite no-no during test day. Instead of having sweets and caffeine for midnight snacks, stack up on protein-rich food like cheese and sandwiches. Eating protein-rich food helps in improving metabolism, developing immunities, and boosting brain power.
Find time to get more sleep
All-nighters are supposed to last the whole night through, but try to find some time to sneak even an hour-long nap. Because most all-nighters are spent in the company of classmates, ask one of your classmates to cover for you while you doze off into la-la land. Sleep deprivation is hazardous not only to your grades but also to your health. Not getting enough sleep alters your concentration, affects your decision-making skills, and even strains your mood. What benefits will you get from an all-nighter if you’re too sleepy to function the next day?
Do not pull an all-nighter every chance you get because doing so is very dangerous to your health. It will affect your Circadian rhythms, your sleeping habits, and even your short-term memory. To avoid all-nighters, always focus during classes and never succumb to procrastination. Recent studies also show that medical students who frequently pull all-nighters are more vulnerable to getting low GPAs. Sleep deprivation, after all, prevents you from reaching your full academic potential. Still want to pull an all-nighter?
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“What are the qualities of successful doctors?” is the question that both practicing medical doctors and medical students want to be answered. Of course, you are curious. After all, you want to be a successful doctor too. So, what makes them successful? Is it their excellent choice of medical schools? Their outstanding grades? To give you some tips on how to be a great physician someday, here are some of the qualities of successful doctors:
Successful doctors are excellent communicators
Social interaction is both inevitable and important in medical practice. Case in point: Dr. Cristina Yang of Grey’s Anatomy. Dr. Yang graduated received top honors from Stanford Medical School and got her PhD from Berkeley. She is a walking medical textbook with excellent surgical skills. So, what’s missing? People skills. Dr. Yang is not comfortable with communicating with her patients or good at delivering terrible news. You need to find a balance between medical aptitude and social skills to be a successful doctor. Patients are people too, and they need to be taken care of with enough sensitivity.
Successful doctors are keen observers
Great things, they say, come in small packages, and this still holds true when it comes to diseases and disorders. Malaria starts with a tiny mosquito bite. Cancer begins with a small malignant tumor. An eye for detail is very important in medical practice because it will help you in easily identifying the cause of an illness or the problem of a patient. A keen observation will help you save a person’s life. In medical practice, you have to stay curious and alert 100% of the time before things get worse. If you wish to have a successful career in medicine, then you should start practicing that Sherlock Holmes vigilance.
Successful doctor are time management experts
Yes, time management is very important in medical practice. Time management, however, doesn’t start with medical residency. It should start during medical school. Practicing excellent time management skills during medical school not only helps you study all your lessons well but it also helps you get more sleep. Organizing your daily activities into a tight schedule is very effective in fighting procrastination and laziness. If your schedule for studying biochemistry is from 8:00 to 10:30 pm only, then you must understand pyruvate oxidation by 10:30 pm. And if your schedule indicates that you need to be asleep from 12:00 midnight to 5:00 am, then you better be in bed once midnight strikes.
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Marriage and medical school work are two of the toughest things to manage. Both need your full attention and 100% dedication. So, what happens when you find yourself in a situation where you have to fulfill duties as a student and as a wife and mother? Can you survive medical school and save your marriage at the same time?
Juggling spousal responsibilities and medical school work
If you are a woman, juggling marriage and medical school will be extra hard for you. As a wife, you are expected not only to take care of your husband but also to take care of your household. You have to cook dinner, wash dishes, sweep floors, and buy groceries while studying for pharmacology or neuroanatomy. If you can afford it, then get some household help. It may cost you money, but it will also lessen your chores and increase your sleep hours. By taking your mind off household chores, you are also able to focus more on your studies.
Balancing marriage, medical school work, and parenting
What is more difficult than juggling marriage and medical school? Parenting duties. It takes a lot of willpower to succeed in maintaining your marriage, passing your subjects, and raising your child at the same time. It is difficult, yes, but it is still very possible to excel in both roles. All you need is excellent time management skill. Organize a daily schedule of your activities. During your time off medical school, spend some quality time with your spouse and your child. It doesn’t matter if you visit a park or stay at home, what’s important is that you enjoy your time together.
If you are yet to be parents, then wait until graduation or residency before having children. This is not to say that a baby will ruin your chances of finishing medical school. A baby is always a blessing, but it will also make things more challenging for you. Parenting is a serious obligation that needs 100% attention and commitment. It will be thrice as hard to survive the stress of medical school and overcome the pressure of parenting. Don’t try to be a superhero. Do things one step at a time.
Marriage is not always a disadvantage to medical students. Knowing that somebody at home is waiting for you is enough inspiration to help you do well in your tests and examinations. Besides, a warm and sweet “welcomed home” from your wonderful and supportive partner after a stressful day in medical school is all you need to stay happy.
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Majority of the students who apply to and get accepted in medical school are science majors. They spend their college years studying vertebrate anatomy and organic chemistry to prepare themselves for medical school. So, what if you took up journalism or political science in college only to find out that a career in medicine is your true calling? Can you still get into medical school?
Yes, you still can. Yes, you can get into medical school because having a science major in college has never been a requirement, but you still need to accomplish certain medical school prerequisites to qualify for admissions. Before filling up that medical school application form, make sure that you get passing marks in the required science courses for medical school.
Science courses required in medical school
Although a science major is not necessary to get into medical school, you are still required to take up science courses to qualify for enrollment. The required science courses include biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In most medical schools, applicants are also required to take up basic psychology units to qualify for enrollment. Basic psychology is a good preparation for medical psychology, especially if you are interested in pursuing a career in psychiatry. Non-science courses like English, humanities, and social sciences are also needed.
Personal statement tips for non-science majors
When it comes to academic background, science majors have an advantage over non-science majors like you. Science majors have more experience in dissection and other laboratory work and in naming organic compounds. To increase your chances of getting accepted in the medical school of your choice, you have to submit a well-written personal statement. Personal statement is a written appeal to the admission evaluators that explains why you are worthy of a slot in medical school. Your goal in writing your personal statement for medical school is to convince the admission evaluators that your non-science major is essential to medical practice. Take time to reflect on the things you learned while you were in college and try to associate them with medical practice.
Although it is not required to get you into medical school, science major is still the preferred pre-medical degree by most medical schools. But if you already finished history or fine arts, don’t give up just yet. Besides, hard work and determination are all you need to succeed in medical school.
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Student-teacher ratio is the number of teachers with respect to the number of students in a given academic institution. To ensure the effective conveyance of knowledge from teacher to students, the preferred student-teacher ratio is between 10:1 and 15:1. Here are some examples of medical schools with low student-teacher ratio:
Washington University School of Medicine
An example of a medical school having low student-teacher ratio is Washington University School of Medicine. Only a limited number of students are admitted to this St. Louis, Missouri medical school because the administration wishes to preserve the quality of its graduates. Washington University School of Medicine, by limiting its annual enrollees, is able to provide equal opportunities and quality education to each medical student.
Harvard Medical School
With over 10,000 faculty members to educate its medical students, Harvard Medical School has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the country. To preserve the school’s academic excellence, the Harvard faculty sees to it that each medical student is given enough attention and education to become a great medical practitioner. Harvard Medical School, aside from having a low student-teacher ratio, is also the current number one medical school in the country according to many experts.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Like Washington University and Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine maintains a low student-teacher ratio to ensure the proper education of its students. Johns Hopkins medical school started the “Hopkins Model” of teaching, which is a combination of basic science education and intensive clinical mentoring.
Top medical schools have low student-teacher ratios
Most medical schools with low student-teacher ratios also do well in overall top medical school rankings. Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Washington University School of Medicine all managed to secure top 5 spots in the 2008 list. One of the main reasons for this is that the teachers find it easier to teach in an intimate setting than a crowded room. Learning, after all, is easier when you share a classroom with ten more students than a lecture hall that can accommodate almost a hundred people.
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Got a study group invitation lately? Well, if you did, then you should say yes right away. Joining study group sessions is not only a great opportunity to meet potential partners, but it is also a good chance to improve your study habits and academic perforamce. And in the stress-filled world of medical school, study group sessions might just be your key to survival.
No room for procrastination
The worst enemy of studying is procrastination. Recurring thoughts of “I still have time” and “maybe tomorrow” will most likely direct you toward a movie theater instead of a library. There is no room for procrastination in a study group. In study group sessions, you study not only for yourself but also for the entire study group. If you put off your reading assignments or teaching duties, then the other members of your study group will also lag behind their medical school work. Be responsible and considerate. Many people are counting on you.
Enough collection of ideas
Study group sessions involve lots of discussions. You will be assigned one topic per session and you will be in-charge of explaining it to the rest of the study group. After your teaching duty, however, there will be a group discussion where each member will give his or her comments or ideas about the previously discussed topic. When you study alone, your ideas are only limited to what your brain can generate. In study group sessions, however, you also learn about the thoughts and ideas of your colleagues. Two heads are better than one, they say, and a gathering of bright minds in one room will generate enough ideas to complete a textbook. Besides, you will have more ideas on what to expect on your next test!
More chances for self-improvement
The benefits of joining study group sessions go beyond good grades and new friends. Frequently speaking before a small study group helps build your confidence and develop your interpersonal skills – qualities that every doctor must need. Getting used to listening to other people’s explanations or ideas is also an effective way to improve your attention span and recall ability. Exchanging ideas and comparing notes with your fellow study group members is actually a good preparation for your medical career. They allow you to enhance your critical thinking and problem solving skills by assessing not only your ideas but also your colleagues’.
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It is generally known that well-written sample medical school personal statements will help you get admitted to the medical school of your choice. But what are the other requirements for admission? Aside from your sample medical school personal statements, another medical school admission requirement that you need to worry about is the interview. Here are some tips to help you survive your interview for medical school.
*Wear appropriate clothing
Like in most events, you should dress to impress on your interview. “Dressing to impress” doesn’t mean that you have to wear an Italian suit or a designer dress, but rather it pertains to wearing clothing that makes one professional-looking. Wear a carefully ironed suit if you’re a guy, or wear a slightly conservative dress if you’re a girl. Do not wear too much accessories or makeup because it might distract your interviewer. Also, if you like putting on cologne or perfume when you go out, don’t wear one for the interview. You never know if the scent of your cologne is something that the interviewer doesn’t prefer.
* Sit up straight
You have to remember that your interviewer is interested not only with your answers but also your behavior. During the interview, see to it that you sit properly on your chair. This will give your interviewer an impression that you are professional and attentive. Unless you want your interviewer to believe that you are too comfortable or too bored with the interview, do not slouch.
* Be honest with your answers.
Never make up stories or exaggerate information just to impress your interviewer. It might be easy to say that you volunteered for this community project or won that science contest, but your interviewer will find out the truth anyway. Save yourself from embarrassment and stay true to yourself. Do not lie, for doing so might cost you a slot in medical school.
* Stay polite at all times
There are different kinds of interviewers, and not all of them are going to make it easy for you. Some of them will try to question your potential or provoke your anger. Keep in mind that the interview is a test – a test that you have to get an A+ on. Never let your temper get the best of you. Interviews are naturally stressful and nerve-wracking, but you still need to stay polite and respectful every time you answer a question.
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Just because you received your medical school diploma while wearing a graduation cap and gown, it doesn’t mean that you have to forget about your student loans. Yes, your student loans – the mere reason you were able to make it all the way to graduation. You don’t need to be a hot shot celebrity doctor to pay off your debt, all you need is this set of tips on how to pay off your student loans.
* Calculate your debt
How are you going to pay off your student loan if you are not even sure how much money you owe? To determine your total debt, gather all your student loan notices. If you can’t find them all, you can always ask your school’s financial aid office for a computation. Before you end up paying more than you should, make sure that your debt total is exclusive of any other financial obligations besides the student loan.
* Contact your lender
Upon discovering how much money you owe, contact your lenders and arrange a meeting. Although your lenders were generous enough to pay for your medical education, you have to remember that they expect to be paid. The purpose of your meeting is to ask for a payment term extension, and if possible, an interest rate reduction. Explain your current financial situation and, who knows, maybe they will grant your requests or at least come to an agreement that benefits both you and the lender.
* Consolidate your loans
To save money on interests, you should consider consolidating your loans. Loan consolidation is the process of combining all your existing debts into one loan. This means that instead of managing multiple loans with different interest rates and payment terms, you only have to pay for a single loan with a fixed interest rate and a fixed payment term. Consolidating loans is advisable for fresh graduates like you because it allows you to simultaneously pay off all your debt while saving more money on interest.
* Save your money
After consolidating your loans, you must now start saving money to pay off your debt. Saving money is easy if you have enough discipline to do so. Spend money only on important things such as food, transportation, and bills. Refrain from buying unnecessary items like concert tickets or designer shoes. Always save up for your consolidated student loan so you can be worry-free when the monthly deadline comes.
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