Pre-Med Timeline Checklist

BC - AA Degree (2 years) - Freshman, Softmore

1. Formulate Great Study & Time Mgt Skills
2. Get Excited about the Sciences
3. Audit tough classes prior to taking! (speak to advisor, prof.)
   
4. Develop close relationship with Prof. (stop by office, talk after class) - years of exp, conduct research, recommendation letters, etc
   
5. Leadership Skills & prove well-rounded: meaningful contribution wiith Campus organization, Tutoring, Research, Cultural activities, Pre-med /Health clubs, etc (see student life office for list). Clinical exp should be collection of relevant experiences, not vaguely related -adapt prior exp to something new (self-initiative). Volunteer/Tutor for special research at BC Bio lab (esp if papers are been published)! Start a volunteer program/Blog that caters to pre-med needs. Consider volunteering for community based organizations (homeless shelters, inmate counseling, rape crisis etc.) as opposed to school based.
6. Speech Course - involve with Toastmasters
7. Volunteer - summers (must be patient contact - pediatrician office?). Visit BC Placement Office
   
8. Complete all Req med school courses: Bio I & II (+Lab), General Chem I & II (+Lab), Org Chem I & II (+Lab), Phy I & II (+Lab), Cal I & II (Recommend but not req: Biochemistry (req by some med schools), Anatomy and Human Physiology and Genetics (try to finish these before you take the MCAT)
   
9. Collect Prof Recommendation/Evaluation Letters (+3-5)
10. Prepare A PERSONAL STATEMENT - should be 1 to 2 pages in length and should outline your motivation for pursuing a career in medicine.
11. Purchase ExamKrackers MCAT course, CD's, and Past practice exams. Begin plan of study (6 mths prior to April exams in Junior year)
    

FAU (2 Years):

Junior (MCAT)

1. Meet with FAU advisers: Pre-plan MD process. Register MD Honors Program.
   
2. Plan a non-Bio Major - see MD advisor! (must satisfy FAU/UM minimum med school req)
   
3. Begin MCAT Studies - January of Junior Year (plan lighter course load)
   
4. Take MCAT Mock Exam in real-time (can start a volunteer program for pre-med students)
   
5. Take MCAT April of Junior Year (8 weeks for results); Retake in October, if necessary
   
6. Collect Prof Recommendation/Evaluation Letters (+3-5)
   
7. Write medical school Essay (reviewed by writing center). Know wha's required to be an MD, and what you will be doing at med school. - http://kitty-alana.blogspot.com/2009/10/sample-medical-school-essay.html
   
8. Prepare A PERSONAL STATEMENT - should be 1 to 2 pages in length and should
   outline your motivation for pursuing a career in medicine. Prove you have a real interest in medicine and understand what the lifestyle entails!
   
9. Volunteer - summers (ultimately interact with patients, work with health related org, apply for program shadowing doctors). Visit FAU Placement Office
10. Read MD library Books - http://kitty-alana.blogspot.com/2009/10/four-books-every-premed-student-must.html
11. Read books by Noam Chomsky
12. Read Medicine and Social Justice articles/Blog: http://medicinesocialjustice.blogspot.com/

Senior (apply Med School)

1. Apply to all FL Med School May-June-July of Senior Year (1 yr prior to med school) - AMCAS (allopathic) (http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/). AACOMAS (osteopathic) - http://www.aacom.org/Pages/default.aspx
   
2. Volunteer - summers (Clinical - interact with patients, shadow doctors)
3. Complete Senior year Thesis' on community level health issues
   
4. If accepted, prepare for Medical School Interview. Read about the school. Sign up for mock interview workshop, role-play Q&A. Prepare ques to ask interviewers. - http://kitty-alana.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-feedback.html
   
5. Financial Aid planning for Med School (loan shopping, grants, felowships, etc)
6. Prepare for re-application process, if necessary - http://www.upalumni.org/medschool/medschool-advice.html
   
7. For the hell of it take the GRE (more like the SAT) for grad school (can submit to med school)

The MCAT

1. 4 different exams: verbal reasoning, a writing sample (30 mins), biological sciences (biology and organic chemistry) and physical sciences (general chemistry and physics).
2. The writing sample is scored on a letter scale, with “J” being the lowest score and “T” being the highest.
3. The other 3 sections are scored on a numerical scale, with “1” being the lowest score and “15” being the highest. Often you will hear of the scores on the verbal reasoning, biological sciences and physical sciences sections being added together for a “total” MCAT score, that can range from “3” to “45”. Although medical schools vary in their required and average MCAT scores, a score above “30” will probably make you competitive at most schools (this assumes that you’ve scored a “10” in each of the 3 sections).

MCAT Study Guides:

1. Vid on How I past Rhe MCAT: http://kitty-alana.blogspot.com/2009/11/mcat-advice.html
2. Examkrackers Mcat Complete Study Package
3. MCAT Past Practice Tests: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/orderingpracticetests.htm