MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements)

1. Buy the book as soon as you can.
2. Read requirements and statistics with a grain of salt.
3. Buy book again your applying year. 
4. Breathe

I've spent the last couple days going through all the requirements on the introductory chapters of the MSAR. Haven't gone through the schools and the statistical information provided for the schools; however, I really like the book. There are a few points of bias and some things they elegantly don't mention which I don't agree with but that's to be expected from a top player, the AAMC.

I've spent the time to go through the book because I didn't want to misread or overlook anything I was going over, I want to make sure I understand what's required now so when the time comes I will know a little more of what to expect. And my opinion is that it's a great, well-written summary of everything you need to know about how to get into medical school. There is a reason it's the one recommended guide to admission requirements for medical school, everything I've heard from doctors and residents, people in the field, medical students, other well-read premeds is in this book. The only difference is that I had to learn everything the hard way, I asked around for months and months to know what the real scoop was.

The reason I recommend the book as soon as you can or before college if you know that early is because you'll know what you're getting into and you'll know how to plan accordingly. Research is highly recommended for applicants so you know to look around for a research opportunity that you find interesting and worthwhile. Clinical experience is highly recommended, start looking around for a doctor's office that would be great to work at or a hospital to gain experience in the field. Club leadership is recommended, start looking for a club that you enjoy being in and agree with the goals of the club. Hobbies are also great to put on there. Staying in one thing for 4 years is better than going from one thing to another for 4 years so find something you really love and enjoy and stick with that.

I'll say a few words about the previous comments. I don't like doing things just for a resume and I have stuck to that my entire college career. Yes, you have to tailor your activities to a certain degree, odds are you can't put mastered couch potato on a resume for 8 years running now, probably not what the committees want to hear. I've always tried to find something that I love and that I am passionate about for extra curriculars. Three examples: my clinical experiences started before my pre-med track, I have loved the job since day 1 trying not to fall asleep at the 10th hour (those were the days); my running events that have come about over the last year and a half is actually a culmination of events since I was 16 when I started working out because I was overweight and I could feel my heart beat through my chest after walking up the stairs; my personal blog and my pride and joy, premedhell.com (with the help of my colleagues / friends) is the aftermath of just under 10 years of writing / journaling / blogging. I had no idea I wanted to be a doctor when I was 14, 16, or even 18, I thought it was something for smart people, but I digress for a different blog post. I hope that helps you find extra-curriculars that you enjoy, I'm not sure if it's something I can put on there but I sure hope so because I enjoy them way too much.

Read with a grain of salt in that there are a few things they don't put in there to emphasize the importance of some diagnostic tools for admissions and I agree with other views. Along with that the stats provided are merely a loose marker for who was accepted and who wasn't. Every applicant is different and every applicant will be reviewed accordingly. Each year provides a new wave of applicants in which there stats have a chance of being extremely off the stats provided from the previous year. You never know, they could do an MCAT score of 18 and GPA of 2.4. You just never know; is it practical? From what I've heard the stats stay relatively the same but take it with a grain of salt. 

And because the stats stay relatively the same I wouldn't buy the book again until before you apply so you know a general idea of what schools to apply too. You could apply to all 134 recognized schools as well as international schools but how many people have the money for that? If you do, go for it! But most apply to anywhere from 15-25 schools depending on GPA and MCAT scores.

Breathe. My last piece of advice before reading this is breathe. Don't get caught up in all the requirements and which ones you're fulfilling or not fulfilling. There are a hundred different ways to get into medical school, just because it's recommended doesn't mean it's penalizing you enough to lose admission to medical school. As another great premed said: how many people do you know applying to medical school have a Nobel prize? While it might feel like it at times, you don't need to dodge bullets, save the world, or cure cancer to get into medical school. So breathe.

A great quote for the admission process and your pre-med career: "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi