What does medical practice mean?
"Physicians and surgeons diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare."
"There are two types of physicians: M.D. (Medical Doctor) and D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). M.D.s also are known as allopathic physicians. While both M.D.s and D.O.s may use all accepted methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery, D.O.s place special emphasis on the body's musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic patient care. D.O.s are most likely to be primary care specialists although they can be found in all specialties. About half of D.O.s practice general or family medicine, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics."
"Physicians work in one or more of several specialties, including, but not limited to, anesthesiology, family and general medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and surgery." - United States Department of Labor
The MCAT
The MCAT, the Medical College Admissions Test, is the entry exam for medical schools. The core classes (Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and English) will help you prepare for it.
Degree Requirements
Almost all medical schools require a completed bachelor’s degree, and while there is no one ideal degree, most students earn a degree in either Biological Science or Chemistry. Medical schools favor diverse interests. Some common minors include Biological Science, Chemistry, Spanish, General Business, and Psychology.
Experience
Experience in the medical field is also required for most medical schools, and it is recommended that all students have at least one year of consistent related work, though some specify required hours. Volunteer work is highly favored.
For more information about how you can gain experience in the medical field, contact our pre-health professional recruiter.
Application
To apply for medical school, you need to fill out the AMCAS (the American Medical College Application Service), which will then be submitted to the schools you have selected.
Most schools look at students holistically, the most important part of an application is the Committee Recommendation, followed by the MCAT score.
Letters of Recommendation
With your application, you will need three letters of recommendation from faculty, with at least two of those letters coming from science faculty. Those letters should be directed to Ronald Johnson, Biological Sciences. Letters of recommendation from non-faculty are acceptable but should be limited to a maximum of two and should be from individuals you know quite well. ASU has a pre-professional committee that will collate these letters and send them, along with an overall evaluation, partly based on an interview, to your requested medical schools. The interview is held during September and October of your Senior year.
For further information, contact our pre-professional advisor.
Personal Statement
You will need a personal statement, a very important description of why you want to become a doctor. This is often the very first thing that application committees review and needs to convey your depth of character and your passion and desire for a career in the medical field.
Personal Characteristics
It is very important to be well-rounded; the selection committee favors students who participate in extracurricular activities, who are good communicators with effective interpersonal skills, good leadership skills and professionalism, and those who show a genuine care for people and a love of life. They search for individuals who have enriching life experiences, who have an obvious personal integrity, emotional maturity, depth of character, and ethical and moral integrity, and it is not uncommon for schools to do background checks on applicants they are seriously considering. Many schools also look favorably upon students who engage in undergraduate research opportunities, who seek opportunities to better themselves and their community. Individuals who have actively sought opportunities to work in the medical field, either through a job or a volunteer program, are highly considered. Consistent, extended volunteer work is a critical factor in many of their decisions.
The Interview
After you apply, you may be asked for an interview with their admissions committee. Selection for an interview is based on an appraisal of intellectual and personal characteristics that are desirable for future physicians, taking into account both academic success and extracurricular involvement. It is very important that you are prepared for it: arrive early, dress appropriately (no strong smells), be enthusiastic and positive, and don’t be nervous. Make sure you know the materials you submitted, and be able to address topics such as the medical profession (current controversial medical issues, e.g. the Health care system, stem cell research, etc.) and the specific university to which you are applying (their specialties, particular faculty, etc.). Practice having friends and family ask you questions that may come up, such as, “Why do you want to be a doctor?” “What is the most important issue in medicine today?” and “What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?”
Contact our pre-health professional recruiter.
Medical Schools
There is one medical school (allopathic) in the state of Arkansas - UAMS in Little Rock and one Osteopathic school – NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine in Jonesboro.
Contact a Pre-Professional advisor in the SMART Center for more information
