<p>alright, i have a few questions. how important is it to go to a good undergrad school to get into an american medical school, i mean as long as i have a good gpa and good mcat shouldnt i be able to get into a medical school. second is besides umkc what other ba/md programs allow you to transfer after one year of basic sciences. third is if i go to the caribbean what are my chances of a residency in something like plastics if i go to a supposed good med school like st george, does going to the caribbean really cripple my medical career? last how horrible are the mcats, i mean everyone does them so should i really cry over them and avoid them at all costs?</p>
<p>1) 3.5 gpa and 30 mcat and you'll have a pretty good shot at a med school (not the best ones, but a med school nonetheless)</p>
<p>2) dunno the answer to that one</p>
<p>3) i don't think it will cripple your medical career but it isn't the best path. I believe if you really have that much trouble getting into an American medical school, you probably aren't cut out for practicing medicine in America. (just my opinion...there are many people who have come from foreign med schools and made it as physicians here though)</p>
<p>4) Lastly, if you can avoid MCATs, great. If not, nothing to cry about. Take a Kaplan type course for the summer, be sure you do all the work, and I think you should be able to do a decent job on it.</p>
<p>I have a very important question:
Is it better to apply in a 7 year direct medical program rather than the traditional way? If it is, then why is it better? What are the pros and cons of each?</p>
<p>Also, I am 16 and want to do some sort of research or internship in the medical field, so does anyone know any places (in northern california around bay area) where i can do so?</p>
<p>crueltrit,
In my opinion, I don't think one way of entering medical school is better than the other -it all comes down to what sort of experience you want.</p>
<p>The nice thing about the combined medical programs is the fact that you are guaranteed a spot in medical school, as long as you maintain the minimum standard set by the program (usually the requirements are fairly reasonable/do-able). It also lets you finish 1 year early, which is good if finances are an issue.</p>
<p>Of course, the fact that it is accelerated can be a con for some people. You may not have as much time to explore other areas as you would if you spent a full 4 years doing the undergrad portion (then again, there are some programs that are 8 years, allowing you to take 4 years to do the undergrad and still giving you a spot in med school)</p>
<p>Another thing is that the combined programs are more for people that are absolutely sure that they want to be a doctor, and are extremely competitive to get into. However, if that's what you want, and you get in, it takes off some of the stress during your undergrad years because you don't have to worry nearly as much about whether you'll get into med school. In addition, some programs will not require the MCAT. Some combined programs will not allow you to apply to other medical schools without forfeiting your spot, so that might be something to consider when making your decision.</p>
<p>semifull, were you in high school or college when you interned with the pathologist? Did you just look up his phone number and call him to express your interest in pathology? What did you do as an intern? I'm asking because I am also interested in possibly becoming a pathologist and would be interested in job shadowing/working under a pathologist to get a feel for the field.</p>
<p>Thanks qtpie, CDN dancer, and semifull...those were all great...thanks..
Currently i am interning in a high-tech company....but do you guys think that even though i want to be a doctor, this internship will count towards it? i mean, will colleges like that i did an internship but in the high-tech industry and not medicine.</p>