This introductory talk was developed by the UMass Amherst Pre-med/Pre-health Advisors for freshmen considering medical school.

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Finding Your Path to Medical
School
Wilmore Webley, Director, Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising
Cathy Eden, Associate Director, Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising
Faith Nussbaum, Pre-Health Advisor
Doug Smith, Pre-Health Advisor

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Good News, Bad News
 There are an infinite number of roads
that you can take to get to medical
school
 There is no checklist that you can
follow that will guarantee that you will
get there
 You must create your own map and it
should be filled with experiences that
are meaningful to you

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Applicants and Matriculants to US Medical Schools, 2015
Median MCAT Score for UMass
Amherst accepted students (509 on
new test or 31 on old test – low 80s
percentile – based on small set of
data)
2015 Data (https://www.aamc.org/download/321494/data/factstable17.pdf)
Applied Accepted
Median GPA 3.55 (3.45 sci) 3.70 (3.64 sci)
MCAT score 28.2 / 71% (506) 31.4 / 85% (511)

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Miscellaneous Facts about Medical School
Average age of most recently accepted class – 25
UMass Med – 90% MA resident; 10% non-resident
UMass Med – 75% have 1 or more gap years
In-state preference for some medical schools
Acceptance more challenging for international
students About 1% of International Students are accepted each year

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Do Well in Your Classes
Your #1 priority
Be proactive
Use all available support services (LRC, ExSEL,
Office Hours)
Work with a study group
Take care of yourself (exercise, eat well, get
support)

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Being a Competitive Candidate
You Can Handle Scientifically Rigorous Courses
• GPA (Science GPA, etc)
• MCAT, DAT, GRE score
You are Engaged in Your Community
• History of Community Service
• Campus Engagement
• Choose AUTHENTIC & MEANINGFUL activities
You Have First-Hand Knowledge of the Field of Healthcare
• Shadowing for dental school OK
• Medical school requires hands-on patient care experience
• PA requires specific number of hours (200-2000 hours)

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Getting Hands-On Experience
EMT Medical Scribe Phlebotomist
Pharmacy TechnicianDental Assistant CNA

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Workshops on getting hands-on
experience will be offered later in the
semester.
Check Pre-Med/Pre-Health
Newsletter for Announcements of
those workshops.
Sign up for Pre-Med/Pre-Health
Newsletter here:
http://www.cns.umass.edu/students/
pre-medical-and-pre-health-advising
Getting Hands-On Experience

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Questions about competitiveness?
Competitiveness

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Choosing Classes for Spring Semester

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Courses for Spring Semester
What you need for Pre-
Med/-Dent/-PA:
Chem 112
Bio 152, 153
Stats? (spring or later)
What you might need
for your major:
Math?
Talk with a major advisor!
Gen Eds:
Diversity U & G
History
Use ARR & SPIRE

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Questions about classes for
spring?

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Using SPIRE…
ARR?
Enrollment appointment?
Searching for Gen Eds?

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Know How to Use SPIRE

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Know How to Use SPIRE

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Know How to Use SPIRE

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Know How to Use SPIRE

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About Majors…

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UMass Amherst Acceptances (most recent data)
Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Economics
Engineering
English
Environmental Science
Finance
Kinesiology
Microbiology
Nursing
Pre-Veterinary Science
Psychology /Neuroscience
Public Health
Women Gender and Sexuality
Studies
Majors of recently accepted UMass Amherst students

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Do Biological Sciences Majors Have an Advantage on
MCAT Exam?

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What Should I consider When Choosing a Major

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Questions about majors?
Declaring a major?
• Start with the department website
• Look at the link for “Undergraduates” (to find instructions)
Choosing a major?
• Majors fair at end of October
• Explore department websites
You will have multiple advisors.
• Pre-Health, Major…Minor(?), Honors(?)
Choosing your Major

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Make a Back-Up Plan…

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Name 5 job titles in healthcare, other than
nurse or doctor, which require a BS/BA
degree or higher.
There are over 200 different careers in
healthcare…
(NOT including Public Health careers!!)
Have a Back-up Plan

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List of Healthcare Careers
Athletic Trainer
Audiologist
Acupuncturist
Anesthesiology Assistant
Biomedical Engineer
Bioinformatics
Biostatistician
Certified Nursing Assistant
CT Technologist
Cardiopulmonary Technician
Clinical Lab Scientist
Cardiovascular Technologist
Cardiovascular Technician
Chiropractor
Cytotechnologist
Community Health Worker
Clinical Trials Researcher
Dentist
Dental Hygienist
Dental Assistant
Dietician
Dental Lab Technician
Dosimetrist
Emergency Medical Technician
ECG Technician
EEG Technician
Exercise Physiologist
Environmental Health & Safety
Ethicist
Epidemiologist
Genetic Counselor
Health Specialty Teacher
Hospital Administrator
Health and Medical Services Manager
Histologist
Kinesiotherapist
Licensed Practical Nurse
MRI Technologist
Medical Interpreter
Medical Coder
Medical Records Technician
Medical Transcriptionist
Medical Technologist
Mammographer
Medical Illustrator
Medical Photographer
Medical Assistant
Medical Librarian/Cybrarian
Medical Records Administrator
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nursing Instructor
Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse/Midwife
Nutritionist
Ophthalmologist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Asst
Orthotist
Optometrist
Optician
Paramedic
Patient Advocate
Patient Financial Services
Pathology Assistant
Pathologist
PET Technologist
Podiatrist
Perfusionist
Physician (MD/DO)
Physicians Assistant
Pharmacist
Pharmaceutical Scientist
Pharmacy Technician
Phlebotomist
Prosthetist
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy Asst
Psychologist
Public Health Educator
Prosthodontist
Radiologist
Radiation Therapist
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Recreational Therapist
Registered Nurse
Radiologic Technologist
Radiological Technician
Respiratory Therapist
Risk management
Speech and Language Pathologist
X-Ray Technician
School Nurse
Social Worker
Surgeon
Surgical Technician
Transcriptionist
Toxicologist
Utilization Manager
Ultrasound Technician

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www.ExploreHealthCareers.org

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Exploring The Field of Healthcare

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Interested in Study Abroad?
Study Abroad

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About Study Abroad
Study abroad or domestic exchange are great ways to improve
your cultural competence.
It may slow down your progress toward applying but it is well
worth the time and effort and increases your chances of getting
accepted. Students who do study abroad are 17% more likely to get into medical
school.
Steps to start the study abroad process:
IPO* webpages (*International Programs Office)
IPO visit
Major advisor visit

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You Don’t Need Health Experience Abroad
Medical schools are wary of students doing
programs in foreign countries.
Some overseas dental programs are good,
however.
Your service work should be sustained over
several years. A 10-day service trip to a
developing country does NOT show a
sustained commitment to service.

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About Commitment…

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Commitment
Top 5 Reasons to Dislike Pre-Med Students
(adapted from Wired.com)
5. They are too focused on grades.
4. They are too focused on resume building.
3. They horde leadership positions for their own personal gain.
2. They don’t fulfill commitments after they get what they need.
1. They are not motivated by curiosity.
Have an authentic commitment to what you choose to do!

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If you sign up for the Networking Dinner, GO! (It costs the
department $25 per person for the dinner!)
If you get hired by a lab, show up and dedicate yourself to
the work!
If you take a leadership role with a student group, show
up and do the job well!
Commitment (continued)
Don’t over-commit. Quality > Quantity

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Some miscellaneous
info about Medical
School…

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Two Kinds of Medical Degrees
MD, Doctor of Medicine, Allopathic
~70% of doctors in the US (2010, AAMC)
DO, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
~7% of doctors in the US (2010, AAMC)
- only one DO school in New England (ME)
- not chiropractic
Both recognized as physicians by the American
Medical Association (AMA). Both can choose any
medical specialty.

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Community Engagement
and
Clinical Experience

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Find Meaningful Community Service
Not all of your volunteer experiences need to
be healthcare-related
Maintain long-term volunteer commitments
Seek opportunities that allow you to gain
experience with people throughout the life
span

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Find Meaningful Community Service
Check the UMass website for links to volunteer
opportunities
UMass.edu –> student life –> get involved –> community service
Consult with the United Way or Red Cross in your
hometown to find volunteer opportunities close to
home
Explore the Citizen Scholars program at UMass

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Find Meaningful Community Service
Keep a journal of what you did, hours you
worked, interesting things that happened, people
who trained and supervised your work (include
their contact info)
This will help you when you are ready to ask for
LORs
It will also help you when you write your
personal statement and interview

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Association of American Medical Colleges
www.aamc.org
UMass College of Natural Sciences Health
Professions Advising
www.cns.umass.edu/students/pre-medical-and-
pre-dental-advising
Websites of medical schools of interest to you
Be Informed About Medical School Admissions

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Other Websites with Helpful Information
Association of American Medical Colleges-AAMC
http://www.aamc.org
UMass Medical School Selection Criteria:
http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/application-process/selection-criteria/
UMass Medical School Academic Requirements:
http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/application-process/academic-
requirements/
Medical School Favorability to Out-of-State Residents:
https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/students/gradstudy/health/guide/part2/a
ppendix
International Students and Medical School:
https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/303912/applyasaninternationalapplicant.html

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Read Books About the Field of Medicine
They will give you a glimpse into the field of medicine and help you on the
Verbal section of the MCAT.
Recommended authors and books for pre-healthcare professionals:
Atul Gawande (Checklist Manifesto, Complications, articles in the New
Yorker, Being Mortal)
Jerome Groopman (Your Medical Mind, How Doctors Think, articles in
the New Yorker)
Tracy Kidder (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Siddhartha Mukherjee (The Emperor of All Maladies)
Rebecca Skloot (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks)

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Join the UMass Medical School Book Group!
http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/tracks_and_pathways/prematriculation/

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Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students
 Interpersonal Competencies
• Service Orientation
• Social Skills
• Cultural Competence
• Teamwork
• Oral Communication
 Intrapersonal Competencies
• Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others
• Reliability and Dependability
• Resilience and Adaptability
• Capacity for Improvement
 Thinking and Reasoning
Competencies
• Critical Thinking
• Qualitative Reasoning
• Scientific Inquiry
• Written Communication
 Science Competencies
• Living Systems
• Human Behavior
From the AAMC* Admissions Initiatives
* Association of American Medical Colleges