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Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Preparation:
Experimental Preparation:
Nuts & Bolts of Applying:
When should I take all of my required courses?
It is a good idea to spread these courses out, but you
should complete the requirements before you sit for the
MCAT or DAT. Do not avoid requirements; take them in due
course. After all, medical schools want you to have been
challenged. However, it is best to take only one
laboratory science course your first semester until you
adjust to the added demands of these courses and life at
Tufts.
Summer courses may not be the best route to pursue such
requirements as organic chemistry or physics. Some
medical schools feel that summer session courses are not
as competitive as regular semester courses (therefore
the grade may not mean as much) or that they are so
compressed that you will not learn as much. Also, summer
is often a time for much needed serious reflection about
your chosen career as well as important experience in
the field. However, sometimes scheduling demands a
summer course. If so, look for a quality course. Take it
at Tufts or seek transfer credit here through the
on-line "Transfer of Credit" process on the
http:\\studentservices.tufts.edu website.
When planning your schedule, do not overburden yourself
(i.e. by taking three science lab courses at once), and
keep in mind when courses are offered. For example,
Biology 13 is only offered in the fall, and certain
courses sometimes overlap in time blocks. Many first
year premeds prefer to begin college by taking general
chemistry instead of introductory biology, as a
chemistry background may be desirable for Biology 13.
Others come with excellent backgrounds in biology and
prefer to begin with biology. Less common, but still
possible, is starting with physics. In general, be
flexible, but also try to plan ahead.
What should I major in?
There is no "premed major" at Tufts, nor at most
selective colleges. Medical schools look for a
well-balanced college program, and do not favor one
major over another. Statistically, biology majors
comprise at least half of the applicant pool but
statistically they have a slightly lower rate of
admission than many other majors, including many
non-science majors. In fact, some Admissions officers
may find someone who has majored in a non-science area
and still done well in the premedical requirements to be
more interesting.
Major in what excites you; chances are you will do your
best and enjoy your time at Tufts more by concentrating
in an area you enjoy. If you do choose a science major,
remain well-rounded by taking a variety of courses
outside your major. If you major in a non-science, be
certain to demonstrate your science aptitude by
performing well in your premedical courses and/or by
taking science courses beyond the introductory level. If
you are inclined to double major, be aware it will
greatly reduce your freedom to take electives, and not
necessarily impress admissions officers.
Can I study abroad?
Students are strongly encouraged to investigate study
abroad options if they are so inclined. This experience
will enrich your education and your application. Many
students take time away from their science requirements
to study language, history, art, etc. while abroad. If
you do want to take sciences abroad, it is important to
check with the appropriate science department here to
insure that a given course is comparable and therefore
covers the material you need to know.
All Tufts students considering study abroad should
attend a General Information Session (offered by the
Study Abroad Office throughout the year at different
times and places), and should consult the publications
Explore the World with Tufts (Tufts programs) and/or
Tufts Guidelines for Study Abroad (non-Tufts programs).
Subsequent to that, there is a binder in the health
careers section of the Resource Library that provides
information on many programs offering science courses,
in addition to a study abroad section that offers a
broad array of information.
What if I do poorly in a course?
A "C" or "D" is not going to keep you out of medical
school but multiple ones may. The average successful
premed at Tufts has an overall and science GPA of 3.5.
While an average reflects both higher and lower GPAs,
very few medical schools seriously consider applicants
with less than a B+ average unless there are significant
disadvantages that the applicant has overcome. Programs
leading to an MD degree are currently the most
competitive; students interested in most of the other
health professions could be competitive with a lower
GPA. Obviously you do not have to have a 4.0. Attributes
other than grades are also important. However, if you
are getting a "D" or an "F" in a course, talk to your
instructor early to find out how you can turn around
your performance. If it is clear that your final grade
is going to be that poor, talk to your advisor (and your
parents) about dropping or withdrawing from the course.
A '"W" will always be on your transcript but it is still
better than a ''D" or an "F" in a single incident.
Multiple "W"'s are not ideal either, but again they are
generally preferable to a very low grade.
If you do earn a poor, but passing, final grade in a
course, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether
or not it is best to retake the course. At that point,
you should probably discuss it with your advisor and/or
the health professions advisor. Students who do not
perform well in their early science courses, but still
wish to pursue a medical degree, can take additional
science courses to strengthen their academic records and
become competitive candidates.
Should I remain premed if I am unhappy?
Keep in mind that being premed is not directly related
to medical school or the practice of medicine. If you
are frustrated by the long hours of study and your
requirements are not stimulating, do not just give up.
Determine for yourself whether you really want to become
a physician. This takes more than just saying you have
always wanted to be a doctor. Speak to doctors, work in
a health care setting, and if you really have your heart
set on medicine go for it! But be prepared for
sacrifices.
On the other hand, remember that medical students and
physicians work extremely hard (much harder than
premeds) and the first two years of medical school are
primarily very rigorous science courses. The lesson to
be learned is that if you want to be a physician, and
you can tolerate hard work, pressure and time
constraints, and can do the sciences, then you should
pursue your goal.
Remember that there are many other health professions
that may offer what you are seeking without some of the
drawbacks you are experiencing. Do yourself a favor and
seriously investigate the other health professions.
How important are extracurricular activities?
Extracurricular activities are very important for a
number of reasons. First, they make your time at Tufts
happier and more relaxed. Second, they show your
interest in non academic pursuits. Third, they help you
develop important qualities such as communication,
leadership and organizational skills. Interviewers are
often eager to learn how you spend your free time, and
they often look for solid commitment to a few activities
(quality rather than quantity). Do not sacrifice good
grades for a long list of extracurricular, but do not
aim for a 4.0 GPA at the expense of your personal
enjoyment. Find a happy balance in between the two
extremes.
Tufts has five active student organizations that relate
to health professions: The Tufts AMSA chapter (premed
society), the Tufts MAPS (undergraduate of chapter of
the SNMA, black medical student society) Pre-dental
Society, Pre-vet Society and Public Health at Tufts (PHAT).
They offer many interesting programs and tips for their
members.
What should I do with my summers?
You should use them to learn first hand about the
practice of medicine. This can take the form of hospital
volunteer positions, research or clinical internships,
or participation in many other programs. Interviewers
and admissions committees often focus on summer
experiences, as summers are a good time for in depth
work, demonstrating your motivation and interest in
medicine. If you travel or work in a non-medical
setting, these experiences are good to talk about and
learn from as well. For example, you could learn as much
about interacting with a wide variety of people by being
a waiter or waitress as you would as an ER volunteer. In
general, explore the opportunities available to you, and
take advantage of what you can.
Be sure to check out the internship listings on the
Career Services website:
http://careers.tufts.edu/.
What about standardized tests?
The MCAT, Medical College Admission Test, is a one day,
standardized exam, required by all medical schools and
podiatry schools. The MCAT is designed to test material
covered in introductory undergraduate courses in general
biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and
general non- calculus physics. It also assesses your
ability to organize your thoughts and write essays. For
the most part, the required premed courses cover the
material tested on the MCAT.
Dental schools have their own exam called the DAT;
optometry schools have the OCAT. Veterinary schools
require the GRE. You can find detailed information about
all of these tests in the Resource Library or on their
association's websites.
Keep in mind that questions on the MCAT are geared
towards both concepts and some pure factual
memorization. The test is given on a Saturday, twice a
year April and August. You must take the test no later
than August, the year before your anticipated
matriculation into medical school. If you are planning
to enter medical school directly following your
graduation from Tufts, you should take the MCAT in April
of your junior year for two reasons. First, medical
admissions committees will not consider your application
until it is complete; if you do not take the MCAT until
August, the schools will not receive the scores for 60
days and your folder will not be complete until October.
With rolling admissions, you will be at a disadvantage.
Second, if by chance you do not do well in April you
will have the opportunity to retake the test in August.
Admissions committees will pay close attention to the
subsequent higher scores. If your first MCAT is in
August you will not have another chance that year to
retake it.
In order to prepare for any of these tests, you will
need to study the information from your introductory
science courses and take practice tests beginning at
least a couple of months before the test date. Various
study aids exist, including guide books and preparatory
courses. Many Tufts students enroll in commercial review
courses. Their primary value is to set up a schedule of
review and outwardly imposed discipline. They provide
good review materials and practice tests (for a high
fee). If you are sufficiently motivated to do so, you
can achieve the same thing on your own. Your end result
will depend on the amount of preparation you do,
regardless of whether or not you take a review course.
Registration material, or information on how to get it,
for all of these standardized tests can be found on-line
at the various associations (see appendix.) While
admissions committees differ widely in their use of test
scores, many feel the test provides a standardized
comparison between students with different scholastic
backgrounds. Most admissions committees seem to
understand that the test is only a one day exam, and
this can be taken into consideration when comparing the
score to the entire college record. A poor performance
does, however, predict difficulty on other standardized
exams, and all health professionals must pass multiple
tests throughout their training and for licensure.
Your test is an important part of your candidacy, so
take it seriously, plan for it and study for it.
Do I have to apply to medical school at the end of my
junior year?
Absolutely not; you can apply earlier or later. The
early acceptance program is described above.
The average age of an entering medical class is not 22
but closer to 24-25. Many applicants do not apply at the
end of their junior year but after graduation, sometimes
a number of years later. At Tufts this is true for
approximately two-thirds of our applicants. A pause of a
year or more between graduation and matriculation at
medical school can be a very good idea for a number of
reasons. Many students feel that after four years of
college they need a break before starting four more
years of studies. It also gives you a chance to do
something you may not have the chance to do after you
become a physician and/or to earn some money for your
future education. Applying later may also significantly
help your chances of admission. When you apply, medical
schools will see four years of grades instead of three
and students generally do better their last two years.
In addition, both your recommenders and admissions
committees frequently see you as a more interesting and
mature candidate. Every Tufts student should give
serious consideration to this timeline.
The trend towards older or "nontraditional" applicants
is true for virtually all the health professions, where
admissions committees are frequently seeing applicants
with significant work experience, and maturity applying
to their programs.
Can I decide to become "premed" if I did not start out
that way?
Of course. As described above, there is no one timeline
for admissions to health professions school and the
"non-traditional" applicant is becoming more and more
common. Post-baccalaureate Programs that allow college
graduates to complete premed requirements exist
throughout the country - one of the oldest is at Tufts.
You can discuss this course of action with the health
professions advisor.
How do I go about getting recommendations for medical
school?
Recommendations are an important part of the application
process, and all health professions schools require
them. Medical and dental schools generally require a
committee evaluation, provided by the student's
undergraduate college. Some other health professions
schools, such as podiatry, optometry and veterinary
medicine may accept but not require it. Tufts offers an
organized committee, the Tufts Health Professions
Recommendations Committee, which provides this critical
service.
If you are planning to enter medical school just after
graduating Tufts, then you should register with the HPRC
in Dowling Hall in spring of your junior year. The
health professions advisor will hold numerous workshops
on the medical, dental and veterinary school application
process during that spring as well.
The HPRC requires you to submit four to five letters of
recommendation prior to application and work with the
Committee. The letters of recommendation should be sent
directly to the office on the form(s) provided (they can
be obtained at Dowling Hall or on the Student Services
website). Recommenders and admissions committees may
prefer that you waive your right to read these
recommendation letters. This action shows that you have
confidence in yourself and in the people you have chosen
to write on your behalf; also, admissions committees
tend to regard confidential letters as more candid.
Since you are eventually going to need letters of
recommendation, think about getting to know at least
some of your professors, including your advisor. If they
only know you as a face in a large lecture course they
will not be able to write much of a letter. Letters of
recommendation should be from people who know you well,
and can assess your qualifications with objectivity and
insight. When considering who will write letters on your
behalf, choose people who can discuss you from various
viewpoints. Be certain to include at least one
recommendation from a professor; they need not be from
the sciences but if you can approach a science professor
for a letter, do so. Ideally, you can ask a variety of
faculty members from different departments. It is also
wise to have a letter from your major department.
You should also obtain letters from people who know you
in a professional manner, including, for example,
employers, summer internship coordinators, and
physicians or researchers with whom you have worked.
Coaches also often write very good letters. You should
avoid letters of recommendation from your personal
physicians, family friends, relatives, clergy and
politicians; these letters tend to be seen as highly
subjective and biased. Admissions committees do not find
such letters useful.
The current chair of the Health Professions
Recommendation Committee is Professor Harry Bernheim
from the Biology Department. Other committee members
represent the departments of Biology, Psychology,
Classics, Economics and Physics, as well as the School
of Engineering. You will work with the committee once
you begin the application process to medical school.
However you can submit letters of recommendation prior
to that time - forms are available in the Dowling Hall
lobby.
Who gets into school?
It is extremely difficult to get into all health
professions schools with medical school being the most
competitive. Without a doubt, students who have been
successful have been good students, who have worked
hard, developed good study skills and performed well in
their courses. But it is not the 4.0 student who is most
likely to gain admission. Students who complement their
studies with involvement in their campus community,
significant exposure to their chosen profession, and
contribution to the larger community are the most
attractive applicants. They may have a 3.5 GPA rather
than a 4.0. These students can usually clearly and
sincerely articulate their motivation for this career
and provide a strong, well-balanced application.
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