personal statement for medical school

Before getting into med school, many students have set their minds on the specializations they wish to take in their residency. In fact, they may even include their field of interest in their personal statement for medical school. Stating the field of specialization in your personal statement for medical school may show how career-oriented you are. Choosing your specialization, however, can be an arduous task with numerous areas to choose from and different factors to consider.  To aid you in making the right choice, here a few of the most competitive areas of specializations that are popular with medical students at the moment.

Dermatology

Doctors practicing dermatology are raking in profits, as people today are becoming more aware of their skin health and overall appearance. Though dermatologists provide medical advice on skin care and the preservation or enhancement of physical beauty, most skin specialists also make assessments and prescribe treatments that go beyond skin deep. Serious skin conditions such as psoriasis, impetigo, dermatitis, eczema, melanoma, and even the full-blown kind of acne are treated by dermatologists. Many doctors decide to specialize in dermatology for the promise of higher salaries, with patients who are willing to pay large amounts for vanity’s sake and treatment of skin problems.

Neurosurgery

Another complex organ of the body that requires proper care and attention is the brain. Neurosurgery is the new rocket science that many brave medical students are gearing up for. It would be best to think of neurosurgery as the most delicate specialization, as this involves not only the study of the brain, but also performing delicate operations on it. A doctor who aims to specialize in neurosurgery should be well-versed with the symptoms, sicknesses, and treatments that affect the brain. They also need to have good locomotor skills in able to operate on patients. Handling the most powerful yet most delicate organ of the human body entails precision and well-calculated movements, as a slip can already have dire consequences.

Those who wish to specialize in neurosurgery would normally talk passionately about the challenge of this practice in their personal statement for medical school. Medical professionals who are brave enough to face the risks of performing operations may specialize in this field of medicine.

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You thought the worst was over once you got into a residency at a hospital. Still, choosing an area of expertise is another tough decision for doctors to make. There are a variety of specializations to choose from. Here are some of the more popular choices of expertise:

* Pediatrics

Kids are cute and fragile. Because their immune systems are not yet as strong as adults’, most of them tend to get sick or acquire some illness or another. Pediatrics is a popular choice for doctors to specialize in it, probably because of the natural urge to care for children. Pediatrics, however, means more than just listening to heartbeats and breathing patterns. Pediatricians must master the art of reaching out to their young patients, who usually dread trips to the doctor’s office. Aside from diagnosing the illness and prescribing  medicines for it, pediatricians also educate parents on the proper care of their children’s well-being. Pediatrics is also a lucrative specialization, as there can never be a shortage of children in most areas or of parents who pay large amounts for the well-being of their kids.

* Plastic surgery

Though vanity is oft-quoted as the root of all evil, many medical practitioners see man’s (or woman’s) quest for beauty as a very profitable specialization to venture into. Plastic surgery is one of the most popular specializations these days and also one of the hardest subjects to master and excel in. Aside from enhancing what one already has, plastic surgery also has a functional aspect by reconstructing body parts that have been deformed congenitally or through accidents. To some, plastic surgery is like an art form that uses the body as a canvas. Still, it’s more than just molding and reshaping body parts. Plastic surgery usually involves a major medical operation; with any operation, risks are involved. That’s why plastic surgeons have to take into account the patient’s condition, not only on the external appearance, but also based on the patient’s inner well-being.

* Obstetrics and gynecology

Female doctors also like to specialize in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, as most of them easily gain familiarity in this practice. The care and maintenance of female body parts contribute to the well-being of a woman and of her unborn child as well. This is also a lucrative specialization as doctors can be assured of a steadfast clientèle, with expectant mothers and non-pregnant women becoming more aware of the need to observe good reproductive health.

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Though movies often take viewers on journeys to the unfamiliar, some are modeled around real places and events. Films about medical school have engrossed viewers with sensationalized takes on the lives of medical interns and students. Here are top five movies revolving around the sleep-deprived and  adrenaline-charged arenas of medical study:

Of Human Bondage (1934)
Leslie Howards stars as struggling artist-turned- medical student Philip Carey in this movie of unreciprocated love. Bette Davis stars as the object of Carey’s affection, Mildred, a manipulative illiterate tearoom waitress, who haunts Carey’s daydreams in med school. This movie showcased Davis’ acting prowess as the overbearing Mildred whom Howards’ character is obsessively shackled to while completing med school.

Bad Medicine (1985)
After being rejected by every American medical school, Jeffrey Marx is sent off by his father to a medical school of questionable rank somewhere in Central America. Marx falls head over heels with a classmate but answers a noble calling by providing illegal medical assistance to the  poor villagers.

Gross Anatomy (1989)
Joe Slovak starts his first year in med school with a bang, his wayward manners earning him laughs from classmates and rebuke from his strict professor. See how Slovak deals with the rigors of med school, prove his worth to an overbearing teacher and win over a career-driven classmate’s heart while staying true to himself.

Vital Signs (1990)
While vying for internship in a hospital, a group of medical students realize that getting into hospitals isn’t as peachy as it seems. Two third year medical students from opposite sides of the spectrum try to garner the illustrious position, while nursing their own grievances. LA Central Medical school not only teaches them about easing other’s sufferings, but also their own.

Anatomy (2000)
Franka Potente stars in this German film about stellar student Paula Henning’s internship at the University of Heidelberg Medical School. When a second meeting with a man she rode on the train with happens on her dissecting table, Paula questions where and how the school procures its specimens. As a number of her classmates mysteriously drop dead along the length of the course, she discovers a secret group of students performing autopsies on live people.

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Getting an MD doesn’t solely rely on memorizing all the medical theories by going over the medical books. In fact, the medical profession is one of the most dynamic industries. That’s why professionals are required to always be updated with the latest treatments for illnesses. To answer the need for development, teaching hospitals have been put up to provide venues for practice for interns and medical students. Here are some of the finest teaching hospitals in the US :

Johns Hopkins Hospital

John Hopkins Hospital sets the bar after 18 years of continuous excellence by being recognized as the best teaching hospital in the country. Success and breakthroughs in the fields of endocrinology, neurosurgery, pediatrics, and urology have brought many doctors and patients relief and hope for various sicknesses. John Hopkins has produced notable medical professionals who are being nurtured with excellent training and enough resources to continue their research and studies.

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

A low mortality data sets Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center apart from others. This teaching hospital provides medical care to patients through its extensive medical services and programs. The advanced medical facilities and brilliant medical practitioners housed in this institution also make it a notable teaching hospital in the US. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center not only provides excellent clinical education and training for interns but also to its residents.

Massachusetts General Hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital not only prides itself by being one of the oldest medical institutions of the US, but also because of the number of great medical practitioners it has produced. With its partnership with Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital strives to find new and improved ways of providing excellent medical services to patients. Having an annual budget of over US$400 million definitely allows this hospital to provide quality education to interns and other medical professionals as well.

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When applying for medical school, you should consider the student-teacher ratio in an institution. Though a certain med school may boast of a large number of students that enroll in their classes every year, a skeletal faculty might not be enough to properly handle the student body. As a result, learning is compromised; the quality of education may not be at par anymore. Luckily, there are notable medical schools that pay attention to campus population.  Most medical schools with low student-teacher ratios fare well in the national rankings. Not only are classes made convenient, but the learning and experience students get from attentive mentors hone them to be th best medical practitioners as well. Here are some medical schools with low student-teacher ratio:

Washington University School of Medicine

St. Louis, Missouri is one those renowned med school with a low student-teacher ratio. Washington University of Medicine limits the number of students that are admitted per term to preserve the quality of education. Faculty are not as harried and stressed, while students are given equal access to facilities, education, and opportunities to develop their craft in medicine.

Harvard Medical School

Harvard Medical School, on the other hand, has up to 10,000 faculty members to handle its student body. The administration and faculty of Harvard ensure the quality and excellence of education by making sure that each student’s academic needs are met. With a faculty that’s able to supervise and educate students more attentively, these medical students go on to become the best medical practitioners the country has ever seen. Harvard Medical School also holds the top spot for being the best medical school in the US.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

John Hopkins University School of Medicine prides itself with the implementation of the “Hopkins Model” of teaching. This method of teaching consolidates conventional classroom education and hands-on intensive clinical experience. A low student-teacher ratio ensures that students are getting the best education and experience in medical training.

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The field of medicine also has venues for publishing articles, scientific papers, and other resource material that can be used to advance knowledge on medical conditions and treatments. To regulate and standardize formats, the American Medical Association has developed a set of guidelines for the proper citation of references that are used in the text of research papers. These research papers can be about the latest developments in the fields of medicine, science, and even health care. The AMA style is used by medical practitioners, journalists, professors, and even students in the medical field when citing references in their papers.

General guidelines in AMA style

When writing scientific papers to be published in medical journals and reviews, proper citation should be used. All of the sources are listed at the end of the article according to their order of use or appearance in the paper. Making use of numbers instead of bullets, each source must be listed at the end of the text. The elements such as book title, author’s name, date it was published, among others, should be separated by periods.

Book citations
Include page numbers if the specific pages are quoted in the article. Use the <last name>,<first name>, <middle initial> format when citing the author of the book. Below is the order or chronology of the items when citing from book sources.

Chronology for book citations:
* author’s name
* chapter title
* editor’s name/translator’s name
* book title
* volume number
* book edition
* place of publication
* book publisher
* copyright year
* page numbers

Journal citations

If book citations require you to mention the full first name of the writer, journal citations only require the last name to be spelled out in full. The format for writing author’s name would then be <last name>,<first name initial>,<middle initial>.

Chronology for journal articles:
* article title and subtitle
* abbreviated name of journal
* year of publication
* volume number
* supplement number
* page numbers

Internet citations

Internet sources are now credited by the AMA; just be sure to use information from reputable sources. Cite what kind of Internet material was used as a reference and enclose it in brackets.

Chronology for Internet sources:
* author’s name
* article or webpage name
* URL source
* date accessed

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Studying for med school is no easy feat to accomplish all by your self. Fortunately, you can join or even start a study group where you can make studying a social event as well. Read on to know why joining study group sessions are worth your time and effort.

No room for procrastination

Procrastination hits everybody at some point, and it strikes hard when you’re alone. Alone you’ll probably have more tendency to put off what you should do, worrying only about yourself. With a study group, you learn to be codependent with other students as each of you may be assigned topics to read on and discuss with others. Being part of a study group gives you a certain responsibility of studying not only for yourself, but also for others.

Enough collection of ideas

A study group is a great venue for exchange of ideas. Though each person is assigned to study and discuss a certain topic for the session, other members can air out their comments and opinions. When studying alone, you’re only exposed to your own interpretation or understanding of the topic, whereas with a study group, you may cover different aspects on the subject. Some may be good, others may be points for further discussion, but all the same, a study group session can leave you enlightened about the topic.

More chances for self-improvement

Facts and figures aren’t the only things that you can get from joining a study group. Here, you also get to pick up new ways and methods for studying. Or, you can share what you find most effective for you. Discussions in study group sessions help make you get used to speaking, explaining, and listening to people. The development of interpersonal skills prepares medical students for the profession that they are studying for. Study groups also provide venues for socialization.

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So, you’ve finally got a call after sending your personal statement for medical schools. You then confirmed the appointment date and place. What else do you need to ensure the success of getting in? Here are a few tips on how to wow the admissions panel for that medical school interview that could change the course of your life.

*Dress to impress

Formal settings such as an interview with the admissions panel means donning a suit that would make you look professional and respectable.  Keep jewelry to a minimum and skip the glittery eyeshadow. Instead, opt for neutral colors that are easy on the eyes. Shoes should be of comfortable fit as well. For women who prefer wearing heels, make sure that you can walk in them. Men should also try to tame those spikes in the hair, at least for a few hours, and wear clean and pressed suits with a tie. Instead of the usual sneakers, wear leather shoes that go well with your suit. Though fragrance can be worn, keep it also to a minimum so you won’t distract your interviewer.

*Check body language

Though popular advice tells you to relax during an interview, it doesn’t mean you can slouch or spread your legs when sitting down. Sit properly on the chair in a position that is comfortable for you, without coming across as lousy or disrespectful. Maintain eye contact with interviewers during conversations to convey attentiveness and professionalism

*Be true to yourself

Even though you’re out to impress the admissions people with your achievements, don’t brag too much about the achievements you’ve included in your resume or mentioned in personal statement for medical school. Also don’t make up or exaggerate information during the interview. Though it may seem easy to make up one lie and the next, it’s harder to cover up  for these once you’ve built a life out of false facts. Instead of risking your reputation, just be honest and tell the truth. If you really are deserving of a slot in med school, you don’t have to make up lies just to get in.

* Keep your cool and stay polite

Engaging in polite conversation with other people never did anyone bad, despite the fact that some interviewers can challenge and intimidate you in the process. Don’t lose your cool when instances like these happen. Remember that your fate lies in the hands of these interviewers who have read your personal statement for medical school. How you act and speak toward them can have severe consequences on your application. The interview is just another type of test that you have to go through. You should be able to maintain grace even under pressure to secure that slot in medical school.

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You may have your plans set on stone the moment you enter medical school. But through the course of your studies, you begin to see other aspects of your would-be profession. Finally, you do get awarded the degree, the title, the responsibility to practice medicine, and another dilemma – what kind of practice should you go into? There are a lot of factors to consider before deciding whether you’d go into private practice or work in a government hospital.

Government vs. private hospitals

Public hospitals are government-run medical institutions, which make healthcare also accessible to indigents. These medical institutions are dependent on the national budget for the supply of medical equipment, the maintenance of the facilities, and for the fees paid to the medical professionals employed in such. Private hospitals, on the other hand, are owned and run by private individuals or entities such as healthcare insurers. Funding comes from the hospital fees that these institutions charge to patients.

Medical facilities and equipment

Excellent medical equipment and facilities are often hard to come by in public hospitals. Usually, the funds allotted for a year of service is very limited. Private hospitals, meanwhile, have enough funds from the fees charged to patients to continually update and develop their facilities and services. If you prefer to work in a hospital that would foster research and development in the field of medicine, as well as easy access to facilities and equipment, practicing in privately run hospital might be good for you.

Salaries and debts

Admittedly, the salary for doctors in public hospitals are not as high as those that doctors in private hospitals. The workload is not the same as well, because more patients flock to public hospitals for the cheap or even free medical services. Private practice allows you to attend to a limited number of patients, as private hospitals usually charge higher fees.

Repaying your debts and loans, however, can be remedied immediately when you work for government hospitals. There are some student loan programs that ask students to perform public service for a certain period of time as a form of payment. But if the salary you get from practicing in a private hospital is enough, you can also repay your debts easily. With a little financial management, you can pay off your loans in just a short while.

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Just because you received your medical school diploma while wearing a graduation cap and gown, it doesn’t mean that you have to forget about your student loans. Yes, your student loans – the mere reason you were able to make it all the way to graduation. You don’t need to be earning a lot just to pay off your debt; all you need is this set of tips on how to pay off your student loans.

* Calculate your debt

At the risk of getting an ulcer attack, take it upon yourself to compute how much you really owe for your education. It’s best if you have compiled all of the loan notices that have been sent to you so you could easily track down how much credit you’ve accumulated. You can also check with your school’s billing or registration department as to the costs of your education and can even ask for computations. However, do a double check on the costs to you won’t end up paying for more or less.

* Contact your lender

Contact the person or entity with whom you got your loan from. If your finances are not looking good at the moment, try to ask for a payment option that will be easy for you both. You can ask for an extension to the payment period or a lowering in the interest. Do explain what your current situation is and do communicate across that you are willing to fulfill your end of the agreement.

* Consolidate your loans

Simply put, try to see of you can lump your existing loans together. Though this might save on the costs of interest rates incurred by each loan, consolidating your debts might produce a large fee that you have to commit to paying on a regular basis. This may work for fresh graduates who still have very limited financial resources to pay off various interest rates from different loans.

* Save your money

Though money is more easily spent than saved, with a debt in mind, you’ll surely find enough motivation and reason to fill up your piggy bank. Curb your appetite for luxuries for a few months in order to save enough to pay off your debts. Spend only on the basic items that allow you to get by.  Once you’ve paid off your student loan, you’ll be able to sleep well and not worry about being thrown to debtor’s prison (though the practice has been outmoded for a century already)

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