personal statement for medical school

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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The road to higher learning is certainly not paved in gold and studying in med school is certainly not as  easy as it was during your undergraduate years. As much as we’d like to think that medical school is just an incubator that houses great talent, it’s not. It’s actually a battlefield of wits, skills, strengths, and patience. Though medical school will equip you for life as a doctor, you should come prepared for the four or so years of medical study.

Here are some of the things you should do to prepare for medical school

* Take up required courses.
Though most medical students are biology majors or took up pre-med courses, there are those that come from not so distant interests as well. A tip for incoming students is to take units that are likely to be required in med school. Some high school students have the end in mind and pattern their undergraduate courses to be able to fulfill med school requirements. As with other science-based interests, med school  requires applicants to have taken up units in biology, physics, chemistry, math and English. Complex subjects such as biochemistry, anatomy, and pharmacology are taught in med school and having knowledge of at least the basics of such can be helpful in the long run.

* Develop effective study habits.

Even if you got through your undergrad years in a breeze, med school promises some serious midnight oil burning. When you decide to go to medical school (or any school for higher learning) be prepared to live a scheduled life if you want to retain a semblance of sanity.  Med school requires a lot of reading and studying, and of developing a list of tasks or a schedule can help organize your life. Professors expect that their student come to class well-prepared. Aside from studying required texts in advance, you could also look into other medical texts that are relevant to your study. It is also important to keep abreast of any developments in the medical community so that you can be able to discuss it with others as well.

* Prepare your physical health.
Med students pull all-nighters so frequently that most of them suffer disorders of one form or another. Partner sleeplessness with stress and you have one interesting paradox – a sick medical student. At the risk of throwing away your efforts for studying for a killer exam in pathology, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by getting enough rest and sleep and eating right.

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Before heading off to draft those personal statement for medical school essays and asking esteemed professors for letters of recommendation, choose which law school you want to apply to. Though you can go to the one that mom, dad, or your pediatrician went to, it might be better if you investigated for yourself other medical schools. Here are a few pointers to look for when scouting for that medical school to send your personal statement for medical school essay to:

* Academic curriculum

Perhaps the foremost thing that you have to look out for, the curriculum offered by a certain medical school bears an important weight on the quality of education that you get. If you’ve decided on a certain specialization, check and see if a medical school offers enough courses to make a specialist out of you. Look for medical schools that employ effective styles of teaching aside from the conventional modes of instruction.

* Faculty members

They say that the company one keeps makes a person, and it may be right when it comes to studying in a medical school known for its stellar roster of lecturers. It’s not the fame that rubs on to you, but the knowledge and expertise that these esteemed faculty can teach you that makes a medical school appealing. Look into the faculty that each medical school has, chances are you’ll find the one employing the most number of medical experts very much inspiring.

* Physical location

The environment in which a medical school is situated should also be taken into consideration. If you can’t afford to leave home, perhaps a med school that’s conveniently located can cater to your interests. However, if the quality of education outweighs the need to be in your safe zone, at least choose a school where you could establish yourself comfortably.  Some people might also like to consider the cost of living in some states or localities when choosing a medical school.

* Financial support

It is financially draining to go through any form of graduate studies and med school definitely doesn’t come cheap. Though it would be best to be financially prepared for med school, there are times when your finances are just not enough. Good thing there are scholarships and loans that can help finance your med school education. Some scholarships can be applied for by submitting personal statement for medical school essays and other requirements.

* Extracurricular offerings

Say your chosen med school is located far away from home. Look for a med school that offers extracurricular activities to help you combat your homesickness or boredom. Though med schools often offer medical-oriented activities, these tasks are not usually as rigid as a classroom setting. Social relationships can be fostered and can be central to the holistic development of a medical student.

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Medical school prepares you to face a profession where you will be called “Doctor” by patients, co-workers and even superiors and professionals in the field of medicine.  But what if you are also being called “Mom” or “Mama”  by smaller voices while studying in medical school? Though being a mother while preparing to be a doctor can prove a challenge, it should not hinder you from reaching for your goal.

Balancing motherhood with medical school

Raising a child (or a family) and attending medical school at the same time may seem like the ultimate challenge that would probably drive any homemaker crazy. However, see the situation as it is but in a positive light. Yes it would be a challenge to be a mother and a medical student at the same time, but you will get past it with hard work and proper management. Learn how to take one step at a time, based on the importance of the task at hand. Devoting your attention to one item at the moment can help you focus and leave no mistakes behind.

Worrying about your child

It’s typical of a mother to worry about her child. But if you’ve got other stuff to putter about such as your finals in pharmacology, maybe it’s time to ask for help from your partner, a relative, or a professional caregiver. Once you’ve had someone help you out with the child, you can turn your thoughts to your studies for the meantime. Don’t worry about not giving enough attention to your child as you can always see him or her later when you’re done studying. Though guilt may creep up on you every now and then, think about how becoming a doctor can also help you prepare for your child’s future. Motherhood should not stop your dreams. Instead, you’ve actually had more reason to go on and become a doctor.

Overcoming physical and mental stress

Aside from exerting effort in studying, caring for the needs of your family may also add a lot of physical and mental stress to you. Instead of breaking down and throwing in the towel, learn how to lighten up and take it easy. Appreciate the small things such as a compliment for your recitation, additional points for an exam, and even your baby’s warm, sticky embrace. Remember that medical school only lasts a few years and all of these shall pass. And when you finally pass your medical exams and graduate, you’ll carry two titles of distinction in two of the most prestigious fields.

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Applying to medical school means completing many requirements, not the least of which is the personal statement for medical school. Writing an impressive personal statement for medical school can increase your admissions chances. It is therefore important to make sure that your personal statement is written concisely, edited properly, and would engage the reader. Below is a guide that can help you write an excellent personal statement for medical school.

Preparing and gathering information

Before writing your personal statement, it’s important that you prepare yourself by gathering information. You have to know what a personal statement for medical school is, what your personal statement needs to contain, and how you can write one. You can get information by reading some sample medical school personal statements. Doing so will give you an idea of how other people write the personal statement for medical school. You can also check the websites of the schools you’re applying to. These schools may have a section on their website about the personal statement for medical school.

Determining what to write about

You might be having difficulty in deciding what to write about when creating your personal statement. The key here is to discuss your achievements and what sets you apart from other applicants. Your personal statement for medical school should also contain information about your aspirations and personal qualities. Make sure that you write about your reasons for wanting to go into medicine and what prompted your desire. Give the readers a glimpse of your life experiences and how you are as a person.

When choosing a topic for your personal statement, don’t make the mistake of writing something that seems like a resume in paragraph form. Write about something that your resume and transcripts won’t be able to show. Reading sample medical personal statements can help you choose a topic or theme to write about.

Writing and editing

After deciding what to write about, you then have to put your thoughts on paper. It might help you to just jot down your thoughts and let them flow freely. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to write your personal statement for medical school so that you can still edit it.

Once you’ve finished writing your ideas down, you can then organize these and start revising. Proofread and edit your essay. Once you’re done doing that, it’s advisable to let others read your essay too. You might want to seek the help of a professor so that you can get honest opinions and constructive criticism. After getting the advice of others, you might have to edit your essay a little more to make it as good as it can be.

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