So about me.

will graduate with an IBO Diploma.
Taken 11 AP exams (passed with 3 or higher of course)
GPA: (weighted) 6-7.
Strong: 2 years of Bio and Chem at the college level, but taught in high school. Specifically, HL chem and bio, in the IBO program.
SAT: not taken yet.
extra curricular: some. 2 sports, some local help. some organization, and minute leadership qualities.

I wanted to be a veterinarian for the longest of time, and then in middle school 8th grade, i switched to wanting to be a doctor. I love the challenge, the material, pay and overall job. I hate sleeping, love staying up and doing homework. I live for academic success. VERY good at science.
I guess I am a bit apprehensive towards the pre-med program, since they weed out students in order to produce high percentage acceptance to the medical schools. I am afraid of Mcats, and going to pre-med for 4 years, and then failing them or not being able to specialize in medicine.

Any idea where I should be looking into as far as pre-med programs? any good ones?

Any thoughts/personal stories/advice/suggestions would be VeRY appreciated!! Thank you so much for your time ^_^

I was premed in college, wanted to be a neurosurgeon, got around a 3.4 for those classes (about 12) but opted out of going to medical school. If you’re good at science and determined you can do it. Most of the classes aren’t that hard. Some are, though: organic chemistry, calculus, physics can be rough. For every 10 premedical freshman, one of theme will become a doctor so consider a reasonable back up career.

I am currently a sophomore enrolled in a decent university. I am currently 16 years old (going on 17 in a couple of weeks). I want to apply to medical school but I am worried that I may not get in. I will graduate from my university in 2011 with a psychology major. This will make me 19 going into medical school (I hope). My last year I messed up my GPA very badly! I got a D+ in Calculus 1, B- in Calculus 2, C in Gen Chem 1, C in Gen Chem 2, A- in Gen Chem 1 Lab, C+ in Gen Chem 2 Lab, B+ College Coposition 1, B in College Composition 2, A in Bio 1 Lab, B in Bio 2 Lab, B- in Bio 1, C+ in Bio 2. I am taking organic chemistry currently and I am going to receive an A- in this class and hopefully next semester for organic chemistry 2 I can receive an A! I am really smart I just had some personal problems last year, and I believe I can get above a 30 on my MCAT. My only problem is even if I get As in OCHEM and Physics I will have a low science GPA (3.0) and my real GPA is probably at best going to reach (3.4…maybe). I really want to become a doctor more than anything, I love helping people and ever since I was very little dreamed of it. Do I have a chance of getting into an American medical school? (Not the Caribbean) What can I do to help my chances? I volunteer and I have shadowed many doctors. Please help!

Both RoaringMice and J make some excellent points and you should take them to heart. While I’m not sure what the Hopkins quote is the actual one, both versions address your question and reflect what you’ll find at pretty much every school. So authenticity aside, the point is that your GPA is of serious concern, especially your science GPA. You have to make an extreme improvement if you are to have any hope of attending medical school.

First, according to the AAMC website, the averages for people who matriculated to medical school in 2008 was 3.59 BCPM GPA (biology, chemistry, physics, math), 3.68 overall GPA, and 31.2 MCAT.

Your GPA falls way short of that number at the moment, so you are going to have to spend some serious time improving your science GPA. You should seriously consider getting a second major in a science field so that you can increase the number of classes in your science profile and thereby (hopefully) raise your science GPA to the mid-3 range. You have to dazzle them at this point if you have any hope of getting in. To see what numbers are being accepted at the various schools nationwide, go to student doctor network and click on applicant profiles. I warn you, it will be disheartening at first. Look for the ones that inspire you, and there will be a few of those. There are cases of low GPAs getting into medical school. See what their profile looks like (probably a solid MCAT, great clinical experiences, and they applied early). Just keep in mind that if you want this as much as you say you do, then you’ll get there in time. And by graduating at 19, you have a little time to boost your profile.

In the event your undergraduate experience doesn’t improve enough, you should consider going into a post-bacc program (such as the one at Georgetown or Drexel) where you get a year to prove your viability in medical school. It’s sort of an all or nothing year that you hope will prove to adcom folks that you can make it in medical school.

Also, your MCAT is going to have to be GREAT! Let’s say you manage to get your science GPA up to 3.2, you’ll need a 36 on the MCAT to become a “close to average” candidate. You should consider picking up some review books now, as they could help with school and give you a head start on the MCAT. Only use the best (Exam Krackers for biology and verbal and Berkeley Review for physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry, according to the consensus at SDN). When it comes time to prepare for the MCAT, take a review course that specializes in the MCAT. Get help in these areas!

And as J mentioned, by all means get tutoring. It’s how most people get through their premedical experiences.

Just keep plugging away and you should be able to recover to some respectability. Also consider applying to DO schools as well as MD schools. And you probably don’t want to tell people “I don’t want to go to a Caribbean school” in the same post where you say “I really want to become a doctor more than anything”, because the two statements contradict one another. Adcom people pick up on those things.

If there were two applicants of similar MCAT scores, good GPAs, good interviews and essays, impressive extracurricular activities and recommendations, which students will the medical school pick if there was only one space left? If all of these credentials were similar, would unique personal background and activities help in being chosen? Lets say that one of the applicants plays the flute in an orchestra and speaks three languages fluently. Would this person have the better chance at being chosen even though the activity is non health related?

You set an impossible scenario to answer. Admission committees are, by definition, subjective. The person who conducts your interview may like or dislike something about you that can never be known in advance. I have heard that some people were rejected because their answers didn't seem genuine–too rehearsed. That raised my eyebrows!

There is a personae that schools look for. If you are a West Coast type, laid back and prone to use slang, an Ivy League school isn't going to look upon you favorably. If you are prim and proper, a West Coast school might find you aloof and unpersonable. If you were born and raised in one state, odds are you are the type of person your state university is looking for.

Obviously, foreign languages are an asset. Would that compel a school to admit you over a candidate who had nursed a dying parent for years? Tough call. There just aren't any hard and fast answers.

But I will say this–if you have all that you describe, odds are you're going to be a doctor.

It’s 4am and you’re wide awake.You could be the one in three who have trouble sleeping. So what are the culprits and remedies for insomnia and how much sleep do you really need to beat the bedtime blues?

The truth: Everyone should sleep from seven to nine hours per night regardless of age, according to Edward L. Schneider, MD, dean of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Sleeping less than seven hours weakens immunity and increases the risk for depression, falls and accidents.

N.A.S.A. research shows the effects on driving after being awake for 20 hours is comparable to a blood alcohol level of 0.05.

Lack of sleep can also lead to raised blood pressure, headaches, increased appetite and weight gain due to increased production of cortisol. This hormone has the opposite effect to what you desire,particularly if you are overweight,because it stores fat and burns muscle.

A University of Pennsylvania study showed that getting two fewer hours sleep a night for one week lead to reduced performance in vigilance tests and an increase in inflammatory markers in the blood stream.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET MORE SLEEP?

FIRST,YOUR BEDROOM.
Make sure you have a comfortable bed and pillow. Your bedroom should be dark and quiet. It should also be well ventilated.

It should be peaceful.Jasmine, sandalwood or lavender scents can help.

A warm bath or shower before bed or playing tranquil music can also help. The aim is to slow your mind down. Watching TV in bed may not help, if you wish to relax your mind.

AVOID.
Caffeine in the evening. Sleeping tablets can be addictive if used continuously and should be avoided other than for very short time use. Eating heavy meals or drinking alcohol within two hours prior to bedtime can also disrupt sleep.
Bedtime snacks, particularly grains and sugars will raise your blood sugar and inhibit sleep according to Dr Joseph Mercola, author of The Total Health Program.

EXERCISE.
Regular exercise can reduce stress. A walk before bedtime can not only calm you, but the physical activity can aid digestion.
Your dog would also appreciate it!

HERBS AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTS.

Mild herbal supplements like camomile tea, passion flower or valerian may help some people.

VALERIAN.
The extract from the root of this plant is a natural sedative and tranquiliser. It can induce relaxation and is very good at quieting the busy mind. It is also a rich source of calcium, potassium and magnesium, all calming and balancing minerals for the nervous system. This herb also appears to increase brain levels of serotonin, a relaxing neurotransmitter.

MAGNESIUM.
This mineral is particularly important for your general wellbeing. When combined with calcium, it is an important supplement for healthy bones and protection against osteoporis. It is also important for sleep inducement, muscle relaxation and nervous system calming.

ST JOHNS WORT.
This herb is an effective option in helping to relieve mild anxiety and nervous tension. It can aid in the maintenance or improvement of general wellbeing.

A word of caution: St Johns Wort may react with some medications,including warfarin. It is important that you consult with your doctor before using this or any other supplements.

MELATONIN.
Melatonin is a natural sleep hormone produced at night by the brain.
Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have shown it to be safe, non addictive and virtually free of side effects. It is helpful for those who have light or restless sleep or take some time to fall asleep.

With correct use, it may help you to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. It is an effective cure for jetlag because of its ability to regulate our 24 hour sleep/wake cycle.

Many adults, especially those aged 65 and older have insufficient levels of melatonin to achieve restful sleep, according to Mark A Stengler ND, a naturopathic physician in private practice in La Jolla, California.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.
Try 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm water, before retiring.

FINALLY, NAPPING.
Sleep researchers have widely diverging opinions here. Some state that it can disturb night time sleep, while others say that it can compensate for a night time sleep deficit, especially if below 7 hours. Dr Schneider believes that most people should not nap for more than 20 minutes.

Researchers in the sleep research laboratory at Longborough University, England have found that people are designed for two sleeps a day, the main one at night and a nap in the afternoon.

I have found that an occasional 15 to 20 minute cat nap in the afternoon, particularly if I am feeling tired, can help me sleep better at night.

The bottom line is: What works best for you?

Never start a new treatment before consulting your doctor, especially if you currently are taking medication. The information published in this article is not intended as a substitute for personal medical advice from your physician or other qualified health-care practitioner.

Hi there
I want to be a doctor and I have applied for medicine.
Since this is my gap year In my application form , I wrote that i worked full time as a Nursing Assistant, which I did (from August to December part time since i had some personal problems, but when I filled in my application form i was working full time. Anyway, due to some problems with the boss, i think he doesn't want me to work for him any more. Since i have text him about 3 times before work that i coulnd't come since I had personal problems. (I don't know whether he has believed me, he thinks too much about money and doesn;t care).. anyway, 3 weeks ago he text me and said, why havent u turned up to work, and if i was going to turn up on sat.
I told him, that i didn't know what he was talking about since i had lost my phone and got no text from him. ( I did tell him that i had lost my phone 6 days before he called me). He doesn't believe me, anyway… i am worried about my medical school will they contact him?
i have texted my boss and told him i am really sorry and i am not like that, is just that i had to overcome some tough time, and i thanked him for allowing me to work, but he stills doesn;t answer. He hates me. anyway, yes, my referee has completed in the reference that medical school wanted in october, and that is all sent out. In fact I had a medical interview 3 days ago. However in my application form i also put the no and the address of my employer. Please tell me this is not gonna cause a problem. … will it?

They might contact him as medical schools place a lot of emphasis on relevant work experience. On the other hand, there is a good chance they might just take your word for it. Are you still working there? If so, it's not too late to make a better impression with the boss. Work hard and do your best. If you've left, or he's told you he doesn't want you back then write to him, explaining the personal problems and apologising for any inconvenience your absence caused, and saying how much you appreciate the experience you gained whist working there. In other words, try to soften him up a bit so he won't give a bad reference if asked. Keep a record of what kind of work you've done, what you liked or found hard and take this with you to your interview.

My advice to you would be to get some more work experience that you will enjoy more and be able to talk about more positively if and when you get an interview. You should also think carefully about the personal problems which have stopped you going to work. Training to be a doctor requires great stamina and commitment. Once you qualify, it is even harder work as a junior doctor. Do you feel you have the sort of personality which could cope with such stresses? You might find that a further year of good work experience would be beneficial before you decide on medicine.

Did you enjoy being a Nursing Assistant? Why do you want to be a doctor? Be honest with yourself before you commit yourself to a demanding career.

In future, don't send text messages to relay important information like not coming in to work. You should speak to the boss or deputy in person. In a job like nursing, it is very difficult for the boss, the whole team and the patients if a nurse doesn't turn up for work. You have to be reliable and responsible and you can't expect a good reference if you haven't shown these qualities.

I understand that personal problems can be overwhelming and you are very young (I assume you're not a mature student) so you have loads of time to develop the qualities of resiliance and reliability. Don't get stressed about what's happened. Take a deep breath, learn from your mistakes (i.e. not communicating with your boss properly re absence) and start afresh, either there or somewhere else. Often we learn more from experiences which don't quite work out than from those that do, so don't view it as a failure but as a very useful learning tool.

If you don't get a place at medical school, you can always try again next year (if you have the required straight As at A level) or you can start thinking about another career which might suit you more. Look at the UCAS website for ideas about courses, and on Connexions and Prospects websites for info re careers. The website http://www.wanttobeadoctor.co.uk/main.php is also very useful and there are others which you'll find if you google 'getting into medical school'
Hope this helps a bit. Don't worry and good luck!

Please can someone tell me about applying to harvard medical school. I need to know what particular questions they ask in the interviews, personal staement etc. I need some tips here.Thanks for your time.

Havard medical school is one of the hardest medical schools to get admitted to. First you would need an almost perfect undergard GPA like 4.0. You would alot of community serviie eg voulounteering at a local hospital whiel you were in college. You need good letters of recomdenationa and you eed lots of cash. good luck. check out their website. www.havard.com