Medical School in USA?

"Dan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I am very interested in changing my career path with an eye toward psychiatry, but aren't familiar
with how to go about looking into this. I have an undergraduate degree with a major in
Mathematics, and I didn't study any chemistry or biology in college. Could someone offer me a
broad outline of how I would go about getting into a medical school and any other advice?

Thanks so much, Dan

Identify a few medical schools that you would like to apply to, then check their web sites (or write
to them) to get a list of their requirements for admission. You probably will have the best chance
at schools in the state where you are a resident. Figure out the additional undergraduate courses
you will need to take to meet those requirements, and while taking those courses, make sure you have
a competent pre-med advisor; he/she will advise you on the courses you need to take, in what order,
and generally what it takes to get into medical school.

Generally, you will need 8-10 semester hours of general chemistry and 8-10 semester hours of organic
chemistry (including labs). You will need physics+lab (2 semesters), biology/zoology (2 semesters)
and math through calculus or statistics. You will also need 12-16 hours of some kind of social
science/humanities (psychology qualifies) and a semester of english composition. You will also
almost certainly need a semester of basic genetics, and may need a semester of biochemistry. If you
graduated in a typical Arts & Sciences college, you will already have a lot of the humanities and
social sciences. Some schools also require either language, or computer science courses.

At some point along the way you will need to begin studying for the MCATs. You will *have* to get a
good grade on that test, have good undergraduate grades, (3.5 or better cumulative GPA including
your undergraduate studies) and write a killer personal statement as well as impress the admissions
committee when and if you are granted an interview. If you didn't have a 3.5 CGPA or better in your
undergraduate study, you'd better get straight A's in the courses you take when you go back.

Most medical schools have 8-12 applicants for every postition. They will look at things in your life
that indicate a defining interest in medicine such as volunteer work.Your career change is not a big
deal, but a medical school admissions committee is absolutely going to want evidence of your
motivation and dedication, because the 8-10 years it will take you from your first day of medical
school to the day you can open your practice are going to be a long, hard pull.

Good luck. It's a very rewarding career, but it requires a real committment.

HMc