The Top Five Premed Mistakes
- Ilana Saidov
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Whether you are just starting your premed journey or well into your undergraduate years, it is essential to be aware of the common mistakes students make on their journey to becoming a physician. In this article, we will highlight the most frequent errors students make and share advice that will help you stay one step ahead on this path.
A common error students often make is taking the MCAT before they reach their target score. The MCAT is a crucial factor in the overall medical school application and should be taken when you have sufficiently prepared for it. With this being said, it is essential to dedicate sufficient time to studying for the exam to achieve a competitive score. The AAMC practice exams are the most realistic predictor of how you will perform on exam day. If you have not reached your target score by your exam date, the best decision you can make is to reschedule for when you are ready.
An essential part of the medical school application is clinical experience. According to the AAMC, for an activity to be considered clinical experience, it needs to take place in a clinical setting and involve direct patient care. There are plenty of ways where you can be actively involved in patient care. The common types of clinical experiences are working or volunteering as a medical assistant, EMT, or scribe.
While having various clinical experiences is essential, it is more important to get involved in meaningful experiences that you are passionate about and can learn from. Dedicating yourself to a few meaningful extracurriculars will be more impactful to your application than spending time on multiple small activities. As the saying goes, quality over quantity! Following this advice will prevent you from burning out early in the process and allow you to dedicate more time to studying.
The medical school application cycle typically opens during the first week of May. Some students do not have all the components of their application done by this time and apply late in the cycle. Most medical schools employ rolling admissions, meaning that applying later in the cycle can decrease your chances of receiving an interview, as slots have already started to fill up. Medical school admissions are highly competitive. Therefore, it is critical to submit your complete application as early as possible.
Below are the dates for the upcoming cycle according to the AAMC website:
May 1: Application Opens
May 27: Application submission begins
June 27: Data transmission to medical schools begins
August 1: Early Decision Program deadline
The final mistake that students make is forgetting to enjoy the process. The journey to becoming a physician is long and filled with various obstacles. It is essential to enjoy the process as much as you can. While there may be challenges, try to learn from every opportunity. Remember that any obstacle you face and the lessons you learn will shape you into an incredible physician in the future. Remember to contact your premed friends or pre-health advisors if you have questions during the medical school application process. If you focus on doing your best in every situation, there is no doubt that you will become an excellent physician.
Sources:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school-amcas/apply-medical-school-amcas-program
Comentários