Choosing the right medical school that offers quality education and is the best fit for you is one of the most challenging tasks for every aspiring doctor.
Choosing the right medical school that offers quality education and is the best fit for you is one of the most challenging tasks for every aspiring doctor. If you are thinking of applying to a medical school, I’m sure you have definitely heard some myths about the medical school application process from your friends and family. If you are a prospective medical school student thinking to submit your application, investigating these misconceptions and rumors can help you gain a deeper understanding of what medical school will really be like.
Here are five biggest myths about Caribbean medical schools busted to help prospective medical students understand the process of the application process and what it is like to pursue a medical education.
Myth No. 1: Science Major is Compulsory to Get into a Top Medical School
If you want to fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor, you can take humanities, sociology, psychology or any other non-science major in your college. It is not necessary to choose biology as a major to get into medical school. You can take any subject as a major you want, make sure to complete the required science courses to fulfill the medical school admission requirements. Even taking a non-science major such as arts or behavioral science will increase your chances of acceptance, as medical schools want to enroll students with diverse background, knowledge, and skills so that they can become a qualified physician.
Before submitting your medical school application, make sure you have a basic science knowledge required to get enrolled in a medical school in the Caribbean. There are many medical schools that require applicants to complete at least one year with laboratory work in biology, organic chemistry, general chemistry, and physics and one year of math or calculus.
Myth No. 2: You have to Take the MCAT
There is no denying the fact that MCAT is the most important admission criterion of many medical schools. Applicants with the highest scores in the MCAT have a better chance of acceptance as it shows that these candidates have strong reasoning, analytical and critical thinking skills required to become an excellent doctor.
There are many Caribbean medical schools that don’t require MCAT, however taking the test will make you a competitive applicant. The test comprises of four sections such as biological and biochemical foundation of living systems, social and biological foundations of behavior, critical analysis and reasoning skills, chemical and physical foundations of biological systems and psychological, social and biological foundations of behavior. If you want to secure impressive scores, you can enroll in an MCAT course and prepare for this test.
Myth No. 3: You have to Get Research Experience
In order to apply to the best medical school, you have to take research experience of any kind. Medical schools want to enroll students that are smart enough and have the skills required to become a qualified doctor. Getting research experience will increase your chances of acceptance. Try to find research projects in laboratory, hospitals and research centers. Keep in mind that earning some research experience will make you a competitive candidate, it is not an admission prerequisite.
Myth No. 4: You Have to Give Up Your Social Life
In order to succeed in medical school, you need to put a lot of effort and energy to stay on top of your studies. Many medical school hopefuls believe that there will be no social life if you decide to pursue a career in medicine. However, it is exactly not the case. It is possible to set aside time for your social life and personal interests while completing all your assignments and lab work on time.
Though it will become difficult for medical school students to go on vacations and go for hangouts, you can create a schedule and set aside time for the activities you love most. You can still enjoy your social life in medical school, watch your favorite movie, spend time with your friends on weekends and do everything that matters most to you.
Myth No. 5: You Have to Stay Up All Night
You might have heard that medical students study 24/7 to keep up with the courses. Medical students are provided with a sheer amount of information, medical concepts, and terminologies and are supposed to learn in a short timeframe. Therefore, it is important to work hard and dedicate enough time for learning intricate terms and concepts in order to stay on top of things perfectly. Work smartly is key. Instead of staying up all night, try to figure out the effective strategy that works for you and helps you memorize all the concepts and complete your assignments on time.
Over to You
Having misconceptions about attending Caribbean medical school may cause potentially excellent doctors to give up their dream before giving it a try. Learning these truths about medical school will help you better prepare for your medical school journey and pursue a rewarding career in the medical field.
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