Career Services
Preparation for Medical School at Reed
Introduction
About this guide
This is an
outline of useful information if you are considering a
career in medicine. It is not intended to be comprehensive, rather to give you highlights, to get you thinking, and to point you
in directions for further planning. In it you find a summary
of admissions requirements for medical school, a timetable of
activities should you decide to apply, and an introduction to the
role of the pre-med advisers at Reed.
Why medicine?
More than any topic, this
question cannot be adequately addressed in a brief handout. Some
points to be made:
Medicine is not for everyone.
It is a demanding career that requires vigorous, expensive, and
ongoing training. Simply liking science or being a people
person is not adequate. As the American Association of Medical
Colleges puts it:
What does it take to be a physician? Briefly, it takes physical, emotional, and intellectual stamina; a good adjustment to any handicaps; the desire to work with and for people; and particularly, the ability to think logically and to use common sense... deciding whether to apply to medical school must be the outcome of serious personal reflection about one's motivations and aspirations as these relate to the realities of medical practice such as working with sick people, continuing study for 7-11 years after college, and committment to lifelong learning. (Medical School Admission Requirements, AAMC)
Pre-medical coursework does not inform you about the
practice of medicine.
As implied previously, the life of a
practicing physician is far different than your experience taking
biology, organic chemistry, humanities, or even anatomy. The
only way to know if you would want to BE a physician (as opposed to
just learning about medicine) is to gain exposure to it through books,
family members, physician acquaintances, and volunteer or paid
employment experiences. Ask yourself whether the pressures
and issues a health-care professional faces on a daily basis are those that you would want to face. Is what this professional does on a
day-to-day basis what you want to do? Also, take the time to seriously
investigate alternative health careers as you explore; one of
the alternatives may be better suited to your temperment and to your
motivations and interest in health care.
Why Reed?
The emphasis on independent learning, critical
thinking, and the rigor of the academic environment are excellent
preparation for medical school, should you choose this route. Reed
provides a very different experience from typical pre-medical fare. The lack of emphasis on grades is one of the things that
makes our learning environment special. Should you thrive in the
Reed environment, your academic preparation and aptitude for a
career as a physician will be top-notch. The rest is up to you.
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