Pre-Med Resources
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MD vs. DO
Check out these informational videos, made by physicians, explaining the similarities and differences between MD and DO degrees in the United States. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
"The allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) approaches to medicine are highly valuable for treating patients. Therefore, neither an MD nor DO is objectively better than the other. Nevertheless, your preference for one training modality vs. the other, desire to practice as a specialist vs. primary care physician, and ability to get into MD programs (more difficult) should be carefully considered when deciding where to apply to medical school." - Shirag Shemmassian, MD
Kevin Jubbal, MD
@Med School Insiders
Ryan Gray, MD
@Medical School Headquarters
Mike Varshavski, DO
@Doctor Mike
The Premed Years, Episode 154: Two Acceptances,
MD vs DO, One Tough Choice
The Premed Years, Episode 273: Let's Talk About Osteopathic Docs and What You Need to Know
Finding Your Fit
Check out these online databases, published and updated by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), allowing you to browse, search, sort and compare information about U.S. and Canadian medical schools.
MD Schools
Requires Subscription
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DO Schools
Requires Registration
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Medical School
Application Tracker
How to Choose a Medical School
@Med School Insiders
The MCAT Exam*
Check out these online resources, published and updated by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), detailing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), how to register, and what to expect on test day.
Watch this 2-minute video about the MCAT exam
and what it tests.
How I WISH I Studied for the MCAT!
(+ COMPLETE MCAT STUDY PLAN)
@Shaun Anderson
Below are some helpful resources and tools to help you while studying for your MCAT exam. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
The MCAT Podcast is a collaboration between Next Step Test Prep and the Medical School Headquarters.
The MCAT CARS Podcast is a collaboration between Jack Westin and the Medical School Headquarters.
*MCAT is a registered trademark of the Association of American Medical Colleges, which neither sponsors nor endorses this organization.
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The Primary Application
Check out these online resources, published and updated by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS), detailing their application service, how to apply and what to expect in the application process.
American Medical College Application Service
Texas Medical and Dental School Application Services
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service
Calculate your BCPM and cumulative GPAs here
AMCAS GPA Calculator
The Personal Statement
Below are some helpful online resources, tools, and databases to help you while you write for your medical school personal statement. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
Personal Statement for Medical School & Residency
@Med School Insiders
Can I Use the Same Personal Statement for MD and DO? @Medical School Headquarters
8 Tips for Writing Your Med School Personal Statement
@Medical School Headquarters
The Premed Years, Episode 88: Writing the Personal Statement for Medical School
The Premed Years, Episode 161: 5 Biggest Medical School Personal Statement Mistakes
The Activities Section
Below are some helpful resources and tools to help you while you write for your medical school secondary essays. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
The Best Extracurricular Activities for Medical School @Shemmassian Academic Consulting
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AMCAS Work and Activities: The BEST Strategies @Shemmassian Academic Consulting
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The Secondary Application
Below are some helpful resources and tools to help you while you write for your medical school secondary essays. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
Med School Secondary Essays: 101 What Are They?
Why Are the Important? @Medical School Headquarters
4 Tips for Getting Started on Your Secondary Essays for Med School @Medical School Headquarters
The Dos and Don'ts of Medical School Secondary Essays @Medical School Headquarters
Premed Q&A, Episode 15: Does it Matter How Fast I Turn Around My Secondary Essays?
The Premed Years, Episode 242: Secondary Essay Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The Interview
Below are some helpful resources and tools to help you while you prepare for your medical school interview(s). Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
The BEST Medical School Interview Strategies
@Shemmassian Academic Consulting
The BEST Strategies to ACE Your MMI Interview
@Shemmassian Academic Consulting
Premed Q&A, Episode 58: How to Reduce Anxiety Around the Med School Interview
The Premed Years, Episode 91: Preparing for the Medical School Interview
The Premed Years, Episode 332: 5 Biggest Mistakes Students Make During
an MMI Interview
The Premed Years, Episode 334: What to Be Prepared to Discuss in the
Med School Interview
The Premed Years, Episode 378: The Interview Advice Every Premed Needs to Hear
The CASPer Exam
Check out these online resources detailing the CASPer Exam, how to register, and what to expect on test day.
Watch this 1.5-minute video about the CASPer exam
and what it tests.
How to Ace the CASPer Test - Sample Questions and Answers Included @Shemmassian Academic Consulting
Below are some helpful resources and tools to help you prepare for your CASPer exam. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
The Premed Years, Episode 303: How Can I Prepare for the CASPer, What is CASPer and More
*CASPer is a registered trademark of Altus Assessments, which neither sponsors nor endorses this organization.
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The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Below are some helpful resources help you learn about the US Military Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author. Contact your local branch recruiter(s) for more information.
So You Want to Be a Military Doctor
@Med School Insiders
The HPSP Scholarship: My Experience and
What You Need to Know @Medical School Headquarters
Dual Degree Programs
Check out these informational resources explaining the details and outcomes of dual degree programs. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
MD/PHD, MD/MPH: 3 Things to Know About Applying to Dual Degree Medical Programs @Dr. Andre Pinesett
Channels We Love!
Check out these informational YouTube channels for fun and informational videos as you navigate your own pre-med journey. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author. AMSA ACPHS does not endorse any of the opinions shared in the content of these videos.
Just 3 medical students who make videos about all things studying
An avid explorer of life. Just a man and his dogs against the world. Human first. My goal is to make the field of medicine relatable, understandable, and fun!
A 4th year rheumatology resident who shows the reality of being a resident
A medical student dedicated to sharing his journey and tips on becoming a physician
Provides up-to-date information about getting into and excelling in med school
Ob/Gyn physician and mom, Danielle Jones provides weekly Monday Morning Edu-Tainment
Offers high yield, evidence-based strategies on pursuing a career in medicine
A Senior Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology Fellow living in NYC, Dr. Cellini posts medical stuff mixed in with travel vlogs and radiology
Gives you the highest-yield strategies for becoming the type of applicant that medical schools love to admit
Spine Surgeon and Decorated Veteran, Dr. Webb provides pre-meds with the realities of medicine post-med school
Rachel shows pre-med students the reality of life as an osteopathic medical student
A junior doctor vlogging his way through med school and work in the UK's National Health Service
Shaun shows pre-med students the reality of life as an allopathic medical student
A national network of students, residents and clinicians who "curbside" the experts to deconstruct various topics in medicine
Dr. Sandra Lee shows viewers a window into her world of skincare and dermatology
A fourth year medical student at King's College, London
UCLA Medical Student Vlogs
How to Become a Doctor
Below are some helpful resources and tools to help you understand the roadmap of becoming a doctor. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
Check out the answers to these FAQs!
So You Want to Be... @Med School Insiders
Also check out the Day in the Life series!
High School to Doctor | Physician/Surgeon Training Overview
@Med School Insiders
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How to Become a Doctor: EVERYTHING You
Need to Know @Shemmassian Academic Consulting
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This College Junior Just Decided to Become Premed
@Medical School Headquarters
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Anatomy of a Successful Pre-Med | 5 Traits
@Med School Insiders
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Managing Stress as a Pre-Med
Below are some helpful resources and tools to help you manage stress as a pre-med student. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
How To Get Through Hard Days as a Premed and Med Student @Medical School Headquarters
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Click the lightbulb to find out how mentally strong people deal with stress in healthy ways!
How to Manage Stress as a Student
@Med School Insiders
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Misc. Resources
Below are some miscellaneous resources and tools to help you navigate your own pre-med journey. Please note that these resources are not created by AMSA ACPHS and are made available online for personal use by the author.
@med.set
@dr.gohari
@medicaltalks
If You Were A Doctor, Which Kind Would You Be?
@BuzzFeed
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Legends of Surgery Podcast:
Short clips on the history of medicine and surgery
Surviving Medicine
Podcast
Open Forum Blogs
*Disclaimer: the below links are open forums with content uploaded by individual users and may not always contain accurate information. Use caution and speak with your pre-med advisor for the most up-to-date resources and information. AMSA ACPHS does not create nor endorse any of the content or opinions found in these forums.
Provides a wide range of free resources to help pre-med students in their educational journey​
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