MCAT Strategies

As an aside to the following information: I have received my MCAT scores a couple of days ago, and I can gladly say that the practice AAMC tests have a strong predicting accuracy.
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Today's post will be mostly about the broad strategies of preparation for the MCAT.

As you probably know, two major components determine whether or not you make the cut for the interview. These are your GPA and your MCAT score. There are books written on how to study efficiently and every university will have an undergraduate advising office that would be more than happy to justify its existence by helping you out with your studying. Today, however, we are going to talk about the other component, the MCAT.

Needless to say, there is no person on earth that would like to re-take this test (except maybe the guys who teach prep courses, so they can claim numerous successes). Let alone the financial toll it will have on you, the psychological damage your neurons will sustain is irreversible. So how can you prepare for this horrendous test?

McGill University - tips and quick facts series

Updated in 2010
Here is the stuff that will get you brownie points with the admission committee:

• Some affiliated teaching hospitals:
  
  
  • McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), representing five teaching hospitals affiliated with McGill:
    
    
    • Montreal Children's Hospital
    • Montreal General Hospital
    • Royal Victoria Hospital
    • Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute
    • Montreal Chest Institute
  • Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital
  • Douglas Institute
  • St. Mary's Hospital Centre

• McGill's unique Simulation Centre

The McGill Medical Simulation Centre is an interprofessional centre of excellence using medical simulation to enhance the skills of health care professionals through education, research, evaluation and innovation, thereby improving patient safety and the quality of care.
The Centre combines training techniques from high-risk professions in aviation and emergency response with the latest medical simulation technologies. Fully integrated into McGill's professional programs, the Centre provides the next generation of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists with hands-on training in difficult and potentially dangerous procedures without risk to patients. It also promotes the importance of teamwork in health care delivery.
Established health care professionals are also able to take advantage of the Centre for the professional upgrading that will be increasingly required by licensing bodies. (http://www.mcgill.ca/medsimcentre/about/)

• McGill's e-Curriculum

The M.D., C.M. program is committed to making use of electronic media, multimedia learning objects and information technology in learning and teaching. In recognition of the wide variety of learning styles evident in our students, it is considered important to provide as broad a range of educational resources as possible. The Faculty of Medicine at McGill was very fortunate to have received, in 1997, a major donation from the Molson foundation for the development of computer enhanced learning and teaching methodologies. Since then, the faculty has converted major components of the mainstream curriculum to an electronic format, and enhanced the curriculum with multi-media learning objects (e.g. animations, audio and video clips, etc.) to facilitate teaching and learning. (http://curriculum.mmi.mcgill.ca/)

If you want a preview this cool e-stuff, check out this link http://curriculum.mmi.mcgill.ca/viewflash.aspx?path=~/images/ECurriculumDemo-800x600.swf&w=800px&h=600px

• From this year on, McGill will have MMIs (Multiple Mini-Interviews), just like McMaster. There are 9 MMI interviews each lasting 10 minutes total (2 minutes for reading the prompt + 8 minutes for actual situation) and a single traditional type interview that last 10-20 minutes long. The weight of these MMI`s is significant - 80% versus 20% the rest - which means that if you got to that point, you better give it all you can.
• McGill has recently introduced a new category of Mature applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree and have been out of the academic world for at least 3 years. They have slightly different criteria (most notably lower GPA requirements). Read more here: http://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/applying/applicant-categories/non-traditional-pathway-quebec
• McGill has rather complete details about their GPA and MCAT (unless you are an international applicant, McGill does NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT require the MCAT) requirements over here: http://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/what-are-we-looking/academics-university
• McGill has recently introduced the so-called physicianship program in their curriculum. I would highly recommend you read the following:
• http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/ugme/curriculum/physicianship_en.htm
• http://www.hopehealing.org/projectphysicianship.asp
• Here is an extra, albeit a bit old, still gives you some useful info that hadn't changed much, like breakdown of the application materials:

Here is some more general info about medical education:

• Medical Schools
• Online PHD programs
• Choosing a Medical School