Studying at medical school

Abstract

Chapter 2 outlines key considerations when choosing a medical school, including location, a city versus campus-based medical school, course teaching style and length, entry requirements, and need for aptitude testing. Tips on work experience, personal statement writing, and interview are given. An overview of learning styles and teaching is presented which may be a helpful tool to support medical school selection, and to set expectations of the learning environment at medical school. The basic sciences which formulate the medical curriculum (anatomy, physiology, etc.) are outlined and their scope is described. The various teaching formats at medical school are presented (lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based learning) as well as the practical sessions (microscopy, prosection, dissection). Tips for essay writing are presented as are the key considerations when tackling coursework. Placements are part of the medical school learning experience which place clinical learning into context, as well as clinical examinations. Tips on approaching GP and hospital placements are given. Mobile devices are important resources in medical education: a section on the ‘top ten apps’ for medical students helps to identify the most helpful applications at medical school.