It’s been demonstrated for years that many medical students and physicians lack effective formal training when it comes delivering distressing news to patients. So, a group of researchers explored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in this context, using ChatGPT (version 3.5) to generate scripts of potential responses that physicians might use when delivering bad news. The result: ChatGPT did not meet the minimum passing standard (MPS) during any of the generated conversations. Furthermore, even when provided further enhanced guidance, ChatGPT sill fell short of the MPS. “Currently ..read more

The bottom line: Although the finish line for each applicant may be medical school acceptance, each applicant does not have the same starting line and their journeys vary greatly. The path to medical school has never been glamorized. From difficult courses to moments of self doubt, the journey of a pre-medical student undoubtedly has a lot of twists and turns. What some students come to learn is that on the other side of their obstacles and challenges is a life as a successful medical student that has been shaped by those same lived experiences.  And the AAMC (American Association of Medi ..read more

There is a common theme in the Work and Activities section of the AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) application among exceptional medical school students — perseverance. While this isn’t a surprise, the authors of a study saw a lack of research on this topic and decided to do their own study. Specifically, the researchers found that between 2017 and 2019, the “perseverance” and the “success in a practiced activity” themes had the largest difference in representation when comparing exceptional and low performing medical students who attended the Uniformed Services University ..read more

If you’re a premed student, here are a few courses you should take before finishing your undergraduate experience: EXPOSITORY WRITING You’re going to have to write whether you like it or not, so you might as well get good at it. From your personal statement to the writing prompt on the MCAT, it is essential that you can express your thoughts, ideas, and stories in a well-crafted piece of writing. While they may excel in many areas, there are pre-medical students who are often deficient in their communication and writing skills. Taking an Expository Writing class may help you learn how to devel ..read more

You’re in college now and if there’s anything you must understand — you’re not in high school anymore and that’s kind of a big deal. As you make this transition from being a Senior in high school to being “fresh meat,” there will be many changes in your life. There will be many times where you are faced with the unknown. What you need to know is that the unfamiliarity and uncertainty is all part of the process and in the end, will make you a better premed. As you move forward along your path to becoming a doctor, here are some things you should consider in your first year in college. FAILING T ..read more

Neither revealing nor concealing a mental health condition on a medical school application would significantly affect a student’s chance of being accepted, according to a study published last week. Turns out, discussing mental health condition may benefit a student’s application if it explains a temporary decrease in academic performance or highlights the student’s resilience. “However, understanding the extent to which a candidate’s mental health condition is being managed, the severity of their current condition, and the extent to which they anticipate medical school negatively impacting the ..read more

Meet Victorya Perkins, a medical student attending Western Atlantic University School of Medicine. She shares the ups and the downs of her pre-medical journey, as well as how medical school is treating her and her plans for the future ..read more

I’m one of 32 students who make up the inaugural class at the world’s first engineering-based college of medicine. Two-thirds of my classmates are engineers. I’m not one of them. I studied biology at MIT and worked extensively in a cancer research lab during my junior and senior years. After undergrad, I conducted clinical research at Massachusetts General Hospital and received my master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Tufts University. So while I’m not an engineer, I am a problem solver, and as I gained experience in medical research, I began to see how engineering could play a key role ..read more

“You’ve got to be more than super-smart to be a good physician, and we need a way to put a quantifiable value on preprofessional competencies.” Charlene Green, PsyD, director of admissions at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento A brand new test from the makers of the MCAT will give medical school applicants a chance to show their potential beyond their grades and experiences. In April 2022, the Association of American Medical Colleges announced the launch of the PREview exam, formerly known as the AAMC’s situational judgement test (SJT) – a 75-minute exam desi ..read more

Burnout among healthcare workers is hella real. Nearly 75% of frontline workers report burnout, while more than half say they lack adequate supports to cope. The Administration has already dedicated $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding to address burnout and strengthen resiliency among health care workers. The President will strengthen this commitment by signing the bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act into law, which will invest $135 million over three years into training health care providers on suicide prevention and behavioral health wh ..read more