January-March: Register for and take MCAT (if ready)
April: Begin drafting personal statement and experiences section
May: Request letters of recommendation
The MCAT consists of four sections:
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (59 questions, 95 minutes)
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) (53 questions, 90 minutes)
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (59 questions, 95 minutes)
Interested in a medical career? Taken the MCAT? Get guidance on getting into medical school. We can help!
In my specialty of glaucoma treatment, I've seen how the field has evolved dramatically with new technologies and treatment approaches. When I began practicing, we had fewer medication options and surgical techniques for managing intraocular pressure. Today's ophthalmologists have minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, advanced imaging technologies, and targeted medications that were unimaginable decades ago.
What this taught me—and what I emphasize to students interested in any medical specialty—is that your medical education isn't preparing you for medicine as it is today, but for medicine as it will evolve throughout your career. The most valuable skill isn't memorizing today's standard of care but developing the adaptability to evaluate and incorporate new evidence and technologies throughout your professional life.
My path to becoming a glaucoma specialist wasn't always straightforward. During my medical training, I faced the challenge of choosing between several…