COSAM Student Prepares for Medical School
Christin Davis, a senior in biomedical sciences, is preparing for medical school. Everyone knows college can be a difficult and demanding time. Deciding to be pre-med just adds to that difficulty. However, to those willing to put in the time and energy, it is a rewarding field to enter.
Davis decided in high school that she wanted to be a pediatrician. She felt it was a good fit because she loved helping people and loved kids.
“I’m not exactly sure if that is still the kind of doctor I want to be, but I do know that I want to go into the medical field.� she states.
Davis hopes to stay close to home during her years at medical school. The expensive tuition also makes in-state a better choice financially. She is interested in the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, or the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
Not only does medical school not come cheap, but it is a fight to get accepted. At the University of Alabama, a minimum 3.4 G.P.A. and a minimum score of 24 on the MCAT are needed.
“However, just because you meet the minimum requirements does not necessarily mean you are competitive.� Davis adds.
The MCAT, or Medical College Acceptance Test, is a challenging, mostly science based exam that takes eight hours to complete. The highest grade possible is a 45 but it is virtually impossible to make. The test is scaled to average about a 25.
Davis explains, “It is a very hard test, and it takes a lot of endurance to make it through eight hours of testing without being drained. It is sort of a cumulative test of every science class you have ever taken.�
The College of Science and Mathematics, commonly known as COSAM, has played a critical role in Davis’ preparations for medical school. The faculty is straight forward when informing students about what to expect.
“Our pre-health professions advisor, Mrs. Childress, will tell you exactly the way things are, whether it is what you want to hear or not. She sincerely wants each and every student to succeed.� Davis says.
The COSAM faculty also provides guidance about what classes to take, how to do well in them, and handles recommendation letters. In addition, the college offers field specific organizations and honor societies for all pre-health fields. Davis is a volunteer coordinator for AED, the pre-health honor society.
She states, “The organizations help by giving students the opportunity to get involved, get to know more people in their particular field, and to learn more about all the professional health careers.�
With the help of COSAM, the future of all AU students in the medical field looks bright.
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