Username:
 Password:
 All Forums
 Medical School
 MCAT
 Keeping the motivation to ace the MCAT		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic   

dr_2b
Underclassman

1 Posts
Posted - 11/13/2003 :  10:09:08  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hey Guys,

I've found studying for the MCAT to be fairly full on - but I've also found a great way to relax and still benefit is to read some 'lighter' medically related books. This not only gives me a chance to unwind, but importantly keeps me motivated and my eyes fixed on the prize.

I've read three books which I've really enjoyed - and recommend - motivating but fun to read. (I bought them from Amazon and have pasted the links below .. but I'm sure you could find them at lots of other book stores).

I'm keen to hear of other books people have found motivational/inspirational for my next purchase .. and more importantly study break! :-P

The books that I've read and recommend are:

The Intern Blues: The Timeless Classic About the Making
of a Doctor
** Amazon link so you can read the blurb, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060937092/mcattips-20/002-1922888-4688823?creative=125581&camp=2321&link_code=as1

First, Do No Harm
** Amazon link so you can read the blurb, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/044922290X/mcattips-20/002-1922888-4688823?creative=125581&camp=2321&link_code=as1

The House of God
** Amazon link so you can read the blurb, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385337388/mcattips-20/002-1922888-4688823?creative=125581&camp=2321&link_code=as1

Another book that I think everyone has and recommends that I find useful is Kaplan MCAT Comprehensive Review ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743241509/ref=ase_mcattips-20/002-1922888-4688823?v=glance&s=books ) which provides summaries of all the science sections, and reviews verbal reasoning and essay writing. I used this as my basis for knowing what to study for in the MCAT.

Anyway, get out to your book store and get some inspiration. You can do it!!!

rworkman
Admissions Expert

USA
36 Posts
Posted - 11/14/2003 :  14:27:31  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
House of God is more entertaining than motivating in my opinion, but it is close to being a must-read for any medical student. Very funny!

I highly recommend breaking up your study time with pursuits such as this. It helps to keep you grounded and focused.

Best of luck!

Ron Workman, MD
AdmissionsConsultants
(703) 242-5885
Go to Top of Page

ggoldmakher
Admissions Expert

USA
5 Posts
Posted - 12/02/2003 :  10:44:53  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Another good one is "Kill As Few Patients As Possible" by Oscar London. The book consists of short, light-hearted anecdotes and bits of advice on keeping your intellectual/technical edge as a physician while not losing your humanity.

While reading like this is good for a change of pace, there are other things you can read that will both be informative and help you think along the lines required by the Verbal Reasoning section. Op-ed columns and other more or less serious opinion pieces, for instance, will help you get used to analyzing a writer's main point and the arguments s/he uses to support it. This will help you on the exam.

Gregory Goldmacher, MD, PhD

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885
Go to Top of Page

brandonw_395
Junior Professor

USA
55 Posts
Posted - 02/09/2004 :  14:01:20  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks for the advice guys. Greatly appreciated! I found some more good books on your website. Thanks again for those reviews too. I have plenty of reading materials now!
Go to Top of Page

bmb
Underclassman

1 Posts
Posted - 02/11/2004 :  09:28:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
An excellent book regarding the importance of cultural competence:

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down The story of a Hmong girl and her American doctors, by Ann Fadiman

Another book I really enjoyed is And The Band Played On by Randy Schiltz. Schiltz's book is a well researched history of the AIDS epidemic in the United States from about 1978 to 1985 or so.
Go to Top of Page

brie
Underclassman

1 Posts
Posted - 05/07/2004 :  20:28:43  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I recommend "The Doctor", it used to be called "A Taste of my Own Medicine". It's also a movie, but I haven't seen it yet. It's about a doctor who then got cancer and realized everything patients are put through. Really good for finding out the flaws of our medical system.
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic   
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:

Related Links:
Admissions Consulting | Admissions Essays | Business School Admission | College Admission | Executive MBA | Financial Aid   GMAT | Graduate School Admission | Ivy League | Law School Admission | MBA Admission | Medical School Admission | SAT



AdmissionsBoards.com © 2003-2009 AdmissionsBoards.com Go To Top Of Page