A little background before I write this... this is just an overview of the process you have to go through to get into medical school. This isn't one that claims to tell you any secrets or special techniques that will guarentee admission... just lets you know what's involved.
My qualifications?
Well, I'm in medical school... ;)
Getting into med school is tough - I remember when I was applying, the figure was around 30% of people who apply to med school get in. Which doesn't sound so bad at first, until you realize that it's 30% into _any_ med school. The other 70% go on to find other jobs.
The Process
In brief, you go to college, take 4 premed classes, take the MCATs, and apply to medical school.
I'm not sure how much the choice of college affects your chances to get into med school. I think the standard answer is that any little bit helps.
Most schools have premed programs... which involve a set of course requirements which will prepare you for the MCATs (medical admissions test). Contrary to popular belief, 'premed' isn't a major at most colleges. Instead, you major in the topic of your choosing and take the premed classes along the way. (I majored in Computer Science.) The premed classes are Biology, General Chemistry, Physics, and Organic Chemistry. Of course, if you major in Biology or Chemistry, there is so much overlap in your classes, you won't be taking many (any?) extra classes to fulfill your premed requirements.
Hopefully, you do well in your premed and other classes in college. My premed advisor told us that you need to have a 3.3 average cumulative to have a decent chance at getting in. Whether this is true or not, I don't know. But, overall average is definately a factor in your chances of getting in.
Another major factor is the MCATs. Generally you split your premed classes over the first 3 years of college. At the end of your third year (in April, I think), you take the MCAT. This is a massive test. It is a 6 hour exam taken over a full day. It covers Biology, Physics, General and Organic Chemistry. MCATs will likely be the worst test you take in college. I personally took one of those review courses, and thought it helped. Some don't... it depends on your studying style. MCATs are scored from 3-15 in 3 sections: Verbal, Biological Sciences, and Physical Sciences. 8 is average, and 15 is the best. There is also a writing sample, which uses a strange letter score (I've forgotten the range).
Once you're done with all this... you are ready to apply. Now here, I can give you some advice. Apply early. That is very important. Applications are accepted from approximately June/July until whenever they fill up. The later you submit, the more likely they have already filled spots, and it'll likely be more competitive to fill those last few slots.
Good luck!
