Book excerpt: Getting into medical school is difficult, even for students with excellent college undergraduate records. Today, only about one-third of all students who apply to medical college are accepted—a statistic that emphasizes the vital importance of well-focused preparation on the part of medical school candidates. Getting into Medical School, now in its new twelfth edition, has gained a well-earned reputation as a time-proven source of sound advice and information on how medical school candidates can improve their chances for admission. Written by a medical doctor who is also an experienced student advisor, and updated to reflect today’s medical school environment, this book emphasizes the importance of attaining a good score on the standardized MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). It also guides applicants through the arduous process of preparing the medical school application and advises them on how to make a good impression when invited for that all-important personal interview. The book concludes with a detailed medical school directory that lists up-to-date tuitions and fees, academic requirements, and application and enrollment information for more than 170 accredited medical and osteopathic colleges across the United States. Also included is a list of Web sites that provide helpful information to medical school candidates.