The Best Pre-Med Study Tools
As a pre-med student, your study set up most likely has been disrupted due to the emergence of COVID-19. Now that most things are operating remotely, you’ve found yourself in search of the best pre-med study tools to help increase your productivity and enhance your preparation, whether for the MCAT or for any of your prerequisite classes. With thousands of apps out there, it’s not easy to find the best one.
Rather than going through and downloading every single MCAT prep app or pre-med focused program that exists on the App Store, it can be helpful to have a narrowed list of the best pre-med study tools. In this blog, we’ve just done that! Look through the following list to find the best apps that might benefit you. Scroll down to the second section to find more COVID-19-centric apps that could also be of use.
Apps for Use At Any Time as a Pre-Med and Onwards
The Premed App ($2.99 per month)
The Premed App by Motivate MD is specifically designed for students gearing up to apply to medical school. This first inclusion among the list of the best pre-med study tools stands out as it helps you understand the components of your medical school application, access its database of all the medical schools out there, and enables you to schedule and track your pre-med activities such as volunteering and shadowing. The Premed App further aims to increase your productivity with in-built tools such as “focus,” which lets you set daily study targets, as well as a goals progress sheet, which allows you to gauge areas of your application profile that need the most attention. Finally, the “MyMentor” option allows you to contact medical students and seek advice, all through the app.
Anki ($24.99)
Highly popular among both pre-med candidates and current medical students alike, Anki is a flashcard that appeals to everyone, as it can store over 100,000 cards with minimal issue. As long as you have an Anki account, you can use the app on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, or on iOS and Android phones. If you need help with memorization, Anki has your back. You can use pre-existing flashcards or design your own, and even include sounds, video, images, text, mathematical symbols. The audio and video features are particularly helpful as they can assist you as you learn the pronunciation of a drug or a microorganism. Preparing for medical school often needs you to cram in a lot of important information — a tool like Anki can test you on your way to retaining it.
MDCalc (Free)
Up next on our list of pre-med study tools is MDCalc, an app developed by physicians to conduct calculations that are prevalent in a medical setting. The program provides users , including MD applicants, students, and professionals, with access to clinical decision calculation tools including risk scores, algorithms, equations, diagnostic criteria, formulas, classifications, dosing calculators, and more. MDCalc has been designed to enable people involved in the medical field with tools that result in more accurate and efficient decision-making. As a prospective medical student, whether you’re looking at a simple or complex problem, take advantage of the 300+ formulas built into the program.
MCAT Prep: MCAT Flashcards (Free)
Of all the pre-med student tools, the name for this entry speaks for itself. Your MCAT score is one of the most important components of your medical school application, and if you’re someone who studies better with the help of technology, I definitely recommend downloading MCAT Prep, a flashcard app by Magoosh. This program is different from other flashcard-based tools as it’s specifically designed to help you with the MCAT. There are flashcards on whichever section you need help on, whether it’s organic chemistry or physics. The program also features video tutorials that you can cover before taking practice tests.
Prognosis (Free)
Prognosis is an app that provides you with a list of symptoms, which you can use to identify and pinpoint the associated condition. Users love Prognosis as it uses bright images and colors in its approachable interface, making it one of the friendliest entries among this list of pre-med study tools. Since a lot of apps can be dull and dreary, Prognosis’ entertaining aspects can be a welcome change. Based on actual clinical cases, Prognosis provides you with access to over 600 different cases, as well as thorough explanations of why the answers point to a certain illness or condition. This is a great program if you want to be tested on your medical knowledge!
Medscape (Free)
An app brought to you by the creators of one of the best-known medical websites, the mobile version of Medscape brings you the latest news in the field, including a tailored feed based on your interest and specialty. Medscape also features the “largest network exclusively for physicians and medical students.” You can share any challenging cases, seek answers to questions, and gain access to professionals from all over the world. You can also take courses on one of the thousands of topics across more than 30 specialties and monitor your progress and credits, all through the app.
Noisli ($1.99)
If you’re in search of apps that can help boost your productivity – or even calm your nerves – Noisli helps block out unwanted noises and gets you in the zone to concentrate on your studies. Simple to use and compatible with both your computer and smartphone, you can play around with different noise settings, playing sounds of steady rainfall, blowing wind, coffee shop chatter, or even birds chirping in a forest. If you don’t want the distraction of sound , Noisli also has a white noise feature. It might take you a bit of time to figure out what works for you. You can also play different sounds at the same time if that better suits your productivity. So, if you’re looking for a stress relieving environment, or if you concentrate better with sounds of a coffee machine, go ahead and check it out.
New Programs Developed in Response to COVID-19
Alongside pre-med study tools that can increase your performance and productivity, prospective physicians should also be aware of technology created specifically during and for the Coronavirus. Below is a rundown of these new tools:
- NOVID – This anonymous tracing app created by Duke students helps keep track of the spread of the virus. NOVID uses ultrasonic technology to accurately count your interactions, with precise distance measurement using Bluetooth technology. Whenever you’ve come in close contact with another NOVID user who’s tested positive, or has been exposed to COVID-19, you’ll receive a notification letting you know that you may have been exposed.
- DocClocker – DocClocker allows patients to receive the real-time wait-time at medical providers, encouraging them to get an estimate of how long the line is, and avoid staying in medical waiting rooms for too long.
- Covid-19 Risk Index by Carrot Health – The Minneapolis based company has created a predictor that indicates populations and communities that are most susceptible to the negative impacts from the outbreak.
- Orion Health’s Remote Patient Management – Easily found on Orion Health’s website, this platform allows healthcare services to remotely monitor patients while in their own homes. It uses AI to identify the most-at risk patients.
- Orbita COVID-19 Virtual Assistant – This chat bot offers easy access for people quarantined at home to ask Coronavirus-specific questions. Orbita developed this tool to assist the overwhelming demand for testing and screening at hospitals.
Now that you have a greater understanding of the pre-med tools out there, you can select the ones that are most likely to increase your chances of getting into medical school. Head on over to the App Store or Google Play as you prepare for the MCAT or if you simply just want to test your clinical knowledge. Good luck!
