Applying to medical school

This is one of the most common topics I am asked about, on a daily basis. Although it has been quite some time since I applied to medical school, I remember being curious about the process. I also remember having had a difficult time determining the expectations of various medical schools. What do they look for? Am I good enough? Where should I start?

If you are looking into applying for medical school, and having some of these thoughts, you are NOT alone.

The process is tough, and stressful, but it IS manageable in the end. The key?? Start early.

I personally believe the process should start the second you begin undergraduate college.

Start with a plan for your curriculum, a timeline for standardized tests, and start to form and maintain relationships with mentors who may pose as recommendation letter-writers in the near future.

The resources have changed since I was in the midst of applying, but the AAMC website has always been an excellent source for up to date information. When I was a young pre-med, I also purchased a book that listed each medical school in the United States, all of the statistics and expectations of the applicants applying to each medical school, application deadlines, and contact emails.

Where should your focus be throughout undergraduate school?

1. Grades (duh)- both science and overall GPA
   Everyone knows your GPA is very important.

2. MCAT

3. Extracurricular activities and leadership roles

4. Letters of recommendation

Most medical schools here in the United States use a centralized application called the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Keep in mind some schools may use a separate application service.

After your initial application is submitted, you may be invited to fill out secondary applications.

This may include additional writing in essay format, letters of recommendation, and likely more fees. 🙁

Then come the interviews… interview prep is extremely important!

See my separate blog post on The interview checklist and What NOT to do on interview day.

Once your interviews are completed, you can expect to receive correspondence with your acceptance, rejection, or wait listing status. This process typically happens within a month of the interview, however each school is different.

Now that you know where your general focus should be, it’s time to get down to business. Learning HOW to be successful in each of the above- mentioned categories is key.

1. Learn your most efficient and successful early on, in undergrad. Practice and use trial and error, to ensure you have your favorite personalized study techniques down, before medical school If something isn’t working, CHANGE. It is so important to avoid making the same mistakes over and over. Doing so can truly affect your overall GPA.
2. When it comes time to take the MCAT, assess your test taking strategies and study schedule. Do you do better learning in a class format? If so, consider the Princeton or Kaplan reviews to prepare for the exam. Maybe you’re more of an independent learner, in which case you may be able to purchase some study books and learn the material on your own. Regardless of learning style, I recommend taking practice sessions (that mimic the real test), and doing regular questions.
3. Start early with extracurricular activities and leadership roles. Your course load and schedule will likely become busier as you progress in school, and this will lead to less free time. Build that resume as soon as possible and stick with the activities that you really enjoy, long term. This shows consistency and motivation.
4. Make as many personal connections as you can, early on. This is VERY important in medicine. Meet your undergraduate premedical studies advisor, and get to know your professors in office hours. Help them understand who you are, and what your goals consist of, so when it comes time to ask for that letter, they aren’t surprised. The medical community is surprisingly small, and one connection may open doors for endless opportunities.

Remember, although this seems like a huge checklist that can lead to stress and sleepless nights, it doesn’t have to be this way. Start early, and you will see yourself breezing through this process, before you even have time to notice stress.