I think it's awesome that you're interested in medicine.
However, you ought to know from the beginning that this is a long, tough road ahead. Studying is going to be a main part of your life for the next several years, perhaps for the next decade. Is that okay with you? If it's not, make sure you take a look at other career options in medicine. There are quite a few that aren't as intense as an M.D. or D.O. program.
You're good with studying? Awesome, let's keep going.
I'm writing this post to premed students who are working on their medical school applications. There are a few things we learned that will be hugely beneficial to you as you work through this process.
1. Submit to AMCAS on time
It is really, really important to get your AMCAS application submitted within a few days of it opening. It usually opens in the summer (likely late May/early June) and you want to have your application sent in as soon as possible.
This matters because medical schools operate on a rolling admissions cycle. As soon as they start getting applications, they are reviewing and sending out secondaries which are sets of essays specific to the school. It's important to get those turned around quickly too while still doing a good job.
Speed is of the essence because there are so many applicants and relatively few slots for interviews and even fewer for the actual classes. The schools begin assessing applicants immediately and they have rolling admissions, mean that they start filling their class slots immediately, too.
Basically, work to get your essays good but once you hit 'Quite Good', don't spend a lot of time getting them to 'Perfect.' Get them sent off as quickly as you reasonably can.
2. Personal Statement
Some quick thoughts:
- Install and use Grammarly which will automatically flag and correct grammar issues as you type.
- Steer clear of political issues. Remember, many many MANY different types of people will be reading your statement. Keep it politically neutral.
- Present yourself as someone who will succeed in medical school. In other words, don't put in anything that might raise a 'red flag' in the minds of the admissions people. They are looking for students who will succeed in their program, so present yourself accordingly.
- Your personal statement will probably be read by each person who interviews you. They may quiz you on ideas that you present in your personal statement. Make sure that you're ready to back up everything in there and explain ideas further if necessary.
3. MCAT
The MCAT matters. If you think about it, the MCAT is a way to compare broad ranges of applicants by a number that is fair. A 4.0 is impressive, but a 4.0 from Harvard and a 4.0 from a lesser college mean different things. The MCAT, however, is a number that closes that gap.
4. Should you have to reapply...
If you don't get in during this round, don't be disheartened; so it has gone with many of the brightest minds out there.
Email the schools where you sent secondaries or where you interviewed and ask what you can do to make your application more competitive at their program. This tactic will give you some of the most valuable information you can possibly find.
My husband contacted the schools in this way when we found out we would have to reapply. (The admissions office at the Mayo clinic was particularly helpful, if I remember correctly). He learned what was needed and then worked for a year to improve those things before reapplying. It was a sacrifice of time and effort but it was absolutely worthwhile.
If necessary, find out what you can do better and then make it happen. You won't regret time spent improving your application.
Who knows? Maybe with a little improvement, you'll find yourself next year sitting down to an interview at Johns Hopkins or Harvard.
Keep working at it and you'll do great things.
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Do you have any questions?
Is there anything in this post that doesn't seem right or doesn't make sense? I'd like to know if you think differently on any of these subjects.
Good luck!
-Jenna
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