When preparing to apply to medical school, there are lots of details to consider! One major area of the application that causes a lot of stress are the letters of recommendation. To make the process of deciding which letters to collect easier for you, I did the research! (Your welcome.) As I mentioned in a…
5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Applying to Medical School as an Older Applicant
The average age for medical students has been steadily increasing over the years for several reasons. For one, medical schools cannot legally discriminate against applicants based on age. Furthermore, applicants with more life experience can be some of the best medical students as they are already established in their identity, maturity levels, and career goals….
Applying to Medical School Without a Committee Letter
Some medical schools like, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, require a committee letter if your undergraduate pre-professional health advising office provides them. In my experience managing a program that was initially connected to the Office of Admissions, it’s a small number of medical schools that prefer the committee letter. In reviewing applications, I found the…
The Anatomy of a Thank You Email
After your medical school interview, it is appropriate to send thank you’s to all of the people who helped you throughout the day. These days it is rare to receive a thank-you card. You can easily set yourself apart by sending out handwritten notes. If, like most people, you only have time to send a…
Getting Into Medical School Despite Having a Parent Who is a Doctor
There has been an interesting shift in medical school admissions for applicants whose parents are doctors. In 1989, these applicants were 15% more likely to get into medical school (research citation below). When I first became involved in admissions over ten years ago, students who had a physician for a parent were more likely to…
Review of the Next Step Test Prep Online MCAT Course
After organizing and leading an MCAT summer prep program for five years with the UC Davis School of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Program, I worked with Kaplan and Princeton Review extensively. Those two companies were our best MCAT prep options at the time. The Berkeley Review wasn’t able to support programs outside of the bay area during…
Deciding When to Take the MCAT
If you are planning on applying to medical school Summer 2017 or 2018, it’s time to make some decisions about when you will take the MCAT, if you have not already done so. Since the exam carries so much weight, identifying and following through with a strategy that will work for you can help you…
University of Pittsburgh Medical School Secondary Application Essay Tips
UPSOM places special emphasis on their collaborative problem-based curriculum and the fact that their medical students begin interacting with patients in their first year of medical school. Providing the best care to patients through research, education, leadership and diversity is central to their mission. In your own background, how can you demonstrate your commitment to…
UCSD School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips
The UCSD School of Medicine prefers applicants with extensive research experience. If you have not described your research experience in your personal statement, include a description in the secondary application’s autobiographical essay. They offer a PRIME Heq Program with training in treating medically underserved communities. They also have a dual degree program that allows medical…
UCSF Medical School Secondary Application Essay Tips
It is important to focus on your leadership roles and the diversity of your experiences and activities in this secondary application. UCSF accepts students with highly competitive GPA’s and MCAT scores so it would be to your advantage to explain any decreases or irregularities in your academic records or test scores, if you have not…
3 Common Myths About Medical School Interviews
Have you received a med school interview invite? Nice job winning the attention of the adcom by writing persuasive essays! But you’re far from done…now you have a whole new set of challenges to prepare for in order to receive that golden acceptance. To help you prepare for your interview, I will dispel some of…
How to Ace the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Since the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format can be difficult to prepare for, this post will give you four specific strategies for success to help you with the different stations: traditional interview questions, debate questions, collaborative activities, and fake scenarios with actors. Strategy #1: Before the Interview – Review your AMCAS application To prepare for…
The Medical School MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) Day
Currently, over 20 medical schools in the U.S. offer the MMI. The average length of an MMI day is about nine hours. If you have a morning interview, check-in can begin as early as 7:15 am which may include breakfast with medical students. After breakfast, the dean or assistant dean gives a welcome speech. If…
What the Adcom Looks For During an MMI
During the MMI, you’ll be evaluated by many different people at several different stations. Having multiple reviews and reviewers provides a more consistent way to evaluate applicants because schools have more data available from the evaluations provided by each person who observes you. They rate you based on how you interact with others—your process— and…
Introducing the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview)
In 2004, Canada’s McMaster University published a study that examined how the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) method can be used to more accurately assess candidates for medical school admission. The study found that the traditional interview format was not a reliable admissions tool because too often the interviewer was influencing the quality of the interview….
Johns Hopkins Medical School 2016-17 Secondary Application Essay Tips
Ranked at the top for research, Johns Hopkins Medical School provides a medical education with an emphasis on integrating scientific innovation in patient care. The school’s mission statement shares a comprehensive and long term perspective on medical education, touching on: The Science and Practice of Medicine, Clinical Competence, The Social Context of Medicine, Communication, Professionalism…
Applying to Medical School Late in the Application Cycle
If you are submitting your application in August or later, this can be considered applying late in the application cycle. Often there are other circumstances that are influencing your decision to apply late –waiting on an MCAT score or deciding late in the process to apply in the current cycle. 3 Things to Keep in…
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine 2016-17 Secondary Application Essay Tips
Case Western is located in Cleveland, Ohio with four teaching hospitals in the area and a student run clinic. They are ranked #25 for research and #60 for primary care by U.S. News and World Reports. They accept 155 students each year. Classes are pass/fail in the first two years. Students are placed in one…
Study Skills: How to Improve Your GPA to Become a More Competitive Med School Applicant
As an aspiring doctor, you have a lot on your plate. Upgrading your study skills now can help you learn to be more efficient about how you study, save you time, help you improve your grades, and allow you to establish the skills that will see you through medical school. These strategies can make a major difference!…
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth 2016-17 Secondary Application Essay Tips
As one of the oldest medical schools in the United States—the fourth oldest—Geisel has a 200-year history of accomplishments. They are ranked #40 for research and #45 for primary care by U.S. News and World Report. Students love the smaller class sizes and the opportunity to gain clinical experience in the first year. The school…
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