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Is Your Medical School Application Ready? 6 Tips for Honest Evaluation
Articles
July 16, 2024
Preparing your medical school application is a months-long process that represents the culmination of years of your hard work and dedication. However, being so close to your application for so long can make it difficult to objectively evaluate what you’re about to send off.
If you’re feeling stuck, this article can help you identify obvious issues to fix before you submit your medical school application.
Did You Get the Basics Right?
Spelling, grammar, punctuation – all of these things count in a medical school application. Check and re-check your materials for typos. This goes double for your contact information – you don’t want to be anxious about a response only to realize that you entered the wrong e-mail address.
Don’t rely on a computer-based grammar or spellchecker alone. They don’t always catch certain types of problems – for example, if you accidentally typed the word “calm” as “clam”, a spell checker might not flag that up. Go through line by line looking for issues. If you have access to a printer, checking your work on paper instead of a screen can also help you see things you might otherwise have missed.
How Does Your Academic Performance Measure Up?
Obviously, medical schools pay close attention to your GPA – especially your science GPA – and your MCAT score. Evaluate how your GPA compares to the average GPA of accepted students at your target schools. This is easier to do than you might think: the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes an annual list of medical school applicants’ average GPAs and MCAT scores.
In some cases, you may be able to qualify a somewhat sub-par GPA or MCAT if you had extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance (such as, say, school closures due to COVID-19). However, if your GPA is well below average (particularly your science GPA), you may want to consider a post-bacc program for record improvers or a special master’s degree program. If your MCAT is low, or if your sectional scores aren’t reasonably well-balanced, you can re-take the test.
Do You Have Enough Clinical Experience?
Clinical experience demonstrates your commitment to a medical career. However, having more clinical experience isn’t necessarily better. Quality matters.
One of the key indicators of quality medical schools look for is evidence of direct patient interaction, whether that’s taking vital signs or helping with medical paperwork. If possible, you should also be able to demonstrate a variety of clinical experiences, from shadowing and volunteering to working as an EMT or medical scribe.
Finally, show medical school committees you didn’t just pursue clinical experience to check off a box. Use your personal statement to reflect on how these experiences shaped your career goals and what you learned from them.
Did You Complete Research Experience?
Research experience matters more to some schools than others, but it’s always worth including any research you took part in on your application. Make sure you clearly describe your role in research, including any contributions you made. List any presentations or publications you helped create.
As with clinical experience, quality matters more than quantity. Likewise, it’s also important to include some reflection on your research in your personal statement.
What About Your Other Extracurriculars?
Did you leave out any other organized extracurricular activities and hobbies you may have pursued over the years? Medical schools look for sustained involvement in extracurricular activities rather than a long list of short-term commitments. If you’ve been playing a musical instrument for years, for example, it’s worth mentioning that.
Also don’t forget to highlight any leadership positions you may have held and the impact you made in those roles. If your extracurricular achievement wasn’t medicine-related, it still counts. Demonstrating leadership skills – even as president of a film club or a cross-country runner – is crucial for future physicians.
Get a Second Opinion
Finally, there is such a thing as making too many tweaks. If you’re still struggling to feel confident that your medical school application is ready, share it with a trusted friend or advisor.
Remember, the journey to medical school is a marathon, not a sprint. Persistence, self-reflection, and a willingness to improve are essential qualities that will serve you well, not only in the application process but also in your future career as a physician. Good luck!
Preparing your medical school application is a months-long process that represents the culmination of years of your hard work and dedication. However, being so close to your application for so long can make it difficult to objectively evaluate what you’re about to send off.
If you’re feeling stuck, this article can help you identify obvious issues to fix before you submit your medical school application.
Did You Get the Basics Right?
Spelling, grammar, punctuation – all of these things count in a medical school application. Check and re-check your materials for typos. This goes double for your contact information – you don’t want to be anxious about a response only to realize that you entered the wrong e-mail address.
Don’t rely on a computer-based grammar or spellchecker alone. They don’t always catch certain types of problems – for example, if you accidentally typed the word “calm” as “clam”, a spell checker might not flag that up. Go through line by line looking for issues. If you have access to a printer, checking your work on paper instead of a screen can also help you see things you might otherwise have missed.
How Does Your Academic Performance Measure Up?
Obviously, medical schools pay close attention to your GPA – especially your science GPA – and your MCAT score. Evaluate how your GPA compares to the average GPA of accepted students at your target schools. This is easier to do than you might think: the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes an annual list of medical school applicants’ average GPAs and MCAT scores.
In some cases, you may be able to qualify a somewhat sub-par GPA or MCAT if you had extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance (such as, say, school closures due to COVID-19). However, if your GPA is well below average (particularly your science GPA), you may want to consider a post-bacc program for record improvers or a special master’s degree program. If your MCAT is low, or if your sectional scores aren’t reasonably well-balanced, you can re-take the test.
Do You Have Enough Clinical Experience?
Clinical experience demonstrates your commitment to a medical career. However, having more clinical experience isn’t necessarily better. Quality matters.
One of the key indicators of quality medical schools look for is evidence of direct patient interaction, whether that’s taking vital signs or helping with medical paperwork. If possible, you should also be able to demonstrate a variety of clinical experiences, from shadowing and volunteering to working as an EMT or medical scribe.
Finally, show medical school committees you didn’t just pursue clinical experience to check off a box. Use your personal statement to reflect on how these experiences shaped your career goals and what you learned from them.
Did You Complete Research Experience?
Research experience matters more to some schools than others, but it’s always worth including any research you took part in on your application. Make sure you clearly describe your role in research, including any contributions you made. List any presentations or publications you helped create.
As with clinical experience, quality matters more than quantity. Likewise, it’s also important to include some reflection on your research in your personal statement.
What About Your Other Extracurriculars?
Did you leave out any other organized extracurricular activities and hobbies you may have pursued over the years? Medical schools look for sustained involvement in extracurricular activities rather than a long list of short-term commitments. If you’ve been playing a musical instrument for years, for example, it’s worth mentioning that.
Also don’t forget to highlight any leadership positions you may have held and the impact you made in those roles. If your extracurricular achievement wasn’t medicine-related, it still counts. Demonstrating leadership skills – even as president of a film club or a cross-country runner – is crucial for future physicians.
Get a Second Opinion
Finally, there is such a thing as making too many tweaks. If you’re still struggling to feel confident that your medical school application is ready, share it with a trusted friend or advisor.
Remember, the journey to medical school is a marathon, not a sprint. Persistence, self-reflection, and a willingness to improve are essential qualities that will serve you well, not only in the application process but also in your future career as a physician. Good luck!