1. Becoming a Competitive Applicant
Stacey-Ann/ Lindsay
Lauren Banks, MS4
Tomas Diaz, MS1
Eric Medina, MS2
Toy Ogunkua, MS4

2. Welcome to Perelman School of Medicine!
Although medical school may be 2-3 years away, there are steps you can take now to better prepare yourself for the application process and life after graduation.

3. DISCLAIMER
There is no magic formula to get into medical school, and no two Perleman School of Medicine students have identical journeys.
However, there are some basics which helped all of us succeed.

4. THE PREGAME Gather Information & Utilize Resources
The Basics
THE PREGAME Gather Information & Utilize Resources
Get Organized!!!
Estimate COSTS (and SAVE if you can)
Learn the Application Process
Know the Deadlines and Expectations
Lindsay

5. Gather Information & Utilize Resources
Rule #1: Decide to devote a significant time commitment to preparing for medical school.
Rule #2:Get to know your pre-med office!
Rule #3: Seek advice from current med students, pre- health advisors, and mentors familiar with the medical school application process.
Rule #4: Research national medical school acceptance data based upon GPA and MCAT scores found in MSAR
Lindsay

6. How to Identify a Mentor
Approach a professor in one of your pre-med science classes
Get to know faculty by going to their office hours
Faculty advisor of a student group you are involved with
Seek advice on who to approach from your pre-health advisor
This is an active process.. You need to seek these figures out and approach them yourself

7. Gather Information & Utilize Resources The MSAR aka Your Best Friend
The Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) profiles every medical school in the US and Canada.
Check the MSAR before applying to get a sense of what a school’s numbers are, their requirements, and their curricula.
Comprehensive guide found online at AAMC website (sign up fee of $15)
Google “MSAR Online”
Your premed office may have a paper version, but it is not complete

8. Create Your Academic Plan
Before applying to medical school, you must take the following courses (and LABS!):
Biology
General chemistry
Organic chemistry
Physics
English/writing
(and BIOCHEMISTRY, statistics, and social sciences)
Meet with your pre-med advisor ASAP to discuss your plan for taking these courses.
National discourse regarding evolving course requirements
Pre-med advisor should help you navigate the changing climate
Lindsay

9. What Do the Numbers Mean?
Applicants accepted to at least one medical school
MCAT
30-32
33-35
36-38
39-45
82%
86%
90%
92%
72%
80%
85%
56%
67%
73%
39%
51%
61%
62%
30%
42%
44%
GPA
AAMC Data Warehouse, Table 24: MCAT and GPA Grid for Applicants and Acceptees to U.S. Medical Schools,

10. Grades Matter Grades matter.
Don’t bank on being the outlier.
It’s stressful to take that risk (both financially and emotionally).
No one will see how wonderful you are unless your numbers get by the screening.
You DON’T have to be a science major (at all!), but you DO need good grades in your science classes
Your early grades can have a lasting effect on the rest of college – make sure to maintain them!

11. GRADES MATTER Tips on Academic Success
Balance your schedule and major – you should be challenged, but not to the point where you are unhappy and aren’t doing well.
Don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask for help!
Go to professor AND TA office hours!
Work in groups to solve problems.
Don’t get caught up in the hype of how others are doing (or how they claim they are doing).
When things don’t go quite right, troubleshoot – ask yourself, “How can I do better next time?”
Stacey-Ann

12. The Medical College Admission Test

13. About the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)…
The MCAT is a multiple choice, standardized test required for admission into medical school
Tested subjects include:
Biology
Physics
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
All sections except the Writing Sample will have many, many passage-based questions.
Study for the Verbal Reasoning and Writing sections of the MCAT.
Derek
NOTE: The MCAT is changing in 2015 and there will be NO writing sample, and more emphasis on biochemsitry and interpersonal skills…Stay tuned…

14. General Tips 65% of applicants take a prep course
Different styles and intensities (and prices)
Aim to take the MCAT when you are PREAPARED!
Retake the MCAT if needed when READY Know that schools calculate multiple MCATs differently…
Last score
Average all of scores
Best sub-score in each category
Nana

15. A Lesson Learned
Janell was a junior and studied for the MCAT for two months. She hadn’t taken organic chemistry yet but heard it was only a minor part of the test, so she wasn’t too worried. To prepare for the biology section, she studied intently from her dusty biology book that she used freshmen year for Bio 101. She registered a month before the test and was surprised when she was placed at a testing site an hour away. She had to wake up early on testing day in order to make the trip. When her scores came back, she felt frustrated as she got seven points below the average for her target school.
How can we help Janell?
Nana

16. Important programs to know about
The Inside Scoop
Study reminders
Important programs to know about
Take all classes, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics before taking the MCAT
Take an MCAT prep course or study from review books made specifically for the MCAT
Do a ton of practice tests
Register early and leave time to retake the test before applying
AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
Reduction of MCAT registration fee from $235 to $85
For more information, go to
Sign up with the AAMC Medical Minority Applicant Registry (Med-Mar) Program when you take the MCAT
The registry distributes biographical information about examinees and their MCAT scores to diversity/multicultural and admissions offices of medicals school
Nana

17. Okay – good grades and MCAT scores are important to get past the screening. What else should I be thinking about?
Nana

18. Extracurricular Activities!

19. An extracurricular activity…
Allows you to develop personal interests outside of class and build leadership skills.
Demonstrates that you’re a well–rounded individual.
Brings together people from different majors/ levels of education.
Provides a chance to serve the community.
Exposes you to health/medically – related projects.
Shadowing a physician is great, but make it an active experience that includes patient interaction

20. Advice on Joining Extracurricular Activities
Tip 1: Join extracurriculars that you're interested in early, with the hope of an eventual leadership role.
Tip 2: Don’t stretch yourself too thin! Seek quality opportunities, rather than quantity.
Tip 3: Try to maintain a balance between extracurriculars and good grades.

21. The American Medical College Application Service

22. AMCAS Centralized application service through the AAMC
Available online in mid-May of your application year
Apply early if possible
Can be submitted in early June
Nana

23. AMCAS Sections Identifying Information Schools Attended
Biographic Information
Course Work
Work and Activities*
Letters of Evaluation
Medical Schools
Essay(s)
Standardized Tests
Nana
* A note on framing your experiences… they should inform how you will make a good physician/med student

24. Letters of Recommendation
Start thinking about Letters of Recommendation NOW
Required:
letters from instructors in science courses
letter from instructor in a non-science course
(numbers vary by program)
Choose individuals who know you well and who will write very favorable letters of recommendation for you
Request your individual letters of recommendation EARLY!
Nana

25. Essays Personal Statement: Leave a lot of time to write it
Have many, many, many people read/edit it (e.g. writing tutor)
Especially premed advisor
Make the admissions committee want to meet you!
NOTE:
MD/PhD applicants have 3 essays
Personal statement
Significant research experience
“Why do I want to do this?”
Nana

26. Application Process Primary application: The AMCAS
Submit one set of application materials to AMCAS, which verifies transcripts and forwards application to the medical schools that you indicate.
Secondary applications: Most schools send you a supplementary application (usually requires additional fees and essays).
Don’t apply to a school with primary application if you don’t intend to do the secondary
Nana

27. A Note on Professionalism
Professional dress
Conservative accessories, clean appearance
Cell phone etiquette
Best idea: turn it off!
DON’T answer it
Positive presentation/impression
Listen and don’t interrupt
Ask questions
Convey your interest

28. QUESTIONS? Let’s keep in touch! Lauren Banks, MS4
Tomas Diaz, MS1
Eric Medina, MS2
Toy Ogunkua, MS4
Nana