1. Becoming a Competitive Applicant
Tarik Asmerom, MS1
Tomas Diaz, MS1
Alyssa Reyes, MS2

2. Welcome to the 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 Perelman 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.
Seek advice on whom to approach from your pre- health advisor.
This is an active process... You need to seek these individuals out and approach them yourself.

7. Gather Information & Utilize Resources The MSAR
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 a school’s numbers, its requirements, and its curriculum.
A comprehensive guide can be found online at the AAMC website (sign up fee of $15).
Search “MSAR Online” on the Internet.
Your pre-med office may have a (less comprehensive) paper version.

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
(Biochemistry, Statistics, and Social Sciences as of Spring 2015)
Meet with your pre-med advisor ASAP to discuss your plan for taking these courses.
Your pre-med advisor should be able to help you navigate the evolving course requirements.
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%
54%
67%
73%
78%
39%
52%
62%
63%
30%
42%
44%
50%
GPA
Data from Applicants

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 for 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 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. The Current 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 biochemistry and interpersonal skills…

14. MCAT2015
Beginning in Spring 2015, a new version of the MCAT will be administered.
4 Sections:
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
A Preview Guide for the MCAT2015 can be found on the AAMC website. The new exam is still being modified so check the site for updates!
Nana

15. General Tips 65% of applicants take a prep course
Different styles and intensities (and prices)
Aim to take the MCAT when you are PREPARED!
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

16. A Lesson Learned
Jamie is a junior who had studied for the MCAT for two months. She had not taken organic chemistry but heard it was only a minor part of the test, so she was not too worried about it. To prepare for the biology section, she studied intently from the biology book she had used for Bio 101 during her freshman year. She registered one 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 the day of the exam in order to make the trip. When her scores came back, she was disappointed to have scored seven points below the average for her target school.
How can we help Jamie?
Nana

17. The Inside Scoop
Study Reminders
Important Programs
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.
Take practice exams.
Register early and leave time to retake the test before applying.
AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
MCAT registration fee is reduced from $235 to $85.
For more information, go to /fap/.
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

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

19. Extracurricular Activities!

20. 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.

21. 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, rather than quantity.
Tip 3: Try to maintain a balance between extracurriculars and good grades.

22. The American Medical College Application Service

23. AMCAS Centralized application service through the AAMC
Available online in mid-May of your application year
APPLY EARLY
Can be submitted in early June
Fee assistance available
Nana

24. 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 describe how you will make a good physician/med student.

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

26. Essays Personal Statement: Leave plenty of time to write it.
Have many, many, many people read/edit it.
Eg. Pre-med advisor, writing tutor.
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

27. 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 a primary application if you don’t intend to do the secondary.
Nana

28. A Note on Professionalism
Professional dress
Conservative accessories, clean appearance
Cell phone etiquette
Turn it off!
DON’T answer it.
Record a professional voic message.
Positive presentation/impression
Listen and don’t interrupt.
Ask questions.
Convey your interest.

29. QUESTIONS? Let’s keep in touch! Tarik Asmerom, MS1
Tomas Diaz, MS1
Alyssa Reyes, MS2
Nana