Factors Affecting Admission
Applying to doctoral-level programs is a rather complex process. Most
now are completed online. You should plan to devote substantial time
and effort to the process since this may make the difference between
acceptance and rejection. Be careful, accurate, and follow directions.
Follow this plan and you will maximize your likelihood of success:
- Determine which schools you are most likely to apply to. This process
includes considering your state of residency (for state universities),
where you would like to end up living, the philosophical approach
of the school (e.g. MD versus DO), and which schools you think will
be most likely to accept you as a student. Your advisor can get you
started on this.
- Once you have narrowed the field down a bit, then you should determine
exactly what prerequisite courses are required by each school. Some
require calculus, genetics, biochemistry...others don’t.
- Next, you need to determine the timeline for application. Find out
the opening and closing dates for application. The process usually
involves the completion of several forms, obtaining references, and
having transcripts sent. Write these deadlines out in your daily planner
with reminders well in advance so you complete the application early
in the window of time for its acceptance.
The reason for this that most schools have an admission policy called
“rolling admissions.” This means that when the school
starts accepting applications, they examine them and if the applicant
meets their admissions criteria, they will offer them a position in
their program. This will continue until the application period ends.
At that point, all the remaining applications will be evaluated together,
and for some medical schools ½ of the seats will have already
been filled! You are at a disadvantage if you wait until the end of
the window of application time.
- Finally, complete all the necessary steps to meet the prerequisite
requirements, on time or early.
- If you don’t get in the first time, work with your advisor
to develop a plan for a second attempt if you still feel this is the
right path for you.
Students often ask which factors of their application are most important.
A simple answer is not possible because different programs weight each
factor somewhat differently. The following are ranked from most important
first based on our experience:
- The
standardized test scores (MCAT, GRE, DAT, VCAT, etc.)
- Your
GPA (especially the science grades)
- The
personal admissions interview
- Your
personal statement or essay
- Letters
of recommendation, especially of the Premedical Advisory Committee
- Your
activities and/or research (shadowing, volunteer work, medical experience)
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