Applying as early as possible in the application cycle is extremely important! How to apply to medical school Overview workshop for Bryn Mawr undergraduates and alumnae who are thinking about applying to medical school in the summer of 2015 for matriculation in fall 2016 September 16, 2014
Future programs sponsored by the Office of Health Professions Advising The Commonwealth Medical College Info Session Tuesday September 23, 5 6 pm Park 338 Workshop on 2015 MCAT study options Monday September 29 at 7 pm SHARP, Biology Lecture Hall Discussion about study strategies, registration and test date issues Kaplan, Examkrackers, & Princeton Review reps will present info on their courses Discussion of when to take the MCAT relative to the application process Feedback on MCAT study options from students Seminars on financing medical school Financing medical school part I general issues about the costs of the medical school application process and financing medical school Tuesday, November 18 at 7 pm Bio Lecture Hall Financing medical school part II - service obligation scholarships and loan repayment programs (National Health Services Corps and the military) Monday November 24 at 7 pm Wyndham Workshops planned for next spring Med school application process part II (February) and III (early May) Alumnae medical student and physician career discussions Watch the prehealth list serv for the many focus group events with outside speakers.
Remember we are here! Canwyll House Resource Room www,brynmawr.edu/healthpro AAMC Official Guide to the MCAT 2015 Exam Sample medical school application essays Medical school admissions statistics Healthpro web site www.brynmawr.edu/healthpro Resources web site www.brynmawr.edu/healthpro/resources/ Userid = healthpro Password career1 This web site is only for BMC students, and alumnae; please do not forward the login information outside of this community.
Introductory Comments Timing and planning 12-18 month application cycle from MCAT registration to enrollment in medical school Waiting until after graduation to apply. Over the last few years, over 70-80% of the Bryn Mawr applicants took time for other pursuits before starting medical school. Professionalism Communications Interview day Online persona (Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram etc) and feedback sites studentdoctor interview sections, ratemyprofessor etc) How do I make sure social media doesn t hurt my chances? https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/324178/socialmediadoesnthurt.html Become informed about medicine and health care Attend presentations by physicians Explore med school web sites Keep up with current events in health care
Overview of the allopathic medical school application process Take the MCATs by early summer. Primary AMCAS Application (May) Complete the online application Send college transcripts from all colleges attended to AMCAS Pay application fee Texas residents must submit TMDSAS applications. AMCAS processes the primary application and calculates standardized GPAs. Once this processing is complete, AMCAS sends the primary application to the medical schools selected by the applicant. AMCAS will start sending processed AMCAS applications to medical schools on the last Friday in June. Can take 4-6 weeks to process as the summer progresses. Medical School Secondary Application Upon invitation from the medical school: Submit secondary applications and fees Send updated transcripts (if necessary) directly to medical schools Medical schools will not review applications until they are complete! Letters of recommendation are due at Canwyll House by June 1, 2015.
Overview of the application process continued Interviews Sept-March Medical Schools Upon invitation from the medical school, schedule an interview date. Note: Many medical schools begin reviewing completed applications in mid- July and they start to send out interview invitations soon thereafter. DECISIONS Some schools accept applicants on a rolling basis starting on October 15 whereas other schools only send out acceptances in March. Organize financial records, submit taxes, FASFA as soon as possible in January- February. Late Spring Financial aid packages released to accepted applicants. By the end of March, medical schools will have issued a number of offers of acceptance at least equal to the expected number of students in the first-year entering class. By April 30 applicants can only be holding one acceptance. Medical schools will accept applicants from wait lists from May until school starts, although most offers are made by the end of June. August/September 2016 matriculate in medical school
Fall semester activities Read about allopathic medicine at www.aamc.org Read about osteopathic medicine at www.aacom.org Meet with me to discuss course requirements at your state medical schools and to begin to assess your application credentials. Decide on an MCAT study option and plan for a test date. Registration will open in February 2015. All students, especially California residents, should talk to me this fall if they hope to use AP credits to fulfill any math or science requirements. Determine if you will need a transcript from your study abroad program. Review the 2016 Bryn Mawr Medical School Application Handbook. The handbook will be available by early-mid October. Seniors searching for application year opportunities Visit the CPD for advice on resume/cover letters, searching for job opportunities, networking, and preparing for interviews In the spring semester I will pass along application year job opportunities that I receive through informal networks; however, do not depend on my office for finding jobs. Use the CPD resources such as Lantern Link, and seek their advice on undertaking your job search.
When to submit the central medical school application? Applicants are able to submit the application in the first week in June. You are strongly encouraged to submit the application early in June to one medical school in order to get it processed as soon as possible. Based on prior years timelines, AMCAS will start sending processed applications to medical schools starting on the last Friday in June. You do not need to have taken the MCAT in order to submit the AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS application. Processing of the applications slows down considerably as the summer progresses. Factors to consider in deciding when to submit the application Date taking the MCATS If you are taking a summer session I class and want to include the grade
Premed Committee Letter and Recommendations Premed Committee Letter a synthesis of who you are - your academic background and achievements, your motivation for pursuing medicine, your dedication to service, etc. Over winter break Write the autobiography; it is due at the end of the first week of classes in January 2015. The form will be posted on the healthpro web site after fall break. Prepare a detailed resume listing the inclusive dates for all of your work experiences and extracurricular activities. By mid-february, schedule an appointment with me to discuss your application plans and the autobiography. This meeting is required in order for you to receive a premed committee letter. The meeting must be completed before spring break. Letters of Recommendation You will need two letters from science faculty, and each one should be from a different scientific discipline. For non-science majors - You will also need a letter from a professor from your major. Letters from nonacademic references work/study and community service supervisors, team coaches, etc. We will discuss possible recommenders at the autobiography meeting. You need to give each recommender a recommendation request form.
Evaluating your candidacy as a medical school applicant Academic record AMCAS (MD application) cumulative GPAs calculated Science GPA (BCPM) = bio, chem, physics, & math grades Non-science GPA (AO) = grades from all other courses Overall GPA = grades from all courses These figures will be calculated for all academic years. Schools evaluate trends in your academic performance. You can always take more science classes if you feel the need to boost your academic record in the sciences, especially if you have only taken the basic premed requirements. You should calculate your math and science GPA now as a first step in assessing your candidacy. http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/ and demographic data. Go to this web site for national data on GPAs, MCAT scores,
Numerical Profiles of the Bryn Mawr Applicant Pool 2010 2013 Combined Allopathic and Osteopathic School Admissions Data* *Not entirely representative because not all BMC applicants release their information to us. These figures are to be used as a guide. Average GPAs BMC Accepted Applicants BMC Rejected Applicants 2013 National allopathic accepted applicant data Overall GPA 3.61 3.42 3.69 BCPM (science and math) AO (all other) GPA Average MCATs 3.58 3.35 3.63 3.63 3.51 3.76 VR 9.4 8.3 10.0 PS 9.0 7.6 10.6 BS 9.6 8.4 10.8 In 2013 there were 48,014 applicants to allopathic medical school for the 20,055 places available for matriculation in the fall of 2013. https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/
Imagine that you are on a medical school admissions committee and looking at your application How have you demonstrated --- Your ability to do well in science courses? Does your academic record indicate that you have the potential to handle an intensive full load of medical school classes? Passion for medicine and knowledge of the medical profession tested through experience? What is the extent of your patient contact/interaction experience? How do you know that you want to work with sick patients and diverse populations? How have you learned about the challenges and rewards in the practice of medicine? Personal and professional qualities important in medicine? What shows your ability to be both a leader and team player? What demonstrates your work ethic, intellectual curiosity, ability to balance multiple commitments, etc.? What shows your commitment to a service-based profession? How have you been involved in the community around you?
Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students from the AAMC s Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation for a Medical School Applicant for more detail see https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/admissionsinitiative/332572/lettersofevaluationguidelines.html Thinking and Reasoning Competencies Critical Thinking Quantitative Reasoning Scientific Inquiry Written Communication Science Competencies Living Systems Human Behavior Interpersonal Competencies Service Orientation Social Skills Cultural Competence Teamwork Oral Communication Intrapersonal Competencies Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others Reliability and Dependability Resilience and Adaptability Capacity for Improvement
Numerical Profiles of the Bryn Mawr Applicant Pool Time of application to medical school in relation to graduation Years off after graduation Applicant pool (2010-2013 combined) 0 21% 1 28% 2 23% > 3 28% If a year or more has passed since you graduated from college, you re not alone. Almost half of matriculating medical students-47.1 percent-indicated in a recent AAMC survey that there was a gap between college and medical school of at least twelve months. (Source MSAR) According to the AAMC, the average age of first year medical students is 24. For the 2010-2013 application cycles, 79% of Bryn Mawr applicants waited until after graduation to apply to medical school.
Nearly 80% of Bryn Mawr applicants take a glide year(s) before matriculating in medical school Enables you to spend a semester(s) abroad or to participate in other activities Enables you to show the medical schools a complete college credentials package including grades in senior thesis/seminars, academic honors, and letters from research/thesis supervisors; this information would not be included in an application from a student intending to go to medical school immediately following graduation from Bryn Mawr. If needed, you have time to take additional science courses to boost your GPA or retake the MCATs. The application process can be disruptive to senior year academics, especially class time lost for traveling to interviews. The application process is expensive can be $1000 to $2000 dollars (or more). Gives you time to gain additional clinical experience and more time to deliberate about your long term career plans. Take time for yourself work experiences, travel, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, Peace Corps, etc.
Information for International Students In 2013 only 115 international students matriculated into allopathic US medical schools, thereby representing 0.5 % of the entering medical students. (115 international matriculants / 20,055 total matriculants in the US) It is very difficult for international students without permanent residency to gain admission to U.S. medical schools. Medical school financing is generally supported through U.S. government loans that are not available to international students; therefore many medical schools will not accept applications from international students. There are exceedingly few scholarships for medical school education for either US citizens or international students. Furthermore, the medical schools that consider applications from international students will often require accepted international students to provide "evidence of ability to pay" in the form of an escrow bank account with the funds to pay for four years of tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. The cost for four years of medical school ranges widely from $150,000 to more than $300,000.