Getting into Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Panelist Questions
1. My GPA is not the best, what would you recommend to stand out as a candidate?
o You may need to consider the deficit in your gpa progression and establish a plan
to address this or explain how you may have recovered momentum toward
matriculation to medical school. Is the trend of your science gpa stronger? Does
your MCAT score in areas of Chemistry and Biology below your gpa? Have you
adopted new methods of academic preparation that will mitigate academic
challenges moving forward? Standing out is a natural way of highlighting your
strengths and weaknesses. Consider this reflectively as well as your impact on
those around you that has led you to consider a life of service.
2. What are the best resources you found to help rewrite essays?
o I suggest a peer review process of those you trust and know well. Include an
academic among those on your team to support grammatical and composition
related support, but maintain a style and voice that is distinctly yours.
3. How can I make my application stand out? What should I NOT do/say in my
application?
o Please see response to q #1 for additional response. Refrain from blaming others
for missteps. Avoid over sharing sensitive details about yourself or others. There
can be some merit in terms of your motivation but you should always consider the
fact that 25-30 strangers per institution will be learning about you for the first
time through this information. First impressions are significant and difficult to
undo.
4. How is each facet (GPA, MCAT< personal statement, extracurricular, etc.) of the
application weighted?
o All aspects of the application are weighted similarly in or process, but opinions and
perspectives of our committee are often not as easily balanced. We allow for an
overall impact score that allows our raters to share a singular perspective on
candidates distinct from the weighted and balanced assessment of domains we
apply to each file. These ‘final scores’ mostly aligned with the rubric based domain
review of candidate details, but can also depart from the construct if feelings or
thoughts about the candidate evidenced through their writing or advocacy compel
raters to signal concerns or provide greater encouragement of the candidate.
5. What are your thoughts/advice on how to approach the application process as nontraditional applicant? (3+ years post undergrad)
o If you are beyond three years from undergraduate coursework it will be important
to demonstrate readiness for a rigorous and steep ramp up to medical school
coursework. Have you taken advanced courses or advanced program of study in
the interim? Have you applied additional academic pursuits like research or
teaching? Has it been entirely focused on scribing or other clinical experiences
that require training and oversight for clinical supervisors? These are experiences
that would compel a greater understanding of your general readiness.
6. How does the admission committee look upon applicants taking gap years before
applying?
o Please see response to #5
7. What has been the lowest MCAT scored ever accepted at Loyola?
o In the first year of the new MCAT we took a student who scored a 488 without
retake. In hindsight, we recognize the challenges this posed for the candidate who
matriculated. His progression delayed and he struggled on the Step 1 but
eventually matched well. I seriously doubt our committee would take a similar risk
like this today.
8. What is the GPA and MCAT score that is required to at least get an interview. Does
Loyola offer advising for reapplicants?
o Our committee feels strongly that sub-scores in chemistry and biology sections
above the 50th percentile fare best in our academic environment. Therefore this
consideration has become more highly considered than cutoffs based on overall
score. Similarly, science gpa’s over 3.5 have similarly been considered a stronger
predictor of success within our curriculum.
9. What do you look for when selecting candidates for interview?
o The ratings and comments of our review committee ultimately determine the pool
of candidates we consider for interview. Other considerations like candidate
interest, advocacy, and experiences are important distinctions made among
qualified candidates.
Should re-applicants completely re-write their primary application?
o You should definitely consider it. You may bring more insight and reflection to the
written context of your statements than provided in your previous submission.
10. How does the admissions committee view courses taken after undergrad, especially
after taking many years in between?
o Courses that help the committee bridge the academic gap between undergrad
and medical school will encourage greater consideration of the candidate’s
readiness. Courses and programs of study that expand the candidate’s acumen in
biology and chemistry based disciplines have greatest impact.
11. For most meaningful experiences, should they be medically focused or non-medically
focused?
o They should be most meaningful as articulated in your response. The context of
what is most meaningful is not expected to conform to a standard, however it is
always wise to consider experiences that resonate with your audience (physicians,
trainees and med school admins) or define your personal and professional mission
and purpose.
12. What do you mean by being called to leadership vs assuming it?
o Called to leadership describes one serving others by mandate from those seeking
to be served or led. Assuming leadership implies the singular goal of an individual
to impose their will or ideas upon others.
13. What would be defined as an Institutional Action that must be reported on the
AMCAS application?
o AMCAS makes this known in within their instructions.
o Medical schools need to know if you were ever the recipient of any institutional
action resulting from unacceptable academic performance or a conduct violation,
even if such action did not interrupt your enrollment, require you to withdraw, or
does not appear on your official transcripts due to institutional policy or personal
petition.
14. Generally, there seems to be two schools of thought in regard to how to write the
activities section — story based or resume esque. What method has been historically the
most successful at Loyola?
o Most if not all raters will have some knowledge of the experience in a general
sense, so restating this detail in the written description can be a wasted
opportunity. Understanding why and how you determined the activity what
impact you had as an outcome of the experience and upon those you worked with
or supported, however, can be truly unique.
15. Let’s say an applicant applied late to medical school, and that was one reason they
did not get interviews, and they have to re-apply. Is it necessary to have a dramatic
change in the application the second time? Can they keep some of the same
information/language for the personal statement or some of the activities section, or
should every single activity section be worded completely differently?
o As mentioned in a previous response, you should definitely consider it. You may
bring more insight and reflection to the written context of your statements than
stated in your previous submission.