BECOMING A
COMPETITIVE APPLICANT
Tarik Asmerom, MS1
Tomas Diaz, MS1
Alyssa Reyes, MS2
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.
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.
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.
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, prehealth 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.
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 prehealth advisor.
This is an active process... You need to seek these
individuals out and approach them yourself.
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.
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.
What Do the Numbers Mean?
Applicants accepted to at least one medical school
GPA
MCAT
30-32
33-35
36-38
39-45
3.8-4.00
82%
86%
90%
92%
3.6-3.79
72%
80%
85%
85%
3.4-3.59
54%
67%
73%
78%
3.20-3.39
39%
52%
62%
63%
3.0-3.19
30%
42%
44%
50%
Data from 2009-2011 Applicants
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!
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?”
The Medical College
Admission Test
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.
NOTE: The MCAT is changing in 2015 and there will be NO writing sample, and more
emphasis on biochemistry and interpersonal skills…
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!
https://www.aamc.org/mcat2015/
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
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?
The Inside Scoop
Study Reminders


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.
Important Programs


AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP)

MCAT registration fee is reduced from
$235 to $85.

For more information, go to
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying
/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.
Okay – good grades and MCAT scores
are important to get past the
screening.
What else should I be thinking about?
Extracurricular Activities!
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.
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.
The American Medical College
Application Service
AMCAS
Centralized application service through the AAMC
 Available online in mid-May of your application
year

 APPLY
EARLY
 www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm
Can be submitted in early June
 Fee assistance available

AMCAS Sections
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Identifying Information
Schools Attended
Biographic Information
Course Work
Work and Activities*
Letters of Evaluation
Medical Schools
Essay(s)
Standardized Tests
* A note on framing your experiences… they should describe how you will make a good
physician/med student.
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!

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
1.
2.
3.
Personal statement
Significant research experience
“Why do I want to do this?”
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.
A Note on Professionalism

Professional dress
 Conservative

accessories, clean appearance
Cell phone etiquette
 Turn
it off!
 DON’T answer it.
 Record a professional voicemail message.



Positive presentation/impression
Listen and don’t interrupt.
Ask questions.
 Convey
your interest.
QUESTIONS?
Let’s keep in touch!
Tarik Asmerom, MS1
tarika@mail.med.upenn.edu
Tomas Diaz, MS1
diaztoma@mail.med.upenn.edu
Alyssa Reyes, MS2
alreyes@mail.med.upenn.edu