Your Name
Your Title
Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions
(xxx) xxx-xxxx xxx.xxxx@xxxxxxx.com
www.kaptest.com/mcat
1-800-KAP-TEST

 Number of tests administered , and number of applicants
 More competitive MCAT scores
 % growth in applicants greater than % growth in 1 st year seats since 2003
Tip #1: Know the competition .
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MCAT
Ideal
Primary
Desirable
Secondaries
Interview
Acceptance
Jan May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Early Decision
Period
Rolling Admissions Period
Tip #2: Submit your application early .
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

 MCAT Score
 Undergraduate GPA
Index Formula
 Clinical Experience/Volunteer work
 Research
 Personal Statement
 Interviews
 Letters of Recommendation
Presumably Admit
Presumably Deny
Absolutely Deny
Tip #3: Control the process.
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The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
Clinical Experience and Volunteer Work

Gain clinical experience to confirm interest.

Commit to work you're passionate about

Neglect direct-patient-care clinical experience

Over-commit yourself

Carefully consider your "List of 15"

Rely on experience to overcome weaknesses

Research your research opportunities

Understand whole project, not just your part

Consider research outside of med/science
Research

Assume research "isn't for you"


Over-commit yourself
Substitute research for clinical experience
Tip #4: Make your experience work for you.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
Personal Statement

Use past/present stories and a theme.
 Write “why I want to go to med school”.

Showcase lessons learned from experience

Write effectively and follow directions


Speak negatively of anyone or anything.
Go at it alone.

Consider every interview mandatory

Schedule interviews strategically

Become acquainted with admissions staff
Interviews

Discount them


Judge schools based on ranking alone
Inundate admissions staff with requests
Tip #5: Distinguish yourself by showing your passion .
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
Letters of Recommendation

Select professors who know you well

Worry about clout

Give recommenders content to work from

Ask specifically for strong, detailed letter


Allow your recommenders to fly blind
Write the letter yourself
Tip #6: Help your recommenders help you.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions

Choose major that interests/challenges you

Squeeze out every point you can.
 “Trend-up” and do well in major.
GPA

Choose Bio major "just because" premed

Game your GPA with easy classes or P/F

Over-estimate importance of GPA.
Tip #7: Your academic potential is measurable.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

The Dos & Don’ts of MCAT School Admissions
The MCAT
 All sections are passage-based (except for WS).
 Verbal Reasoning is the “most difficult” section.
 Physical Sciences is the “most feared” section.
 The Writing Sample IS important.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

The Dos & Don’ts of MCAT School Admissions
The MCAT

Give the test the attention/time it deserves

Learn critical thinking skills (and science)


Consider it just an obstacle to admission
Tackle the exam as a whole, all at once

Learn/practice to gain efficiency for each skill

Focus on your opportunities for improvement

Understand you can do it.

Take test after test w/o changing behavior

Prepare with college text books

Consider it just an obstacle to admission
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
The MCAT
 The MCAT is the common measuring stick.
 # of right answers = raw score; no guessing penalty.
 Raw score  scaled score conversion varies per test.
 Small improvements result in significant gains.
 Repeat test-taking remains unadvisable.
Tip #8: You can raise your MCAT score.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

Why prep for the MCAT?
 The MCAT is the most important factor in your application.
 Med schools are very competitive.
 Small gains on the MCAT can translate into massive
“leapfrogging” of other test-takers.
 The MCAT is an important predictor of med school success.
Tip #9: The MCAT matters.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/mcat

A Sample MCAT Question…
2. Which set of graphs best depicts the optimal temperature and pH range for pepsin activity?
A. B.
C. D.
Tip #10: Kaplan can help.
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Available Live Online!
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 New Review Notes developed in partnership with
Scientific American
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The Most Personalized Prep: Smart Reports
See how scores trend over time
Track Scores:
Diagnostic, most recent and highest overall
Track progress by
Subject
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The Most Personalized Prep: Smart Reports
Analyze performance by Section to determine your areas of greatest opportunity
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The Most Personalized Prep: Smart Reports
Dig deeper to uncover content strengths and weaknesses
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The Most
Personalized
Prep
Unmatched
Expertise

Greatest number of course options because one size does not fit all.
 Only program with online on-demand instruction (250+ hours)
 Individual online score analysis and prescriptive feedback through our exclusive Smart Reports™
 Only national MCAT program with instructors who have scored at or above the 90th percentile on each section of the MCAT that they teach
 Most realistic practice through 19 Computer-Based tests, including all AAMC practice tests
 The largest MCAT question library, with 11,000+ questions, including the most Verbal Reasoning practice
Guaranteed
Results

Higher Score Guarantee
Readiness

Satisfaction

Money Back

More people get into med school with a Kaplan course than with any other major course
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