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Understanding American medical school applications

Understanding American medical school applications. Why consider the US for medical school?. Advantages : More choice of medical schools More residency options M any of the best schools consider Canadians “non-international”. Why consider the US for medical school?. Disadvantages:

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Understanding American medical school applications

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  1. Understanding American medical school applications

  2. Why consider the US for medical school? • Advantages: • More choice of medical schools • More residency options • Many of the best schools consider Canadians “non-international”

  3. Why consider the US for medical school? • Disadvantages: • Most schools no better than Canadian ones • Canadian-specific disadvantages • Discrimination at public schools • Bad finances • Financial aid • Escrow • Private loans

  4. What these medical schools want • Academic excellence (grades and MCAT) • Research excellence • Service • Leadership • Direct medical experience • Enormous applicant surplus (30-50 applicants for EACH spot) MD

  5. Bird’s-eye view: application timeline Premedical years Pre-application Application Post-application

  6. Premedical years (Usually 1st-2nd year univ.) • Academic preparation • Grades • Clinical experience • Research • Service and leadership Premedical years Pre-application Application Post-application

  7. Premedical years (Academic preparation and grades) • Plan required coursework • When to take classes? • Meet premedical advisor • Make a friend • Discuss future goals • Grades (a.k.a. “marks”) • MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR • All grades matter • Cutoff GPAs?

  8. Premedical years (Clinical experiences, research, service) • Clinical experiences: shadowing/volunteering • Research experiences • Independence • Service & leadership • Depth > breadth • Being memorable is half the battle • Mid-college crisis

  9. Premedical years (Letters of recommendation) • Get letters IMMEDIATELY • Need 4-6 (> Canada) • MUST have science faculty • MUST have all research advisors • Avoid overlap • Optional: physicians shadowed, non-science professors

  10. Premedical years (Asking for a letter of recommendation) • Must be outstanding to matter • "Do you think you know me well enough to write me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school?" • Yes  schedule meeting, discuss content • Provide: • Cover letter (why you?) • 1 page CV • Waiver form, if applicable • Writer list • Envelopes • Premedical committee letters

  11. Pre-application (Year before you apply) Premedical years Pre-application • Taking the MCAT • Determining the application year Application Post-application

  12. Pre-application (MCAT) • Background and format • Preparation • Target date: summer after 2nd year • Last possible date: June of 3rd year • Valid for 3 years • Target score? • Retaking the test

  13. Pre-application (When do I apply??) • 3rd year vs. 4th year • Applying after 2nd year is impossible (≠Canada) • Gap years • Can use to strengthen application • Very common in US • Median age of entering medical class is usually in the mid-20’s

  14. Application (Usually 3rd–4th year of university) Premedical years Pre-application Application • Personal statement and schools list • Primary application • Secondary applications • Interviews Post-application

  15. Application (Personal statement, schools list) • March-April of 3rd year • Write personal statement • Make list • How many schools total? • Apply to schools with early acceptances • Avoid single-choice early decision • Rankings • Finances • Schools worth noting

  16. Application (Primary and secondaries) • Early June • Submit AMCAS (a.k.a. “primary”) • July-August • Submit secondary applications IMMEDIATELY upon receipt • “Deadlines”? • October • Interviews begin

  17. Application (Interviews) • Schedule immediately, be strategic • Prepare ALL common questions • Student Doctor interview feedback • Interview formats • Be especially prepared: why US? • Length

  18. Post-application Premedical years Pre-application Application • Decisions • Waitlist movement Post-application

  19. Post-application (Decisions) • November-April • Rolling decisions • Accept everyone • March • Fixed-date decisions • May 15 • Multiple acceptance deadline • May-July • Do waitlists • August-September • Start medical school!

  20. Important Resources • www.studentdoctor.net • Interview feedback • http://more.studentdoctor.net/schoollist.php?type=2 • Applicant profiles • http://www.mdapplicants.com/ • AMCAS official site • http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/ • MCAT official site • http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/ • US News and World Report medical school rankings • MSAR

  21. End

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