Health and Biological Sciences
How to Be a Competitive Applicant to Medical School
Suggestions on how to be a competitive applicant:
- Completion of certain required courses and taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) - Utilize the resources available with Health Sciences Advising (HSA). HSA offers information on preparation for and admission to health professions programs, including assistance with the application process. You must subscribe to HSA e-news (list serve messaging) to be informed of workshops, visiting admissions officers from health professional schools.
- Clinical experience (i.e. where you observe physicians treating patients) is expected and is considered critical because medical schools want to be certain that you have knowledge of the field and the job of a physician. Most undergrads will complete 2 or 3 clinical experiences. You must subscribe to HBS list serve to receive notification of online sign ups and hot new internship opportunities through the ICC.
- Medical admissions committees highly value research experience.
- Community and campus service, participation in organized sports or arts, leadership (eg. campus clubs or organizations, peer advisor positions, and/or religious affiliations) and well-developed personal interests are all important in the admission process.
Suggested 4 Year Plan
- First year - establish good study habits to facilitate good grades and join a club and/or participate in community service
- Second year - visit the Internship and Career Center to learn about Hospital or Clinic Internship opportunities (generally 4 hours a week for a quarter with few pre-requisites) . Visit Health Science Advising to prepare for the application process.
- Third year - visit the Internship and Career Center to learn about research opportunities (generally 10-12 hours a week with a multiple quarter commitment and may have pre-requisities such as courses, lab or GPA requirements)
- Fourth year - Continue with additional internship or volunteer opportunities.