Applying to Medical School in 2015

and Beyond

• Lee Witters• Sarah Berger• Annette Hamilton

Some Medical School Admission

Statistics: 2014 Matriculants

•# applicants: 47,782•# accepted: 20,141 (42%)•GPA all applicants: 3.55 (3.4-5 BCPM)

•GPA accepted: 3.70 (3.64 BCPM)

•MCAT all takers 8.5VR/9PS/9.BS/26.7•MCAT accepted applicants 9VR/10PS/10BS/29.7

National

• # applicants: 130• % alumni: 80% • % lst time applicants accepted:

78%• # schools/applicant: 22• # acceptances/applicant: 2.5 (1-

11)• GPAs accepted:

– Overall: 3.62 (3.0-4.00)– BCPM: 3.54 (2.65-4.00)

• GPA not accepted:– Overall: 3.37 (2.75-3.70)– BCPM: 3.20 (2.2-3.8)

• MCAT– Accepted :

•11VR/11.5PS/11.5BS/34.3– Not Accepted:

•10VR/10PS/10.5BS/30.8

Dartmouth

BCPM=Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Math (also Neuroscience (not Psych), Some Engineering)

VR=Verbal Reasoning, PS=Physical Sciences, BS=Biological Sciences

Factors Influencing Admission Statistics Beyond GPA & MCAT

–Clinical Experience/Exposure–Community Service–Research Experience–List of Schools (# and

appropriateness relative to credentials)

–Personal statement & Interview–Letters of evaluation–Utilization of advising services

Courses (GPA,

Science GPA)

MCAT

Extracurricular Experiences

Letters of Evaluation

Personal & Professional Characteristi

cs

Skills & Abilities

Clinical ExposureAltruistic ServiceScholarly Activity(outside classroom)

Elements of a Successful Application to Medical School

Evaluating Beyond Grades,MCAT Scores and Prior Experiences in Health

• Active listener• Problem solver• Communicator

(oral, written)• Critical thinker• Multilingual

• Resiliency• Integrity/Judgment• Adaptability• Reliability/

Dependability• Persistence• Motivation• Intellectual curiosity• Empathy• Altruistic service

Skills & Abilities Personal & Professional Characteristics

First Things First

• Make your intention to possibly apply known to our advising system..i.e. SIGN IN

• Have an individual conversation with an advisor as to whether 2015 is the optimum time for you to be applying to medical school or whether you should consider delaying till 2016 or later

• Familiarize yourself with all the sources of information

• KEEP TO ANNOUNCED DEADLINES!• Read all Application Newsletters

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond

•Overview: Where is help? •Important web sites: – NSS (www.dartmouth.edu/~nss)

• Several links in “Medical School” section including Alumni Advice network &‘Medical School Application 2015-16’(podcasts, documents)

– American Association of Medical Colleges (www.aamc.org/students/applying/start.htm) • Links on right: AMCAS, MCAT, Aspiring Docs.org, Medical

Schools/More Resources

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ!

•Should I apply in 2015?•When should I take the MCAT exam and how should I prepare for it?•When should I begin to ask for letters of evaluation and how does the Dartmouth letter system work?•How does the actual AMCAS application process work and what dates am I aiming for to complete it?

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ!

•Should I apply in 2015?

EVERYONE needs to have an individual one-on-one conversation with Sarah or Lee now to select an application year that best fits your credentials and your aspirations

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ!

•Should I apply in 2015?•When should I take the MCAT exam and how should I prepare for it?

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond

• The MCAT exam, registration and preparation– When/where/which? Cost? ($275)– How to prepare? MCAT Survey: ‘How NSS Prepares’– Other issues: testing accommodations; fee assistance

The Application

•AMCAS application (released early May; earliest submission early June; ideal by late June/early July)

–Personal information (issue of institutional action/misdemeanor/felony)

–Grades from all institutions (with transcripts (paper))–Personal statement–Activities & Experiences–School list (how to decide?)–$$$ ($160 (one school); $36 for each additional school)

•Letters of evaluation•MCAT Score•Secondary applications (more essays; more $$)•Interview invitation (Sept to mid-March)

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ!

•Should I apply in 2015?•When should I take the MCAT exam and how should I prepare for it?•When should I begin to ask for letters of evaluation and how does the Dartmouth letter system work?

–Terms to know: Composite Letter, Supporting Letters, Composite Packet, Interfolio

Composite Letter of Evaluation

• REQUIRED unless you are class of 2012 or previous

• No more than six (6) writers including your composite writer.

• 3-5 writers will write supporting letters (these + your composite letter = composite packet)

• Who will be your letter writers? – TWO science faculty who’ve taught you– Major professor– Extracurricular letter

Credentials

• Open your Interfolio account– Wait till fall (will send instructions)– Waiving your rights of access

• Ask letter writers – give them timelines• Create & upload supporting documents

– Autobiographical Sketch– Resume– Transcript (from Registrar (order on-line))

• Release to Composite Writer • Additional letters (after composite) – talk to

Annette• Timelines/Deadlines (Agreement form)

Questions About Interfolio?

Send e-mail to credentials@dartmouth.edu

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ!

•Should I apply in 2015?•When should I take the MCAT exam and how should I prepare for it?•When should I begin to ask for letters of evaluation and how does the Dartmouth letter system work?•How does the actual AMCAS application process work and what dates am I aiming for to complete it?

The Application

•AMCAS application (released early May; earliest submission early June; ideal by late June/early July)

–Personal information (issue of institutional action/misdemeanor/felony)

–Grades from all institutions (with transcripts (paper))–Personal statement–Activities & Experiences–School list (how to decide?)–$$$ ($160 (one school); $36 for each additional school)

•Letters of evaluation•MCAT Score•Secondary applications (more essays; more $$)•Interview invitation (Sept to mid-March)

Timeline for Actual Application 2014-15

Fall Winter Spring Summer

14- 15

- Is this the best year for you to apply? -Ask for LETTERS-Sign up for early MCAT

-Workshops-Ask for LETTERS-Early MCAT (or sign up for spring/summer)-Open Interfolio accountBegin thinking about AMCAS application, incl. personal statement & school list

-Workshops-LETTERS -MCAT-Transcript (after spring term)

-Submit AMCAS application target date 6/30-Begin Secondary applications-LETTERS are submitted

Timeline for Actual Application 2015-16

Fall Winter Spring Summer

15-16

-Complete 2° by early Sept-Schools to have everything by now-Interviews & Offers

- Send Update Letters

-Interviews & Offers

-Decision Day: May 15

-Get ready for med school classes!

Summary of Deadlines (Ideal (i.e. target) & Final)

Task Ideal (target) date

Final deadline

Taking MCAT By mid-June August dates

Submitting AMCAS June 30 Sept 1

Submitting 2o Apps Sept 1 Oct 1

Documents Due (to HPP Office or Interfolio)Timeline Agreement ASAP April 1

Composite Letter Worksheet

End of winter term classes

May 1

Supporting Documents May 1 July 1

Supporting Letters May 1 July 1

Release to Composite Writer

May 15 July 1

Composite Letter July 1 September 1

Timeline Agreement Sheet

Please review, sign and return by the end of this meeting or to HPP office

in Carson Advising Center

Composite Letter Work Sheet

Submit by end of winter term to Annette Hamilton

Applying to Medical School in 2015 and Beyond

A Few More Things

• Medical Application Newsletter• Winter/Spring Term Workshops

– How to Ask for Letters, Getting Started on a Personal Statement, Filling out the AMCAS Application, Choosing Schools, Interviewing, Post-Bacc/Gap Year Options

• Fee Waivers• Investment of your time to do all of

this

Early Assurance Program for Dartmouth College Class of 2016

Geisel Admissions Officers Andrew Welch & Aileen Panitz presentation this Thursday, July 31, 6:30 PM,

Carson L01