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)
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