Applying to Medical School in 2014 and Beyond Lee Witters Sarah Berger Annette Hamilton

Some Medical School Admission Statistics: 2012 Matriculants # applicants: 139 % alumni: 83% % lst time applicants accepted: 84% # schools/applicant: 19 # acceptances/applicant: 2.7 (1-10) GPAs accepted: Overall: 3.59 (2.78-4.00) BCPM: 3.54 (2.91-4.00) GPA not accepted: Overall: 3.27 (2.5-4.00) BCPM: 3.06 (1.8-4.00) MCAT Accepted : 10.6VR/11.8PS/11.7BS/34.1/Q Not Accepted: 8.9VR/9.6PS/9.5BS/28/Q Dartmouth Some Medical School Admission Statistics: 2012 Matriculants # applicants: 43, 542 # accepted: 19, 597 (45%) GPA all applicants: 3.54 (3.44 BCPM) GPA accepted: 3.68 (3.63 BCPM) MCAT all takers 8.4VR/8.8PS/9.3BS/26.5/O MCAT accepted applicants 9.3VR/9.9PS/10.3BS/29.5/P National BCPM=Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Math (also Neuroscience (not Psych), Some Engineering) VR=Verbal Reasoning, PS=Physical Sciences, BS=Biological Sciences

Factors Influencing Admission Statistics OVERALL GPA >3.3 overall GPA 95% of ‘accepted’; 70 % of ‘not accepted’ BCPM GPA >3.3 BCPM 85% of ‘accepted’; 37% of ‘not accepted’ MCAT >30 MCAT 90% of ‘accepted’; 57% of ‘not accepted’ Timeliness (Application verified before Sept 1 (= early August submission date) 80% of ‘accepted’; 63% of ‘not accepted’ OTHER DATA Science GPA < 3.3; MCAT <30: Only 3% accepted Other factors: 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

Elements of a Successful Application to Medical School Courses (GPA, Science GPA) MCAT Letters of Evaluation Extracurricular Experiences Personal & Professional Characteristics Skills & Abilities Clinical Exposure Altruistic Service Scholarly Activity (outside classroom)

Evaluating Beyond Grades,MCAT Scores and Prior Experiences in Health Skills & Abilities Personal & Professional Characteristics Resiliency Integrity/Judgment Adaptability Reliability/Dependability Persistence Motivation Intellectual curiosity Empathy Altruistic service Active listener Problem solver Communicator (oral, written) Critical thinker Multilingual

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 2014 is the optimum time for you to be applying to medical school or whether you should consider delaying till 2015 or later Familiarize yourself with all the sources of information KEEP TO ANNOUNCED DEADLINES!

Applying to Medical School in 2014 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 2014-2015’(podcasts, documents) NSS Blackboard site (need to self-enroll; see instructions on NSS home page) All important documents and podcasts to be posted here in ‘Pre-Health Information’ >>>>’Medical School’ folder 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 2014 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ! Should I apply in 2014? 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 2014 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ! Should I apply in 2014? 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 2014 and Beyond The MCAT exam, registration and preparation When/where? Cost? ($240) Details: Official Guide How to prepare? MCAT Survey: ‘How NSS Prepares’ Other issues: testing accommodations; fee assistance Posted on NSS home page

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?) $$$ ($160 (one school); $35 for each additional school) Letters of evaluation MCAT Score Secondary applications (more essays; more $$) Interview invitation (Sept to mid-March)

Composite Letter of Evaluation REQUIRED unless you are class of 2011 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 Consult Documents in “Medical School Application 2014-15 ” on NSS web site Open your Interfolio account https://account.interfolio.com/dossier/signup?institution_id=4849 Waiving your rights of access Ask letter writers – give them timelines Create & upload supporting documents Autobiographical Sketch Resume Transcript (“official” 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

Timeline Fall Winter Spring Summer 13- 14 14-15 - Is this the best year for you to apply? -Ask for LETTERS -Sign up for early MCAT -Workshops -Early MCAT (or sign up for spring/summer) -Open Interfolio account -LETTERS -MCAT -Begin AMCAS application, incl. personal statement & school list -Transcript (after spring term) -Submit AMCAS application target date 6/30 -Begin secondary applications -Send LETTERS 14-15 -Complete 2° by early Sept -Schools to have everything by now -Interviews & Offers - Update Letters -Decision Day: May 15 -Get ready for med school classes!

Timeline Fall Winter Spring Summer 13-14 14-15 - Is this the best year for you to apply? -Ask for LETTERS -Sign up for early MCAT -Workshops -Early MCAT (or sign up for spring/summer) -Open Interfolio account -LETTERS -MCAT -Begin AMCAS application, incl. personal statement & school list -Transcript (after spring term) -Submit AMCAS application target date 6/30 -Begin secondary applications -Send LETTERS 14-15 -Complete 2° by early Sept -Schools to have everything by now -Interviews & Offers - Update Letters -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 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 July 1 Supporting Letters Release to Composite Writer May 15 Composite Letter 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 2014 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 2015 Web site for application: https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/admissions/early_assurance/ Geisel Admissions Officers Andrew Welch, Bill Brown & Aileen Panitz willing to speak to interested students

Streamlined application to identify up to five students a year Evidence of potential to become outstanding physicians Character, experiences, academic skills, broad education (holistic evaluation) Potential to work with patients from a variety of backgrounds Need not have completed all of med school course requirements, but a sufficient number to give a good basis for evaluation of overall performance MCAT examination not required Opportunity for gap year experience

TIMELINE Application Deadline 1 October 2015 Application Fee $130 Letters of Reference 2-5, suggest two from science faculty Interview Notifications By late October Interviews November – first week January Program Decisions Late January

CONTINGENCIES Candidate reply within two weeks Binding unless candidate withdraws from program OR applies to other programs Commensurate academic performance Commensurate involvement in activities Completes following year AMCAS Application (no fee) Criminal background check