Secrets of Medical School Admissions Julia Landry Director The Princeton Review

Page 2 Agenda Welcome Research Finding the Right Med School Applying and Getting In Factors of Admission The Princeton Review Questions and Answers TIP: Strategies for Making Yourself a Competitive Applicant

Page 3 Research Where Do I Start? School websites and materials/publications/media PrincetonReview.com 1. TIP: Advanced Med School Search - list of schools that match your needs and preferences The Princeton Review's Med School Recruiter 3. The Tuition Cost Calculator Talk to professors, colleagues… Call schools/admissions staff FSU Pre- Health Advising (850) Talk to current students & alum Go to fairs and conferences Dean’s Day- October 2010 US News and World Report Rankings

Page 4 Finding the Right Med School TIP: Don’t Fall for the Brand Name Hype Choosing a Med School – 3 Factors 1. Academic quality 2. Chances of getting in 3. Practical considerations The Academic Fit Well-suited Specializations

Page 5 Finding the Right Med School What Else to Consider Rankings Social atmosphere Family factor Career/job offers Cost Alumni influence/network Environment Size Dr. Who? Talk to the students Research facilities School curriculum

Page 6 A v O Allopathic Medicine most widely available and recognized two years of basic science followed by clinical rotations Osteopathic Medicine curriculum is similar - four years long clinical training spend more time rotating in primary care areas, rather than medical subspecialties most do not have an affiliated teaching hospital; therefore, schools usually partner with a number of med facilities and doctor's offices More similarities than differences

Page 7 FSU Florida State University Early Decision Deadline: August 1 *Extra Required Courses: Biochemistry Recommended Courses: Psychology, Social Science, Spanish Classes begin May 24 (Summer)

Page 8 UM University of Miami Early Decision: NONE Recommended Courses: Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Physiology, Immunology, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Developmental Biology

Page 9 USF University of South Florida Early Decision Deadline: August 1 Recommended Courses: Genetics, Cell & Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Embryology, Comparative Anatomy, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Chemistry, Statistics, Histology

Page 10 UCF University of Central Florida Early Decision Deadline: August 1 Recommended Courses: Biochemistry, Genetics, Cell & Molecular Biology, Embryology, Comparative Anatomy

Page 11 UF University of Florida Early Decision Deadline: NONE Extra Required Courses: Biochemistry Recommended Courses: Genetics, Physiology, Microbiology, Embryology, Comparative Anatomy

Page 12 Applying and Getting In The Application Process State of Affairs Roughly 67,828 test takers First-year enrollees total almost 17,800 students, a 2.3% increase over ,300+ applied, an increase of 8.2 percent over ,000 were first-time applicants, the highest number on AAMC record Commonalities TIP: Apply Early Secondaries

Page 13 Factors of Admission Objective Factors: 1. GPA 2. MCAT The Numbers Students focus on the numbers first The numbers don’t get you in but ________ GPA (science) x 10 + MCAT > 65 (admissions index) GPA and MCAT are between 30 % and 50 % of the admissions decision Consider the #’s a baseline requirement Go to Demo.PrincetonReview.com to take a free practice test and to sample one of our lessons. Call 800-2Review or visit PrincetonReview.com for more info about The Princeton Review test prep options.

Page 14 What Does it Take To Get In? SchoolAverage Verbal Score Average Physical Science Score Average Bio Science Score Average Writing Section Score Harvard University1112 Q Johns Hopkins University Q University of California—San Francisco P Washington University in St. Louis Q Queen’s University (Canada) P McGill University (Canada) 1011 P Source: The Princeton Review’s Best 168 Medical Schools

Page 15 What Does it Take To Get In? SchoolAverage Verbal Score Average Physical Science Score Average Biological Science Score Average Writing Section Score Florida State University Overall Average MCAT Score 29 University of Florida O University of South Florida Overall Average MCAT Score 27 University of MiamiOverall Average MCAT Score 29.3

Page 16 Factors of Admission Subjective Factors: 1. Recommendations 2. Essays 3. Experience 4. Activities 5. Interview 6. Resume The other 50 percent of admissions is based on motivation, passion, and sense of purpose. Stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Page 17 Letters of Recommendation Choose Wisely Academic  2 science, 1 non-science - min 3, max 5 5 areas of commentary 1. Classroom contributions 2. Interest in the subject 3. Level of achievement 4. Personal anecdotes 5. Likeability

Page 18 The Essay What Makes a Good Essay Do’s & Don’ts TIP: Give Yourself At Least 2 Months To Develop Your Personal Statement It should… Be a sales pitch for yourself Show committee something about yourself that they could never learn from your application Demonstrate that you are a mature, intelligent and focused person Show that you’re different from the rest of the pack Be the most powerful, positive element of your application Answer the question!

Page 19 The Rest of The Package Experience Beyond shadowing, volunteering  goal is to make a connection Exposure to the Medical Field Genuine commitment to helping and serving others Clinical Research Leadership/community service Volunteer work TIP: Don’t try to “beef-up” your application by joining every activity Resumes Highlight your professional achievements FSU Career Center- Juliette McDonald TIP: Take Courses of Interest (but don’t forget requirements) Is major important?

Page 20 Putting It All Together Choosing Targets Make a list Eliminate - not academically strong enough or unacceptable due to practical considerations. Divide the remaining schools into three groups: % sure/shoe-ins good “match” schools you'll get into only if touched by the hand of God

Page 21 Application Timeline TIP: Make a Plan-of-Action Calendar & Stick to It. Don’t Miss Deadlines! College Year 1-2 Successfully complete required premed coursework Investigate available volunteer/paid medically related clinical or research activities College Year 3 – Junior Year, Fall Semester Begin prep and register for desired MCAT administration Successfully complete first-semester required premed coursework – physics and/or chemistry Spring Semester (January-April) Prepare, register for, and take desired MCAT administration; best for timing on applications Start researching schools Contact potential recommenders Spring Semester (May-June) Finalize school list Complete AMCAS application College Year 4 – Senior Year September Complete and send supplemental applications October - November Send thank you notes to recommenders Interview

Page 22 Admissions Timeline MAY 1: Primary Application available to complete through AMCAS JUNE 1: Primary Application available to submit through AMCAS AUG 1: Most Florida Med Schools Early Decision Deadline AUG 15: Most Florida Med Schools EDP Secondary's Deadline OCT 1: Most Florida Med Schools EDP Admissions Notification DEC 1: Most Florida Med Schools Regular Decision Deadline

Page 23 Questions? Thank You Julia Landry Director- Tallahassee & NW Florida