Applying to Medical School in 2012 and Beyond Lee Witters Sarah Berger Annette Hamilton

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 2012 is the optimum time for you to be applying to medical school or whether you should consider delaying till 2013 or later Familiarize yourself with all the sources of information KEEP TO ANNOUNCED DEADLINES!

Some Medical School Admission Statistics: 2011 Matriculants # applicants: 42,394 # accepted: 17,990 (42%) GPA all applicants: 3.53 (3.43 BCPM) GPA accepted: 3.68 (3.62 BCPM) MCAT all takers 8.4VR/8.8PS/9.3BS/26.4/O MCAT accepted applicants 9.3VR/9.8PS/10.2BS/29.4/PNational # applicants: 171 % alumni: 67% % lst time applicants accepted: 80% # schools/applicant: 21 # acceptances/applicant: 3.5 (1-12) GPAs accepted: –Overall: 3.64 ( ) –BCPM: 3.56 ( ) GPA not accepted: –Overall: 3.34 ( ) –BCPM: 3.17 ( ) MCAT –Accepted : 10.8VR/11.8PS/11.49BS/34.5/Q –Not Accepted: 9.6VR/9.5PS/9.9BS/29/Q 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 OVERALL GPA –>3.3 overall GPA95% 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

Courses (GPA, Science GPA) MCAT Extracurricular Experiences Letters of Evaluation Personal & Professional Characteristics Skills & Abilities Clinical Exposure Altruistic Service Scholarly 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 & AbilitiesPersonal & Professional Characteristics

Applying to Medical School in 2012 and Beyond Overview: Where is help? Important web sites:Important web sites: –NSS ( Several links in “Must Reads & Links” section including Alumni Advice network ‘Medical School Application ’ section (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 ( Links on right: AMCAS, MCAT, Aspiring Docs.org, Medical Schools/More Resources

Applying to Medical School in 2012 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ! Should I apply in 2012? 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 2012 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ! Should I apply in 2012? EVERYONE needs to have an individual one-on- one conversation with Lee or Sarah now to select an application year that best fits your credentials and your aspirations

Applying to Medical School in 2012 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ! Should I apply in 2012? When should I take the MCAT exam and how should I prepare for it?

Applying to Medical School in 2012 and Beyond The MCAT exam, registration and preparation –When/where? Cost? ($240) –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) –Personal statement –Activities & Experiences –School list (how to decide?) –$$$ ($160 (one school); $33for each additional school) Letters of evaluation MCAT Score Secondary applications (more essays; more $$) Interview invitation (Sept to mid-March)

Applying to Medical School in 2012 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ! Should I apply in 2012? 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 2010 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 ” on NSS Home Page Open your Interfolio account –Waiving your rights of access Ask letter writers – give them timelines Create & upload supporting documents –Autobiographical Sketch –Resume –Transcript (official from Registrar; scan both sides) Release to Composite Writer Additional letters (after composite) – talk to Annette Timelines/Deadlines (Agreement form)

Questions About Interfolio? Send to

Applying to Medical School in 2012 and Beyond: A POP QUIZ! Should I apply in 2012? 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) –Personal statement –Activities & Experiences –School list (how to decide?) –$$$ ($160 (one school); $33 for each additional school) Letters of evaluation MCAT Score Secondary applications (more essays; more $$) Interview invitation (Sept to mid-March)

Timeline FallWinterSpringSummer 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 account -Workshops -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 Complete 2° by early Sept -Schools to have everything by now -Interviews & Offers - Update Letters -Interviews & Offers -Decision Day: May 15 -Get ready for med school classes!

Timeline FallWinterSpringSummer 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 account -Workshops -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 Complete 2° by early Sept -Schools to have everything by now -Interviews & Offers - Update Letters -Interviews & Offers -Decision Day: May 15 -Get ready for med school classes!

Summary of Deadlines (Ideal (i.e. target) & Final) TaskIdeal (target) date Final deadline Taking MCATBy mid-JuneAugust dates Submitting AMCASJune 30Sept 1 Submitting 2 o AppsSept 1Oct 1 Documents Due (to HPP Office or Interfolio) Timeline AgreementASAPApril 1 Composite Letter Worksheet End of winter term classes May 1 Supporting DocumentsMay 1July 1 Supporting LettersMay 1July 1 Release to Composite Writer May 15July 1 Composite LetterJuly 1September 1

Timeline Agreement Sheet Please review, sign and return by the end of this meeting or to HPP office Composite Letter Work Sheet Submit by end of winter term to Annette Hamilton

Applying to Medical School in 2012 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