“How to get into Medical School” In 12 easy steps. Stephen Symes MD, FACP Assistant Dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

YOU NEED TO HAVE A PLAN

UM-JMH Medical Campus

Application Statistics 2010 Applicants5,282 Secondary Apps3,042 Interviewed450 Acceptances 200* Enrolled150

#1 Good Grades really help! Science GPA above 3.5 (Chance of being accepted) ◦ 100% 3.80 ◦ 90% 3.70 ◦ 80% 3.60 ◦ 70% 3.50 ◦ 60% 3.40 ◦ 50% 3.30 ◦ 40% 3.20 ◦ 30% 3.10 ◦ 20% 3.00 Fulfillment of all required pre-requisite courses. At the most competitive University possible.

Competitive = 3 Points Highly Competitive = 15 Points Most Competitive = 30 Points Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges, 2009

#2 MCAT Scores are important Begin to prepare for MCAT’s as a freshman Ideal scores above 30 ideal 10, 10, 10, You should have above an 8 in each section Verbal Reasoning is most important of scores Plan to take MCAT’s after Biology, Chemistry and Physics Courses are Complete Leave enough time to take them again. Nobody is ever satisfied with their scores!!!!

Academic Statistics 2009 Cumulative GPA3.74 Science GPA3.66 MCAT31.4

#3 APPLY EARLY Submit your AMCAS Application as early as possible. It will be reviewed early. Return your Secondary Application with 7 days. Request your Letters of Recommendation early!! Medical Schools begin to book Interviews in September After January, you will likely be on an Alternate List. More people will be accepted on May 15 th then any other day.

#4 Carefully select who will write your Letters of Recommendation Make sure the Professor knows you well and will write a favorable letter. Two letters from faculty, one letter from your clinical experiences. The letter should be able to demonstrate that the person writing can adequately judge you as a person.

#5 Be a Leader Make an effort to be a leader. Be an officer in organizations you belong to. Strive to be a captain or co-captain in sports. Be familiar with the traits of a good leader. Be ready to give examples of times when you have had to step forward and take control of a bad situation.

#6 Exposure to Health Care Spend enough time volunteering in health care to be able to assure the medical school that you understand what it means to be a physician. Shadow physicians Volunteer in hospitals/doctor’s offices Pay attention to the challenges of being a health care provider.

#7 Everyone has Life Experiences Show examples of how you: Overcame adversity Had to work hard to achieve a goal Helped others in need Be able to describe the road that has brought you to the front door of the medical school

#8 Write a Meaningful Personal Statement After reading the statement, the evaluator should know a great deal about you and what values you believe to be important. NO spelling of grammar errors. Show your Statement to others for corrections and suggestions. DO NOT Plagiarize Make the Statement interesting and well organized.

File Evaluation Generates Points Life Experiences: (1-15) x3 Reviews = 45 Pt. Care Experiences: (1-20) x3 Rev. = 60 Letters of Rec: (5-15) x3 Reviewers = 45 Life Adversity (0-10 points) = 10 ______________________________ Quality of Acad. Institution: (3-30) = 30 Science GPA (3-45 points) = 45 MCAT Score (3-45 points) = 45 Maximum Points for an Applicant = 280

#9 Dress to Impress for the Interview Wear very professional, conservative and tasteful attire. Make sure you can walk ½ mile in the shoes you select. It will be cold inside and very hot outside. Minimal jewelry Professional looking (very conservative) hair and nails

#10 Anticipate the Questions for your Interview Know why you want to attend this specific medical school. Traditional questions Behavioral questions Thought provoking questions Controversial questions PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

#11 Know about the School you have applied to. Understand their strengths and weaknesses Be familiar with the: Curriculum Clinical Experiences Research Opportunities Community Outreach

Our Mission Deliver high-caliber, compassionate health care Advance patient care through applied research Educate the next generation of medical leaders Contribute to a healthier world

Our Values Excellence Compassion Discovery Collaboration Leadership Integrity

#12 Be on time, polite and courteous to everyone on admissions day. When you are wearing your dark interview suite, or professional business dress, everyone will know you are here for an interview. Ask questions of the students you will meet with. They will be judging your interest and enthusiasm.

Uinversity of Miami – Miller School of Medicine Dan Barry, Ph.D., M.D.