1. University of Minnesota Medical School
The Nuts and Bolts
of Medical School Admissions
University of Minnesota Medical School
A presentation by
Paul T. White, J.D.
Associate Dean of Admissions

2. Application Processing at the U of M 2006-2011
AMCAS
3,259-3,550
More than 2,000
Secondary
Invited to
interview
5.3% increase in applications from 2010
Accepted
170 enrolled

3. 2011 Class Profile Statistics 3550 applicants
476 interviewed (including MD/PhD)
170 enrolled
Class Profile
Total MCAT Score
Avg GPA 3.73
MN Residents
Non-Residents
Age Range
Avg Age
MCAT sub-scores VR PS
WS P
BS 11.4
78% Community Service/Volunteer, not medical/clinical
88% Community Service/Volunteer – Medical/Clinical
84% Research 3

4. The Essential Qualities of the Ideal Medical Student
Commitment to improving the human condition
Unassailable professional conduct
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
Effective dedication to lifelong learning
In addition to strong academics, the University of Minnesota Medical School emphasizes the characteristics, qualities and personal experiences that will contribute to the success of our students and to the care they will provide to future patients.

5. Commitment to Improving the Human Condition
Commitment to human service
Understanding of medicine
Commitment to care of the underserved
Commitment to community and global care
This is demonstrated by—but not limited to—volunteer, work, or research experiences that reflect a desire to improve the human condition. This commitment is typically demonstrated through sustained clinical experience.
The second essential area is an understanding of medicine. Each applicant must have a basic understanding of the world of medicine and the life of a physician.
Applicants with sustained clinical experiences are able to effectively communicate their understanding of medicine.
The University of Minnesota values applicants who demonstrate a commitment to care for the underserved and to community and global health care. This strengthens our school’s culture of service.

6. Professional Conduct Honesty Compassion Self-awareness
Ethical behavior
Along with the qualities of character listed here – honesty and compassion – we look for self-awareness and ethical behavior.
Medical students must have the ability to accept and respond to feedback. Therefore we look for candidates who meet these qualities which may be suggested in letters of recommendation and the personal statement.
A habit of on-going reflective self-assessment will be essential as a medical student and as a physician.
Work well with peers…..

7. Outstanding Interpersonal Skills
Communication skills
Teamwork skills
Tolerance and respect
Leadership experiences
Diversity experiences
Interpersonal skills include your ability to communicate with others as part of a team– doctors, nurses, technicians, social workers, patients and patients’ families.
Other aspects of interpersonal skills – tolerance and diversity – may be more difficult to define but are just as important. Emotional stability, skills to cope with stress, an ability to deal with sacrifice and hardship are among the components of resilience needed by medical students. Let me also emphasize that diversity means diversity in all its forms.
Another skill that is desirable is leadership experience.

8. Dedication to Lifelong Learning
Intellectual curiosity
Scientific aptitude
Potential for academic success
Psychological resilience
Creativity
Research experiences
Lifelong learning is essential for medical professionals.
Biomedical knowledge is changing and advancing at a rapid pace. You are considering medical school, in part, because you have intellectual curiosity which is an essential trait for candidates at the University of Minnesota.
We also expect our candidates to have a strong aptitude for science.
Creativity is valued and research experiences can help prepare candidates for a career in medicine.
In all of this, we want self-directed learners who will continue to seek information, integrate it, and use it throughout their lives as physicians.

9. Requirements for Admission
Undergraduate degree (any major)
Competitive MCAT score
Competitive GPA
Prerequisites
Meaningful experiences
Shadowing
Interaction with patients
Research
Community service
Work, i.e., EMT, paramedics, CNA, etc.
Other requirements for admissions include an undergraduate degree in ANY MAJOR from any four-year institution in the United States or Canada.
MCAT scores and GPAs are important. The middle 50% of applicants invited to interview had GPAs that ranged from 3.29 to 3.92 and MCAT scores that ranged from 29 to 37. While there were applicants invited to interview with lower GPAs and MCATs, these students had either significant medical and non-medical experiences or outstanding graduate-level grades, or a combination of both.
Last possible date to take the MCAT for this application cycle is Sept 11, 2010.
If you do not feel your profile is similar in some way to these students, or your grades have only recently improved, you may want to delay applying until you have made significant improvement. …

10. Prerequisites Required Courses Recommended 1 Biology with lab
1 Chemistry with lab
4 Additional courses in the life sciences (biology, genetics, zoology, botany, parasitology, etc), biochemistry, and /or physics, at least 2 of which must be upper level courses
1 Upper level course in the humanities or social sciences with an intensive writing requirement
Biochemistry
Ethics
Genetics
Psychology
Statistics
Languages
Independent learning or other courses involving small group discussion
Along with the MCAT and the bachelor’s degree, we have 7 required courses.
Mention requirement for international applicants
Recommended:
We recommend a list of courses that may help you succeed in medical school and in your career as a physician. These include biochemistry, ethics, statistics, genetics, psychology, and a foreign language.
We also recommend that students have educational experiences such as independent learning courses or seminar-type courses with small group discussions.

11. Application Process Step 1 Complete the primary application (AMCAS)
Select the University of Minnesota
AMCAS site opens for in May
Read and follow AMCAS instructions carefully
Verification through AMCAS takes several
Letters of recommendation directly to AMCAS

12. Application Process Step 2
You will receive confirmation via from the U of MN
with the opportunity for you to choose:
Twin Cities Duluth
or both campuses 12

13. Application Process Step 3 Complete the Supplemental Application
The Duluth campus will send the supplemental app to all applicants
The Twin Cities campus will send the supplemental app to verified applicants ONLY
Verification through AMCAS takes several weeks
Letters of recommendation directly to AMCAS
Only qualified applicants receive supplemental for TC
Timeline for sending supplemental app
TC reviews applications on a rolling basis 13

14. For interview consideration
Holistic Application Review Process
Academics
Personal
Statement
AMCAS
Invite for
interview?
MCAT
Secondary
Review +
Letters
For interview consideration
Experiences
The Admissions Committee uses a comprehensive review process. Applicants undergo a review that takes into consideration the AMCAS application (including essays, grades, courses, letters of recommendation and test scores), and the secondary application. If the committee determines that a candidate is very strong, then he or she is invited to interview.
The interviewer only sees the applicant’s essays and will base his or her interview report on how well the candidate meets our Essential and Desired Qualifications. The interview report is then added to the candidate’s file, and then given a final review. 14

15. The Interview Ability to communicate Facility to relate and engage
The interview will help determine how well the candidate meets
the Essential and Desired Qualities
Ability to communicate
Facility to relate and engage
Understanding of medicine
Commitment to patient care
The interview is a key step in the application process.
Interviews are only offered to about 27 percent of our applicants.
We interview because we seek insights into a person that can only arise in a face-to-face conversation. Do they provide personal evidence of the essential and desired qualities? Does the candidate accord with the information on file? Are they mature? Are they passionate? Do they have empathy for others?

16. Post Interview Committee Final Review & Discussion Decisions Interview
Report
Accept
Committee
Decisions
Reviewer
Notes
Secondary
AMCAS
Final Review
& Discussion
Wait List
After the interview, applicants are reviewed a final time by members of the Admissions Committee. Based upon all the information they have seen, including the interview report, they recommend a decision on each applicant. The decision may be to accept, wait list or reject an applicant.
Reject 16

17. Things to Consider
Are you applying prematurely? It’s ok to delay applying to improve your application profile.
To improve your GPA, take more challenging, upper level courses and do well.
Sustained clinical exposure is important.
Additional course information/grades cannot be added after you submit your application. Relates to Item 1.
Be patient with the process.
Take personal responsibility for your application.

18. Updates and Reminders MCAT AMCAS Letters of Recommendation
Last possible exam date, Sept 10, 2011 for app cycle
AMCAS
Accessible early May
November 15th deadline to apply
Letters of Recommendation
3 individual letters OR 1 committee letter/packet
Supplemental Application
Choose Twin Cities, Duluth or both
Respond to all communications from the school
January 31 deadline to apply
AMCAS 15 experiences; 3 most compelling experiences.

19. Resources For information about Medical School Admissions
Questions? us at
AMCAS Instructions
Health Careers Center
35 Questions I Wished I Had Asked
Our web site will answer many questions. If it does not, please send us an .
2012 instructions not available yet

20. Other U of MN Programs Combined MD/PhD Program
Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity
Center for American Indian and Minority Health
Dual Degree Programs
MD/MPH MD/MHI
MD/MBA MD/MS Program in BME
JD/MD 20