Premed Curriculum, Important Aspects of a Good Medical School Applicant:

What can you do today to be prepared for tomorrow?

Jennifer Rosichan, Director for Student Affairs and Recruitment Programs

College Freshman & Sophomore• Pre-Med Coursework (Biology with lab, Chemistry

with lab, Organic Chemistry with lab, Physics with lab)

• Performance – science coursework examined CLOSELY by admissions

• Exploring medicine• Growth experiences• Advising• Enjoying yourself, your friends,

……..and your college

College Junior• Coursework (Your major and upper level science

courses)

• MCAT (Offered January through the fall)

• Academic Performance• Growth opportunities• Exploring medicine• Exploring other post-baccalaureate options• Taking Inventory

Taking Inventory1. How are you performing

academically—be honest?2. What kinds of things TRULY

interest you?3. Are you feeling “burned out”

at all?4. Is there something that you’ve “always wanted to do,” but haven’t done it yet?

5. How has your standardized test performance been in the past?

Applying to medical school• Students typically apply to medical school in

the summer between their junior and senior year. – Application means applications, fees, essay, and

letters of recommendation• Admission is rolling. Being late is NOT good.

Senior Year of College• Interviewing (exploring medical schools)• Maintaining academic performance• Applying for financial aid• Getting your “affairs in order” • Doing something else (applying to post bacc

programs, non-us schools, MPH programs, working, joining the circus, etc.

But what makes me a GOOD candidate for medical school?

What will persuade the admissions committee to vote YES?

We really do want you!

And we don’t want to lose you.

We don’t “weed” out students.

RISK

• Academic Risk• Professional / Motivational Risk• Emotional / Personal Risk

Academic Risk• First 2 years of medical school are going to

test you like you have never experienced as a college student.

• Standardized tests don’t end with the MCAT• Lifelong learning: CME

Professional Risk• How do you know you really want to be a physician?

(exploration)• Exposure to people who are different• Do you truly enjoy helping others—putting their needs

before your own? (i.e. when it’s not convenient and when you)

• Do you have the IP skills to be someone’s doctor?• Can you work well on a team as both the leader and the

follower?• How well do you handle criticism and when things don’t

go your way?

Personal / Emotional Risk• Do you have a “supportive” support system?• How do you handle stress and balancing

multiple commitments?• Are their barriers to your success?• Is now the best time?

Assuming you present minimal risk…

• Kind

• Compassionate

• Dedicated

• Sensitive

• Intellectually Curious

• Honest

• Respectful

• Responsible– (Follows through)

How do we get at those qualities?• Essay(s)• Letters of recommendation• Choices (how you spend your time)• Interview

Sorry, there’s no magic formula 3.8BCPM + 60hrs of >300 level Bio coursework + 13BS, 13PS, 13VR = Acceptance

• Assess your risk levels honestly. – We want you to have the best chance at success!

• Work closely with your advisor. – Their perspective and experience is invaluable!

• Start developing the “doctor-like” characteristics now.

• Remember, medical school isn’t going anywhere.– We’re here when you’re ready!

*EA programs often have agreements guaranteeing students a place in medical school if they have met certain agreed upon metrics.

Thank you and Good Luck!