Applying to Medical School in 2009 and Beyond

• Lee Witters (NSS)• Kim Sauerwein

(Career Services)• Annette Hamilton

(Career Services)

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 2009 is the optimum time for you to be applying to medical school or whether you should consider delaying till 2010 or later

• Familiarize yourself with all the sources of information• KEEP TO ANNOUNCED DEADLINES!

Some Medical School Admission Statistics:

2008 Matriculants

•# applicants: 40, 854

•# accepted: 18,651 (45.7%)

•GPA all applicants: 3.50 (3.40 BCPM)

•GPA accepted: 3.66 (3.60 BCPM)

•MCAT all takers

8.4VR/8.7PS/9.2BS/26.2/O

•MCAT accepted applicants 9.5VR/9.8PS/10.2BS/29.2/P

NationalNational

• # applicants: 156• # accepted: 116 (74%)• # schools/applicant: 20• # acceptances/applicant: 3• GPAs accepted:

– Overall: 3.55 (2.88-3.98)– BCPM: 3.48 (2.56-3.97)

• GPA not accepted:– Overall: 3.28 (2.34-3.75)– BCPM: 3.12 (1.85-4.0)

• MCAT– Accepted :

•10.8 VR/10.8 PS/11 BS/32.4Q•Ranges: 26-41(total)/L-T

– Not Accepted:•10VR/10PS/11BS/31/Q•Ranges: 22-38(total)/M-S

DartmouthDartmouth

Is this the right time?OVERALL GPA• >3.3 overall GPA 80% were accepted• <3.3 overall GPA 59% were acceptedBCPM• >3.3 BCPM 89% were accepted• <3.3 BCPM 50% were acceptedMCAT• >30 MCAT 79% were accepted• <30 MCAT 48% were acceptedTimeliness• Earlier than Sept 1 82% were accepted• Later than Sept 1 53% were accepted

Other factors: Clinical Experience/Exposure, Community Service, Research Experience, List of Schools (# and appropriateness relative to one’s “credentials”)

Applying to Medical School in 2009 and Beyond

•Overview: Where is help? (Lee Witters/Kim Sauerwein)

Important web sites:Important web sites:

– NSS (www.dartmouth.edu/~nss) • Several links in “Must Reads & Links” section including Alumni Advice network

– 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

– Career Services (www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc/students/gradschool/med/index.html)

– American Association of Medical Colleges (www.aamc.org/students/applying/start.htm)

• Links on right: AMCAS, MCAT, AspiringDocs.org, Medical Schools/More Resources

TimelineFall Winter Spring Summer

08-09

-Determine if this is 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)

-Workshops-LETTERS -MCAT-Begin AMCAS application, incl. personal statement & school list-Transcript (after spring term)

-Submit AMCAS application (primary); target date 6/30

-Begin secondary applications

-Send LETTERS

09-10

-Complete Secondaries

-Schools should have everything by now

-Interviews & Offers

-Interviews & Offers

-Decision Day: May 15

-Get ready for classes!

Applying to Medical School in 2009 and Beyond

• The MCAT exam, registration and preparation– When/where?– How to prepare?– Other issues: testing accommodations; fee assistance

Composite Letter of Evaluation• REQUIRED unless you are class of 2007 or previous• No more than six (6) writers including your

composite writer.• 3-5 writers will write supporting letters, you will

submit supporting documents • Release to Composite Writer form (processed in the

order that they are received)

• Additional letters (after composite) – talk to Annette

Credentials (LEO)

• Open your LEO file leo.dartmouth.edu– Waiving your rights of access

• Who will be your letter writers? – TWO science faculty who’ve taught you– Major professor– Extracurricular letter

• Ask letter writers – give them timelines• Create & submit supporting documents

– Autobiographical Sketch– Resume– Transcript

• Timelines/Deadlines (Agreement form)

Questions?

The REAL LEO:

Annette Hamilton

(603) 646-3377

Timeline Agreement Sheet

• Please review, sign and return to Kim by the end of this meeting

Applying to Medical School in 2009 and Beyond

A Few “Heads Up” For Later Meetings

• Winter Term Workshops : – How to Ask for Letters, Post-Bac Programs, Getting Started on a

Personal Statement and “Gap Year” activities

• The AMCAS application – Issue of institutional action– Release date early May; suggested submission date end of

June– Spring workshops (how to fill out; personal statements)

• Choosing schools: How to decide? • Secondary applications• The interview and the decision making• What if I am planning to apply in later years?

Summary of Deadlines (Ideal (i.e. target) & Final)

Task Ideal (target) date Final deadline

Taking MCAT By June 13 By August 7

Submitting AMCAS June 30 Sept 1

Submitting 2o Apps Sept 1 Oct 1Documents to Career Services

Timeline Agreement ASAP April 1Composite Letter Worksheet March 2 May 1

Supporting Documents May 1 July 1Supporting Letters May1 July 1

Release to Composite Writer May 15 July 15Composite Letter July 1 September 1

Applying to Med School Booklet 2009

www.dartmouth.edu/~nss

www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc

Blitz Updates on 1st and 15th

Questions?