How To Be A Successful Medical School Applicant

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How To Be A Successful Medical School Applicant

• Ade Olasunkanmi
• Class of 2009/BALSA Co-President
• NYU School of Medicine

2
Medical School Overview

• Medical School Programs
• MD Degree
• MD/PhD
• MD/MPH
• MD/JD

3
Medical School Overview

• 1st 2 years
• The curriculum is devoted primarily to
  interdisciplinary biomedical science courses
  taking place in lecture halls, conference rooms
  and laboratories
• There are small group learning sessions that
  emphasize topics covered in lectures
• There are also courses in which students interact
  with patients, learn the basics of patient-doctor
  communication, acquire physical examination and
  diagnostic skills

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Medical School Overview

• 2nd 2 years
• In both inpatient and outpatient settings,
  students learn to apply clinical skills and the
  biomedical sciences knowledge of the 1st 2 years
  to problems of human diseases and illnesses
• Required clerkships during the 3rd/4th year
  include
• Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics,
  Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family
  Medicine, Geriatrics, Neurology, Ambulatory Care,
  and Radiology
• There are also elective months during the 3rd/4th
  years during which the student can do research or
  pursue other areas of interest

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Preparing For Medical School

• General Requirements
• English
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• General Physics
• General Biology
• Mathematical Statistics
• Additional courses, not required, but very
  helpful
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Neurobiology
• Anatomy Physiology
• FUN and LOTS OF FUN

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Preparing For Medical School

• DO NOT FORGET the mighty GPA
• Take those classes that could get you easy As to
  boost your GPA
• Plan on how and when you want to take your
  required classes
• Taking organic chemistry, genetics and molecular
  biology in one semester could either mean you are
  a genius or you have not put much thought into it

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Preparing For Medical School

• Anybody could sit down and study all day and get
  As
• What sets you apart is that you could get your As
  and also be good at other things
• Mentoring other students
• Club/Student leader
• Volunteering outside the school
• Research
• Hospital volunteering

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The New Computerized MCAT
http//www.aamc.org/students/mcat/testexpfaq.htm
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The New Computerized MCAT

• It is NOT and adaptive test
• The test is a fixed form, currently
• The new test has the same content focus as the
  paper test
• Test now offered multiple times during the year
• You are allowed to take the exam 3 times in a
  given year, but you can ONLY register for one
  exam date at a time
• Scores are released 30 days after test

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The New Computerized MCAT

• Resources
• MCAT Practice Online
• Kaplan/Exam Crackers/Princeton
• Remember, the aamc website is your
  friend(http//www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.ht
  m)
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

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The Personal Statement

• Your personal statement says a lot about you
• Write, rewrite and rewrite!
• Give your personal statement to 2 or 3 people to
  critique
• One of the people to read your essay should
  preferably be someone who doesnt know you
• For example, one of your creative writing English
  professors
• Take criticism in stride. Dont get offended

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The Application

• Choose the schools you want to apply to
  thoughtfully
• Know the schools application procedures
• AMCAS
• Secondary applications/essays
• Deadlines
• Your letters of recommendation are important
• Ask if your professor would be willing to write
  you a letter
• Dont wait too late before you start asking for
  letters of recommendation
• ONLY ask professors who know you well enough
• A generic letter of recommendation will not do
  you any good

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The Application

• Submit your applications early
• Follow through
• It is your responsibility to call the schools and
  make sure that your file is complete

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The Interview Topics for Discussion

• Everything in your application is fair game
• Why you are interested in school
• Current events assisted suicide, Universal
  Health Care, HPV vaccine, cloning
• Hypothetical social and ethical situations
• Be prepared to ask at least 2 questions at the
  end of the interview

Section adapted from Dr Polites presentation
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The Interview

• If possible, do mock interviews
• Before your interview, research the school
• On the day of the interview, dress professionally
• Remember, anything on your application is fair
  game
• Always, ask your interviewer questions
• DO NOT ask questions you could find the answers
  to on the schools website

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Types of Interviews

• Faculty
• Deans
• Student (most common mistake being too casual,
  comfortable with your interviewer)
• Group/Panel

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Appropriate Dress Men

• suit (black or blue)
• dark socks
• polished dress shoes
• hold off on cologne
• good deodorant
• well-groomed hair

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Appropriate Dress Women

• suit (black, blue, or tan pants or skirt)
• closed toe shoes
• pantyhose (bring extras)
• well-groomed hair
• manicured nails
• hold off on perfume
• good deodorant
• little jewelry

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Appropriate Dress

• Ways to be individual/ creative
• men ties (sharp, crisp colors)
• women scarves, accessories
• Inappropriate attire
• open toe shoes, sandals
• dresses, short skirts

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Basics about the Interview

• BE ON TIME. BE ON TIME.
• Research the school prior to the interview
• If flying, bring light luggage that you dont
  have to check in
• Be polite to everyone. (Treat everyone as a
  potential admissions interviewer)

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Basics about the Interview

• Turn off your cell phone
• Winter time wear boots, bring shoes.
• Be prepared to go on walking tours.
• Bring mints, mirror.
• Did I mention be on time!! If you will be late,
  call the schools Admissions Office.

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Purpose of the Interview Mutual Exchange of
Information

• Gather information about your character.
• Give applicant an opportunity to explain
  interests or accomplishments which do not come
  across adequately on application.
• Allow interviewer to provide additional
  information about the school.
• Key Point You are your own salesperson!

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Preparing for the Interview

• Reread your application and personal statement
  before your interview.
• Bring interview invitation and information with
  you.

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Preparing for the Interview

• Know yourself. Be able to express yourself.
  Think about how you can express the following
• Areas/attributes of importance in preparing for a
  career in medicine.
• Your past experiences and accomplishments that
  relate to these areas.
• Your strengths and weaknesses in the following
  areas academics, personal attributes, and
  motivation.

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Preparing for the Interview

• Again, research the school
• Check out their websites
• Pick a few things that you like about the school
• Strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum
• Do mock interview

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The Interview

• Start off with a firm handshake, address the
  interviewer with title (Dr.)
• Maintain good eye contact
• LISTEN
• Relax and be yourself
• Answer the question that you are asked
• Answer clearly and concisely

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The Interview, cont.

• Be humble. Avoid any trace of arrogance.
• Avoid inconsistencies in your responses to
  different interviewers.
• Avoid the appearance of fatigue

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Communication

• Be mindful of nonverbal communication
• Lack of focus
• Posture
• Nervous habits
• Nail biting , toe tapping, hair twirling
• Verbal Communication
• Proper grammar
• Avoid the non-essentials like, umm, yeah