Medical School Application Process

Posted by Harry Max on November 30th, 2020

Getting into medical school can be a tedious task. Even more so if you are not familiar with the process. Every year there are thousands of applicants who apply to their dream colleges and schools, but not everyone makes the cut. 

A medical school application mentor can explain the entire process to you while guiding you on the path to success. Finding a medical school application mentor might seem difficult, but you just need to keep a few things in mind:

• Look for a person who’s genuinely interested in mentoring you
• Build a good relationship with your mentor
• Ask relevant questions wherever possible
• Be open and don’t feel shy about asking questions
• Try to maintain trust

A great mentor will not only help you apply to schools, but can be a huge asset to the rest of the application process. Whether or not you decide to go the mentor route, you should familiarize yourself with the medical school application process listed below.

1. MCAT exam

The MCAT examination is the crucial first step of your application process. The MCAT exam consists of three different sections: physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and biological sciences.

Each section requires a minimum score in order to pass that specific exam. The MCAT test isn’t easy. Candidates usually prepare for 3 to 4 months or longer, depending on what else they’re doing aside from MCAT prep.

2. Primary Applications

Submitting primary applications is a must once you are done with the MCAT examination. Most primary applications ask for basic information such as -

• MCAT exam score
• Extracurricular activities
• Course work
• Awards and achievements

3. Letter of Recommendation

There are med schools that require consideration and recommendation letters. If your current institution doesn’t provide a letter of recommendation, be sure to ask for individual references and recommendations from the faculty.

Every school has its own requirements when it comes to to reference letters and applications, so make sure your letters fulfill these specifications. In addition to the primary application, some schools will also require you to submit a secondary application at this stage as well.

4. Interview

Every school has different criteria for conducting interviews. Typically, interviews start in the month of August and end in the months of January or February. Interviews give you a glimpse of what the school campus, faculty, or its students are all about.

You may also be asked to come for one-on-one interviews with faculty members or mentors. These interviews often use roleplay or hypothetical scenarios in order to evaluate you on various aspects such as team work and problem solving.

5. In or Out

Once the process is complete, the institution will contact you to let you know whether or not you’ve been accepted. If you haven’t been accepted, don't lose hope. You can always try again next year. If you’ve been accepted, follow through with all the necessary formalities to reserve your spot.

The medical school application process may seem tedious, but itwill eventually lead to your admission at the med school of your dreams.