Frequently Asked Questions
MCAT
Q: Is taking the MCAT in August a detriment to my application?
In general, yes. Schools will not look at your application until it is complete. In general, this means October if you take the August MCATs. For rolling admissions schools, the later your application is complete, the less likely you will be accepted. This being said, many applicants have gained admission to medical school after taking the August MCAT. It is not a deal breaker but I strongly suggest taking the April MCAT or waiting a year to apply after taking the August MCAT to optimize your chances.
Q: Should I take an MCAT class?
Taking an MCAT class depends on your economic situation and time management skills. If you have the money, the classes have been proven to be very helpful. They force time management and offer excellent practice tests. But you do not have to take a class to ace the exam. You can easily obtain used study materials and set up a study plan on your own. I did not take a class and did fine on the MCATs and went to Harvard. So you can get into medical school without laying out thousands of dollars on MCAT classes. However, I would have taken a class if I had the money. I believe it would have improved my score and decreased my stress level.
Q: How long are MCAT scores valid?
In general, three years. However, you should ask each school as different schools have different policies.
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Recommendations
Q: How many recommendations should I get?
Most schools require at least three recommendations. I suggest obtaining at least five and then choosing the three you believe will be best for your application. Send more than three recommendations if the school allows it (and you are confident all the recommendations are strong). Recommendations are excellent ways to show how well-rounded you are.
Q: Who should I ask for recommendations?
In general, one recommendation from a science teacher, humanities teacher, and extracurricular supervisor should be obtained. Coaches, community service leaders, and principal investigators can make excellent recommenders. Your dad's famous researcher friend who you met once at the mall will make a poor recommender. A recommendation from a teaching assistant that knows you extremely well will always be more powerful than a two-line recommendation from a big-name professor.
Some schools require two science recommendations. Check with each school for specific policies. Also, some schools do not count math as a science. Again, check with each school. It never hurts to ask.
Q: How do I ask for recommendations?
Start early. Even if you are a freshman in college, it is not too early to ask for recommendations. It is best to approach possible recommenders right after you have completed their course or project. Set up a meeting and have your updated CV and transcript (and personal statement if done) available. Also bring a pre-addressed, stamped envelope so that the recommender can simply drop the recommendation in the mail when it is complete. Be sure to ask the recommender if he or she will be able to write a strong letter. If they even so much as hesitate in the answer, say thank you for being honest and that you are happy to ask others. Make it clear when the recommendation is due. It is best to give the recommender a deadline 1-2 weeks before the actual deadline to ensure the recommendation arrives in time. A friendly e-mail reminder can also help overworked recommenders meet deadline.
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AMCAS
Q: What is AMCAS?
AMCAS stands for the American Medical College Application Service. This is the centralized application processing service for applicants to allopathic U.S. medical schools. The AMCAS application is considered the primary application and is accepted by most schools. It is critical to check and ensure that all the schools you want to apply to accept AMCAS.
Q: When is AMCAS due?
AMCAS begins to accept applications June 1. The deadlines vary from school to school. You can check the AAMC/AMCAS website for specific school deadlines.
Q: What do I put on my AMCAS application?
Biographic information, coursework and grades, MCAT scores, work and activities, and a personal statement. Have your transcript, MCAT score, and CV handy before your start filling out the application.
Q: How much does AMCAS cost?
The AMCAS costs $160 for one medical school designation and $30 for each school thereafter.
Q: How many schools should I apply to?
That depends on the strength of your application. I generally suggest 10-15 for strong applicants, 15-20 for average applicants, and >20 for applicants with low grades/MCAT scores.
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Secondaries
Q: What are secondaries?
Secondaries, or secondary applications, are sent individually from each medical school once the AMCAS application has been received and reviewed. Many schools use the AMCAS as an initial screening then send secondaries to obtain more information from applicants in order to determine who receives an interview. Secondaries vary greatly in substance. Some require nothing more than your name and a check (average secondary charge is $70). Others entail up to 10 essays and are very time consuming.
Q: When are secondaries due?
The due date varies by school. It is best to turn in a secondary as soon as possible after receiving it in order to move the process along.
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Interviews
Q: When do schools start granting interviews?
The interview season generally spans October to February. The earlier your application is complete, usually the earlier you will be granted interviews.
Q: How many interviews should I attend?
This depends on the strength of your application. I suggest at least 5 if you are a very strong applicant and up to 15 if you are a weaker or non-traditional candidate. Attending more than 15 interviews tends to be overly taxing and leaves you less fresh on the trail.
Q: What should I wear to interviews?
Doctors tend to be a conservative bunch so dark suits have been the rule. But you don't have to lose all style. Men should wear a suit and tie. Women may wear a skirt or pants suit. Black or grey is usual but I wore a green suit that I loved. Be as comfortable as possible as you will be walking what seems like miles on tours. There is no need to dry clean your suit in between interviews unless it is malodorous. But do bring extra shirts, ties, and pantyhose. Bring a traveling iron if the hotel doesn't have one and try to look fresh and well-pressed. Also, remember to shine your shoes!
Men and earrings - some older doctors will find an earring offensive. The choice is up to you. If your earring(s) is a key part of who you are, wear it. If not, probably best to leave it at home.
BRING YOUR SUIT ETC ON THE PLANE! I learned this tip the hard way. Airlines lose baggage - frequently. Always carry on your luggage.
Q: Should I write thank you notes?
Absolutely. I suggest writing a thank you note to every interviewer at every school. I wrote them during my travel to the next interview and dropped them in the mail as soon as could. This way the interviews are fresh in your mind. Always mnetion some specific topic you discussed to jog the interviewer's memory. There is no need to tell the interviewer that the school is your top choice during this stage of the game. Wait until all interviews are done for that unless a school has rolling admissions and is absolutely your top choice.
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Acceptances/Waitlist
Q: How often do people get off the waitlist?
Waitlists are incredibly school dependent. Schools like Harvard, Yale, UCSF, and Hopkins take fewer applicants off the waitlist than other schools. However, virtually every school will admit some waitlist applicants. Thus, there is always some hope!
Q: When should I start to receive acceptances?
A: Rolling admissions schools may give you a decision within a week of your interview. Others generally wait until February or March. Acceptance offers off the waitlist can occur up to one day before the start of the academic year.
Q: When do I have to make my final decision?
A: Currently, all acceptance offers must be responded to by May 15. However, those with no acceptances may hear that they are off the waitlist as late as one day before the school year begins!
Q: How do I decide between multiple acceptances?
A: Choosing a medical school is a personal decision based on location, curriculum, and economics, in addition to a multitude of personal and family factors. I suggest contacting current students and asking how they like it. If you can afford it, take a second visit to your top two schools and sit in on classes. Some people like pro-con lists. In the end, it comes down to a gut decision you must make on your own.
Q: Should I tell my number one choice that they are my top choice?
A: If you have a stand-out number one choice, it does not hurt to tell the school. Honesty is key. It is unethical to tell multiple schools that they are your number choice to increase your chances of acceptance. But if a school is certainly your number one, tell them by letter and/or e-mail.
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Miscellaneous
Q: How much does it cost to apply to medical school?
Total: $3500-$5000
MCAT review course: $1000-$1500
MCAT: $200-$300
AMCAS: $400-1000
Secondaries: $60-$90 each
Interview travel: Range varies dramatically based on where you live and where you are applying
Interview clothes: $500-$1000
As you can see, using an admissions consultant to improve your application is a drop in the bucket and likely the most beneficial money you will spend.
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Helpful Websites
American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)
www.aamc.org
* This is the main source of information for allopathic medical school applicants
* AMCAS application found here
* AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements is a MUST HAVE book for all applicants. You can purchase it on the AAMC page or through any online vendor.
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
www.aacom.org
* Best resource for osteopathic (DO) medicine candidates
The Student Doctor Network
www.studentdoctor.net
* Free subscription service providing forums for medical types of all levels (pre-med, pre-dental, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, residency, etc)
* Interview feedback section allows you to discuss experiences on the trail
Old Premeds
www.oldpremeds.org
* For non-traditional pre-med candidates
MomMD
www.mommd.com
* Resource for women in medicine
Med SchoolReady
www.medschoolready.com
* Site composed by a current medical student with statistics and student profiles
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