Applying to Medical School in 2011 and Beyond

1. Applying to Medical School in 2011 and Beyond • Lee Witters • Sarah Berger • Annette Hamilton

2. 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 2011 is the optimum time for you to be applying to medical school or whether you should consider delaying till 2012 or later • Familiarize yourself with all the sources of information • KEEP TO ANNOUNCED DEADLINES!

3. Dartmouth • # applicants: 170 • 77% alumni • # accepted: 114 (67%) • # schools/applicant: 19 • # acceptances/applicant: 2 (1-11) • GPAs accepted: • Overall: 3.58 (2.6-3.99) • BCPM: 3.49 (2.6-4.00) • GPA not accepted: • Overall: 3.37 (2.8-3.94) • BCPM: 3.24 (1.9-3.90) • MCAT • Accepted : • 10.9VR/11.4PS/11.4 BS/33.7/Q • Not Accepted: • 10.2VR/10.5PS/10.6BS/31.3/Q National • # applicants: 41, 309 • # accepted: 19, 086 (46%) • GPA all applicants: 3.53 (3.43 BCPM) • GPA accepted: 3.67 (3.62 BCPM) • MCAT all takers 8.4VR/8.7PS/9.2BS/26.4/O • MCAT accepted applicants 9.3VR/9.8PS/10.2BS/29.3/P Includes only released data Some Medical School Admission Statistics:2010 Matriculants

4. Factors Influencing Admission Statistics OVERALL GPA • >3.3 overall GPA 89% of ‘accepted’; 55 % of ‘not accepted’ BCPM GPA • >3.3 BCPM 74% of ‘accepted’; 44% of ‘not accepted’ MCAT • >30 MCAT 87% of ‘accepted’; 80% of ‘not accepted’ Timeliness • Application verified before Sept 1 80% of ‘accepted’; 56% of ‘not accepted’ OTHER DATA Science GPA < 3.2; MCAT <30: Only 4% accepted If Science GPA < 3.3 and ‘accepted’, average MCAT 31 If Science GPA > 3.3 and ‘ not accepted’, average MCAT 30 Other factors: • Clinical Experience/Exposure • Community Service • Research Experience • List of Schools (# and appropriateness relative to credentials) • Personal statement & Interview • Letters of evaluation • Utilization of advising services

5. Elements of a Successful Application to Medical School Courses (GPA, Science GPA) MCAT Letters of Evaluation Extracurricular Experiences Personal & Professional Characteristics Skills & Abilities Clinical Exposure Altruistic Service Scholarly Activity (outside classroom)

6. Active listener Problem solver Communicator (oral, written) Critical thinker Multilingual Resiliency Integrity/Judgment Adaptability Reliability/Dependability Persistence Motivation Intellectual curiosity Empathy Altruistic service Evaluating Beyond Grades,MCAT Scores and Prior Experiences in Health Skills & Abilities Personal & Professional Characteristics

7. Applying to Medical School in 2011 and Beyond • Overview: Where is help? • Important web sites: • NSS(www.dartmouth.edu/~nss) • Several links in “Must Reads & Links” section including Alumni Advice network • ‘Medical School Application 2011-2012’ section (podcasts, documents) • NSS Blackboardsite(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, Aspiring Docs.org, Medical Schools/More Resources

8. Applying to Medical School in 2011 and Beyond • The MCAT exam, registration and preparation • When/where? • How to prepare? MCAT Survey: ‘How NSS Prepares’ • Other issues: testing accommodations; fee assistance Posted on NSS home page

9. Composite Letter of Evaluation • REQUIRED unless you are class of 2009 or previous • No more than six (6) writers including your composite writer. • 3-5 writers will write supporting letters • Who will be your letter writers? • TWO science faculty who’ve taught you • Major professor • Extracurricular letter

10. Credentials Consult Documents in “Medical School Application” on NSS Home Page • Open your Interfolio account • Waiving your rights of access • Ask letter writers – give them timelines • Create & upload supporting documents • Autobiographical Sketch • Resume • Transcript (official from Registrar; scan both sides) • Release to Composite Writer • Additional letters (after composite) – talk to Annette • Timelines/Deadlines (Agreement form)

11. Questions About Interfolio? Send e-mail to credentials@dartmouth.edu See also: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc/pdfs/interfolio_announcement.pdf and the Interfolio FAQs at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc/pdfs/interfolio_faq.pdf

12. Timeline

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

14. Timeline Agreement Sheet Please review, sign and return by the end of this meeting Composite Letter Work Sheet Submit by end of winter term to Annette Hamilton

15. Applying to Medical School in 2011 and BeyondA Few “Heads Up” For Later Meetings • Winter Term Workshops : • How to Ask for Letters (Friday, Jan 28, 4:30, Carson L01), Getting Started on a Personal Statement (TBA) • The AMCAS application • Issue of institutional action/misdemeanor/felony • Release date early May; suggested submission date end of June • Spring workshops (e.g. how to fill out; personal statements; also post-bacc programs, ‘gap years’) • Choosing schools: How to decide? • Secondary applications • The interview and the decision making • What if I am planning to apply in later years?