Choosing a Medical School: Admissions Insights & Tips

Contrary to popular opinion, medical school admissions is not just a yes-or-no decision-making process. With so many qualified applicants and so few spaces, who ends up getting in? This guide breaks down the medical school admissions process, including the different medical school acceptance decisions you may receive and the options for early decision programs. Review these medical school admissions insights and tips to increase your chances of acceptance at the school that’s right for you.

[ RELATED: Researching and Evaluating Medical Schools ] 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Medical School Admissions Process
• Types of Medical School Admissions Decisions 
• Medical School Early Decision Programs
• Tips To Help You Get Into Medical School

Medical School Admission Process

The medical school admissions process works differently at each school and program, but certain things remain roughly the same. 

Here’s a quick overview of the medical school admissions process: 

Step 1: Review of Primary Application 

Step 2: Review of Non-Academic Accomplishments 

Step 3: Review of Secondary Application

Step 4: Medical School Interview 

Step 5: Admissions Offers Extended

Keep reading to learn about the medical school admissions process in more detail.

A group will make an initial review of the applications, making a first cut to separate possible acceptances from clear rejections. At this stage, there are several reasons for rejection:

• The medical school application is not complete
• The grades or MCAT scores are too low for the program’s standards
• The personal essay does not explain extenuating circumstances noted elsewhere in the application
• The applicant seriously lacks preparation for the program

The first cut will eliminate candidates who fall below the school’s standards for both GPA and MCAT scores. Those left for the secondary review are those who have demonstrated sufficient proof of their academic skill.

Once you’re through the primary review, the focus shifts from your intellectual abilities to your non-academic accomplishments. Now the program will ask you for letters of recommendation, a list of extracurricular activities, a second essay (or set of short responses), and any other requirements they may have.

Some medical schools only send secondary applications to a fraction of the initial applicant pool, while others send them to anyone who meets the academic requirements. Because each school creates their own secondary application, you can determine what’s important to that school by the questions it asks. For instance, if a school asks for significant information about extracurricular activities, you can be pretty sure that it will figure large in the screening process.

Once you’ve sent in the secondary application you may be invited to interview. Essentially, this implies that you’re acceptable to the school on paper. But beware—if you have a poor interview, you will likely berejected.On the flip side, a great interview can ensure your acceptance. There are some schools, however, that only use interviews to further weed out candidates. At these schools, a good interview doesn’t carry much weight at all.

Medical school admissions decisions are typically announced on a rolling basis, beginning in the fall and lasting through the spring of the application cycle. Decision notification timelines vary; applicants should consult the specific policies of the medical schools they are applying to get a better sense of timing.

Types of Medical School Admissions Decisions

Keep reading to learn about the different types of medical school admissions decisions you may receive.

Congratulations, you’re in! But read the letter carefully. The committee may recommend, or in some cases require, that you complete some preparatory course work to ensure that your skills meet their standards. Be mindful of deadlines for accepting your spot and submitting your deposit in case you’re waiting to hear back from other schools as well.

At the top schools, there are far more qualified applicants than there are spaces in the class. Although you were rejected, you can reapply at a later date. If you are intent on reapplying, the onus is on you to demonstrate that you’re a better candidate now than you were previously. This may involve improving your MCAT score, taking additional courses, gaining substantive new experience, or writing better essays.

Medical schools use a waitlist, sometimes called an “alternate list,” to manage class size. The good news is that you wouldn’t be on the list if you were not considered a strong candidate. The bad news is that there is no way to know with certainty whether you’ll be accepted. Be aware, though, that schools do tend to look kindly upon waitlisted candidates who reapply in a subsequent year.

What to Do if You’re Waitlisted for Medical School

If you’ve been waitlisted for medical school, try to sway your case. For example, if someone offered you a recommendation that you didn’t accept, now would be the time to ask the person if the offer still stands. Sending extra material in gives the admissions committee more information that might swing the balance in your favor.

Medical School Early Decision Programs

Some medical schools in the United States offer early decision programs (EDPs). For an EDP, you can file only one application to the one medical school you wish to attend. Most schools accept these special applications by August 1. Keep in mind, however, that you will be prohibited from applying to any other schools until that school has rendered a decision. If you’re accepted—most schools notify candidates by October 1—then you must attend.

Early decision programs are appropriate only for very competitive applicants who have a strong preference for one particular school. These applicants benefit in that they save considerable money on applications, interviews, and travel. Plus, they know where they’re going to med school by October.

If you apply through an EDP but are not accepted, you’ll be behind your peers in the application process. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. Before you make a decision on an EDP, sit down with your pre-med advisor and decide if this option is appropriate for you.

Tips to Help You Get Into Medical School

Get into your first-choice medical school with these tips and resources:

• Understand the prerequisites for medical school to ensure you qualify and don’t miss any important deadlines.
• Spend time researching and evaluating medical schools so you apply to schools that are best for you and your goals.
• Choose your medical school letter of recommendation writers carefully and give them plenty of time to write.
• Don’t underestimate the importance of your medical school personal statement. Use this opportunity to tell your story–explain any inconsistencies on your transcript, highlight what makes you stand out as an applicant, and share why you want to go to become a physician. 
• A good MCAT score will put you ahead of the competition and is especially critical for acceptance into top medical schools. Take advantage of free MCAT practice tests to improve your score and review MCAT prep options so you can choose the best MCAT prep course for you. 

Hear from our experts about what it takes to succeed on the MCAT and get into medical school.

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Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Dr. Alyssa Cole Mixon. Alyssa is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor sub-specialized in Cancer Rehabilitation as well as a Kaplan Medical School Admissions consultant. In addition to being a doctor, she is also a content creator (@doctor.cole) and blogger (dailydoseofvita.blogspot.com), where she shares what life is like both in and outside of medicine while educating her audience on accurate health information.