the dos & don’ts of med school admissions
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The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions. Your Name Your Title Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions (xxx) xxx-xxxx [email protected] www.kaptest.com/mcat 1-800-KAP-TEST. Med School Admissions Trends. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Dos & Don’ts ofMed School Admissions
Your NameYour Title Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions (xxx) xxx-xxxx [email protected]/mcat1-800-KAP-TEST
Number of tests administered , and number of applicants More competitive MCAT scores % growth in applicants greater than % growth in 1st year seats since 2003
Med School Admissions Trends
Tip #1: Know the competition.
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Med School Admissions Timeline
June
Early Decision Period
Rolling Admissions Period
Primary
Secondaries Interview
July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
MCAT
Tip #2: Submit your application early.
DesirableIdeal
Jan May
Acceptance
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Index Formula
Absolutely Deny
Presumably Deny
Presumably Admit
MCAT School Admissions Factors
MCAT Score
Undergraduate GPA
Clinical Experience/Volunteer work
Research
Personal Statement
Interviews
Letters of Recommendation
Tip #3: Control the process.
Applicatio
n Stre
ngth
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Tip #4: Make your experience work for you.
The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
Gain clinical experience to confirm interest.
Commit to work you're passionate about
Carefully consider your "List of 15"
Neglect direct-patient-care clinical experience
Over-commit yourself
Rely on experience to overcome weaknesses
Research your research opportunities
Understand whole project, not just your part
Consider research outside of med/science
Assume research "isn't for you"
Over-commit yourself
Substitute research for clinical experience
Clinical Experience and Volunteer Work
Research
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Tip #5: Distinguish yourself by showing your passion.
The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
Consider every interview mandatory
Schedule interviews strategically
Become acquainted with admissions staff
Discount them
Judge schools based on ranking alone
Inundate admissions staff with requests
Use past/present stories and a theme.
Showcase lessons learned from experience
Write effectively and follow directions
Write “why I want to go to med school”.
Speak negatively of anyone or anything.
Go at it alone.
Personal Statement
Interviews
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Tip #6: Help your recommenders help you.
The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
Select professors who know you well
Give recommenders content to work from
Ask specifically for strong, detailed letter
Worry about clout
Allow your recommenders to fly blind
Write the letter yourself
Letters of Recommendation
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Tip #7: Your academic potential is measurable.
The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
Choose major that interests/challenges you
Squeeze out every point you can.
“Trend-up” and do well in major.
Choose Bio major "just because" premed
Game your GPA with easy classes or P/F
Over-estimate importance of GPA.
GPA
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The Dos & Don’ts of MCAT School Admissions
The MCAT
All sections are passage-based (except for WS). Verbal Reasoning is the “most difficult” section. Physical Sciences is the “most feared” section. The Writing Sample IS important.
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The Dos & Don’ts of MCAT School Admissions
Give the test the attention/time it deserves
Learn critical thinking skills (and science)
Learn/practice to gain efficiency for each skill
Consider it just an obstacle to admission
Tackle the exam as a whole, all at once
Take test after test w/o changing behavior
Focus on your opportunities for improvement
Understand you can do it.
Prepare with college text books
Consider it just an obstacle to admission
The MCAT
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Tip #8: You can raise your MCAT score.
The Dos & Don’ts of Med School Admissions
The MCAT
The MCAT is the common measuring stick. # of right answers = raw score; no guessing penalty. Raw score scaled score conversion varies per test. Small improvements result in significant gains. Repeat test-taking remains unadvisable.
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Tip #9: The MCAT matters.
Why prep for the MCAT?
The MCAT is the most important factor in your application.
Med schools are very competitive.
Small gains on the MCAT can translate into massive “leapfrogging” of other test-takers.
The MCAT is an important predictor of med school success.
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Tip #10: Kaplan can help.
A Sample MCAT Question…
2. Which set of graphs best depicts the optimal temperature and pH range for pepsin activity?
A. B.
C. D.
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Big Picture: The Structure of the MCAT Course
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Most Personalized Prep: Class Options
Available Live Online!
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The Most Personalized Prep: Course Feature Highlight
New Review Notes developed in partnership with Scientific American
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Review Notes Online
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Lessons-on-Demand
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Explanations-on-Demand
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The Most Personalized Prep: Smart Reports
Track Scores: Diagnostic, most recent
and highest overall
See how scores trend over time
Track progress by Subject
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The Most Personalized Prep: Smart Reports
Analyze performance by Section to
determine your areas of greatest opportunity
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The Most Personalized Prep: Smart Reports
Dig deeper to uncover content strengths and weaknesses
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The Most Personalized
Prep
The Kaplan Advantage
Unmatched Expertise
Greatest number of course options because one size does not fit all.
Only program with online on-demand instruction (250+ hours) Individual online score analysis and prescriptive feedback
through our exclusive Smart Reports™
Only national MCAT program with instructors who have scored at or above the 90th percentile on each section of the MCAT that they teach
Most realistic practice through 19 Computer-Based tests, including all AAMC practice tests
The largest MCAT question library, with 11,000+ questions, including the most Verbal Reasoning practice
Guaranteed Results
Higher Score GuaranteeReadiness Satisfaction Money Back
More people get into med school with a Kaplan course than with any other major course
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