Med School Application Guide for Non-Traditional Applicants

Nowadays, those who are applying to medical school are not only limited to students who are fresh out of college. Many individuals are taking up medical degrees as a way to transition from their original careers into the medical field. If you are one of those people who have decided to pursue a career in the healthcare industry, here is a med school application guide that may help you get into the medical school of your choice.

Getting the necessary science preparation

All non-traditional applicants to med school need to have post baccalaureate training that will help them qualify better for their preferred school. The minimum requirement for all medical schools involve at least one year each of biology, physics, organic chemistry, and chemistry.

Another means for you to add more weight to your med school application as a non-traditional applicant is to get a refresher course in biology. A short course on chemistry can also help you in building your qualifications. Typically, medical schools recommend non-traditional applicants to perform successfully in their refresher course work to add to their qualifications.

Selling yourself to the admissions committee

As a non-traditional applicant, you will have to spend more effort in proving to the admissions committee your commitment to the medical profession. This is especially the case if you are
planning on becoming a doctor mid-career or are planning to take it up as a second profession. It is important for you to prove to the admissions committee that your intent on becoming a doctor is the result of careful planning and consideration.

Planning your resume

Your resume can be instrumental in your plans to attend medical school. As much as your resume holds all your relevant work experiences as a professional, you still need to show that you have performed some volunteer work on the medical front, to show your genuine interest in the healthcare profession. Researching in advance as to which medical schools are more likely to accept non-traditional applicants also helps in your quest for the most suitable medical school.

If you are passionate about pursuing a medical career, going to medical school is your best ticket to success. It’s never too late to pursue a career in medicine, as long as you are driven by the right motivations, and as long as you are committed toward all your goals.

Photo Credits: Francis

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Med School Personal Statement Strategies

When applying to medical school, there are a few things you need to take care of. You will need to prepare your GPA as well as study for and take the MCAT. More than looking into your grades and test scores, however, one of the most important steps you need to take is writing your medical school personal statement. If you are unsure as to how your personal statement should turn out, here are some strategies, which may prove helpful to you.

Writing a clear and coherent essay

The personal statement shows the admissions board your ability to compose a clear, coherent, and grammatically correct essay. The essay is not meant to showcase merely the qualities that make you a qualified student for medical school, but it is also used by the admissions committee to gauge your ability to write a logically sound and gramatically correct composition. When writing your personal statement, therefore, it is important for you to make certain that your essay is free from any lapses in logic or grammar.

Writing an essay, not a resume

Your experiences and relevant activities will matter a lot in medical school, but the personal statement is not meant to be a vehicle for you to list out all your work experiences and activities. You need to remember that your personal statement is not your resume. More than anything, your personal statement should be personal, which means that you have pick out a few experiences you’ve had in life that led you to discover that the medical profession is meant to be your career path. The personal essay is a means for you to convince the admissions board that you are a worthy candidate for the slot and show how your personal experiences have shaped your decisions to pursue a course in medicine.

Steering clear of controversial themes

Perhaps in an effort to create a lasting impression or to sway over the admissions committee, some students resort to using controversial themes in their essays. However, it is often all too difficult to tread lightly on controversial topics. Not all the members of the admissions board may agree with your stand on things, so to avoid possible conflict of ideas, it is best to steer clear of controversial themes all together.

Writing your medical school personal statement will definitely require some effort, but with the right strategies, you’re well on your way to writing a winning personal essay for medical school.

Photo Credits: Francis

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