Medical School Applications - How to Optimize Them for Getting Accepted

The Do's

1. Unite your essay and give it direction with a theme or thesis. The thesis is the main point you want to communicate.


2. Before you begin writing, choose what you want to discuss and the order in which you want to discuss it.


3. Use concrete examples from your life experience to support your thesis and distinguish yourself from other applicants.


4. Write about what interests you, excites you. That's what the admissions staff wants to read.


5. Start your essay with an attention-grabbing lead--an anecdote, quote, question, or engaging description of a scene.


6. End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and restates your thesis.


7. Revise your essay at least three times.


8. In addition to your editing, ask someone else to critique your personal statement.


9. Proofread your personal statement by reading it out loud or reading it into a tape recorder and playing back the tape.


10. Write clearly, succinctly.

The Don'ts

1. Don't include information that doesn't support your thesis.


2. Don't start your essay with "I was born in...," or "My parents came from..."


3. Don't write an autobiography, itinerary, or resume in prose.


4. Don't try to be a clown (but gentle humor is OK).


5. Don't be afraid to start over if the essay just isn't working or doesn't answer the essay question.


6. Don't try to impress your reader with your vocabulary.


7. Don't rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling.


8. Don't provide a collection of generic statements and platitudes.


9. Don't give mealy-mouthed, weak excuses for your GPA or test scores.


10. Don't make things up.

Should you write the AMCAS with an eye towards secondary essays? Yes and no. Always put your most important and distinctive material in the AMCAS essay, because not all schools require a secondary. But knowing what to expect from the many schools that do require secondary essays can only help you. Let's look at the secondary essay piece in the jigsaw puzzle of medical school admissions.

But wait. Before delving into the secondary essays, what if you are still not sure how to develop a unifying theme? Or perhaps you don't know which experiences to focus on, or simply lack confidence in your writing skills, or have suddenly developed an acute case of blank-screen-itis. Remember, you can have one-on-one, personalized assistance every step of the way. Accepted.com's complete package is designed to give you the guidance and direction necessary to draft a compelling story and the comprehensive editing needed to perfect it.

By Linda Abraham, Founder and President of Accepted.com

(c) Accepted.com - used with permission by RookieDoctor.com.

Will your undergraduate degree in English or Economics put you at a disadvantage when the time comes to apply for medical school? Not at all! Assuming you did well in your science prerequisites, your non-science major can be one of your greatest strengths. There are many ways to tell your story; here are just some of the elements that can make up a winning personal statement for a medical applicant with a liberal arts background.

What Do You Care About?

You probably chose your undergraduate major for several reasons - career opportunities, high grades, inspiring professors - but hopefully the top reason was your genuine interest in the subject. You need to convey this interest in your personal statement. Medical schools want students with the potential to become passionate, dedicated physicians. Following your heart into art or physics can demonstrate that you have these raw materials. To write a compelling personal statement, however, you need to do more than state your love for the Louvre or Einstein. Dig deeply into your passion and explain - with specific examples - how you expressed it. These details will show the Admissions Committee that you're a multidimensional human being with the breadth and depth to learn on different levels and relate to your patients, while contributing to the medical school classroom.

So What Did You Study Again?

Every major subject imparts a unique set of skills. Your job now is translating these into ones that are relevant to the medical profession. You know that patient interactions are important, so explain how reporting for the college newspaper honed your empathetic and listening skills. You know that it's essential to work closely with your classmates and colleagues, so write about the mentorship you provided while directing a one-act play (or tutoring mathematics). You've heard about the importance of memorizing and assimilating facts in medical school, so describe your facility for memorizing Keats and Shelley (or the periodic table). In each case, select specific examples that demonstrate your strengths and make your essay come alive. Regardless of your major, your personal statement should emphasize the qualities that will make you a good medical student and physician.

And Why Did You Want To Be A Doctor?

Even after pursuing your other passions, you still want to be a doctor. It's particularly important for applicants who strayed from the normal pre-med track to explain this decision in honest, heartfelt terms that go beyond a basic desire to "help people." Just as important, you need to share your understanding of what practicing medicine will be like, based on your interactions with physicians. What do you love about the profession? Knowing the challenges and difficulties, why is this still your career goal? Again, provide specific supporting examples. Your realistic expectations and first-hand observations will reflect your maturity and commitment to succeed as a physician.

Need More Help?

For more tips on writing your residency statement, see "10 Secrets of Good Writing." If you're still stuck, get help from Accepted.com's experienced editorial staff. We can help you from the beginning or polish what you've already written. Either way, you'll have a residency essay that makes you shine!

By Cydney Foote, Accepted.com Senior Editor

(c) Accepted.com. All rights reserved. Used with permission by RookieDoctor.com.

This tip might sound very general, but it is essential...

Stop worrying about your weaknesses. Be able to address them or account for them, but stop worrying about them.

Instead, strengthen your strengths.