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- May 13, 2014
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I figured I would share some vital things I learned during my application experience. If any premeds happen to see this, I think it would be of some benefit. Also, feel free to post what you learned as well!
1.) APPLY EARLY APPLY EARLY APPLY EARLY. Seriously, I can't stress enough how important this is. Even on SDN, the importance of applying early might not be hyped enough. I made the completely stupid decision to apply in July and it probably hurt me in terms of the number of opportunities I might have lost.
Looking back, if I had to do it again, I would have every single thing about my application ready as early as humanly possible. Like I would bug the heck out of my premed office to get my Committee Letter ready, have the primary app ready to go, and hire the world's fastest mouse clicker to submit the app as soon as it was possible to be submitted.
2.) Spend as much time possible making sure your personal statement is amazing. At one of my interviews, the dean of admissions mentioned that the personal statement BY ITSELF constituted an entire factor equal to or on par with the level of importance given to the interview itself. Write bazillions of drafts, get it checked over, and edit, edit, edit. I happen to think my PS was pretty good but even then, I think I should have spent much more time on it.
3.) Apply broadly, this is not the time to skimp on money. Don't underestimate just how tough it is to get into med school. Keep your options as wide open as possible. It's better to fork over the extra 500-600 dollars for a few more well matched schools (Oh yeah, get the MSAR), rather than have to spend thousands more for a new reapplication cycle. I'm very fortunate that I got into a school while only applying to 10 or 11 like an idiot. I was shocked at just how fast I started to run out of options when schools started putting me on hold and rejecting me.
4.) Don't stress! I found myself too stressed and upset a lot of the time throughout this whole process and it definitely affected me negatively. Worst comes to worst, you reapply, so what? There are people who don't even have the option of applying to medical school due to various circumstances, count your blessings and keep firm!
These are the things that stood out to me but I can probably think of more things later on.
1.) APPLY EARLY APPLY EARLY APPLY EARLY. Seriously, I can't stress enough how important this is. Even on SDN, the importance of applying early might not be hyped enough. I made the completely stupid decision to apply in July and it probably hurt me in terms of the number of opportunities I might have lost.
Looking back, if I had to do it again, I would have every single thing about my application ready as early as humanly possible. Like I would bug the heck out of my premed office to get my Committee Letter ready, have the primary app ready to go, and hire the world's fastest mouse clicker to submit the app as soon as it was possible to be submitted.
2.) Spend as much time possible making sure your personal statement is amazing. At one of my interviews, the dean of admissions mentioned that the personal statement BY ITSELF constituted an entire factor equal to or on par with the level of importance given to the interview itself. Write bazillions of drafts, get it checked over, and edit, edit, edit. I happen to think my PS was pretty good but even then, I think I should have spent much more time on it.
3.) Apply broadly, this is not the time to skimp on money. Don't underestimate just how tough it is to get into med school. Keep your options as wide open as possible. It's better to fork over the extra 500-600 dollars for a few more well matched schools (Oh yeah, get the MSAR), rather than have to spend thousands more for a new reapplication cycle. I'm very fortunate that I got into a school while only applying to 10 or 11 like an idiot. I was shocked at just how fast I started to run out of options when schools started putting me on hold and rejecting me.
4.) Don't stress! I found myself too stressed and upset a lot of the time throughout this whole process and it definitely affected me negatively. Worst comes to worst, you reapply, so what? There are people who don't even have the option of applying to medical school due to various circumstances, count your blessings and keep firm!
These are the things that stood out to me but I can probably think of more things later on.