"Interesting" Applicant

[SuperAce]

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Hi everyone,

First time poster here,
I have a question about the term "interesting applicant"
Sorry if it sounds silly, I'm just picking up this interests of medical school and scoping it out. I am a sophomore, 3.5 ish GPA. (Definitely buckling down) Plan on finishing with a lot higher. Anyways I keep reading about not only do "Upward trends", and high MCAT and GPAs, help but also being an Interesting Applicant. What might all consist of it? Is is volunteer hours, shadowing,...etc? For example, I'm an Air Force Reservist and have been out of country quite a few times now, would that be worthy of me being "Interesting"?
Thanks a lot. Really looking forward to using this forum.

 

[Hospitalized]

Try to be as unique as possible, just like everyone else.

 

[w0rldw3y3d]

It really comes down to how you sell yourself. You are an interesting applicant by virtue of being an individual and having experiences that a great percentage of applicants have not had. What med schools are referring to when they mean "interesting" is, can you make yourself pop out on 2D paper? Can you articulate what your personal experiences have taught you, or how they have molded you to become the man/woman you are today?

Hope that helps.

 

[SuperAce]

Quick replies, Sweet! Thanks for both.
I guess I'm asking, like would you say in the Interview part this comes to play or is there a part on the application itself where I would illustrate myself? Like is there an essay in which I would describe myself thats apart of the application?
I promise I'm not trying to be stubborn. I think its really intriguing a forum as such, me never have spoken to or knowing anyone that has gone to medical school or became a Doctor.
Thanks again for the replies

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

It really comes into play in both. Your PS and ECs are a good way to show this. And more interesting things in your application are likely to be brought up in your interviews.

Even if they aren't brought up directly a lot of interviewers seem to ask the dreaded "tell me something about yourself" question (or at least about half mine did)

 

[Derpz]

it means be interesting. I have friends with offers this cycle from multiple top 10's. They are interesting due to things such as being a former: Navy SEAL, pro-athlete, dancer on Broadway, immigrated to the US at 16 without speaking English - went to a community college and transferred to a top 5 school where they kept a 3.8+ and volunteer w/fellow immigrants from their former homeland (these are 4 separate people).

 

[w0rldw3y3d]

Quick replies, Sweet! Thanks for both.
I guess I'm asking, like would you say in the Interview part this comes to play or is there a part on the application itself where I would illustrate myself? Like is there an essay in which I would describe myself thats apart of the application?
I promise I'm not trying to be stubborn. I think its really intriguing a forum as such, me never have spoken to or knowing anyone that has gone to medical school or became a Doctor.
Thanks again for the replies

Both! You have a personal statement and optional essays for TMDSAS (Texas schools only), and a personal statement with essays describing your three most valuable experiences for AMCAS (everyone else + Baylor). Those, in combination with secondary essays, provide you plenty of opportunity to paint a fuller picture of yourself.

Medical schools aren't pulling your leg when they talk about a holistic approach to reviewing applications. Your grades and MCAT show you are intellectually competent for the rigors medical school, and your essays are designed to show that you are emotionally competent to handle the stress of medical school + life.

 

[SuperAce]

Boom.
Heck yeah guys and gals, Thanks a lot!!

 

[Goro]

Military service is always commendable and makes you more than interesting.

And many thanks for your service to our country.

Hi everyone,

First time poster here,
I have a question about the term "interesting applicant"
Sorry if it sounds silly, I'm just picking up this interests of medical school and scoping it out. I am a sophomore, 3.5 ish GPA. (Definitely buckling down) Plan on finishing with a lot higher. Anyways I keep reading about not only do "Upward trends", and high MCAT and GPAs, help but also being an Interesting Applicant. What might all consist of it? Is is volunteer hours, shadowing,...etc? For example, I'm an Air Force Reservist and have been out of country quite a few times now, would that be worthy of me being "Interesting"?
Thanks a lot. Really looking forward to using this forum.

 

[SuperAce]

Thanks a lot Goro. That's good to hear.