School of Medicine
Columbia, MO. 65212 (573) 882-2923 |
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This page is intended for individuals who were not accepted to medical school and who are thinking about reapplying. We hope the following information is useful as you consider your plans, and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. The most frequently asked question in admissions offices is, "Why was I denied admission?" The second most asked question is, "How can I improve my application for next year?" The answers to both of these questions can be very complex. ReapplicantsPerhaps the best advice that can be given to individuals who were not accepted as first time applicants is: "Don't reapply until you have significantly improved your application." Admissions Committees will look at a second application for significant change, and, not seeing any, will probably not consider the candidate further. On the other hand, if the Committee sees demonstrated improvement, it probably will look favorably upon the candidate and continue its consideration of the application. The first thing applicants should do when faced with the reality of reapplying is to objectively evaluate all parts of their application, including the interview experience and information submitted with their secondary application. This should be done in comparison to the credentials of students admitted to a particular medical school. (See our latest class profile.) We suggest you use the paragraphs below as guideposts. Additionally, your undergraduate premed advisor is also a good resource during this process.MissionIn selecting students for the incoming class, the Admissions Committee tries to choose individuals who are likely to fit the mission of the school (https://somis.umh.edu/visions/).NumbersRealistically evaluate the "number" credentials submitted with your AMCAS application. It is very important to remember that GPAs and MCAT scores do not offset one another; a solid candidate for medical school needs to have strong numbers in both areas. To strengthen the academic (GPA) portion of your numbers, you can take rigorous science courses in a post-bac program, in a second baccalaureate degree program, or in a graduate degree program. The decision should depend upon your personal circumstances. Which program framework you choose will make little difference to an Admissions Committee; on the other hand, the courses you select and your performance in them will be significant. Be reminded also that admissions committees are looking for a "track record", and it's impossible to compensate for a 2.9 GPA earned over a four-year period simply by taking one 3-hour course in microbiology and earning 10:26 AM 3/18/2008an "A". Knowing that 28-29 is the MCAT composite average for all students accepted to medical school, it's easy to see that lower scores are not going to distinguish you to a committee. Remember that all portions of the exam are important, particularly the Verbal Reasoning score. Just like GPAs and MCATs don't offset each other, high scores in one section of the MCAT do not offset low scores in another. If retaking the MCAT is a challenge you face, first analyze your original preparation and determine what you might do differently to optimize your chances for improving your scores.EssayYour personal statements should be grammatically correct and present a unified and genuine portrait of you as a person, what your goals are, why you want to study medicine, and what personal experiences your decision is based on. It should NOT contain:
School and community, job and volunteer experiencesRemember that these life experiences are important to your application for reasons other than academic and thus do not substitute for less than stellar GPAs and/or MCAT scores. One of any Admissions Committee's expectations is that your decision to study medicine is founded on meaningful personal experiences, particularly in the area of physician contact and direct patient care. Without these experiences, your application to any medical school is not likely to be competitive, no matter how high your numbers. Letters of recommendationThe best letters are those from people who know you well and can put your accomplishments into perspective. While most medical schools require a certain number of letters from professors who taught you and gave you grades, you should select writers who can go beyond a statement of your grade in a course. They should tell us about you, your work habits, your goals, and your personal qualities that will make you an outstanding medical student and physician. If you have extensive volunteer, shadowing, or clinical experience, a letter from your sponsor or supervisor will be expected. InterviewAdmissions offices find it very difficult to tell an applicant that the reason for their denial was a poor interview. If you believe, or someone tells you, that you don't interview well, then try to improve your interviewing skills. Interviewers want to discover both what you know and how you think as well as how you handle yourself in a stressful situation. Mock interviews are sometimes helpful, but honest feedback from the mock interviewer is essential. Go to the library and check out a couple of books on interviews, their structure, purpose, and content. Visit your campus's career information or job placement center and ask for assistance. Do your homework and anticipate questions you might be asked; consider how you would frame your responses. Learn something about the school's program you are visiting and be prepared to ask the interviewer questions. There are also several premed web sites such as www.interviewfeedback.com you may find useful. Information provided by University of Miami School of MedicineHelpful Links
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/reapply.shtml updated 03/18/08
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