How I Got 12 Medical School Interviews: My 5 Tips
Want to know how to get this many interviews? You came to the right place! I have to start off by saying that most of these interviews are from D.O. schools, which were my top choice for medical school based off of their philosophy and my credentials. However, the 5 tips I’m about to give you will work for you regardless of which philosophy of medicine you pursue. So, lets get right into them:
Tip #1 - Apply to as many schools as financially possible. Most of us want to apply to medical school once and do it right the first time because the entire process is very expensive! From application fees, to flight fees, and hotel fees; there are just too many expenses. When you feel that your application is ready and the best that it can be, apply to at least 25 schools. 25 is the average right now. I applied to 28.
Tip #2 - Know the medical school you’re applying to. You can apply to M.D. schools, D.O. schools, or both. Do your research before you decide, shadow both types of physicians, and ask yourself which philosophy of medicine you want to practice. Currently, D.O. stats are lower than M.D. stats to get accepted. Don’t take this as a reason to go for D.O. since it might be easier to get into because, like anything in life, you have to be passionate about the choices you make. Ask yourself how your extracurriculars, GPA, MCAT score, and life experiences align with each path, and then start applying. It will not hurt you to apply to both schools if you are still unsure.
Tip #3 - Use MSAR correctly & wisely. MSAR is strictly for M.D. schools in the U.S. and costs $28 annually. If you’re interested in D.O. school stats, look into purchasing an information book for osteopathic medical schools OR search each school separately on google and you should be able to find a free pdf screenshot with all the information (that’s what I did). While using these resources, the three main things I looked at were GPA averages, MCAT averages, and how many out-of-state students each school accepted. This is KEY because even if your stats are perfect to apply to the school, if they only accept 2 or 3 out-of-state students, chances are, you’re not getting in.
Click to Buy MSAR:
Tip #4 - Apply to target schools and safety schools. If your GPA and MCAT score match with the average stats for a medical school, then add it to your target list. A safety school is when your GPA and MCAT score lie above the average ranges. By all means, add in a few reach schools too even if you do not feel confident about getting in because you NEVER know. You miss all the shots you don’t take, right?
Tip #5 - Know a medical school inside and out before you write your secondary essays. Although you are applying to several schools, admissions counselors want to hear about why their school is the best. Read each medical school’s mission statement and dissect it. You will begin to notice how each mission statement is very different and it will help you tailor your essays to specific schools. For example, one mission statement may include how important leadership qualities are (Harvard medical school), whereas other statements won’t include leadership at all.
These tips helped me maximize how many interview calls I got, and I hope they work for you too!