Medical School Application… Next Steps after you’ve Submitted your AMCAS
By Michelle A. Finkel MD, Insider Medical Admissions Founder
Once you've submitted your AMCAS,
what can you do next to best prepare for what's to come in the medical school
application process?
Here are a few tips:
1. Start to draft secondary essays. Even if
you haven't yet received the prompts, you can begin to craft responses to
common themes like "How would you add diversity to our school?" and
"Describe an extracurricular activity that might be of interest to the
committee." Other common prompts include, “Please describe a situation in
which you used your leadership skills” and “Please describe a challenge and how
you managed it.” Remember that good writing takes time, but if you wait for the
onslaught of secondary applications, you won't be able to impart your essays
with your highest quality effort.
2. Get a head start on preparing for the
medical school interview, oftentimes the most critical part of your medical
school application. Practice, practice, practice. Start mocking up answers to medical
school interview questions so that you distinguish yourself. Remember that – to
the admissions committee - who you are is what you’ve done. Making a compelling
argument about your worthiness means substantiating claims that you’ll be a
good doctor with examples of your achievements. Prepare with someone who has
real experience interviewing applicants.
3. Consider what you want. Do some soul
searching to determine what you are really seeking geographically,
philosophically, and educationally. You want to make considered decisions when
the time comes.