Letter Of Recommendation Form - California Institute Of Integral: Fill & Download for Free

Q. Do I need to have a talent like music or drawing beside MCAT to get into medical school?A. The following are what medical college admission committees look for in candidates. First article is from the American Association of Medical Colleges. The second from the University of Minnesota. It is what you do with the talents that you have that matter.How Medical Schools Review Applications (AAMC)What are admissions officers looking for?While expectations, missions, policies, and requirements are unique to each medical school, many schools look for students who demonstrate an ability to handle challenging coursework and have the personal attributes needed to work with people. It’s important for applicants to show that they’ve done well in upper-level science courses, and “doing well on the MCAT® exam shows that you can handle medical school coursework,” says Irene Tise, admissions officer in the Office of Medical Student Admissions at Wake Forest School of Medicine.Lori Nicolaysen, assistant dean of admissions at Weill Cornell Medical College, adds that they “seek students who have also demonstrated exceptional personal initiative. Such initiative may take the form of leadership, creativity, research, community service, motivation, or other life experiences.”Mickey Foxwell, M.D., associate dean for admissions at University of Maryland School of Medicine says, “Each applicant needs to be as sure as possible that this is what they want to do with their life. That motivation can be demonstrated through academic achievement and also through exposure to clinical medicine and community service. Does the applicant know what it’s like to take care of someone? Does the applicant have an idea about the advantages and disadvantages of a career in medicine?”Schools also look for evidence that an applicant has demonstrated good judgment, compassion, and selflessness— qualities every physician should embody. Applicants can show evidence through their involvement in extracurricular activities, letters of evaluation, and their personal statement.What happens when my application is received?Each medical school has its own nuanced process for reviewing applications. For example, “Weill Cornell invites all applicants to complete the secondary application,” Ms. Nicolaysen shares. “Once the file is complete (including secondary application, letters of evaluation, and MCAT scores), the application is moved to screening. A number of experienced admissions committee members serve as screeners. Although Weill Cornell has fourth-year medical students on the admissions committee, the students do not screen applications.”Dr. Raquel D. Arias, associate dean of admissions at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, explains, “In order to give every candidate a fair review of their personal qualities and accomplishments, a single screener evaluates all candidates with a particular MCAT score at our school. This controls for the inevitable influence that this important test has on the process. An admissions officer reads every application submitted to the school.” (There is no automated filter.)At Wake Forest School of Medicine, Ms. Tise explains, “Because of the large number of applications we receive, we use a formula that separates and groups applicants based on their AMCAS® primary application. The groups are: 1) Proceed and send a secondary application, (2) Hold for MCAT score or other extenuating circumstances and notify candidates, and (3) Risk, based on academics.Those candidates in the “risk” category are reviewed individually by the associate dean and an executive committee of five faculty and admissions committee members. From there, a decision is made to either proceed with the application process or reject the application.” Typically, after secondary applications are submitted, the associate dean and a committee review the applications and place candidates into interview pools. Because of the large number of applicants, only a small percentage is asked to interview.How do reviewers decide whom to interview?Medical schools consider each applicant’s academic proficiency, whether they are likely to thrive in the culture of the institution, and if their experiences, attributes, and goals are in line with the school’s mission and goals. Inevitably, medical schools receive many more qualified applicants than they can interview and matriculate. The decision to interview one student over another can be very difficult to say the least.“It is incredibly challenging because there are so many admirable candidates,” Ms. Nicolaysen explains. “Ultimately, the committee screeners attempt to identify the best qualified applicants from diverse academic and personal backgrounds whom we deem most likely to build a dynamic learning environment at Weill Cornell and to become leaders in medicine.”Dr. Foxwell adds, “At University of Maryland, outstanding grades and MCAT scores do not guarantee that an applicant will be invited to interview. Just as important are extracurricular activities and life experiences, essays and personal comments in AMCAS, and letters of recommendation.”Dr. Arias says, “The path to becoming a physician is unique to each applicant; therefore, we do not mandate any particular course of study. We have no preference for a particular major (or minor). Evidence of the personal attributes of integrity, adaptability, language skills, collaboration, and a commitment to service are evaluated with an eye toward the development of physician scientists. We infer the desired applicant qualities from both the content of the application and the care with which it is delivered. Every aspect of the application is important. Applicants who speak in their own voice, without “spin,” is especially valued.”Additionally, some public medical schools also may consider an out-of-state applicant’s ties to the state or institution if non-state residents are not typically considered for matriculation. (For more information, check with individual medical school websites or consult the AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements.)What are some common mistakes applicants make?The same tips you might have received for undergraduate or job applications hold true for medical school applications. Always tell the truth and be sure to mention activities and volunteer, research, or work experiences that are most important, and if possible, occurred within the last few years. “Take your AMCAS essay questions seriously,” counsels Ms. Tise. “These essays are not creative writing exercises. You may start off with a descriptive experience, but, move quickly into how and why you want to become a physician and how this experience helped determine that. Also, proofread carefully. There are no excuses for punctuation and grammatical errors. We know you are applying to several schools, but be careful to include the correct name in secondary materials.“Redundant information is a waste of space. Inconsistencies can call an applicant’s authenticity into question,” cautions Ms. Nicolaysen. “We advise not including high school activities or activities in which your participation was minimal. Also, try to avoid boasting or exaggerating.”Dr. Foxwell advises that “Applicants must begin to think like professionals. If a photograph is requested in a secondary application, make it a good one, not one that may call your professionalism into question.”What advice does the review committee have?“Do your homework. Know what schools are looking for, and work closely with your advisor,” cautions Dr. Foxwell.Your application needs to be complete and truthful. When it comes to your personal statement, Ms. Tise recommends, “There is no secret checklist or formula. Remember, you are the applicant, and we want to know why you think you are a good one.”Furthermore, Ms. Nicolaysen advises applicants, “Before submitting your application, ask some trusted mentors, friends, or family members to give you feedback about your experiences and essays. You might ask them questions like, ‘How would you describe me based on what you read? Did my essay hold your attention? Was anything confusing? Did you notice any typos?’”Most importantly, relax. Most applicants have one or two items that they wish they’d changed or perhaps a mistake they think they might have made. If you have further concerns or anxiety over the application process, check out the Aspiring Docs fact sheet on helpful tips for dealing with application anxiety.Essential and Desired Qualities of medical school candidates:Strong academicsHigh GPA and MCAT scores. See AAMC MCAT site for students.A commitment to improving the human conditionEssential:Sustained and meaningful commitment to human service demonstrated through volunteer activities, scholarly pursuits, employment, academic endeavors, or other experiencesUnderstanding of medicineSubstantial independent research experience(s) (MD/PhD applicants)Desired:Commitment to care of the underservedCommitment to community and global patient careProfessional conductHonesty and integrity, particularly regarding instances of personal failings or mistakes (essential)Compassion, evident through evaluations, prior employment, or experience in other roles that require compassion (essential)Self-awareness, evident in a student’s knowledge of their own strengths, weaknesses, and when to ask for help (essential)Ethical behavior (essential)Outstanding interpersonal skillsOral and written communication skills must be excellent, both to share knowledge and to convey empathy (essential)Teamwork skills require acknowledging other team members’ expertise, accurate self-assessment, assuming leadership when appropriate, and subsuming individual interests to the work of the team (essential)Cultural humility and inclusivity (essential)Leadership & diversity experiences (desired)A dedication to lifelong learningIntellectual curiosity (essential)Demonstrated scientific aptitude—a fundamental appreciation of how the scientific method is applied to the discovery of medical knowledge and to medical practice (essential)Potential for academic success (essential)Psychological resilience as demonstrated through emotional stability, skills to cope with stress, an ability to deal with sacrifice and hardship, maturity, good judgment, and an ability to defer gratification (essential)Creativity (desired)

2021 answer (based on knowing many of them and integrating many of them into my network): It depends on which industry you want to crack into. Some industries (like finance and VC, are often hard to access unless you enter an Ivy League school, or at least a school in the northeast where many of these connections start off [eg Will Manidis went to Olin rather than an Ivy])You can get *so* many of the social benefits of an Ivy League school by just living next to the school and joining in on student organizations/sitting on classes/hanging out with undergrads at the schools. Many students at Ivies have less “tunnel vision” than students at state schools simply because they’re exposed to people from all over the world and have richer life experiences.I updated this after I finally ended up surfing Ivy League schools, living next to Harvard, and watching as many Harvard and Princeton students changed my internal psyche from within (in *really really* good ways). They often had the highest amount of insights on my psyche that people from elsewhere did not have, and smart undergrads are often the best people to “develop” with because they have insane amounts of fluid intelligence, are not super-attached, and are more likely to find you fascinating than older professors are. [the story of this, btw, will take pages and pages to really write up, but it needs to be written]. Many of the “best” (or “most compatible”) students at top universities, incidentally, end up disappointed with most of the other students at their own university (or only end up discovering the “good ones” in their last year, when it’s almost too late), but discovering the “good ones” is not always difficult when there are certain routes of finding them (it sometimes depends on luck, but they sometimes also gravitate towards certain organizations, and they are easier to find over social media than before).The level of resourcefulness students have with navigating their own school is also *much* higher for students at Ivies than students at most “state universities”.Being “good at the Internet” can make you more impressive than the vast majority of students at top schools, but if you want to *truly* make the most out of every minute of your life to make the most optimized and fulfilled life ever, you *own* the internet *and* spend your IRL surrounded by some of the smartest most neuroplastic people you can ever meet in your formative years (there are now a few other alternatives, such as Thiel Fellow, Interact Fellowship, and Mercatos Center networks, and you can get far more out of hanging out with Thiel Fellows than students at top universities, but there aren’t that many Thiel Fellows so it may be easier for many just to hang with students at top schools.)Old answers: It depends.There is a fairly well-known 1999 study (by Stacy Dale and Alan Krueger) [1] that basically shows that students who apply to Ivies but ultimately don't attend Ivies just do as well as students who ultimately attend Ivy League schools, income-wise. Most students who apply to Ivies usually have certain characteristics (along with academic qualifications) that tend to be quite beneficial to them no matter where they end up.Below is a summary of the study: (another summary at How much does where you go to college affect earnings? )Who Needs Harvard?But maybe the kids who got into Yale were simply more talented or hardworking than those who got into Tulane. To adjust for this, Krueger and Dale studied what happened to students who were accepted at an Ivy or a similar institution, but chose instead to attend a less sexy, "moderately selective" school. It turned out that such students had, on average, the same income twenty years later as graduates of the elite colleges. Krueger and Dale found that for students bright enough to win admission to a top school, later income "varied little, no matter which type of college they attended." In other words, the student, not the school, was responsible for the success.Keep in mind, though, that this original study tracked students who graduated in 1976, and tracked their incomes by 1995. So it may not necessarily be as applicable today (as top colleges have become even more competitive today, and the applicant pool is most likely stronger).There is one newer study (http://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/51889/1/664668143.pdf ) that tracks students who were freshman in 1989 and which tracks their incomes through the mid-2000s, and which comes to fundamentally similar conclusions.As you can see from the link below, however, some students benefit more from attending top colleges than other students.Revisiting the Value of Elite CollegesIt’s important to note, though, that a few major groups did not fit the pattern: black students, Latino students, low-income students and students whose parents did not graduate from college. “For them, attending a more selective school increased earnings significantly,” Mr. Krueger has written. Why? Perhaps they benefit from professional connections they would not otherwise have. Perhaps they acquire habits or skills that middle-class and affluent students have already acquired in high school or at home.There should be a number of other important points to make (regarding whether or not going to an Ivy is worth it).(1) Harvard, Yale, and Princeton generally offer generous financial aid to most students. So going to those places generally shouldn't break a student financially. This could be different for other Ivy League schools, which don't necessarily have that level of financial aid.(2) A lot of it depends on what you ultimately want to do. Going to an Ivy League school definitely helps if you want to, say, become an investment banker. There are a number of other types of careers that hire very heavily from Ivy League schools, and where having an Ivy League degree can literally mean the difference between whether or not your resume gets read or not. Also, the Ivy League connections matter more for some fields than for others (and can be quite big if you go to, say, UPenn's Wharton).That said, 1st-year college students often change their idea of what they want to do in college (as horrible as it sometimes sounds).(3) Location. Much of it could also depend on resources available at the school that you can't necessarily get in your home state. Many Ivy League schools are in the Northeast, and if you're interested in fields like journalism or finance, it's much easier to get opportunities in the Northeast than it is to get in one's home state (of course, this also applies for universities like NYU and Boston University). And also since (somehow) the Northeast urban corridor doesn't have any particularly strong public universities at the level of Berkeley/Michigan/Washington.(4) Risk. If you're not the most conscientious person (and aren't prone to getting the highest grades - or if you want to spend significant time on extracurriculars), it may actually be safer to go to an Ivy League school than a state school. There is more grade inflation at Ivy League schools (see National Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities ) even when you control for student quality. Furthermore, people will at least be somewhat more likely to look at your resume/application if you came from an Ivy.Some schools (like the University of Washington) also don't seem to treat all their undergrads equally, in that admissions to some of their departments (like Computer Science) is competitive even once you're in. You don't see these types of hurdles at most Ivies (UPenn being a possible exception).(5) If you simply need more time to graduate, it may be easier to stay longer than 4 years to graduate at a state school than at an Ivy. Also, if for some reason you can't find a job/position post-graduation and have to live with your parents, it may be much easier to do this by attending the local state university (though this depends on the strength and opportunities of the local state university).This could be especially relevant if you have student debt left. If you couldn't secure a position post-graduation, the debt could be especially harsh on you (though most Ivy students eventually find some form of employment).(6) I think it would be especially informative if these studies tracked broke down post-graduation earnings by specific field. All of these studies are fairly old, and the job market could have changed since then (for example - computer science has definitely exploded in popularity since then). I'd be especially curious to see if Humanities students at Ivy League universities enjoyed an advantage in finding positions compared with Humanities students at state universities.Most Ivy League schools (other than Columbia and Cornell) also tend to be comparatively weak at engineering, which is one of the higher-paying fields. It's possible that in terms of average salaries, better engineering opportunities at some state universities could partially compensate for weaker opportunities in finance, journalism, and other fields.(7) It may be easier to make friends at Ivy League schools (especially for students who are smart enough to get into Ivy League schools to begin with). As Sean Carroll says in an article quoted below, the best part about Ivies is your fellow students. The students who you will be friends with are more likely to be the world-changers of the future (though many Ivy students I know don't seem to have those connections). And perhaps most importantly, they're more likely to be the people who will push/nudge you to be at your very best (both inside and outside the classroom). It takes a certain type of pressure to do that, and it's hard to find that at state schools.Many state universities are commuter schools, and it's generally much harder to closely bond with other students when you're not living with them all the time (though this probably doesn't apply as much for isolated schools like UIUC and Penn State). Furthermore, many in state universities remain in the same friend groups as the ones they had back with their high school friends (though not all of them), and it's often harder to make friends in the larger 1st-2nd year introductory courses offered in state universities. By the time class sizes get smaller in people's 3rd-4th years, most students are already somewhat more established and harder to become friends with.Many Ivy League students seem to bond particularly well with their peers and with their alma mater. But this does not happen with all Ivy League students - I know several who pretty much felt lonely and isolated in their own school. One advantage of state schools is that they have so many students compared with Ivies, which also means that there's often a wider diversity of student organizations and clubs at them.(8) As I've hinted several times before, much of it really depends on the opportunities that exist within your state (and your local university). If you lived in California, for example, then there's a much weaker argument for going into debt just to go to an Ivy because there are so many amazing opportunities at the UC schools. But if you live in a state that doesn't have especially strong public universities (which tends to be true for New England, for some reason), then you may benefit a lot from going to an Ivy, even if it meant taking out student loans.If you want to go to grad school, then it the relative strengths of state university vs Ivy also must be taken into account. If you come from California, for example, you can get amazing research opportunities within the University of California system - opportunities that may even beat those that you get at most Ivy schools. On the other hand, you may be interested in a specific field that your local university may be weak at. When it comes to graduate admissions in some programs, letters of recommendation and research are often the most important factor. In that case, the strength of a program (or the professor you work under) can be an extremely important factor, especially if things don't go perfectly for you and you're unable to get stellar grades in undergrad.Unsolicited Advice, Part Three: Choosing an Undergraduate School gives some amazing advice on choosing an undergrad school (from an astrophysicist's point of view). As Sean Carroll says, the best part of an elite private university is the other students.The best thing about an EPU is the other students. So much so, that at a place like Harvard it’s generally acknowledged that a large fraction of your education comes from extracurricular activities. You’ll meet people, in your field and out, who will be running the world a few years down the line. The professors will be great researchers who may or may not be interested in teaching; there will likely be some opportunities for research and individual contact, but not all that much.The college years are a very formative period of one's life, and they can really change someone. I believe that one of the most important things that students can do is to try to do things that can expand their imagination of what's possible. Some of the experiences that people have from fantastic college experiences are impossible to quantify in terms of dollars or debt - they're worth it despite all the debt. Some students are better at getting these experiences than others - they're not guaranteed at either an Ivy or a state school. But for many students, they might be somewhat more likely at an Ivy.[1] Page on Nber. Also see 2002 paper at http://faculty.smu.edu/millimet/classes/eco7321/papers/dale%20krueger.pdf

Q. Do medical schools take into consideration your institution while looking at your undergraduate GPA? Will going to a grade-deflated school hurt my chances of getting into medical school?A. In general, medical school acceptance hinges on how high your MCAT score and undergraduate GPA are. High GPA is valued, regardless of your school or your major. Passing the first hurdle, other qualities make a difference of your gaining admission into a top tier medical school.If your GPA is in the lower range, allowance is made for the prestige of your undergraduate institution, the challenge of your major and whether there is known grade “deflation.” Even Princeton University reversed course. In 2014, the university made the decision to end grade deflation which had hindered the prospect of many graduates in past years.What can you do if you happen to be an engineering major in a school with serious grade deflation? Score extremely well on the MCAT!What is different about medical school admission compared to law school, business school and undergraduate admissions?Medical school ranking matters little in the medical field. US News Rankings do not make or break a school’s reputation. There is no consensus as to the actual order of the top schools. There is vague reputation as being the top 25, but no order. Schools do not have to worry about having the highest GPA, highest MCAT, lowest acceptance rate, highest yield so that the rank moves up a few notches. There is not even a recognized ranking of top schools. There is a ranking of schools with the highest NIH research funding, and a ranking of best schools in primary care. Both lists matter little in the opinion of those in medicine.Does the reputation of the medical schools matter in the career of graduates, like in law where graduates from Yale or Harvard dominate court clerkships and the Supreme Court bench? Medicine is a bit more complicated. The goal of every physician is to become board certified in a specialty of his/her own choosing. Schools are not strong across all disciplines. The Department of Surgery may be top tier, but the Department of Medicine may not be. The Department of Anesthesiology may be on probation, in part because of the supremacy of the Department of Surgery, causing difficulty in recruiting top quality Anesthesiology Staff. And even in the Department of Surgery, the Division of Plastic Surgery may be top tier, but the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery may not be. The loss of several stars in a Division may change the fortune of that Division overnight.How do you pick the right school that has a top tier residency program in your chosen medical specialty when only 20–40% of students actually specialize in the specialty that made them want to become a physician in the first place?Does attending a less renowned medical school affect your career? The equalizing factors are successes on the USMLE exams and class rank (or membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, medicine’s equivalent of Law Review). With those credentials, a graduate of any medical school can enter any coveted specialty (currently Dermatology, Orthopedic Surgery, ENT etc.) Graduates of prestigious medical schools do dominate matching into the top tier residency programs in the top medical specialties upon review of recent match cycles. Pedigree does matter if you choose an academic career, where attending the best residency program, the best fellowship program and the connections lead to faculty appointments at prestigious institutions. Successes then may lead to leadership at institution, national and international levels in medical and specialty organizations.Back to the question of acceptance into any medical school, the process is “holistic”. The following are what medical college admission committees look for in candidates. First article is from the American Association of Medical Colleges. The second from the University of Minnesota. At the end is a short Kaplan discussion regarding GPA and MCAT in the application process.How Medical Schools Review Applications (AAMC)What are admissions officers looking for?While expectations, missions, policies, and requirements are unique to each medical school, many schools look for students who demonstrate an ability to handle challenging coursework and have the personal attributes needed to work with people. It’s important for applicants to show that they’ve done well in upper-level science courses, and “doing well on the MCAT® exam shows that you can handle medical school coursework,” says Irene Tise, admissions officer in the Office of Medical Student Admissions at Wake Forest School of Medicine.Lori Nicolaysen, assistant dean of admissions at Weill Cornell Medical College, adds that they “seek students who have also demonstrated exceptional personal initiative. Such initiative may take the form of leadership, creativity, research, community service, motivation, or other life experiences.”Mickey Foxwell, M.D., associate dean for admissions at University of Maryland School of Medicine says, “Each applicant needs to be as sure as possible that this is what they want to do with their life. That motivation can be demonstrated through academic achievement and also through exposure to clinical medicine and community service. Does the applicant know what it’s like to take care of someone? Does the applicant have an idea about the advantages and disadvantages of a career in medicine?”Schools also look for evidence that an applicant has demonstrated good judgment, compassion, and selflessness— qualities every physician should embody. Applicants can show evidence through their involvement in extracurricular activities, letters of evaluation, and their personal statement.What happens when my application is received?Each medical school has its own nuanced process for reviewing applications. For example, “Weill Cornell invites all applicants to complete the secondary application,” Ms. Nicolaysen shares. “Once the file is complete (including secondary application, letters of evaluation, and MCAT scores), the application is moved to screening. A number of experienced admissions committee members serve as screeners. Although Weill Cornell has fourth-year medical students on the admissions committee, the students do not screen applications.”Dr. Raquel D. Arias, associate dean of admissions at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, explains, “In order to give every candidate a fair review of their personal qualities and accomplishments, a single screener evaluates all candidates with a particular MCAT score at our school. This controls for the inevitable influence that this important test has on the process. An admissions officer reads every application submitted to the school.” (There is no automated filter.)At Wake Forest School of Medicine, Ms. Tise explains, “Because of the large number of applications we receive, we use a formula that separates and groups applicants based on their AMCAS® primary application. The groups are: 1) Proceed and send a secondary application, (2) Hold for MCAT score or other extenuating circumstances and notify candidates, and (3) Risk, based on academics.Those candidates in the “risk” category are reviewed individually by the associate dean and an executive committee of five faculty and admissions committee members. From there, a decision is made to either proceed with the application process or reject the application.” Typically, after secondary applications are submitted, the associate dean and a committee review the applications and place candidates into interview pools. Because of the large number of applicants, only a small percentage is asked to interview.How do reviewers decide whom to interview?Medical schools consider each applicant’s academic proficiency, whether they are likely to thrive in the culture of the institution, and if their experiences, attributes, and goals are in line with the school’s mission and goals. Inevitably, medical schools receive many more qualified applicants than they can interview and matriculate. The decision to interview one student over another can be very difficult to say the least.“It is incredibly challenging because there are so many admirable candidates,” Ms. Nicolaysen explains. “Ultimately, the committee screeners attempt to identify the best qualified applicants from diverse academic and personal backgrounds whom we deem most likely to build a dynamic learning environment at Weill Cornell and to become leaders in medicine.”Dr. Foxwell adds, “At University of Maryland, outstanding grades and MCAT scores do not guarantee that an applicant will be invited to interview. Just as important are extracurricular activities and life experiences, essays and personal comments in AMCAS, and letters of recommendation.”Dr. Arias says, “The path to becoming a physician is unique to each applicant; therefore, we do not mandate any particular course of study. We have no preference for a particular major (or minor). Evidence of the personal attributes of integrity, adaptability, language skills, collaboration, and a commitment to service are evaluated with an eye toward the development of physician scientists. We infer the desired applicant qualities from both the content of the application and the care with which it is delivered. Every aspect of the application is important. Applicants who speak in their own voice, without “spin,” is especially valued.”Additionally, some public medical schools also may consider an out-of-state applicant’s ties to the state or institution if non-state residents are not typically considered for matriculation. (For more information, check with individual medical school websites or consult the AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements.)What are some common mistakes applicants make?The same tips you might have received for undergraduate or job applications hold true for medical school applications. Always tell the truth and be sure to mention activities and volunteer, research, or work experiences that are most important, and if possible, occurred within the last few years. “Take your AMCAS essay questions seriously,” counsels Ms. Tise. “These essays are not creative writing exercises. You may start off with a descriptive experience, but, move quickly into how and why you want to become a physician and how this experience helped determine that. Also, proofread carefully. There are no excuses for punctuation and grammatical errors. We know you are applying to several schools, but be careful to include the correct name in secondary materials.“Redundant information is a waste of space. Inconsistencies can call an applicant’s authenticity into question,” cautions Ms. Nicolaysen. “We advise not including high school activities or activities in which your participation was minimal. Also, try to avoid boasting or exaggerating.”Dr. Foxwell advises that “Applicants must begin to think like professionals. If a photograph is requested in a secondary application, make it a good one, not one that may call your professionalism into question.”What advice does the review committee have?“Do your homework. Know what schools are looking for, and work closely with your advisor,” cautions Dr. Foxwell.Your application needs to be complete and truthful. When it comes to your personal statement, Ms. Tise recommends, “There is no secret checklist or formula. Remember, you are the applicant, and we want to know why you think you are a good one.”Furthermore, Ms. Nicolaysen advises applicants, “Before submitting your application, ask some trusted mentors, friends, or family members to give you feedback about your experiences and essays. You might ask them questions like, ‘How would you describe me based on what you read? Did my essay hold your attention? Was anything confusing? Did you notice any typos?’”Most importantly, relax. Most applicants have one or two items that they wish they’d changed or perhaps a mistake they think they might have made. If you have further concerns or anxiety over the application process, check out the Aspiring Docs fact sheet on helpful tips for dealing with application anxiety.Essential and Desired Qualities of medical school candidates:Strong academicsHigh GPA and MCAT scores. See AAMC MCAT site for students.A commitment to improving the human conditionEssential:Sustained and meaningful commitment to human service demonstrated through volunteer activities, scholarly pursuits, employment, academic endeavors, or other experiencesUnderstanding of medicineSubstantial independent research experience(s) (MD/PhD applicants)Desired:Commitment to care of the underservedCommitment to community and global patient careProfessional conductHonesty and integrity, particularly regarding instances of personal failings or mistakes (essential)Compassion, evident through evaluations, prior employment, or experience in other roles that require compassion (essential)Self-awareness, evident in a student’s knowledge of their own strengths, weaknesses, and when to ask for help (essential)Ethical behavior (essential)Outstanding interpersonal skillsOral and written communication skills must be excellent, both to share knowledge and to convey empathy (essential)Teamwork skills require acknowledging other team members’ expertise, accurate self-assessment, assuming leadership when appropriate, and subsuming individual interests to the work of the team (essential)Cultural humility and inclusivity (essential)Leadership & diversity experiences (desired)A dedication to lifelong learningIntellectual curiosity (essential)Demonstrated scientific aptitude—a fundamental appreciation of how the scientific method is applied to the discovery of medical knowledge and to medical practice (essential)Potential for academic success (essential)Psychological resilience as demonstrated through emotional stability, skills to cope with stress, an ability to deal with sacrifice and hardship, maturity, good judgment, and an ability to defer gratification (essential)Creativity (desired)What’s the Average GPA for Medical School | Kaplan Test PrepNOVEMBER 30, 2016EMILY HAUSEAdmissions officials receive three different GPAs when reviewing applicants.A previous version of this article was originally published by Alex MacNow.While we’ve tackled the topic of medical school admissions by the numbers in the past, we turn our attention today to the average GPA for medical school. It’s stressful to think that a few bad grades in your undergraduate career can impact your chances of getting into medical school; however, it’s important to know that a low GPA can be overcome.Remember, the AAMC keeps GPA information public through their FACTS tables. In addition to what we’ve covered here, there is a lot more information you can glean from these resources. In the world of medical school admissions, knowledge is power!Breaking down the average GPA for medical schoolMedical schools are actually given three GPAs when they look at your application. Your science and math courses are considered according to what is called the BPCM (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Math) GPA, and your non-science courses (humanities, social sciences, language, etc.) are considered as a separate GPA. The third GPA that schools see is the overall aggregate.While each medical school has its own average GPA for the incoming class (information for MD programs can be easily found in the Medical School Admission Requirements guidebook), the national averages for 2015–2016 were as follows:BPCM GPA: applicants 3.45, matriculants 3.64Non-science GPA: applicants 3.68, matriculants 3.77Overall GPA: applicants 3.55, matriculants 3.70What can I do if I have a below average GPA?Unlike the MCAT, for which many of you still have a clean slate, GPA is set during your college career. So what can you do if you’re applying and your GPA isn’t quite in the range above?1. Explain the GPA tactfullyYou have the opportunity to bring up any blips in your GPA on both the primary application (as part of the Personal Statement) and your secondary applications (in one of the essays or as an addendum to the application). Some secondary applicationseven provide a space for pieces of your application that you’d like to explain.When talking about a problem in your GPA, explain the reason behind the drop, but don’t make excuses! Medical schools want mature applicants who can take ownership of the problem, and—perhaps more importantly—can explain how it served as a learning experience. Did getting a not-so-great grade in Organic Chemistry I teach you how to study better, utilize office hours, or find new ways to learn so that you knocked Organic Chemistry II out of the park? These skills will help you become a better medical student. Explain that to the medical schools.2. Become an MCAT rockstarAccording to Kaplan’s latest medical school admissions officer survey, two of the most important factors in admission are the GPA and MCAT score. Thus, falling below the average GPA for medical school matriculants can be significantly abated with a stellar MCAT score. Prepare wisely and work towards your target MCAT score.3. Retake courses or consider post-bacc workThere are a number of post-baccalaureate programs in the country that can be optimal for a student who needs to boost their GPA (especially the BPCM GPA). Masters and post-bacc programs may also afford you opportunities to become involved in research or shadowing, thus helping your application portfolio that much more.