medical school application essays

Preparing Your Medical School Application Essays as You Apply to Schools with the Most Competitive Medical Specializations in the US

Applying to any medical school is hard enough.  Applying to the best medical schools with the most competitive specializations in the country, where competition is the name of the game, is going to be ten times harder.  Medical school hopefuls who want to attend the best medical schools in the country need make sure their application requirements are up to par and even better than those of other candidates.  This will involve not only the most extraordinary of CVs or the best MCAT scores, but also having the most unique personal essay you are capable of making.

With the hundreds and possibly thousands of medical school applications that flood the top medical schools every year, admission personnel will have a hard time letting anyone else go if all came with high MCAT scores, exemplary grades and wide and diverse  extracurricular activities.  If you have all of these, it only makes you one among the hundreds of hopefuls who also wish to get into the school you wish to get into. Your best bet at tipping the scales to your favor is by making a favorable and attention-getting individual impression through your personal statement for medical school.

Know what the school looks for

Different schools look for similar traits in their applicants such as integrity, emotional maturity, compassion and an innate desire to care for others, to name a few.  However, saying that you have all these and more in your application essay simply will not do. Your essays will convey more than just your capabilities and why you are qualified to be a medical student.  It will also show admission officers how well you are with grammar and vocabulary, how good you are at organizing your thoughts on paper and how you convey  all the characters that they are looking for without having to say them outright.

One important thing to remember is to start your essay with a compelling opening line or lines, known to essay writers as ‘the hook.’ In some instances an *interesting hook, whether it’s a famous quote or a small personal anecdote, will determine whether your essay gets read or gets dumped into the rejection pile. Admissions experts usually prefer a personal statement for medical school that starts in an interesting manner since this gives off the impression that the writer is someone who can direct attention his way and is therefore worth a second look.

Another very important tip is to make sure that your essay follows a coherent structure. You can do this by the rereading and rewriting your essay as needed.  Breaking your essay into two or three sections that flow coherently into each other will make your essay a pleasant read and will lessen your chances of being misunderstood.  It will also give off the impression that you like organization and structure in the things you do.  An essay that is all over the place will give off an impression of a haphazard nature.

Finally, use personal anecdotes that are related in some way to the school you are applying to. Knowledge of the core values of the school will help you sift through the many personal anecdotes that you may have accumulated through the years in order to select the one that your admission panel can relate to the most.

Bottom line: Preparing a personal statement for medical school will not only require a good grasp of writing or grammar, but also good knowledge of your desired school as well.  Choosing to know your school and tailoring your essay to what the school’s admissions panel can relate to the most will get you several steps ahead of the hundreds who are hoping to get that big break as you are.

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Focusing on Your Personality as a Future Doctor in Your Medical School Application Essays

Getting into medical school is no piece of cake, starting with the admission essay alone.  Admissions to medical schools tend to become very competitive, as more and more people develop an interest in the medical profession because it is one of the most recession-proof jobs out there.   Those who are planning to get into medical school know that they need to spend some time writing their admissions essay, because this is perhaps the only thing about their application for admission that they will have control over.  Sure, letters of recommendation are also there to raise one’s chances of getting into the med school of their choice. However, one drawback to recommendations is that the applicant has no control over what the referrer is saying about him or her, and even about how these things are written.

What to remember when making a personal statement

Perhaps one of the most important points to remember when making an admissions essay is to talk about your personality and how this suits your desire to become a doctor.  Being a doctor usually involves not only sharp brains but also a good dose of personality and attitude.  A doctor is someone who has a natural inclination to help and care for people, and this is one of the traits admissions officers will try to look for as they pore over your application and decide your fate.

Making a personal statement for medical school requires an  applicant to express his suitability for the profession by  painting a picture who he is as a future  medical doctor.  Experts suggest dividing the personal statement for medical school into  two  categories: your motivations for becoming a doctor and the abilities that make you qualified to be a doctor.  This little attempt at organization has one purpose: to avoid boring your admissions officers to death. They have read hundreds of other essays and have mastered the art of scanning through each one, their eyes trained on only the most important points. Putting your essay into categories will put the most important information forward.

Anwering the “why” question

The most obvious question one can expect to as is “Why medicine?”  Experts suggest not using vague and generalized answers but instead focus on drawing from personal experience, which tend to sound more interesting and is something that the admissions officers will appreciate.  A typical example is describing the personal impact that a doctor has made on your life, or how a disease or accident in the family contributed to your desire to take up this course.

Letting them know about your qualifications as a future medical doctor will also have to follow the same pattern.  Choose important moments in your life that showed your sharp and quick-thinking skills or throw in a couple of stories about how you spent summers in a medical mission in Jamaica, while avoiding how to sound too puffed up about it.  Be truthful, too. Padding up your essay with imaginary accomplishments will do you more harm than good, especially if you find yourself having a hard time keeping your stories straight during the interview.

Bottom line, a good personal statement for medical school involves the use of sincere and specific statements that will stand out in the minds of the people who have the power to get you into the medical school of your dreams.

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Effectively Discussing Your Reasons Why You Want to Be a Family Doctor in Your Medical School Application Essays

Getting into medical will take more than impressive admission test results and a long list of extracurricular activities and undergraduate accomplishments.  Exemplary grades and MCAT scores are not the only requirement to get into medical school.  Contrary to popular belief, many smart achievers get rejected by top medical schools year after year.  In most cases, admissions panels look for students that have something that makes them stand out from all the rest but are also able to show compassion, maturity, emotional stability, honesty, independence, among many other fine qualities that any potential doctor must have.

One of the hardest things for potential medical students is to put their thoughts into words.  You may know what you want to say but are afraid to put it all down on paper because you don’t know how.  You may know with full certainty that you want to be a family doctor that is why you are trying to get in to a medical school, but feel like you do not have the literary knack to wow the admission panel with your admission essay.

There is no need to panic though. Writing a personal statement for medical school will not seem all that daunting once you know what to write and what not to write.

What to write

Members of admission panels of different universities often have similar things that they look for when they read a personal statement for medical school from an applicant. A good personal statement for medical school is often concise, simple, but reinforced with specific examples. The essay must reveal your true personality, and one sure thing to do that is to sprinkle in some personal anecdotes here and there.  Not only will this make your essay more interesting and pleasant to read, but it is also the perfect way to convince your panel why you want to become a family doctor.

A good tip is to use a template while making your essay so that essay making is made more convenient.  A lot of free templates of medical school admission essays are available online for free.  A template can also help reduce the anxiety of starting an essay.

What not to write

Applicants also need to know what common pitfalls to avoid when writing personal statement for medical school.  The three main topics to avoid are hard luck stories, controversial issues, and technical essays.  Hard luck stories can easily sound puffed-up, padded and artificial, while controversial issues  generally need to be avoided because this may be the wrong time to butt heads with anyone, most especially with the people who will determine whether you get into medical school or not.  Technical essays are a sure way to sabotage your attempt to sound personal and more interesting.  Technical essays also have the risk of containing a lot of pretentious words, which will further alienate you from your admission panel.

Do not be afraid to use short, everyday words in your personal essay.  The more un-academic your essays are, the more you can allow yourself to express why you really want to become a family doctor.

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Hofstra School of Education and Allied Health Services

Hofstra’s School of Education and Allied Services or SOEAHS has produced various medical professionals who have become notable figures in the field of health and human services. Hofstra’s SOEAHS produces graduates who have become notable personalities in the field of community health, occupational and school health, counseling, and therapy. In partnership with the North Shore LIJ Health System, Hofstra School of Medicine will open in 2011 to aspiring med students. Check out the official site of the school for admission information.

Penn State College of Medicine

Since the late 1960s, the Penn State college of Medicine has been producing medical professionals. This academic institution has nurtured outstanding medical professionals specializing in core areas such as neuroscience, molecular biology, genetics, and pharmacology. This college is also known for producing medical practitioners who pioneered in the study of childhood health and allied health services, among others. Aside from the excellent training students can get from the Penn State College of Medicine, students can also have a fun time studying in this institution because of various social and cultural activities around Penn State. Visit the school site for application information.

A.T. Still University

The prestigious A.T. Still University or ATSU has  produced medical professionals who have established their names in the field of medicine, specifically in osteopathy. ATSU was founded by Andrew Taylor Still who broke away from the traditional medical practice in the 1850s. Today, ATSU continues to be an academic institution that does not just nurture the medical skill of its students, but also instill compassion in them. ATSU has campuses in Missouri and Mesa, Arizona, and Kirksville where students are provided with theoretical and practical knowledge in osteopathy, in allied health, and in various branches of medicine. For information on admissions, visit the school site.

For students who are interested to study in any of these academic institutions, passing the exams and submitting medical school application essays are among the requirements.

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services is among the various schools in the US that are interesting not just for their modern medical facilities, but also for the roles they played in the US history. This war-ravaged institution gained fame in 1981 when then US President Reagan was rushed into its emergency room after he was shot. The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services is also known for providing the latest technology for medical research and application. Some of the popular inventions that had their roots in this academic institution are the operating theaters with overhead observation decks, the six-million volt linear accelerator, and the radioisotope laboratory. For information on the school’s application process, check out its official site.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Another premier university in the US that offers various options and quality education in the field of medicine is the Ohio State’s College of Medicine. The learning experience in OSU school of Medicine involves coming in contact with patients on the first year of medical study. According to its present dean, Dr. Chip Souba, OSU’s students are equipped with the right knowledge and training that enable them to give a personalized kind of healthcare that will suit the diverse biological and behavioral needs of each patient. Visit the school site for application details.

Weill Cornell Medical College

Weill Cornell Medical College has been making breakthroughs in the medical field. This almost century-old academic institution is recognized for Pap smear, the discovery of oxytocin, and its research on the possibility of gene therapy to treat heart disease. Another great thing about Weill Cornell Medical College is that its long history of medical discoveries and achievements serve as basis for the students’ education. This institution is really a perfect place where students can gain theoretical and practical knowledge that would be very useful in pursuing a career in the field of medicine. Visit the school’s official site for admission details.

For those interested to apply in any of these institutions, medical school application essays, resumes, and high grades are among the requirements.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center lives up to its motto “improving the health of Tennesseans” by producing various competent medical professionals. The UTHSC has extensive training programs and excellent medical facilities to equip its students with competence in giving medical and health services. UTHSC provides high quality instruction and training to students ranging from the field of dentistry to nursing to medicine proper. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center was launched in Memphis in 1911, specializing only in health science education and research. Eventually, campuses were established in Martin, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. For application details, check the school site.

University of Virginia School of Medicine

The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1812. The University’s School of Medicine was among the departments that Jefferson choose to strengthen. The then Department of Medicine provided quality healthcare services to patients and outstanding medical instruction and training to its students. The UVA School of medicine continues to mold its students to be the best in their fields through hands-on practice and intensive training. The University of Virginia School of Medicine is famous for its faculty and alumni who specialize in renal and circulatory systems. Because of its location, students can enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the place and at the same time take advantage of the comfort the surrounding areas offer. For admission details, visit the school’s official site.

University of Minnesota Medical School

The University of Minnesota Medical School emphasizes the core values that are important in the medical profession. Among these are understanding, commitment, and compassion. Aside from this, this academic institution provides intensive training and access to advanced medical technologies that are very important in gaining practical knowledge on medicine. The access to high-level medical technology coupled with the said core values will really make the graduates of the University of Minnesota Medical School the best leaders in the medical industry.

If you are interested in applying to any of these institutions, you have to prepare your resume and medical application essays.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is part of the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School or RWJMS is among the best places where students can enjoy excellent training programs in medicine and healthcare. Students who study in RWJMS will have the opportunity to conduct research at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and the New Jersey Stem Cell Institute, the first state-funded stem cell institute. Students of RWJMS will also have the chance to  observe real-life medical cases at the RWJ University Hospital. Simply visit the school site for information on admission.

University of New Jersey School of Medicine

The University of New Jersey School of Medicine is the oldest medical school in the state of New Jersey. It is also part of the largest and the oldest public school for health sciences. This institution is funded by the state. Students who enroll in UNJSM have the opportunity to access state-of-the-art equipment for studying immunology, stem-cell technology, and neuroscience. Students of UNJSM are also given the chance to take part in many groundbreaking research and studies. For information on how to apply to this school, check out the school site.

University of Kansas Medical School

The University of Kansas Medical School is among the acclaimed institutions that aim to provide quality education and training to medical students in the Midwest. The University of Kansas Medical school aims to provide its students with intensive hands-on training and excellent instructions. For aspiring med students who wish to study fields such as cancer and AIDS research, the University of Kansas Medical School is a good venue for learning. Visit the school site for details on how to apply to this school.

For those who are interested to enroll in one of these academic institutions, the information on admissions application can be found in the school’s website. There, interested applicants can find information about the requirements such as resumes and medical school application essays.

To be familar with many illnesses, to diagnose diseases, to administer medication, to perform operations. Are these the only things that medical practitioners need to be oriented on so that they can effectively and efficiently fulfill their duties? The answer: there’s one more thing that medical practitioners need to be extremely adept at, and that is people skills. People skills are basically all about the interpersonal skills that a medical practitioner must have. Interpersonal skills, meanwhile, refer to the way a person interacts with another person in an effort to establish a link with him or her.

Why are interpersonal skills very important in the medical profession?

* Interpersonal or people skills create a better relationship between the doctor and his or her patient. When you know somebody very well, you get to trust him more, right? That’s exactly how it works with interpersonal skills. Both of you build trust by seeking to know each other more, with sincerity, and with the sensitivity to let the patient know that, as the doctor, you are always there for your patient.

* Interpersonal skills create a healthier working environment. If a medical practitioner is equipped with people skills, he or she is able to relate better with his or her fellow workers; thus, they get to be not just work mates but friends as well. People skills also help when, for example, the team is doing a major operation - you will be able to understand each other if you know how to relate what you want to say to each other.

* Interpersonal skills enable the doctor to have the patient accept his diagnoses, medication transcriptions, and decisions, be they good or bad. It is also people skills that enable the doctor to climb up the career ladder and be an able leader in the hospital.

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Are all medical school graduates headed to the hospital to work? Not always true. Truth is, there is a growing number of medical school graduates who find their greener pastures in the corporate world. However, it does not necessarily mean that they are now totally neglecting their roots. Fact is, many of these medical school graduates attest that they may not have been able to land a job in the corporate world if not for their medical school background.

So, are you a medical school graduate who would also like to consider a career path in the corporate world? Here are alternative corporate jobs that you can take on as a medical school graduate.

* Counselor - Some counselors, be they genetic counselors, wellness advisers, or public health counselors, are medical school graduates. This may be attributed to the fact that medical school graduates are adept in communicating with people who have problems, that’s why they get this corporate job with seemingly just the flick of a finger. If you are going to seek a counselor job, you should have units in psychology and public health.

* Medical examiner - As a medical examiner, you get to dissect corpses and pinpoint the cause of that person’s death. This is a very high paying job that also earns you the honor of being a valuable helper in solving criminal cases and in easing the grief of the people who have lost their loved ones. Course units in forensic science and anatomy will be very helpful in this kind of job.

* Managerial and human resources positions - These are positions that entitle the job holder to do much careful planning, serious implementation of plans, and a lot of talking to the people under his or her jurisdiction as well as the clients. Course units in psychology would also be very helpful here.

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With all the thick books that medical students have to read, terms, and body parts to memorize, and paperwork and reports to finish, it is not surprising that most medical students go through pulling all-nighters to be able to meet deadlines and review for exams. Pulling all-nighters has become so common among medical students that this has been referred to as a rite of passage for everybody who wishes to have a career in the medical profession.

Nevertheless, everybody knows that depriving oneself of sleep is never good for the health. So, what must a medical student do to avoid his or her chances of having to pull an all-nighter or at least take good care of his or her health come times an all-nighter is needed? Here are some tips to help you cope with all-nighters:

* Limit your sugar and caffeine intake. All right, sugar and caffeine really help in keeping you awake and focused when you pull all-nighters because these food products act as stimulants that give you that bubbly, lively feeling to see you through the whole night. But too much of these and you know what happens - you get to be at risk for diabetes and a slew of heart diseases, as well as insomnia. Too much sugar and caffeine may also cause you to pull all-nighters at times when you don’t want to. Instead of sugar and caffeine, try protein-rich food including dairy products such as cheese and carbohydrate-rich food such as sandwiches. This way, you improve metabolism and boost brain power without overdoing it.

* Listen to what your body is saying. If it is already tired and in need of sleep, then it is about time that you take a much-needed rest. Chances are, you’ll even get more refreshed this way and more energized to fulfill your tasks.

* As much as possible, try to get some sleep during all-nighter sessions, even if it is just an hour or two. This is especially important if you have been depriving yourself of sleep for quite a long time. Do you know that even just two days without sleep can be seriously bad for your health? So, try to get even just a quick nap. And, stock up on vitamins to boost your immune system.

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