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Gaining admission into medical school can be a long and arduous process. I often reminisce about my days as a pre-med college student with the goal of getting into medical school and I think to myself, "man, that was a long and difficult journey." For some folks, the process is quite easy; they maintain a 4.0 GPA, ace the MCAT, and gain admission to multiple schools on the first try. Others however struggle with GPA, MCAT, or both. What I have realized going through the process and helping others navigate the process is that there are many factors that determine if you'll be accepted into medical school.
The good news is that contrary to popular belief, a great GPA or MCAT score alone may not get you into medical school. Personally speaking, I did not have the most stellar GPA or MCAT score, so I had to think outside the box and look for additional ways to boost my resume and make me more competitive. The major key is perseverance. If you are 1000% certain that you truly want to be a doctor, do not to give up.
1. Enroll in a post-baccalaureate program
Post-bacc programs provide an opportunity to prove yourself academically, particularly for those with less than perfect GPAs. I did a post-bacc program in 2012 and I credit my admission into medical school to successful completion of the program. In most programs, you take the same classes as medical students and are measured on how well you perform compared to the average medical student. Most important is finding programs with direct linkage to medical school. These programs offer medical school interviews or direct admission upon successful completion of the post-bacc program.
2. Apply to both MD and DO programs
Many people are more familiar with doctors who graduate from allopathic (MD) medical schools but there are doctors who attend osteopathic (DO) medical schools. Generally speaking, both MDs and DOs receive similar education, perform similar functions, and are compensated similarly. With all this in mind, there's every reason to apply to both allopathic and osteopathic schools. This increases your chances of getting accepted into a medical school and becoming a doctor. Whether you have "MD" or "DO" behind your name, you will gain respect in the field by being a knowledgeable and skilled physician.
3. Get involved in extracurricular activities
Robust extracurricular activities are just as important as GPA and MCAT scores. Admissions committee love a well-rounded, multi-faceted candidate. It's a given that medical school applicants are all smart individuals so find unique ways to set yourself apart from everyone else. Participating in meaningful research projects, working in a hospital, and community service are all great ways to gain invaluable experience and boost your resume.
4. Network, network, and network some more
This particular point cannot be understated. It is all about who you know in life. I cannot begin to count the opportunities have opened up through networking and following up with people I have met at meetings and conferences. If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to attend conferences, email admission committee members, and keep in touch with people who are in or have completed medical school. You never know what kind of connections and opportunities may arise. Keep knocking on doors and eventually, one filled with opportunities will open.
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