For those students hoping to attend medical school, findings from a recent survey by Kaplan may shed some light on the increasingly competitive applications process. A recent survey by Kaplan indicates that admissions offices weigh the Medical College Admission Test scores just as heavily as a student's grade point average when they review applications and extend offers of admission.
According to Amjed Mustafa, director of Kaplan's pre-health programs, researchers arrived at this conclusion after admissions officers at all medical schools in the United States and Canada were sent surveys asking about a variety of factors of the competitive application process. Of the 120 schools targeted, 83 responded through the survey.
Admissions officers were first asked the two most important factors in the application process, Mustafa said. 77 percent said the applicant's MCAT score is one of the top two factors, and 75 percent said a student's GPA is one of the top two factors.
Admissions officers were also asked what month is the best time for students to take the MCAT, he added. April turned out to be the number one pick, followed by January. According to Mustafa, April is a popular month to take the test because students can receive their scores in time to apply by June. January is an appealing option as it allows students to retake the test in April if necessary.
According to Randolph Canterbury, associate dean of admissions at the University Medical School, being accepted to medical school has indeed become more difficult, mainly due to the large number of applicants.
"There's an increase in the number of people applying each year, and so just by sheer numbers, I think the competition is increasing," Canterbury said.
In terms of being accepted into medical school, Canterbury stressed that admissions officers look for more than just stellar MCAT scores and GPAs.
"We value academic credit a lot, of course, but in addition to that, we value experience, evidence of altruism and letters of recommendation," he said.
Third-year College student David Jessee, who is premed, said the results of the survey will not change the way he plans to prepare for medical school.
"It's not going to make me work any harder, because I already planned to work as hard as I can," Jessee said.
Jessee does not consider MCAT scores or GPAs to be the most important factors in the application process.
"I don't feel like a quantitative number can give a medical school a good portrayal of the type of student an applicant can be," Jessee said. "GPA and MCAT scores matter, but they are not the most important things"
Read More
Shots fired reported at 100 block of Harmon Street, no injuries reported
By Thomas Baxter | 3 days agoThis is the first community alert of June.
Full Board discusses financial aid challenges, medical research and entrepreneurship
By Thomas Baxter | 5 days agoBoard members discussed the Pan-University Entrepreneurship Initiative, a project that aims to help develop more entrepreneurial ventures at the University.
Finance Committee approves 2024-25 operating budget and Major Capital Plan
By Zackary Holt | 5 days agoThe proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget for the Academic Division includes a 6.8 percent increase in spending over the previous year.
