PREPARING FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL AT MSUCOM
APPLICATION YEAR NUTS AND BOLTS
This document is intended to guide you through
the mechanics of the application process. Information about
requirements and becoming a competitive applicant can be found on our
website and in other handouts.
Where to Begin
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Choose a target date for beginning medical
school at MSUCOM. Note that our classes begin in July, with orientation occurring the last week in June. Make this decision 2 years before your projected start date. No, I’m not kidding, I said 2 years. Read on and you’ll
see why.
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Take some time to understand the application
year calendar. Charting it may help. The application year spans two calendar years, just like university calendars. For
example, if you want to begin medical school in July 2009, you are targeting
application year 2008/09.
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Map out your class and MCAT exam schedules
to have your completed application in our office no later than the
3rd week in August of the application year. Check the
AAMC/MCAT website and look over annual exam schedules, to get an idea
of when and how often the test is administered. Pick an initial date and a re-take date. DO NOT chicken out on your first date and use the re-take date for your first try. This
schedule is a commitment you make to yourself and should be every bit
as serious as your final exam schedule.
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Make a budget. You’ll have application fees to AACOMAS, secondary application fees, travel expenses and admission deposits. This is an expensive enterprise. Don’t commit yourself to a summer overseas study program, then realize that you have to earn some money. Be prepared to spend some bucks.
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Most of your schedules will begin with taking
the MCAT. Allow 30 days to get your score. Then you must go online to have your score sent to AACOMAS. We hope that AAMC will streamline this process in the future, but for now you must make the request. So,
to have a completed application to us by late August, mid to late July
is the latest time span in which you should be taking the MCAT.
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Begin checking the AACOMAS website in March. They will begin posting projected dates for opening the application system in the spring. The very latest opening date is generally on June 1, but they may start earlier. Plan to start entering your application on “opening day”. Send your transcripts as soon as they say they’re
ready to accept them.
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Print out a hard copy of the application and
complete the course listing. Take the time to read the directions carefully. Be sure you use the correct subject codes, credit and grade designations. If you have printed a prior year application form, double check the course reporting instructions on the new year application to be sure nothing has changed. This is quicker and easier than trying to create this list for the first time when you’re
ready to apply.
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Keep re-checking the AACOMAS website. The opening date is tentative until it isn’t.
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Establish a separate email account you will
use exclusively for your medical school application(s). Ideally, you should also have either a cell phone or separate voice mail line as well. It’s
critical that we be able to reach you easily.
Your AACOMAS Application
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Opening date: READY, SET, ENTER. And
I mean ENTER. Yes, this is very important. Yes, you want to make sure it’s perfect. So proofread it. Most fine wines improve with age. Most
medical applications DO NOT. PUSH THE BUTTON.
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The good people at AACOMAS are going to verify your academic profile, using transcripts and your application information.
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ROAD HAZARD NUMBER ONE: Your
tra nscripts don’t arrive at AACOMAS. Your application will just sit there until they receive all of your transcripts. Check on your application regularly. You have one application, they have thousands. Monitoring
your application status is your responsibility.
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AACOMAS will send your application materials
to us with or without MCAT scores. If you apply to AACOMAS after September 1, it can be a long wait between the time your transcripts arrive and your academic profile is verified. See
#9 above.
Your MSUCOM Application
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Your application is reviewed in the MSUCOM
Admissions Office to ensure that your grade point average and MCAT score
are at or above our academic minimums. ALL communications come via email. Check
your spam or bulk mail mailbox regularly, as some email systems misidentify
our admissions email address.
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If you are at or above the minimum academic
standards, you
receive an invitation to complete a secondary application.
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If you do not meet the minimum academic standards,
you’ll receive a letter telling you that you are not eligible to complete a secondary application and encouraging you to get a reapplication counseling appointment.
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Be sure to read all of the instructions with
the secondary application before you complete it. If you receive a notice that you are deficient in prerequisite credits, be sure to contact us right away if you have questions. No
student is allowed to begin classes if they have not completed these requirements.
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Pay special attention to the evaluation form
instructions. We require two completed forms, per the instructions. We do not waive this requirement. If
you are unable to find two individuals to complete forms for you, you will
be unable to complete your MSUCOM application.
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Again, read the directions for each section
of the secondary application. Our application gives you the opportunity to tell us your story. You’ve worked very hard to reach this point. Don’t drop the ball now. Use spell check. Use grammar check. Use Mom check. Use advisor check. “Nuff
said.
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Check on your application status. Daily. We provide a URL where you log in to have your application status emailed to you. The data are updated each evening. You can also email or call us with questions.
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ROAD HAZARD NUMBER TWO: One
or both of your evaluation forms don’t reach us. If it was just mailed a week ago, it may still be in transit. More than a week probably means it’s lost somewhere. Don’t waste time and alienate people yelling about it. Between sender and receiver there are many places an envelope can disappear. If we don’t have it, we just don’t have it. Anticipate by asking evaluators to keep a copy. Ask them to send forms using a method that requires a signature on our end, even if you have to pay for it. Trust me, it’s
worth it.
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Be prepared to wait if you complete your application after September. There are literally thousands of applicants in the queue. The
Admissions Committee continues to review applications weekly through February,
but the class is generally full by December. (review #3 above)
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If you are placed on an alternate (waiting)
list, read the email carefully. It contains important information about your status.
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If you receive a rejection letter, make an
advising appointment. We’ll
identify the problem area(s) for you, and assist you in making a reapplication
plan.
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An offer of admission brings a new set of important
dates and deadlines. Read carefully everything we send you. Missing a deposit deadline can cost you your place in the class. You must complete all prerequisite requirements before starting classes. There are immunization policies, orientation schedules, etc. Stay
focused so you can make a smooth transition.
This is the big year. Everything you’ve worked for is on the line. Stay focused, read instructions, check your spelling and grammar, and keep track of your application status. Pay attention to deadlines. Be courteous to everyone at AACOMAS and in the Admissions Office. Professional conduct takes on mantra status in medical school. Start
acting like the physician you want to be now.
Good luck on the journey.
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