The Admissions Decision

Contrary to popular opinion, medical school admissions is not just a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" decision-making process.

Since there are so many qualified applicants and so few spaces, who ends up getting in?


First Factors

The process works differently at each school and program, but certain things remain roughly the same.

A group will make an initial review of the applications, making a first cut at separating possible acceptances from clear rejections.

At this stage, there are several reasons for rejection.

The application might not be complete, the grades or MCAT scores are way too low for the program's standards, the personal essay does not explain mitigating circumstances elsewhere in the application, or the applicant seriously lacks preparation for the program.

The first cut will eliminate candidates who fall below the school's standards for both GPA and MCAT scores.

Those left for the secondary review are those who have demonstrated sufficient proof of their academic skill...