While the MCAT is typically the first concern of a prospective medical student and an important component of the medical school admissions process, there are other factors—competencies in interpersonal communication and professional behavior—that can be a much better predictor of an applicant’s effectiveness as a future physician.
But how does one best express clinical intuition, communication skills, and bedside manner in the personal statement, meaningful experiences, secondary essays, and interviews?
Be Specific: Was there a meaningful experience you had that reinforced your commitment to the study of medicine? Be sure to show the reader what you thought, felt, said, and did. Make them feel like they’re sitting next to you in the lab. Describe textures and emotions. The details of a situation and the insights you developed as a result will allow the admissions director to get to know the person behind file #38461.
Show your Intellectual Curiosity and Abilities in Critical Thinking: Most likely, at this stage of your medical education, you have not achieved grand things on the research bench or saved lives in the developing world. What’s important are your insights about what you’ve observed, your intellectual curiosity, your ability to critically assess a complex situation, and your willingness to get involved and learn as much as you possibly can, even if it means unpleasant circumstances or difficult patients.
Go Beyond your Research and Clinical Experiences, but Remember what they’re Looking for: While clinical and research experiences are certainly important to include in your application, don’t limit yourself. Are you an accomplished pianist who volunteers your time teaching piano to a group of third graders once per week at your local community center? Do you have one year of full-time post-baccalaureate work experience as an analyst at a financial services firm? Did you organize a charity event in an underserved area to raise money for insulin pumps? In these types of activities, you are showing your ability to emotionally connect with and influence others, qualities admissions directors are looking for, and will be applicable when you are a resident and practicing physician.
Applicants have always been more than test score and a transcript but now, more than ever, an applicant’s interpersonal ability and professionalism are moving closer to center stage.
Read our full blog on this topic here.
But how does one best express clinical intuition, communication skills, and bedside manner in the personal statement, meaningful experiences, secondary essays, and interviews?
Be Specific: Was there a meaningful experience you had that reinforced your commitment to the study of medicine? Be sure to show the reader what you thought, felt, said, and did. Make them feel like they’re sitting next to you in the lab. Describe textures and emotions. The details of a situation and the insights you developed as a result will allow the admissions director to get to know the person behind file #38461.
Show your Intellectual Curiosity and Abilities in Critical Thinking: Most likely, at this stage of your medical education, you have not achieved grand things on the research bench or saved lives in the developing world. What’s important are your insights about what you’ve observed, your intellectual curiosity, your ability to critically assess a complex situation, and your willingness to get involved and learn as much as you possibly can, even if it means unpleasant circumstances or difficult patients.
Go Beyond your Research and Clinical Experiences, but Remember what they’re Looking for: While clinical and research experiences are certainly important to include in your application, don’t limit yourself. Are you an accomplished pianist who volunteers your time teaching piano to a group of third graders once per week at your local community center? Do you have one year of full-time post-baccalaureate work experience as an analyst at a financial services firm? Did you organize a charity event in an underserved area to raise money for insulin pumps? In these types of activities, you are showing your ability to emotionally connect with and influence others, qualities admissions directors are looking for, and will be applicable when you are a resident and practicing physician.
Applicants have always been more than test score and a transcript but now, more than ever, an applicant’s interpersonal ability and professionalism are moving closer to center stage.
Read our full blog on this topic here.
