Information provided by Kaptest.com
1. Triple-Check Your Application for
Spelling Errors.
You lose a certain amount of credibility if you write that you
were a "Roads Scholar." Ask a family member or friend to read
through your application as well.
2. Check for Accidental
Contradictions.
Make sure your application doesn't say that you worked in a
hospital in 1995 when your financial aid forms say you were
driving a cab that year.
3. Prioritize All
Lists.
When you're asked to list your honors or awards, don't begin with
fraternity social chairman and end with Phi Beta Kappa. Let the
admissions committee know that you realize what's
important—always list significant scholastic accomplishments
first.
4. Account for All of Your
Time.
If you have been away from school for longer than a semester, did
not enter college directly from high school, have been out of
college for some time, or had other breaks in your education, be
sure that your application shows what you were doing during that
period. Don't leave gaps.
5. Don't Overdo Listing
Extracurricular Activities.
Don't list every activity you ever participated in. Select the
most significant and, if necessary, explain them. Admissions
officers are suspicious of people who list 25 time-consuming
extracurriculars and yet still manage to attend college.
6. Don't Mention High School
Activities or Honors.
Unless there's something very unusual or spectacular about your
high school background, don't mention it. Yes, this means not
stating that you were senior class president. However, do list
health-related work or volunteering.
7. Clear Up Any
Ambiguities.
On questions concerning employment, for instance, make sure to
clarify whether you held a job during the school year or only
over the summer. Many applications ask about this, and it may be
an important point to the admissions officer.
8. Don't Use Application Forms from
Previous Years.
Most application forms change from year to year. Make sure you
get the most updated form.
This article was adapted from Kaplan and Newsweek's Medical
School Admissions Advisor.
Please pick up a copy for more advice on getting into the medical
school.
More Information
Learn more about med school admissions at
www.kaptest.com/premed.
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Enroll in a Kaplan course at www.kaptest.com/enroll.
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