Highlights: Kaplan Med School Admissions Officers Survey

There was a surge in the number of applicants in the 2020 cycle, and while many thought that would be a short-lived increase, admissions officers overwhelmingly believe that not to be true. In fact, 50 percent predict that the number of applicants will stay at last cycle’s elevated volume, and 33% think the number will increase. This isn’t so surprising as the ongoing pandemic has definitely put healthcare at the forefront of our minds, and students are answering the call to serve.

The traditional avenues afforded to pre-meds have been disrupted these past two years―first, education was moved online, then opportunities for clinical experience and research were all but taken away, though they have slowly returned. But the repercussions will affect applicants for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, 88% of admissions officers surveyed stated they have made their admissions process more flexible due to the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on everything from MCAT® testing dates to securing the recommended number of clinical hours. And this is similar to our finding from 2020, when 93 percent noted increased flexibility.

Among the biggest changes to the admissions process is the advent of the online interview in lieu of an in-person interview—88% of medical schools say they extend this option to prospective students now. Historically, medical schools were opposed to online interviews, requiring students to take time out of school and incur expenses to travel to onsite interviews. And while these visits afforded the opportunity for a student to learn about the medical school’s environment, it did create a barrier for many.

And lastly, a low MCAT score remains “the biggest application deal breaker,” in the medical school admissions process—this remains consistent with our findings over the years. While the MCAT is not the only factor, it is the one factor that is standard for all applicants, which largely explains why admissions officers consistently rate mediocre or poor performance as a deal breaker. 

But it’s important to point out that while a low MCAT score is the biggest deal breaker, a high score alone is not going to warrant admission. A strong GPA, compelling life experiences, a powerful personal statement, and strong interview all contribute to a successful application, in addition to students remaining focused on maximizing their MCAT score.