What to Do If Your Application to Medical School is Denied

Although it is frustrating having your applications to American and Caribbean medical schools denied, there are many things you can do to strengthen yourself as a candidate and prepare to try again at a later date, from asking schools for feedback to brushing up on interviewing skills to entering a post-baccalaureate program and more.

The UMHS Endeavour looks at key things prospective medical students can do to be successful when re-applying to U.S. and international medical schools. We will look at advice from three medical school admissions professionals, including UMHS Director of Admissions Sean Powers.

Doing Things Differently the Second Time Around

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website offers tips from experts Sunny Gibson and Brenda Lee.

Ms. Gibson, Director of the Office of Diversity and Community Partnership at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago and member of the AAMC's Minority Affairs Section Coordinating Committee, says everyone should remember to do “something different than the time before.”

Following is a sample of her advice for re-applying.

Ask schools for feedback. Some admissions deans or counselors will offer this, but one has to ask. “This can be done in person, by e-mail, or by phone,” Ms. Gibson says. “Look at your rejection letters and use the contact information on them as a place to start. Even if only a few respond, it is worth the time to get feedback directly from schools.”

Cross check your credentials “against those sought by the schools to which you have applied.” She says, “Objectively look at the typical accepted-applicant profile for the school to determine if you have met enough of the criteria. For example, if they say that 89 percent of the students have done research and 75 percent are heavily involved in community activities, your application should show that you have those things to give you better odds. Schools have many variations on characteristics and experiences they are seeking.”

Don’t always apply to top schools. Are you only applying to Ivy League med schools? If so, keep in mind that only a small percentage of applicants are accepted. Instead, do extensive research for good schools that may not be Harvard or Yale, but have outstanding programs and are less stringent about admissions requirements. Says Ms. Gibson, “For example, some state schools have criteria that allow you to apply as a non-resident if you are from a minority group they have designated as underrepresented, have ties to that state (such as an immediate family member living there), or apply to a special program such as MD/MBA or MD/PhD. Do some homework on schools to really find the ones where you will be most competitive.”

Why Some are Denied

Brenda Lee, the Assistant Dean for Medical Education and Student Affairs at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, NY, says there are various reasons why candidates are denied. Below, from the AAMC website, are some of the top examples she cites.

• Some candidates might have competitive credentials, but Ms. Lee echoes Ms. Gibson’s thoughts on the dangers of limiting applications only to “dream schools.” She says applying to “a broader range of schools” increases chances of admission.
• Other reasons for rejection include poor interviewing skills, failing to distinguish your candidacy from other candidates, and credential gaps.

Ms. Lee says it is good to discuss strategies “for enhancing your competitiveness at the time of the rejection.”

“At this point, work with your health professions advisors and enlist their support in gathering feedback from the medical schools on ways to enhance you candidacy,” Ms. Lee says.

Advice from UMHS Director of Admissions Sean Powers

We asked Sean Powers, UMHS Director of Admissions, to list the top things prospective medical students can do to cope with rejection and focus on what went wrong so you are better prepared and a more solid candidate when you apply again.

• “After going through a full admissions cycle, it would behoove an unsuccessful applicant to take some time to critically evaluate their candidacy before preparing a new round of applications. Get feedback - while many will not, there are plenty of schools which will provide relevant feedback to an unsuccessful candidate; you won't know unless you ask. Evaluate your school choices - was each school a ‘reach’ based on numerical thresholds? If so, try to find schools where your academic profile is a better ‘fit.’ If not, then begin to think critically about how you answered their questions in your personal interview. Update your applications after receiving feedback - do not simply submit the same essays, etc.”
• “Applicants are rejected for a number of reasons - sometimes the academic profile does not meet a school's expected numerical threshold; sometimes the school is unimpressed with the written personal statement or the interview responses; and, in rare cases, the recommendation letters do not highly recommend a candidate or recommend them ‘with reservation’ - since you waive your right to review these letters, it is important to be sure that they are as glowing as you think.”
• “If, after receiving feedback, the consensus is that you need some additional ‘seasoning’ in your preparatory work, you will want to consider how to achieve an improved profile. There are many post-baccalaureate programs designed specifically to assist students improve their candidacy for medical school. These programs are a great place to start.

Post-Baccalaureate Programs: Do They Help?

Keep in mind that with post-baccalaureate programs, there is also an application process, a minimum undergrad GPA and a minimum test score, plus limited number of seats available. These are formal and structured programs designed to prepare students for medical school in 1-2 years’ time, but you may consider entering a post-baccalaureate program if admissions professionals advise you to take more courses to strengthen your candidacy, particularly if you need good connections and formal arrangements for local clinics and volunteering in health-care settings.

For a comprehensive list of post-baccalaureate programs for pre-med students, visit: https://services.aamc.org/postbac/getprogs.cfm

(Top photo) DENIED FROM MED SCHOOLS? Don’t be discouraged. Learn how to become a stronger candidate by getting feedback, polishing interview skills & volunteering in health care settings & more. Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciencefocuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, “personalized medical education,” and it’s what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada. UMHS is challenging everything you thought you knew about Caribbean medical schools.