Application to Medical School

St. Olaf College

 

Questions concerning the application process can be directed to members of the Health Professions Committee (HPC).

2007-2008

Beth Abdella – Chemistry

Jason Engbrecht – Physics

Ted Johnson – Biology/Biomedical Studies 

 Jean Porterfield – Biology (on sabbatical 07-08)

Julie Legler – Mathematics

Wes Pearson – Chemistry

Gary Muir – Psychology

Kevin Crisp – Biology

Henry Kermott - Biology

 

Karen Renneke is the Academic Administrative Assistant (Chemistry, SC 312) who supports the HPC in preparing the applicant’s file.

 

You should start the process early in Interim or spring semester of your junior year.  Members of the HPC will interview each applicant and a member will write a composite letter of evaluation.

 

Process

 

I.   Forms

 

Pick up or obtain via the Web:

http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/biomed/formsto_be_used_by_students_and_faculty/index.html

 

Reference Forms and the Student Information Sheet from Karen Renneke.  The Student Information Sheet: http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/biomed/media/application_form_for_interview_professional.pdf should be filled out quickly and carefully.  The form will be used as a basis for the interview and the HPC letter of evaluation.  Designate early decision only if you fully intend to apply early decision and your MCAT/GPA support that decision.  Submit a copy of your (un-official off the web, is ok) degree audit to Karen Renneke.  Select 3-5 faculty members or members of the staff or administration to complete a Reference Form.  You may ask members of the HPC to fill out a form if they know you well.  Do not use the forms for anyone NOT at St. Olaf – those recommendations will come into play later in the process.  Ask individuals receiving the forms to return them in approximately two weeks.  A thank you note sent on completion would be appropriate.

 

It is your responsibility to make sure your file is complete.  The process will not continue to the interview stage until your Information Sheet, Karen Renneke has received a grade audit and at least three Reference Forms.  You may need to check with the recommender and/or with Ms. Renneke to insure that your file is completed in a timely manner.  It is your responsibility!

 

II.   Interview

 

When your file is complete, Karen Renneke will schedule you for a 30-minute interview with three members of the HPC.  Interviews will be held usually in the evenings and will be similar to an interview conducted by the medical school.  Dress appropriately and prepare for the interview.  You are encouraged to see Wes Pearson after the interview to receive feedback and suggestions concerning your interview.

 

III.  The MCAT

 

If possible, take the MCAT in the spring of your junior year.  Prepare, prepare, prepare!  Treat preparation (time allocated and length of preparation) for the MCAT similar to a full semester course at St. Olaf.  There are many ways to prepare and members of the HPC as well as Ted Johnson can be contacted for advice for MCAT preparation.  Do not take the test without preparing or to see how you will do – you will regret it!  Consent to release your MCAT scores to the HPC so we can properly prepare your evaluation.

 

 

 

IV.   AMCAS Application

 

A majority of medical schools uses the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), which is an on-line application.  The application is usually initiated in June and completed as soon as possible. Fill the application form out very carefully and accurately.

 

The Personal Essay component is very important and it should reflect whom you are and why you have come to this point in you life.  Advice concerning the essay can be obtained in the Biomedical Studies Office (SC 140).  Ask friends, mentors, faculty, and members of the HPC, etc., to review your essay after you have written a draft.  AMCAS will also require an up-to-date official transcript.  Take your time – the application is important.

 

You will be asked to designate which medical schools you want to apply.  Consult with members of the HPC and use the resources in the Health Professions Office to decide which schools are appropriate choices based on your academic record, residency, interests, etc.  The number of schools depends on you; some students apply to one, others to thirty, while most student apply to 5-7 schools.  It gets expensive!  You need to be realistic and selective.

 

V.    Medical School Secondary Application

 

Based on your AMCAS application and MCAT, a medical school may send you a secondary application.  You should complete the application in a timely manner (two weeks is a good target).  The medical schools will require a completed application, MCAT scores, college transcript, and letters of recommendation including the HPC evaluation.  Contact Karen Renneke and submit a list of school needing your HPC evaluation dossier.  Contact faculty, physician and other individuals to fill out the additional recommendation letters or forms requested by the medical school.  Give the recommenders an addressed, stamped envelope, also allow the recommenders a reasonable period of time to complete the recommendation and then check with them to determine if the letter has been sent.  Send them an appropriate thank you note.  Check with the medical schools to make sure your file is complete.

 

Once your file is complete, most medical schools will act on your file.  They may request an interview.  If invited, schedule your interview, prepare appropriately.  Materials are available in SC140, which will give advice and information about medical school interviews.

 

VI.   Acceptance or Non-acceptance

 

You will hear about the committee’s decision a few weeks after the interview from most schools.  However, some schools will not let you know for months.  Most schools will accept you, put you in a holding “acceptable” group, or not accept you.  If accepted you will have a designated time period in which to make a decision.  If you are in the holding category, you may not hear anything form them until late spring.  At that time, you may be accepted, rejected or put on the alternate list (an “ordered” list).  Alternates may not hear about their status until summer.

 

VII.   Non-acceptance

 

I hope that you have considered this possibility early in your undergraduate years and have a Plan B or C.  Plan B and C are not alternatives, but options.  If you intend to reapply, contact the medical schools at the appropriate time and request an appointment to discuss what you need to do to improve you chances.  Medical schools encourage these sessions.  Do not plan to reapply without making changes or exploring how your application can be enhanced.  In the future, if you have additional experiences, courses, or academic changes, you are encouraged to contact the HPC, which can update your original HPC evolution letter.  Your HPC file will remain at St. Olaf as a permanent file and your dossier can be requested at anytime in the future.

 

The HPC wishes you good luck and success!