Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Medical Schools

Every year, a multitude of students prepare for the MCAT to take the first step forward toward a bright medical career. Victory doesn’t come easy down this road as MCAT is among the most difficult exams around the world. Preparing in advance and planning effectively can lead to a better chance of passing the examination with flying colors. However, there are a plethora of obstacles that you will have to avoid if you wish to be among the handful of candidates who go on to excel in the world of healthcare. Since applying to medical schools is a difficult process, we bring you the top mistakes you must avoid maximizing your chance of success. Continue reading!  

Walking the path alone  

Not all battles are meant to be fought alone. On the journey to securing admission to esteemed medical schools, fellow aspirants, counselors, professors, and your family members can be of great help. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you would have to distance yourself from everyone to build the right mindset as many times you would be in need of guidance, help, and support.   

Overlooking the activities section in the application  

Many aspirants begin their preparations without knowing all the aspects of the application. This can be dangerous because even their most sincere efforts can lead to failure regardless of whether they’re applying for the best medical schools or med schools that are easy to get into in a single attempt. The admission committee members have years of experience under their belt and are experts in assessing which aspirants would be an ideal fit in their institutions. The activity section is helpful for aspirants as it gives them room to express their experiences and impress the admission committee.  

Starting on your personal statement late  

Another common mistake made by first-time applicants is leaving the personal statement for later on. They simply jump into the preparations for the exam, assuming marks have the most weightage among all. In reality, a personal statement holds equal importance for the admission committee as it introduces the faculty to the aspirant and enables them to analyze the aspirant better. Starting early would enable you to make mistakes, implement corrections, and eventually formulate the best possible personal statement.   

Preparing for the interview without expert help  

Interviews are seen by many students as a formality done at the end of the application process where only the selected candidates are further assessed with simple questions. Interviews play an important role in the application process and the interviewers can easily eliminate any candidate that isn’t up to the standard of the medical school. You should take the help of professionals while applying to medical schools to nail every aspect of the examination and other aspects.   

About MedEdits  

MedEdits is a one-stop destination for all your MCAT preparation needs as it provides the best pre-med consulting services for all aspirants. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or planning to reappear, you can rely on the experienced faculty of MedEdits to guide you in your journey toward the best medical schools. Contact us now!