In a survey conducted by the American Association of Medical Colleges, it was found that the pre-admission variables accorded high importance by medical school admissions personnel included: (1) undergraduate grade point average, (2) MCAT scores, (3) quality of degree-granted undergraduate institution, (4) letters of evaluations, (5) involvement in health-related work experiences, (6) interview ratings, (7) personal comments on AMCAS or supplemental applications, and (8) involvement in extracurricular activities.
In light of these variables, it is important that you are able to step back and assess your developing profile as an applicant to health professions schools. What are the strengths of your developing application profile? What are areas in need of attention? What are ways you can improve your overall applications?
Consider the following self-inventory. Be honest with yourself as you -- confidentially -- rate yourself according to the following scale:
Ratings: 1 = needs considerable improvement
2 = needs some improvement
3 = OK
4 = very good shape
5 = outstanding
| your involvement in health-related experiences........................ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your involvement in extra-curricular activities.......................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your ability to present yourself in person ............................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your ability to present yourself in writing................................ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| how well you relate to others............................................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| ways you exhibit independence/initiative/perseverance............. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| ways you exhibit leadership skills........................................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your sense of purpose and motivation.................................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your sense of intellectual curiosity......................................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your common sense ........................................................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your ability to handle stressful situations................................ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your interest in science and biomedical research...................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your breadth of interests..................................................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| how you have demonstrated commitment to service................. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| your familiarity with current issues in health care..................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| how you will distinguish yourself as a candidate....................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| how well your professors and advisors know you...................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| strength of your overall undergraduate/post-bac GPA................ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| strength of your undergraduate/post-bac science GPA.............. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| strength of your standardized test scores............................... | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
The Advisor, page 56, March 2000/Vol. 20, No. 2 |
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