What Makes a Good Applicant?

Additional Suggestions from the Pre-Medical
Professions Advisory Committee

• START EARLY
  • Find out what it takes in terms of classes and extracurricular activities – and do it
  • Strive to do well academically from the start (or from that point on…)
  • Start your application as soon as becomes available – most are online by June
  • Apply as early as you can – even before the application deadline – to get the best chance of an early interview and early acceptance
• Seek advisement – from instructors, professionals in the field, the school to which you are applying, and other students who have been there.
  • NOTE:  While other students are good sources of information, please verify what they tell you!
• Have other people review your application
  • This is especially true of your personal statement – this is the first impression that the professional school gets
• Demonstrate Leadership in at least one activity
• Do well on the pre-professional test – study for the test and do practice tests!!!! 
• Gain knowledge about your field of interest
  • Read the information found under the Pre-Professional Information section and visit the individual website(s) of the school(s) to which you are applying
  • Go to the Helpful Websites section or search online to research the field
  • Interview a professional within your field of interest
• Display a true passion for that field of interest

You’ve made the academic cut and you’ve
got an interview – now what do you do?

• Be able to articulate an understanding of health care in general, the specific profession for which you are interested, and the program to which you are applying
• Show that you are excited about that field – know specifically why you want to go into it
• Be able to describe at least one example from actual volunteer / work / shadowing experience that left an impression on you
• If it is in your application, you better be able to explain it! (i.e., research experience, volunteer work, participation in a club event, etc.)
• Mock interview so that you are familiar with common questions and are prepared to think on your feet
• Be honest and be yourself – the interviewers want to get to know you as a person and see if you are a good “fit” for the program
• Avoid canned answers – you will only get flustered if you can’t remember every word that you had memorized
• Show up early and come prepared, with a copy of your application, resume, and transcript, as well as pen and paper.
• Treat EVERYONE as if they were the interviewers
• Ask questions of the interviewers
• Make eye contact, try to relax as much as possible, and be confident – this is your moment to succeed

What if you don’t get in the first time you apply?

• Try not to be discouraged
• Honestly assess the situation – is there a realistic chance for you to get in next year if you make certain improvements to your application??  Improvements may include:
  • Re-taking pre-requisites (although some professional schools are no longer honoring academic forgiveness policies)
  • Taking advanced courses in science
  • Improving GPA (especially by taking more upper level science courses)
  • Finishing your degree
  • Taking classes to earn Graduate School credit
  • Becoming more familiar with the profession (i.e., by researching on the internet or interviewing health care professionals)
  • Gaining more experience by volunteering or working in a health care setting
  • Doing more shadowing in the specific field
• Seek advisement for specific recommendations
  • Contact the professional school to make an appointment to go over the application packet and interview scores
  • Follow their recommendations and try again
  • Re-interview with the SWOSU Pre-Medical Committee – be prepared to tell the Committee why you are a stronger applicant and even more prepared now to enter into this field.
• By applying again, you are demonstrating that you have made a commitment to this field and that (hopefully) you are now a more qualified applicant than in the previous year.  Being older and wiser definitely weighs in your favor in the medical fields!