If you apply to medical school and aren't accepted, you have a variety of options available to you. Although a medical school rejection can be discouraging, you may be able to enhance your chances of acceptance by taking additional classes or improving your medical college admission scores. What should you do if you receive that rejection letter?
First, you should question your intention to go to medical school. Medical school can be a long, hard road to success requiring delayed gratification. If you do some soul searching and believe that being a medical doctor is still the best career choice for you, it's time to consider what you can do to improve your chances of gaining acceptance to medical school.
Here are some suggestions for increasing your chances of medical school acceptance the second time around:
Reconsider the Medical Schools You Applied to Initially
If you applied only to ultra competitive medical schools such as Stanford and Johns Hopkins, you made to set your expectations a bit lower. Try applying to some of your test scores. Consider Applying to More Medical Schools
Medical school acceptance is a numbers game. The more medical schools you apply to, the greater your chances of acceptance. Consider expanding the number of medical schools with whom you place an application.Meet With Your Medical School Adviser
Your adviser has seen lots of medical school applications and should be able to objectively assess your strengths and weaknesses. Use his services and give serious consideration to what is said.Take Some Advanced Course Work
If your grades weren't stellar, consider taking some advanced courses. Getting high marks in some advanced college courses or graduate level courses can both impress the applications committee and boost your overall grade point average which should increase your chances for acceptance.Retake the Medical College Admission Tests
Do an honest assessment of your scores. Were they really competitive enough to get you into medical school? If not, consider retaking them. Before making your second attempt sign up for a course designed to boost your scores such as the Stanley Kaplan course. These courses can often boost your score significantly.Work in the Medical Field for a Year
Doing medically related work for a year shows the admissions committee that you're committed to pursuing a career in medicine. Plus, medical school admission committees appreciate the more mature applicant who has real life experience. Volunteer
Consider volunteering at your local free clinic, homeless shelter, battered women's shelter, or any other volunteer organization you feel passionately about. Not only will you be contributing to the community, you'll also be strengthening your medical school application.Sharpen Your Interview Skills
If you have poor interview skills, take a course or get some training in this area. The interview is where you have the chance to show your commitment to medicine and really sell yourself as a promising future physician.
Hopefully, your next set of letters will be the welcome news that you've been admitted to the medical school of your choice.
