How to ACTUALLY Show Impact in Your Med School App | Application Renovation (S2 E9)

[@emmar4786]

I think it would be so cool to see an episode showing where some of the past guests are now - like a "where are they now" episode. I think that would be very inspiring to see how Application Renovation had impacted and helped them in the long term! Love the series, thank you!

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Great idea!!

[@blakerobnson]

@@MedicalSchoolHQ^

[@Mirwhosane]

Unfortunately she never had a chance with such stats. But she looks like a good person! Good luck on your future endeavors

[@lgc41004]

Dr. Ryan "Just tell me a MF'ing story" Gray

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Haha. My new middle name!

[@robwes9227]

This cracked me up. 😂

[@erin8922]

I am SO glad I found your videos this year (and watched almost all of the Application Renovation videos in the last 2 weeks) - total game changer. I found myself making pretty much all of the same mistakes you point out in these videos. Avoiding listing "job descriptions" and focusing on impact really helped me reflect on my experiences. As a Canadian applying to US schools, I'm confident this will give me a leg up. Thanks Dr. Gray!!

[@lizandramedina1162]

Dr. Ryan you ARE SO HELPFUL!!!!

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

thanks :)

[@BonesBelieber1424]

A 3.3 postbac sGPA after a

[@BonesBelieber1424]

@Zhanè Washington Howard's median is still 506 and anything below 500 is under their 10th %ile -- likely balanced with a strong GPA. And they're one of the only MD schools with such low averages. In general, someone spending all that application money, time, and work just to be *almost* guaranteed a rejection is AAMC taking advantage of students. The 3.3 being the highest they got in postbacc itself is a weak demonstration that they'll do well in a rigorous science courseload (even if other personal, financial factors are involved, that's how med schools see it). Maybe some accept 495 minimums, but most filter it out and even those who accept it likely need something spectacular to make up for it (ie purple heart veteran, started a non-profit, etc). Not a

[@BonesBelieber1424]

@Zhanè Washington Yeah I get where you're coming from and that's a very valid point. But applicants like this one had nothing to make up for it. Sub 500 MCATs being accepted into MD (I get it's much more doable for DO) are extremely rare outliers and frankly grounds for a re-take. In my personal opinion, these outliers are not reason enough for AMCAS to funnel tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars from the much greater chunk applicants who do apply with extremely sub-par stats and aren't going to get in anywhere.

[@celeschil007]

I'm sorry but if you're treating applicants with that kind of mentality it's no difference than a doctor telling patients that "you're sick because you fail to take care of you health & your body is overweight, we won't treat you because your family income is below the NPL". And heck, with that kind of logic, why even stop at 500? Why doesn't AAMC just let the computer pick all those people who score >523 or in the 90th percentile & up and automatically invite them to go into medical school every year, sparing all the money & resources hiring admission officers and reviewers? (That's the way med school acceptance works for many Asian countries btw). I guess we don't have system like that because this country is the land of opportunity, or should we?

[@BonesBelieber1424]

​@@celeschil007 Because MANY schools ALREADY auto-filter anything under 500 and 3.0 (some, even higher), yet AAMC allows people to apply with those stats being well under. Why stop at 500? Because that's the 50th %ile that is used as a cut-off for many med schools already. These are programs so competitive they all have single digit acceptance rates. I've had many classmates and close friends waste almost $10k a cycle for stats that were DOA, and many can't even pursue medicine now because of the costs they spent for a failed cycle that could've gone towards improving their application and applying a year after. I'm perfectly aware of how other countries do it as I am a first gen immigrant and disagree with the US system, but these are the cards we're dealt. The utter lack of logic in conflating my opinion of AAMC taking advantage of students with me thinking sick people deserve to be ill is so absurd it doesn't even warrant a response. If you think AAMC doesn't take advantage of people with no regard for their incredibly rare chances of getting in, you're just ignoring what a lucrative business it is.

[@chineloigbo1894]

I mean........ the information is out there for students to know what stats are likely going to get them acceptances and what stats aren't 😅(quite abundantly, even on AMCAS, MSAR, etc). I don't know that they should regulate who can and can't apply, ya know free will and all. Some people do get really lucky 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@StrengthofSalvation]

Can you make a video about what premeds should during covid-19 to still look active in our dedication to medicine since we can’t really shadow doctors and do clinical work. What can we do now?

[@bradysack6419]

++

[@StrengthofSalvation]

Joshua Schubiner great suggestion, thank you.

[@jonathonchio4724]

I'd be careful of doing foodbanks and crisis hotline, as you don't want to seem to be "checking off boxes". If you have been doing these initiatives already, then it'd be logical to continue and add a new facet to your experiences. So, if you start now, it's unlikely you will accumulate a lot of hours. Thus, if you put an experience with X hours, it could give the impression that you are trying to buff up your work and activities. Again, I see the value of doing initiatives, but be sure to balance the pros and cons. Just my. 02.

[@Jes1919]

Jonathon Chio if you are a sophomore or junior, and the activities that you can do does not align with what you were doing before, don’t do it. Med schools want to see a clean and concise narrative.

[@jonathonchio4724]

Josh Schubiner, Yes, that's my point. I'm reiterating is to not do something COVID related if it doesn't align with your ongoing activities, since the original question ask what can you do to appear dedicated if shadowing and clinical experiences are limited. Don't do something COVID related just to look active one's dedication to medicine.

[@PlaysPlaystation]

I don't think she ever had a chance

[@kmlpchikaz]

should we be mindful of tying together "why medicine" in your extracurricular activities? or keep that exclusive to the personal statement?

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Much less so. Partly because you don’t have room and partly because that’s the goal of the PS.

[@salsacardone]

I want to pay Dr. Gray to look over my app before I submit lol

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

I wish I had the bandwidth!

[@nutritionfacts6429]

Is it not a viable option?

[@Rattyaxn]

I'd like to see him roast his own medical school application lol

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Haha. One day!

[@ericxfresh]

Are the AAMC core competencies loosely applicable to residency applications as well, or is there a separate set of expectations beyond standard curricular experiences?

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Great question. I think the expectation is that you have those already. Residency is much more specialty specific and showing that specialty.

[@mjeyssy]

Thank you for your content! do you think you can make a video in regards to how to start your own private practice? I am currently finishing up my undergraduate studies and would like to start my own private practice after medical school, with a focus on neurology. Thanks!

[@duaamalik159]

worry about getting into medical school first.

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Not really the knowledge I have to talk a lot about, though I did help my wife open her own practice. I’m sure there are other great channels!

[@anc4937]

Could you show us an example of an overall really good application?

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

I want to do a series of successful applications! Will take some time with quarantine.

[@mjeyssy]

Also, do you know of any resources for DACA or undocumented students who would like to go to Medical School?

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

I don’t have anything yet. I have one student lined up for The Premed Years podcast soon.

[@hobinkim7084]

Pre-Health Dreamers and MiMentor are good resources for DACA students. I posted my list of medical schools that accept DACA

[@mjeyssy]

@@hobinkim7084 you're an angel!!!! Thank you🙌🙌

[@chowder607]

How can I talk to Dr. Gray on applying this cycle? I want to show my story and get some guidance on what I have and what I can work on.

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

you can try reaching out on my site. I don't have much bandwidth to do 1-on-1 stuff and am focusing on free stuff like this!

[@chowder607]

Medical School Headquarters what’s the website?

[@fredmcelroy2839]

What do the admissions board members consider to be a good WHY to becoming a physician?

[@obcolik]

how much shadowing hours do we need?

[@Textbook000]

Advice for daca applicants?

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Nothing yet. Hopefully soon on the podcast

[@pokemonlover6639]

Hey Doctor Gray! i had a question i wanted to ask. im currently only a junior in highschool who wants to go into the feild of medicine, and iv been watching your videos for a while to learn about the application cycle/med related. Im a type 1 diabetic and got diagnosed back in 2019. For the disadvantages section can i write that i have T1D?

[@abdulkaderhallak2957]

How would add social club hours? and thank you so much for all you're doing, very helpful!

[@Avoug]

What is this hours thing? after a grade or the GPA there is a hours box.. How do you fill that

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Credits?

[@lucharles6724]

Balm to my obsession every tuesday haha

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

haha. Glad I could help sooth it! :)

[@medicalchalupa9928]

Are we allowed to talk about patient scenarios that have shaped us? Of course keeping out patient identifiers

[@medicalchalupa9928]

I think you covered it at 31:00! Sounds like it’s a good idea to talk about impact brought forth by experience with patients

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Exactly

[@kev10roma]

Is there any examples on previous app renovations of well executed EC descriptions with stories? I would love to see a good example

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

I haven’t seen many that I like. I’ll have some in my next book, but it won’t be out for a while. Quarantine schedule cut my writing time.

[@seunesther]

Hi Dr. Gray, Is mid/late August too late to submit your scores to schools?

[@melissaikizoglu867]

i love these and thank you so much. im applying this cycle but for the activities section and nonclinical stuff should we bother tying in on the impact on medicine? or even the clinical stuff bc i feel like each experience has a specific impact? if that makes sense?

[@andrewawadallah5896]

I am a sophomore working as a tutor and a parking attendant. Do you think it is important that my jobs are health-related? Should I quit and look for another job that med schools would prefer me doing?

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Don’t have to be health related. Every job will give you skills and life experience that will help you. You also have to factor in time for the health related stuff!

[@mysanalumina]

How would you estimate hours for a volunteer activity like fostering cats? I have foster cats in my care every day but, interactions with them varies and its hard to get a good estimate.

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Just guess

[@vmeluv09]

I apologize if you have already discussed this, but I was wondering if adding in some humor into a personal statement is appropriate or should it be very professional. For example, one of my experiences involves a medical brigade where one of my roles was to to test urine using dip sticks. We called this “pee duty” and I was wondering if I could add that in or should I stick with strict professional medical terminology.

[@genesisomanasuarez9414]

Please make a video of advice to premeds that are not US residents!!!!