reuse personal statement medical school

The Best Way to Your Dream Score? Blueprint MCAT’s 515+ Course!

Do I Need to Rewrite My Personal Statement if I Reapply?

If you’re like the majority of premed students, you didn’t get into medical school the first time you applied. Do you have to rewrite your personal statement?

By the way, the episodes in this podcast are recordings of our Facebook Live that we do at 3pm Eastern on most weekdays. Check out our Facebook page and like the page to be notified. Also, listen to our other podcasts on MedEd Media . Or follow me on Instagram @MedicalSchoolHQ .

[00:37] Re-Applicant’s Personal Statement

If you’re a reapplicant to medical school, you MUST rewrite your personal statement 100%. If you’re applying with the same personal statement and applying to the same school, they’d look at your personal statement from last time and this time (they could!). And when they look the same but you’re rejected last time. Reusing the same personal statement would raise the question of why. How do you know that your personal statement was what kept you out of medical school the first time? Or there wasn’t something in your personal statement that turned off the admissions committee.

If you’re reusing your personal statement, it shows that you’re not putting much effort into the application process. It shows that you’re not critically thinking about why you didn’t get into medical school the first time.

[02:28] Should Your Failure the First Time Be in Your Personal Statement?

In between applications, you’ve done some growth and maybe done some more shadowing and clinical experience. You might have had more powerful experiences that you’re going to want to write about in your personal statement to help make it stronger. You’ve changed as a person from failing to get into medical school to reapplying now. That change needs to potentially be part of your personal statement.

A lot of students will talk in their personal statements about failing to get into medical school and how was the biggest obstacle they had to overcome on their journey. But it’s not that a big of a red flag to include it in your personal statement.

Instead, your growth and accomplishments in between your last application and your current application should go into your personal statement. Your voice is going to change a bit because the experiences you’ve had have changed. You’ve gained new experiences.

[04:05] It’s a New Application!

So if you are reapplying, you must 100% write a new personal statement. This is the same thing with secondaries and letters of recommendation. It’s a new application. Rewrite your personal statement and don’t be lazy.

MedEd Media

Medical School HQ Facebook page

Instagram @MedicalSchoolHQ

SEARCH SITE

LISTEN FOR FREE

How Can I Fight The Fear I’ve Destroyed My Chances?

Recovering From a Low GPA, What Are My Chances?

How do I Navigate Secondaries as a NP?

Initiatives

Our community.

Education & Admissions

Reapplying to Medical School

Ohio state offers advice for those reapplying to medical school. learn more about your portfolio and reusing your personal statement..

Finding out that your medical school application was rejected can be discouraging. Before you reapply, ask yourself some tough questions: When you imagine yourself in that white coat, what aspect of being a physician leaves you feeling good inside? Is it the fulfillment of a deep desire to help others by curing, treating and preventing illness? Is it the high esteem in which doctors are held, or imagining how proud your family will be?

Although your time in medical school and residency training can be exhilarating and life-affirming, it can also be exhausting. You’re making a commitment to years of sacrifice and service — so be sure your motivation will sustain you on this journey.

If you’re confident that you want to be a doctor, then hold your head high and reapply. Know that you aren’t alone: Many current physicians were once in your place before experiencing the joy of ultimately gaining acceptance to medical school. Every year, Ohio State accepts about 200 future doctors into medical school and, because there are far more applicants than there are seats in a class, some of these students will inevitably be repeat applicants.

As you reapply, here are some tips for success based on the experiences of repeat applicants.

Reapplying to medical school

Ask the question: Where did I go wrong in my medical school application?

Now’s not the time to be shy. It’s your responsibility to find out why you were rejected. Consider reaching out to your premedical advisor to discuss your possible shortcomings:

Did you apply late in the cycle?
Did you present an application that was light on community service or research?
Are your GPA and MCAT scores competitive?
Did your essay make it clear that you’re passionate about becoming a physician?
Did you convey to the admissions committee that you are well-rounded?
Did your communication style fail to impress the interview committee?

Consider contacting the schools that rejected you, and ask for their advice on ways to strengthen your application. Draft a plan with their input, and then — and this is important to avoid insulting the school that took time to counsel you — follow that plan .

An example: A rejected applicant met with an adviser to go over his application. It was clear that his undergraduate GPA was the problem. He had excellent experiences, including volunteer, community service, leadership and research. His MCAT score was only slightly lower than the school's average. His interview performance hadn’t been stellar, but it wasn’t bad either, and he would have had a significant chance of being offered an acceptance were it not for his low grades. The admissions committee liked him overall but was concerned that he would not be able to handle the medical school curriculum.

The adviser suggested he enter a one-year master's degree program in biomedical science, retake the MCAT and wait to reapply until he had completed the full year of graduate study. While this route would delay his medical school matriculation by two years, it would also significantly improve his chance of acceptance. Performing well in the courses, with at least a 3.5 GPA, would prove to admissions committees that he had the cognitive ability to master graduate-level biological science work — and studying these graduate science courses would also be excellent preparation for the MCAT.

Seeking advice is the first step, and following it can be the difference between achieving a goal and continuing to daydream about it.

Take time to positively impact your portfolio before you reapply to medical school

Think twice before reapplying immediately. The reason you weren’t offered an acceptance is because medical schools perceived shortcomings in your application. Most shortcomings are remediable and, given proper emphasis, your weaknesses can become strengths.

You want it to be obvious to anyone reading your file that you made a turnaround. To maximize the chances of giving off this perception, you must allow enough time before reapplying. This may prove to be the hardest part of the process, but be patient — if you rush it, you may join the ranks of those who are applying for a third time.

If your plan is to improve your chances by engaging in a meaningful research project, and you obtain a full-time research assistant position the summer after your unsuccessful attempt, wait at least one year before reapplying. One year of full-time, meaningful research is very powerful, and you may have the opportunity to present your research at a meeting — or, more impressively, co-author a scientific publication.

Even if you don’t publish or present at a national meeting, performing research for one solid year will give you plenty to discuss during your interview. If you reapply immediately the next cycle, you’ll still be too new in the research lab to have developed a sound knowledge of what you’re doing.

Another example: Say you were on a medical school waiting list until a week before classes started in August before you were finally rejected. You decide, with the school's input, that a higher MCAT score will make you competitive. Some candidates in this position retake the MCAT the very next time it is offered so they can reapply the very next cycle. But with this rushed approach, it’s unlikely that your MCAT score would improve much. It would be wiser to forget about the next cycle and plan to take the MCAT in January or the next spring after months of preparation, possibly including a formal MCAT prep course or a course or two in advanced biology that will hone your skills at problem-solving and reading comprehension. Then, apply the following summer for an entering class two years after your rejection.

Another option you can pursue is an online degree to supplement your knowledge in area you are interested and passionate in. An online degree can give you the flexibility to earn a degree while participating in other activities such as research or clinical experience to supplement your application. Don’t get discouraged with the additional time it may take to pursue your goals. Everyone has 24 hours in a day — what you do with your time is what is important.

Can you reuse your personal statement for medical school when you reapply?

As a reapplicant, you must change something. You don't want to be a “boomerang applicant” — someone who responds to a rejection by simply sending out the same application the very next cycle. This is disrespectful to the medical school to which you are applying, and gives the impression that you don’t care about the process. It’s also a missed opportunity to show what you’ve learned. Even if you don’t apply to the same medical school, the admissions committee will likely know that you were unsuccessful the last time around.

You have an excellent opportunity here to take the negative and turn it into a positive. Consider these questions in your revised personal statement:

Since being rejected from medical school, what did you learn about your perceived shortcomings?
What have you done to improve upon them?
In the interval between your medical school rejection and your reapplication, what did you learn about yourself?

Maybe you learned that you’re a person of great resilience and persistence — someone who simply won’t give up on their dreams. All of this is great material for your essay. Use it.

Many applicants in this position never mention that they were rejected the first time around. Some mistakenly think medical school reviewers are unaware of this fact, and if you don't mention it, they’ll never know. Most of the time they’ll know. In fact, if you’re reapplying to the same school, they’ll likely review your old application and your new application side by side to see what you’ve improved upon.

So step up to the plate, bare your feelings about being rejected, and paint a picture of how you methodically went about improving your portfolio. The admissions committee likely will be impressed.

Use the interview to show how you have improved as a medical school reapplicant

Should you receive an interview, you can be sure that you’ll be asked about your medical school rejection. If you’ve followed the advice above, this is the time to talk about it.

It’s uplifting to hear a reapplicant describe how they methodically went about preparing to reapply. When you describe how you contacted the schools that rejected your application to find out where you went wrong, you sound mature — someone who’s on a mission and won’t let one bump along the way stop them. Talk about how you drafted a new plan and put it into action.

Show them your persistence, determination and commitment to your goal of becoming a physician.

Helpful Links

American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

For help with any step along the way, contact: Office of Admissions The Ohio State University College of Medicine 614-292-7137 [email protected]

US South Carolina

This site uses various technologies, as described in our Privacy Policy, for personalization, measuring website use/performance, and targeted advertising, which may include storing and sharing information about your site visit with third parties. By continuing to use this website you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

COVID-19 Update: To help students through this crisis, The Princeton Review will continue our "Enroll with Confidence" refund policies. For full details, please click here.

Enter your email to unlock an extra $50 off any MCAT program!

By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., 15 tips for your medical school personal statement.

Don't underestimate the power of the medical school personal statement to make a strong, positive impression on an admissions committee. Combined with your interview performance, your personal statement can account for 60% (or more) of your total admissions score!

Medical schools want to enroll bright, empathetic, communicative people. Here's how to write a compelling med school personal statement that shows schools who you are and what you're capable of.

Personal Statement Topics

Your medical school personal statement is a component of your primary application submitted via, TMDSAS (for Texas applications), or AACOMAS (NB: If you are applying to medical school in Canada, confirm the application process with your school, as not all application components may be submitted through AMCAS).

These applications offer broad topics to consider, and many essay approaches are acceptable. For example, you could write about:

an experience that challenged or changed your perspective about medicine
a relationship with a mentor or another inspiring individual
a challenging personal experience
unique hardships, challenges, or obstacles that may have influenced your educational pursuits
your motivation to seek a career in medicine

You'll write an additional essay (or two) when you submit secondary applications to individual schools. These essays require you to respond to a specific question. Admissions committees will review your entire application, so choose subject matter that complements your original essay .

Read More: Strategies for Secondary Applications

How to Write a Personal Statement for Medical School

Follow these personal statement tips to help the admissions committee better understand you as a candidate.

1. Write, re-write, let it sit, and write again!

Allow yourself 6 months of writing and revision to get your essay in submission-ready shape. This gives you the time to take your first pass, set your draft aside (for a minimum of 24 hours), review what you’ve written, and re-work your draft.

2. Stay focused.

Your personal statement should highlight interesting aspects of your journey—not tell your entire life story. Choose a theme, stick to it, and support it with specific examples.

3. Back off the cliches.

Loving science and wanting to help people might be your sincere passions, but they are also what everyone else is writing about. Instead, be personal and specific.

4. Find your unique angle.

What can you say about yourself that no one else can? Remember, everyone has trials, successes and failures. What's important and unique is how you reacted to those incidents. Bring your own voice and perspective to your personal statement to give it a truly memorable flavor.

5. Be interesting.

Start with a “catch” that will create intrigue before launching into the story of who you are. Make the admissions committee want to read on!

6. Show don't tell.

Instead of telling the admissions committee about your unique qualities (like compassion, empathy, and organization), show them through the stories you tell about yourself. Don’t just say it—actually prove it.

7. Embrace the 5-point essay format.

Here's a trusty format that you can make your own:

1st paragraph: These four or five sentences should "catch" the reader's attention.
3-4 body paragraphs: Use these paragraphs to reveal who you are. Ideally, one of these paragraphs will reflect clinical understanding and one will reflect service.
Concluding paragraph: The strongest conclusion reflects the beginning of your essay, gives a brief summary of you are, and ends with a challenge for the future.

8. Good writing is simple writing.

Good medical students—and good doctors—use clear, direct language. Your essays should not be a struggle to comprehend.

9. Be thoughtful about transitions.

Be sure to vary your sentence structure. You don’t want your essay to be boring! Pay attention to how your paragraphs connect to each other.

Free MCAT Practice Tests & Events

Evaluate and improve your MCAT score.

10. Stick to the rules.

Watch your word count. That’s 5,300 characters (including spaces) for AMCAS applications, 5,000 characters for TMDSAS, and 4,500 characters for AACOMAS.

11. Stay on topic.

Rambling not only uses up your precious character limit, but it also causes confusion! Think about the three to five “sound bytes” you want admissions committee to know and remember you by.

12. Don't overdo it.

Beware of being too self-congratulatory or too self-deprecating.

13. Seek multiple opinions.

Before you hit “submit,” ask several people you trust for feedback on your personal statement. The more time you have spent writing your statement, the less likely you are to spot any errors. A professor or friend whose judgment and writing skills you trust is invaluable.

Read More: 12 Smart Tips for Your AMCAS Application

14. Double-check the details.

Always check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. This goes for the rest of your application (like your activities list), too. A common oversight is referencing the wrong school in your statement! Give yourself (and your proofreaders) the time this task truly requires.

15. Consult the experts about your personal statement strategy.

Our med school admissions counselors can diagnose the “health” of your overall application, including your personal statement. Get expert help and guidance to write an effective personal statement that showcases not only your accomplishments, but your passion and your journey.

Want to get an edge over the crowd?

Our admissions experts know what it takes it get into med school. Get the customized strategy and guidance you need to help achieve your goals.

Med School Admission Counseling

Explore Graduate Programs for You

Explore our featured graduate schools & programs to find those that both match your interests and are looking for students like you.

Best Law Schools

Check out our complete list of 168 law schools, based on surveys of school administrators and over 17,000 students.

Search for Medical Schools

Visit our Med School Hub to explore med schools with our ‘Find Your Med School’ filtered search or visit our Med School Advice pages for info about good MCAT scores or interview question prep.

Find MBA Programs Matched to Your Interests

Explore our featured business schools to find those that are looking for students like you.

MCAT Prep Courses

510+ course, ultimate course, summer immersion, more mcat articles, free mcat practice test & events, 1-800-2review, mcat self-paced free trial.

Free MCAT Practice Test

I already know my score.

MCAT Self-Paced 14-Day Free Trial

Enrollment Advisor

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 1

1-877-LEARN-30

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET

Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

Student Support

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 2

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM ET

Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

Partnerships

Teach or Tutor for Us

College Readiness

International

Advertising

Affiliate/Other

Enrollment Terms & Conditions
Accessibility
Cigna Medical Transparency in Coverage

Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

SAT Subject Tests

Academic Subjects

Social Studies

Find the Right College

College Rankings
College Advice
Applying to College
Financial Aid

School & District Partnerships

Professional Development
Advice Articles
Private Tutoring
Mobile Apps
Local Offices
International Offices
Work for Us
Affiliate Program
Partner with Us
Advertise with Us
International Partnerships
Our Guarantees
Accessibility – Canada

TPR Education, LLC (doing business as “The Princeton Review”) is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, a firm owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

Complimentary 1-hour tutoring consultation Schedule Now

Your Questions Answered About Reapplying to Medical School

According to the AAMC, of students who applied in the 2017 cycle, only 40% were accepted to medical school. It’s no wonder why so many students need to reapply. Though you’ve already done it before, the process of reapplying to medical school comes with a new set of challenges.

In this post, we’ll answer the most common questions we hear about reapplying to med school so that you can go into your reapplication process prepared.

Jack's Tips on improving MCAT CARS Score.

How Many Times Can You Apply To Medical School?

It depends on the medical school. Many medical schools only allow you to apply twice. The limit will be clearly stated on the medical school’s website.

Is It Bad to Be a Reapplicant to Med School?

Not at all. Considering over half of applicants are not accepted, reapplying is quite common.

Unfortunately, there is no available data as to the acceptance rates of reapplicants vs. first-time applicants. If you reapply without making any changes to your qualifications, academic scores, or hours of patient exposure, for example, don’t expect to be treated any differently. However, if you take the time to reassess your application and beef up the areas in which you were lacking before you reapply, it shows your commitment to medicine.

Should I Wait a Year Between My Original Application and Reapplying?

This varies from applicant to applicant. If you had a strong application and were invited to several interviews, it shows you are close but need to make some moderate improvements.

If your application was rushed or on the weaker side, taking a year to improve your application can be highly advantageous.

Can You Reapply to Medical School After a Withdrawal?

Yes, but it depends on the reasons for your withdrawal. If you had to withdraw due to a death in the family or a serious health concern but were otherwise an exceptional student and still show that same commitment to medicine, reapplication should not be a problem.

If you withdrew because you were failing, it is unlikely you will be accepted back into medical school.

Can You Reuse Letters of Recommendation?

You can reuse your letters of recommendation, but medical schools do not keep them on file, so you will need to resubmit them each time you apply.

Just because you can reuse a letter of recommendation doesn’t mean you should. If you are reapplying, consider the quality of your current letters of recommendation. Is the content of those letters still relevant? Could you get a better recommendation letter now that you are taking the time to reapply?

Reapplicants need to show that they are improving their whole application, not just one piece.

The reapplication process needs to be about improving on your first application; otherwise, you can’t expect to receive different results.

Are There Any Medical School Reapplicant Disadvantages?

One noted disadvantage for students reapplying to medical school is that students cannot reapply with the same application. Even if there was only one aspect of the application that fell flat, such as a flubbed interview or a below average MCAT score, improvement must be shown in every aspect of the application—which can be difficult if you particularly excelled in other areas.

Using the same personal statement is a big disadvantage for students reapplying to medical school. Reapplicants need to write a new personal statement, and this can be difficult for students who struggled with their personal statement the first time around.

💡 Review Medical School Personal Statement Examples and Crucial Advice .

Reapplicants should also take another MCAT to improve their score, get new clinical experiences, and do everything they can to improve each aspect of their medical school application.

Reapplying to Medical School Resources

Med school reapplicant reddit advice.

Use every resource available to your advantage. When reapplying, you’ll need every asset out there to help you build an application that’s better than your last. Reddit message boards can provide a wealth of advice from students who are in the exact same position as you.

Look for advice from those who have been through similar struggles to yours on the /r/MCAT and /r/premed subreddits.

💡 Learn How Top Students Use MCAT Reddit to Score Well .

Retaking the MCAT

You can take the MCAT a total of 7 times in your lifetime. In a 1-year span, you are permitted to take the MCAT 3 times. In a consecutive 2-year span, you are able to take the MCAT 4 times.

We strongly recommend taking time away from the MCAT before attempting it again. Receiving a poor score on the MCAT can feel like an absolute disaster, and it can be easy to allow emotions to get the better of you, potentially leading to an even worse score.

We recommend you don’t start studying again until:

You have coped with the frustration of needing to retake the MCAT.
You have a solid plan for retaking the MCAT.
You are ready to begin studying with a patient and open mind.

💡For more insight into retaking the MCAT, read our blog on the Top Three Principles for Retaking the MCAT .

Make Your Reapplication to Medical School Stand Out

Reapplying to medical school is a confusing, tedious, and time-consuming process. Applicants must improve upon their entire application in order to have a chance of acceptance the second time around.

Whether you’re reapplying to medical school or applying for the first time, we can help you navigate the process every step of the way. We help our students with all aspects of the application, including how you can improve upon past applications.

Our team of editors and advisors (including Jack) have years of experience and are ready to help you overcome any challenge you may have applying or reapplying to medical school.

Join the Waitlist for Medical School Admissions with Jack Westin.

Your Notifications Live Here

{{ notification.creator.name }} Spark

Trial Session Enrollment

Live trial session waiting list.

Next Trial Session:

{{ nextFTS.remaining.months }} {{ nextFTS.remaining.months > 1 ? 'months' : 'month' }} {{ nextFTS.remaining.days }} {{ nextFTS.remaining.days > 1 ? 'days' : 'day' }} {{ nextFTS.remaining.days === 0 ? 'Starts Today' : 'remaining' }} Starts Today

Recorded Trial Session

This is a recorded trial for students who missed the last live session.

Waiting List Details:

Due to high demand and limited spots there is a waiting list. You will be notified when your spot in the Trial Session is available.

Learn Basic Strategy for CARS
Full Jack Westin Experience
Interactive Online Classroom
Emphasis on Timing

Next Trial:

Free Trial Session Enrollment

Daily mcat cars practice.

New MCAT CARS passage every morning.

You are subscribed.

{{ nextFTS.remaining.months }} {{ nextFTS.remaining.months > 1 ? 'months' : 'month' }} {{ nextFTS.remaining.days }} {{ nextFTS.remaining.days > 1 ? 'days' : 'day' }} remaining Starts Today

Welcome Back!

Please sign in to continue..

Please sign up to continue.

{{ detailingplan.name }}.

{{ feature }}

Sign up to our Newsletter

Reapplying to medical school: the ultimate guide.

Learn how Lauren, a 2nd-time medical school reapplicant, got accepted into medical school after working with us in the video below!

Anyone who has ever considered applying to medical school can recognize that it is a complicated, long, and unbelievably competitive process.

To be successful, you must have excellent academics, extensive volunteer hours, experience in patient care, and enriching letters of recommendation. Yet, even the most successful premedical students are rejected from medical schools to which they applied.

It can be challenging to look at such a lengthy application and determine what went wrong. But this guide will help you identify your application’s weaknesses, understand what you can do to strengthen them, and explain how to reapply to medical school.

Reapplying to medical school isn’t easy. However, this article will help you implement the necessary changes to ensure you submit a stellar application.

Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement

Why Reapplying to Medical School Isn’t Bad

You may feel embarrassed or upset for not getting accepted to medical school after your first application. What you may not know is that this is normal , common , and OK. Sometimes, even the greatest candidates get rejected because there simply isn’t room in the next incoming class.

Many students have applied more than once to medical school before they were accepted. After all, many prestigious medical schools have low acceptance rates. For example, Stanford University ’s acceptance rate is only 2.3 percent. Low acceptance rates are a common occurrence at many of the top medical schools in the US .

There is nothing wrong with reapplying to medical school after being rejected. If anything, it shows your dedication to medicine and your perseverance by continuing to work toward your passion. Admissions officers will recognize this.

Before you stress about reapplying to medical school, there are several things you can do to strengthen your application.

When Should You Reapply?

Although you are probably anxious to reapply to medical school as soon as possible, the best route to take begins with slowing down. Take time to assess and reflect upon your application.

There may be obvious things you are missing in your application, like spots you can develop further. Alternatively, there may be places you can better show off your skills and knowledge in medicine. Whatever you do, take all the time necessary to seriously examine your application and reflect upon where you can improve.

Remember — there must be a significant change in your application when reapplying to medical school; if your application looks virtually the same year over year, how will it change an admissions officer’s mind?

Take the time you need to reevaluate, make changes, and do everything you can to strengthen your application.

Assessing Your Previous Application

The first step in assessing your previous application is successfully identifying what didn’t work.

For example, find out at which point in the admissions cycle you were declined. If you were denied before submitting a secondary application, your primary application was lacking something. Similarly, if you made it to the medical school application’s interview portion, your interview skills were likely lacking.

Once you can narrow down which aspects of your application hindered you from being accepted to medical school, you can focus on tackling each issue one by one. If you are unsure of your application’s weak points, you can always ask a teacher, peer, or family member for assistance.

One great tip from John D. Schriner, Associate for Admissions and Student Affairs at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine , is to solicit feedback from the medical school to which you applied. Reach out and ask what prevented you from being accepted in the previous application cycle.

Though not all schools are receptive, it does not hurt to try. Plus, if you receive that feedback, you will know which areas to target, amend, and improve. It is the perfect opportunity to act on the advice you receive and show the admissions officers that you can absorb feedback and excel because of it.

Schriner also notes that there is no shame in addressing that you were rejected in your reapplication. Show the admissions officers that you’ve taken the time to reevaluate your application and your experiences, although you were denied. This way, you’ll demonstrate you’re a worthy and passionate medical school candidate.

Don’t let a rejection stop you from pursuing your career in medicine.

Planning How to Reapply to Medical School: Step-by-Step

Preparations

The first step in planning to reapply to medical school begins with taking a long, hard look at your application. This is to find any areas that need improvement, expansion, or removal. Though this may be a tedious process, it is imperative.

Some things on your application may have deterred admissions officers from accepting you into their program. By identifying what is wrong with your application, you are one step closer to improving your med school application.

Areas of Focus

When reevaluating your application, focus on one section at a time. This way, you can set your focus on one specific aspect of your application and thoroughly evaluate it.

For example, don’t evaluate your personal statement and essays until you have gone through your extracurricular activities and deemed what was and was not representative of your experiences.

Then, dig deeper. Can you identify any weaknesses in this section? Is there anything you can add to help admissions officers better understand what you are trying to show them? Is there a more efficient example you can use or a stronger description you can implement?

According to the American Association of Medical Colleges , several key components go into a medical school application:

Primary application
Background information
Coursework & official transcript(s)
Work and activities
Letters of evaluation
Personal statements & essays
Secondary application
Social media/internet search
Financial information
Criminal history search

GPA and MCAT Scores

Your GPA and MCAT scores should reflect each other. To be a strong med school applicant, you must show that you have performed successfully in both areas. If either of these areas hindered your initial application, take the steps necessary to amend them.

For example, your grades and GPA may have been an issue in your initial application. In that case, consider taking another course to improve your GPA for the next application cycle.

If your MCAT score was low, utilize this time period before the next application cycle to reevaluate how, when, and where you study. Consider taking a preparatory course and retaking the MCAT exam.

You will have the time to retake courses or exams before applying to medical school again, and this is an extremely productive use of your time. Additionally, retaking courses or exams exhibits your dedication to medicine and becoming a doctor despite your obstacles.

Letters of Recommendation: What Should Change?

Your letters of recommendation should not be a simple statement of your academic achievements. When looking to faculty or advisors to be letter writers, you are looking for someone who will advocate for you. Therefore, you need to ask someone who knows you well and is willing to justify why you deserve to be a medical student.

Your letter writers should be advisors or faculty with whom you have a strong, professional relationship. They should also be ready and willing to speak to your character, drive, and passion for medicine.

If your letters of recommendation were a problem area in your initial medical school applications, consider sending the American Association of Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation to your letter writers. This helps your letter writers know what admissions officers are looking for in a strong applicant.

Update Your Work Experience to Strengthen Your Application

Maybe the area of your application that needs work is your work experience. Most, if not all, medical schools heavily emphasize the importance of experience in patient care. This is an essential aspect of your duty as a doctor in the future.

If work experience was a problem area of your application, there is nothing wrong with waiting to reapply to medical school. Because you will have at least a year before the next application cycle, this is the perfect time to expand upon your experience.

Some experiences you can pursue include getting a part-time job, volunteering , or shadowing a doctor. Reference this comprehensive list of extracurriculars for any medical school application when adjusting your own.

Taking this step will not only cause admissions officers to notice this update in your application, but it will also help prepare you to become a doctor.

Medical School Reapplicant Personal Statement: What Should Change?

When it comes to personal statements in a medical school application, it isn’t about having the most detail or the longest essay. What matters is that the content represents you, your character, and why you want to be a doctor. It is as simple as that.

Your statement is where you can give admissions officers an insight as to who you really are. In it, you can advocate for yourself and show them why you are meant to be a doctor. Anything that deflects from this distracts admissions officers from why you believe you deserve to be a student at their medical school.

The first step to writing your medical school reapplicant personal statement is reflection and self-assessment .

Ask yourself: What aspects of your first statement were weak? Have you asked your pre-health advisor to review your application? Did you ask the schools that declined you for feedback? Do you understand what medical schools look for in applicants?

Once you have reflected and highlighted areas of growth, take the time to address them. Remember — medical schools are interested in how you have matured and used your time since the last application cycle. If you can show that you have dedicated yourself to improving your application, this will increase your chances of admission.

While it’s important to demonstrate growth, you should also continue to illustrate your continued commitment to medicine. Perhaps you’ve shadowed a doctor or conducted clinical research since the last application cycle. In that case, highlight your experiences in your revised statement.

If you have struggled with writing a successful personal statement, consider researching what personal statements and essay topics and questions have proven successful for past applicants. This can provide inspiration, insight, and a baseline for you to refer to when rewriting your personal statements.

Of course, grammar, cohesiveness, and clear descriptions are still essential in your statement. Any discrepancy in these areas is a surefire way to distract admissions officers from the critical points of your statement.

Have a trusted faculty member, advisor, or family member read through your statement. A fresh set of eyes is always a good way to look for mistakes you may have missed. Alternatively, Inspira Advantage offers free consultations with admissions experts to increase your chances of being accepted to medical school.

Redrafting your personal statement isn’t easy, especially as it will need large-scale revision. But looking at medical school reapplicant personal statement examples can be useful to see what worked for other applicants.

Medical School Reapplicant Personal Statement Examples

Let’s take a look at an example personal statement that impressed the University of Minnesota’s Medical School admissions officers.

example of a personal statement that impressed the University of Minnesota admissions officers

Admissions officers note that this statement contains several key elements that make it great:

A clear motivation to pursue medicine
An understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of being a physician
Impactful interactions with patients
Reflecting on difficult experiences and the challenges of a medical career
Dedication to pursuing medicine (evidenced by the applicant’s willingness to give up their spot on the rowing team)

If you can include several of the points listed above, you’ll write a stellar personal statement.

Interviews

It is no secret that interviews can be an extremely nerve-wracking experience for most people. The best thing you can do to prepare for a med school interview is practice, practice, practice.

‍ ‍ Where Are You Going to Apply?

So, you have successfully reassessed and implemented meaningful changes into your medical school applications. In that case, create a draft of a list of medical schools to which you plan to apply.

Ask yourself: Are you applying to all the same medical schools you applied to previously? Are you applying to fewer? Are you applying to more? Are you applying to entirely different medical schools?

Answering these questions will help you know what sort of guidelines you are following in each application. Once you are sure of which schools you are applying to, you can adjust your application accordingly. ‍ ‍ ‍

How to Go About the Reapplication Process

When you have finalized your applications, set up an appointment with your premedical advisor or admissions consultant to review them. A fresh set of eyes can spot any discrepancies you may have missed.

To ensure you have done everything you can to fix your application, take the time to review the AAMC’s Tools for Medical School Applicants . Create a checklist when reviewing these tools and check them off as you go to ensure you didn’t miss anything. It just may be your saving grace!

FAQs: Reapplying to Medical School

Being a medical school reapplicant isn’t ideal. But we’ve provided several questions and answers to help make this process as painless as possible.

1. Is it bad to be a reapplicant for med school?

Not at all. Reapplying shows your perseverance and dedication to medicine.

Most candidates who apply to the top medical schools are rejected, so there is no shame in reapplying.

2. Can I reapply to medical school after withdrawal?

Yes. But your chances of readmission depend on your reasons for withdrawal, as medical schools may not guarantee you readmission if you withdraw from their program.

If you withdrew due to a severe illness or a family death and you excelled while in med school, you should be fine to reapply. However, if you struggled with the program, it will be difficult to gain admission as a reapplicant to that medical school.

3. Can I reapply to med school with the same application?

No, you’ll need to submit a new application.

Submitting a new application provides an excellent opportunity to address the weaknesses of your first application. Take the time to highlight these areas and improve them.

4. Can I reapply to the same medical schools?

Yes! If you can illustrate that you have meaningfully improved your application, you will likely be a competitive reapplicant to medical school.

Of course, you should be realistic about your odds of gaining readmissions to an extremely competitive school if your application remains largely unchanged.

5. Can you reapply to medical school with the same letters of recommendation?

Yes. But AMCAS doesn’t hold them on file, so you’ll have to resubmit your rec letters with your new application.

However, take the time to assess whether you want to submit new letters of recommendation. For example, if you’ve undertaken new volunteering, clinical , or research experiences , you may want a letter from your recent supervisor or professor.

6. When should I reapply to medical school?

It varies between applicants, but you should only reapply to med school when you are ready.

If you need to accrue more volunteering and clinical hours, take the time to complete them. Sure, you may have to skip an application cycle. But if you reapply the year after with an even stronger application, your chances of admission may be higher.

7. Is it worth it to reapply to medical school?

Whether it is worth reapplying to medical school depends on you.

If you’re passionate about medicine, helping people, and serving the community, medicine might just be the career for you. Otherwise, think hard about what you want to do in life.

Final Thoughts: Reapplying to Medical School

Applying to medical school is a huge decision and requires a lot of hard work. On top of that, it is an extremely competitive field. Acceptance rates are low, expectations are high, and every other applicant is your competitor for a spot.

It is perfectly normal not to be accepted into medical school on your first try! This isn’t something that just happens to “bad” candidates or people who don’t want it enough. It happens to great, passionate premedical students everywhere. If you don’t give up and make every effort to show admissions officers that you are passionate about medicine, they will see that.

Whether you work on submitting stronger personal essays, gaining more work experience in patient care, or retaking your MCAT exam, admissions officers will see and notice this effort. It speaks to your character and your drive to become a great doctor, which encourages admissions officers to give you the chance to be just that.

Schedule A Free Consultation

How To Get Into The Best Medical Schools In California

How To Get Medical School Scholarships: The Ultimate Guide

Top 3 Reasons to NOT Reuse your Personal Statement

A topic that often comes up for repeat applicants or reapplicants (residency candidates who have applied for one or more applications cycles) is whether or not to reuse their ERAS Application documents. Gathering your ERAS Application documents year after year can be draining, and one of the most tempting documents to reuse or tweak a little is the Medical Residency Personal Statement .

It’s understandable really; most medical students or graduates do not enjoy the tedious task of writing the Personal Statement once– let alone twice or more! Writing the perfect Personal Statement that is engaging, professional, and reflects your best self, while still fitting on one page is time-consuming and difficult for the busy medical professional. You may even feel that you already had a strong document last year; so, if it isn’t broke, why fix it?

However, choosing to simply use the same Personal Statement you used last application cycle or even a slightly edited version presents some dangers. There are plenty of reasons why you should not choose to use your previous Personal Statement draft(s), but below are the top three most important reasons.

Reason 1: Past Performance

The reality is that if you weren’t successful during your previous residency application cycles, it is unwise to use the same documents you used before. It is possible that something within your Personal Statement or other documents could have gone amiss or presented the wrong message about you as an applicant. The best way to ensure you do not present the same flawed message is to have brand new documents.

Reason 2: The Risk Factor

While somewhat unlikely, it is still possible a residency program could recognize your used Personal Statement if you applied to that program in the past. There may be some element of your Personal Statement (positive or negative) that is recognizable enough for a program to realize they’ve read this statement before. Or, the program could run a plagiarism checker and your Personal Statement could not check out. No matter how slim the chance, you wouldn’t want to jeopardize a new application cycle with last year’s documents.

Reason 3: Live in the Present

You are not the same person or professional you were last year. Your Personal Statement should always focus on the person you are NOW. Assuming you are the type of residency candidate who moves forward and continues pursuing new Work, Volunteer, and Research experiences, those experiences should not be forgotten or only briefly mentioned. Residency programs are most interested in the person you are now, so your new Personal Statement needs to focus on your newest experiences to prove your resilience and growth.

The Medical Residency Personal Statement is one of the most important ERAS Application documents as it functions are your personal introduction to residency programs who do not know you in-person. It is also a document that residency candidates are most likely to want to cut corners or not put in their full effort, especially if you have applied before. Don’t fall into that trap! Residency programs need to see full effort every time you apply, and applying with a used Personal Statement definitely does not send the right message.

Need help creating new Personal Statements or editing your newly written Personal Statement draft? Get the professional help you need at: https://www.residencystatement.com/

woman interviewing residency interview questions

Interview Prep: Anticipating Questions Based on Your Personal Statement

Personal Statement’s Role in Post Match SOAP

Updating your Personal Statement for SOAP

Stay Updated

Writing Your Personal Statement for Medical School Applications

Click to share on X (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to print (Opens in new window)
Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Many individuals who send me inquiries about medical school ask how I can help them build a strong narrative throughout the application cycle. Good question! I start with my criticism of the entire concept of a “narrative” which I view as something linear, something that has a start and a finish. The writing components of your medical school application should be layered rather than linear. Let me explain.

I like to start my applicants with a worksheet that asks them to describe all activities they believe are relevant to their medical school application. I also ask them to provide an expanded resume with dates and hours spent because often they capture experiences on the resume that are not reflected in the worksheet that would benefit their application.

The goal of the worksheet is to capture what experiences have shaped their path and I ask many questions that serve to identify themes or character qualities that occur across multiple activities and experiences. Themes are a good way (though not the only way) to structure a personal statement. For example, an applicant may have a strong theme of community emerging from service projects, casual work experiences, and special interests within the medical field. This theme will help the candidate organically incorporate multiple examples into the personal statement without it feeling like a disparate list of accomplishments. The worksheet is also a good place for me to get to really know a candidate as it provides a complete overview of their experiences and aspirations. It’s also a good sample of their writing – Do they write with a good level of detail? Are they able to tell a story to illustrate a particular point? How deeply do they reflect? All of this helps me understand how best to coach them going forward so their writing remains authentic but develops increasing refinement.

Once I have a worksheet, I recommend a detailed structure for the personal statement as well as a careful selection of activities and experiences to support the theme (or the character qualities). I start with the personal statement because this is the focal point of an application. It frames, informs, and contextualizes your activities and your secondaries. Although it can’t capture everything about the person you are, it provides a statement of the essentials for understanding the experiences that have shaped your aspirations as a future physician and the kind of physician you hope to be.

Next comes the layering, I alluded to earlier. Your personal statement will likely focus on 3-5 key experiences Your activities list will name 15 experiences, including the 3-5 mentioned in the personal statement. Your “most meaningful” experiences will be present in your personal statement, so extra care must be taken to write these in a way that adds depth without being repetitive. Your secondary essays will then mention experiences on and off that list (off the list experiences usually come into play when discussing one’s own upbringing and personal diversity). All these layers will join together to create a cohesive vision (rather than a linear narrative) of you as a candidate. This vision will shift slightly for each institution you apply to, as you cannot write and submit every secondary you develop to every school of medicine. Even so, each vision will still be a true representation of you.

Your interview is yet another layer. To ensure this layer is well executed, I advise applicants to review their application in full to remember the vision of yourself you presented to them. This is the “you” they know. I then advise applicants to be consistent with that “you” but also to limit repetition when you answer their questions. Interviews are an opportunity for depth and detail, yet another layer. To limit repetition and add depth, I advise making a list of recent things that have happened since applying: accomplishments, work experiences, awards/publications, recent events that have changed or further engrained your perspective. The more questions you can answer with recent examples, the less likely you will be to tell them things they may already know. If you know it is a closed application interview, this is not quite as critical. But they might read the application after the interview, so you want to present yourself as someone who is constantly growing and learning. Which of course you are!

Three Major Medical School Application Services:

All major application services require an activities section ; pay attention to the slight differences in character limits and number of allowed activities.

American Medical College Application Service ( AMCAS ) is the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service. It permits up to 15 activities with a 700-character limit for each, except for three most meaningful activities which allows up to 1325 additional characters each.

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service ( AACOMAS ) is the centralized application service for U.S. osteopathic medical schools. It has no limit on the number of activities (but remember quality is more important than quantity) and allows 600 characters per activity.

Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service ( TMDSAS ) is the common application service for dental, medical, podiatry, and veterinary schools in Texas. It also has no limit on the number of activities and allows a 300-500 character-limit on each (depending on the type of activity), except for the three most meaningful activities which allows up to 500 additional characters each.

A graduate education is increasingly necessary to advance careers, increase income and enjoy employer-sponsored health coverage and retirement plans, and applying successfully for a graduate or professional degree requires careful planning. Elizabeth LaScala PhD, Founder of Doing College and Beyond provides personalized guidance throughout the graduate and professional degree admissions process, whether you are currently studying at the undergraduate level or are already working in your career. Call (925) 330-8801 or visit Elizabeth at her website to learn more.

Elizabeth LaScala

I am a dedicated Independent Educational Consultant that guides college, transfer and graduate and professional school applicants through the complex and competitive world of admissions. I help students... More by Elizabeth LaScala

You must be logged in to post a comment.

We've recently sent you an authentication link. Please, check your inbox!

Get a code sent to your email to sign in, or sign in using a password .

Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password .

Subscribe to our newsletters:

Breaking News Email Alerts
Tri-Valley Preps Playbook

Lost your password?

Try a different email

Send another code

Comments policy

Personal Statements

by Harry on November 20, 2017

When I’m writing a letter of recommendation for an undergraduate applying for graduate school (one of the many parts of my job for which I have received no training and my skill in which has never been assessed by anyone), I pretty much always want to look at the personal statement (or, their answers to the program-specific questions which many professionally-oriented programs ask). If I don’t know the student really well, the personal statement helps me write the letter, just because it keeps them fully in my head; and if I do know the student really well it seems wrong not to offer to comment on/offer editorial advice, especially if I know (as I often do) that the student doesn’t have a parent who will be able confidently to do this. For all I know my own confidence is misplaced, but I don’t think it is â€“ I have read thousands of personal statements over the years {mainly for nursing school, clinical psych, teacher ed, school counseling, medical school and law school and, of course, philosophy), and although I only know directly what other people (my immediate philosophy colleagues) think about the statements of students who apply to Philosophy PhD programs, I have observed the fate of those students whose statements I’ve looked at.

The main thing I want to say about personal statements is that in my experience many candidates agonize over them and spend far too much time trying to get them exactly right. In philosophy the main purpose of the personal statement is to convey that you know what you are doing, that you are genuinely interested in the program you’re applying to, and that you are not a complete flake. Some people, it is true, have genuinely interesting stories behind their desire to X, whatever it is, but most really don’t.[1] But they usually seem compelled to tell a story as compellingly as possible. Here’s a quote from a recent email (used with permission):

Hi Brighouse, I hope you had a nice weekend and that you have a good week ahead of you! I wanted to email you to ask for your help with my personal statements. I have spent a lot of time attempting to write some of them and I am really struggling. They feel very cliched to me and I am not sure how to make myself stand out as an applicant in so few words!

Actually, what she sent me was better than she thought, but I’d guess it would have been still better, and less stressful, if she’d had a good sense of what to do. Here’s the advice I’ve been giving recently, roughly, and obviously tailored to the specific student to whom I’m writing (in addition to specific advice about what they have written). To be honest, I usually give this advice only after they’ve already agonized a bit â€“ I hereby resolve to start telling them ahead of time.

1. The personal statement will rarely affect whether or not you get in. Mostly that will be your letters of rec, resume, grades (and GRE and writing sample, if those are applicable). Helping your recommenders write letters that really represent you is a much more valuable use of your time than turning an ok statement into a good one. Stop stressing out about it.

2. If you have an amazing story, tell it. But don’t try to invent one, or to make a rather boring story (like mine) sound amazing. Tell the committee i) why you want to become (say) a nurse; ii) what qualifies you for their program iii) what will make you a good (say) nurse; iv) why you are interested in their program in particular; v) what you specifically think you have to learn.

3. Someone else might be able to tell you qualities you have that suit you to the profession in question if you can’t figure it out yourself â€“ e.g., in the case of the student whose email I quote above, she had said something about herself in the draft statement that seemed both negative and false; and I was able (easily) to tell her a positive truth about herself that, when she wrote it in the revised statement, nevertheless did not seem self-aggrandizing.

4. If there is something in your transcript or resume that looks weak, and you have a good explanation for it, the ideal thing to do is i) ask your lead letter writer to mention and explain it and ii) mention in your statement that they will explain it. If someone else explains a weakness, it is much less likely to come over as special pleading or excuse-making.

5. Don’t use lots of adverbs and adjectives. Don’t use colloquialisms. Don’t actually try to use clichés, but do relax a bit about them â€“ mostly your statement is not going to stand out from the crowd, and that’s ok! Stand out from the crowd once you are there, if you want to.

6. Be direct and straightforward, without being self-denigrating.

7. Make sure you stay within the word limit. Get someone skilled (who might be me) to look it over, and suggest edits which save you words.

8. Give yourself a time limit. Remind yourself that the chances this will make a difference to your prospects are small. If it is truly awful that might sink you (so get someone like me to read it to ensure that it is not truly awful); if it is good enough, then making it better is unlikely to yield much benefit.

Any amendments, revisions, contrary advice, would be welcome.

[1] I don’t. I encountered Philosophy in secondary school, and decided that, unlike History, I’d never learn how to read Philosophy unless someone taught me. I went to graduate school because I liked doing Philosophy and couldn’t think what else to do. Then I became a professor because I was not imaginative or bold enough to go work for dissidents in Russia during the waning months of perestroika (really, a left wing dissident member of the Moscow City Soviet asked me to come and work for him).

Book Events

Charles Stross / Various
China Miéville / Iron Council
Chris Mooney / The Republican War on Science
Dani Rodrik / One Economics, Many Recipes
Doug Henwood / After the New Economy
George Scialabba/What Are Intellectuals Good For?
Joseph Carens / The Ethics of Immigration
Levitt & Dubner / Freakonomics
Sheri Berman / The Primacy of Politics
Susanna Clarke / Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Yochai Benkler / The Wealth of Networks

Contributors

Belle Waring
Chris Armstrong
Chris Bertram
Eric Schliesser
Eszter Hargittai
Gina Schouten
Harry Brighouse
Henry Farrell
Ingrid Robeyns
John Quiggin
Kevin Munger
Macarena Marey
Maria Farrell
Miriam Ronzoni
Serene Khader
Speranta Dumitru
Banner courtesy of David Krewinghaus
Comments Policy

Lumber Room

3 Quarks Daily
Balkinization
Best of Both Worlds
Blood and Treasure
Brad DeLong
Cosma Shalizi
Daniel Drezner
Digressions and Impressions
Edge of the American West
Joshua Marshall
Lawrence Solum
Lawyers, Guns and Money
Making Light
Marginal Revolution
Mark Kleiman
Maud Newton
Michael Froomkin
Miriam Burstein
Naked Capitalism
Political Theory Daily Review
Russell Arben Fox
Slugger O’Toole
Sociological Images
Steven Johnson
Suburban Guerilla
The New Inquiry
Timothy Burke
Washington Monthly
Astra Taylor
Brian Weatherson
Corey Robin
Daniel Davies
Eric Rauchway
Kieran Healy
Micah Schwartzman
Michael Bérubé
Montagu Norman
Niamh Hardiman
Rich Yeselson
Scott McLemee
Tedra Osell
Tom Runnacles
Entries feed
Comments feed
WordPress.org

Medical school entry requirements for 2024 start

Standard Entry Medicine
Graduate Entry Medicine
Medicine with a Preliminary Year
Medicine with a Gateway Year

Select a course type above then use the filters below to learn about the courses. This information is provided directly by the medical schools but can change. Always confirm the information on medical schools’ websites. You can see when this information was last updated under the name of each course.

This information relates to entry requirements for entry into medical school in Autumn 2024, with UCAS applications to be submitted by 16 October 2023.

A PDF version of this information can be downloaded here: Entry requirements for UK medical schools: 2024 entry.

Competition ratios

Degree (graduate applicants), a levels and scottish highers, gcses and scottish nationals, international baccalaureate, access to he diplomas, admissions test, personal statement, interview method, work experience, widening participation, contextual admissions, additional information, university of aberdeen medical school, mbchb medicine (a100).

Last updated: June 2023

Number of applicants per interview: Home: 2 | International: 3

Number of applicants per place: Home: 6 | International: 19

Graduates must hold at least an upper second class honours (2:1 Hons degree) or equivalent. Chemistry to at least B grade in Scottish Higher or B grade in GCE A-Level examinations is required also, although this requirement may be satisfied in individual cases by appropriate courses of study and achievement during the first degree.

A levels - AAA including Chemistry and one from Biology, Maths or Physics, and one other subject

S5 - AAAAB in Chemistry and two of Maths, Biology/Human Biology or Physics plus two other subjects. S6 - BBB at Higher/Advanced Higher

36 points. Three subjects at Higher level at grade 6 or higher including Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics or Maths. Three appropriate subjects at standard level with average grade 6 including one science if three not offered at Higher level.

GCSE Grade 6 passes in English Language and Maths are required. Biology is recommended; Physics is recommended (or Dual Award Science) A combination of Grade 6-9 passes at GCSE is expected, especially in science subjects.

National 5s: English and Maths are required (Grade B minimum); Biology and Physics are recommended but not compulsory (Grade B minimum). A combination of Grade A & B passes at Standard Grade / National 5 is expected, especially in science subjects.

Access to Medicine Higher Education Courses that are approved by AQA

All Personal Statements will be reviewed prior to interview invites being sent out. If candidates are invited to interview, their Personal Statement will be assessed during the interview.

Multiple mini-interviews

Candidates may draw from their work experience to answer questions at the MMI.

We consider a range of criteria for widening participation such as your home postcode, whether you are a carer or care experienced and we support applicants enrolled on the REACH program . See website for details.

See website for details.

Anglia Ruskin University School of Medicine

Mb chb primary medical qualification (a100).

Number of applicants per interview: Home: 3

Number of applicants per place: Home: 15

Minimum 2:1 honours degree awarded within the last five years. The degree must be in a biological, biomedical, chemistry or health science subject.

AAA at A Level taken within two academic years prior to the time of application, to include Chemistry or Biology and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. For the third A Level*, please note that we do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. For Biology, Chemistry and Physics A Levels, we require a pass in the practical element. Applicants who meet the criteria of our Widening Access to Medicine Scheme are eligible for a lower entry requirement of ABB.

Advanced Highers: ABB from Scottish Advanced Highers with grades AB to come from Biology and/or Chemistry and another science subject.

Highers: AAAAA at Higher Grade including Biology and/or Chemistry and another science subject. We also require National 5 Grade B or above or GCSE grade B (5) or above in English Language, two science subjects and Maths.

A minimum of 36 points is accepted. 666 at Higher Level in Biology and/or Chemistry plus one other science and including Mathematics or English.

GCSEs: A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade A*-B (9-6) required including English Language, Maths and two science subjects. Scottish Nationals: Grade 5 or above in English Language, two science subjects and Maths.

We currently accept any QAA accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma (Medicine) qualification.

We do not weight the personal statement in the selection process, but applicants should be prepared to discuss or use aspects of the statement at interview.

It is desirable for applicants to have undertaken work experience in the healthcare sector, whether that be shadowing, volunteering, paid-work or observing.

Applicants who meet the criteria of our Widening Access to Medicine Scheme will, if successful at interview, be eligible to receive an offer based on grades ABB rather than the usual AAA grades. See website for details .

Aston University Medical School

Mb chb medicine (a100).

For graduate applicants, normally a minimum of an upper second class Honours degree (2:1) in any discipline plus three A Levels at grades ABB to include Chemistry and Biology with either at grade A. The university degree must be from a recognised UK or UK ENIC approved university. In addition, applicants will normally be required to have the same GCSE requirements as other applicants.

A Level: A*AA which must include Chemistry and Biology (including passing the practical elements). Scottish Advanced Highers: AAA to include Chemistry and Biology.

Normally applicants are required to have a minimum of six grade 6 (B) at GCSEs, or equivalent for international qualifications. Compulsory subjects are Maths, English Language, Chemistry, Biology or Double Science.

37 overall where applicants must have 7,6,6 at Higher Level consisting of 7 in Chemistry or Biology, 6 in Chemistry or Biology and 6 in another subject and the remaining from Standard Level subjects and Core.

All personal statements are read but not scored or used in ranking of applicants.

Multiple Mini Interviews

We do not require applicants to have healthcare related work experience but do expect them to have some exposure to a work place. Clinical work experience is not a requirement to apply for this course however, applicants are expected to have knowledge of studying and practising medicine.

In keeping with our vision of being a socially inclusive medical school, we aim to offer up to 40 per cent of our UK places to students who meet specified widening participation criteria. See website for details.

Bangor Universit y, North Wales Medical School

Bmbs medicine (a100).

Last updated: September 2023

If you are a graduate applicant, you must have or be working towards a 2:1 (Hons) in your degree and have BBB/ABC at A-level (or equivalent), including subject requirements and meet the minimum GCSE requirements (or equivalent qualifications). If you have completed an MSc / PhD, the minimum A-Level requirement is BBC and all other criteria listed for graduates must be met.

A Levels - AAA required. This must include Biology and an additional science from the list below:

Chemistry
Economics
Maths / Further Maths / Statistics

You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-Level if this is part of your programme of study.

Other non-standard subjects may not be accepted.

36 overall (excluding Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay) including 19 at Higher Level. Must include grade 6 in Biology and Chemistry. Grade 7 in SL Biology or Chemistry can be taken in place of Higher Level Biology or Chemistry if you also have grade 6 in HL Maths, Physics or Statistics.

English Language or Welsh Language at grade B/6 and,
Double Science at grades BB/66 (or grades B/6 in both Biology and Chemistry) and,
Maths grade B/6 and,
Five other GCSEs at grade B/6

You must demonstrate an awareness of the healthcare system in the UK and the nature of the medical training in your personal statement. If you are a first language Welsh speaker then please make this clear within your personal statement.

You must achieve UCAT prior to submitting your application. You must sit the UCAT in the year of application. We do not have a minimum threshold score; however, we will use UCAT scores as part of our selection process.

Should you be selected, you will be invited to attend an interview. We use the multiple mini interview (MMI) format, which is a series of short, carefully timed interview stations that you will rotate around in turn. All applicants must attend for interview if invited.

No specific requirements.

A contextual offer of AAB may be made to Welsh speaking students or those who meet our contextual offer requirements , which for the purpose of application to Medicine must also include having gained a Welsh Language (first language) GCSE qualification.

University of Birmingham School of Medicine

Mbchb medicine and surgery (a100).

Last updated: July 2023

Number of applicants per interview: Home: 2.2 | International: 5.35

Number of applicants per place: Home: 8.4 | International: 21.9

Achieved or predicted first or upper second class degree in any subject from a recognised institution. We expect that no more than five years will have elapsed between the most significant and relevant qualification and the start date of the course. If more than five years have elapsed since your degree, then your work since your degree will be considered.

The standard offer is A*AA at A-Level, including Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry. Applicants must be predicted a minimum of AAA. Contextual applicants may receive an alternative offer of AAA and those on a recognised widening-participation programme may receive an offer of ABB.

A total of seven GCSEs must be offered, and these will be used to calculate an applicant score (see website for details). The required subjects are: English Language at grade 6/B or higher (English Literature is not required but is one of the identified subjects that we will score); Mathematics (or one of Methods in Mathematics and Applications of Mathematics) at grade 6/B or higher; and Biology and Chemistry or dual award science at grade 6/B or higher.

Higher level: 7,6,6 from Chemistry and Biology and one other approved subject. A minimum of 32 points must be attained.

The personal statement is not scored but sufficient evidence of commitment to medicine must be described.

Relevant work experience (including voluntary roles and shadowing opportunities) can offer great insight of the complexities, demands and strategies of current healthcare practice and the benefits they obtain from caring for people and working in teams. However, we recognise that arranging, undertaking and effective reflection on face-to-face experiences requires a great deal of time and effort, and may not have been possible during the recent pandemic disruptions, so it is not mandatory.

Students who successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme and apply to the University of Birmingham will receive special consideration from admissions tutors. For Year 12 programmes (e.g. Routes to the Profession), this includes the offer of a guaranteed place at interview.

If their application is successful, they will receive two offers from the University of Birmingham - the standard offer and a Pathways to Birmingham offer. The Pathways to Birmingham offer is currently three grades below the standard offer, as advertised in the prospectus (so currently ABB at A level). Students may also be eligible to receive the Pathways to Birmingham financial support. Birmingham Medical School is also part of the UKWPMED collaboration, offering recognition of the partner institutions' own widening-participation programmes.

This course offers contextual admissions. An application score is comprised of various elements including a contextual score based on school attended and POLAR4 quintile. The medical school considers the following contextual measures:

School's GCSE performance
School's A level performance
Care experienced

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Bm bs medicine (a100).

2:1, in a science degree with GCSE Maths & English at grade 6 (B) and BBB at A level to include Biology and Chemistry.

A Level: AAA - Biology, Chemistry and one other (AAB with CD)

Scottish Highers: AAA to include Biology and Chemistry. Or pass Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry with grades A with at least grades A in two additional Higher Subjects. English and Maths requirements: grades B or above in National 5s English and Maths.

36 points including Biology and Chemistry at Higher level at grade 6.

We require all applicants, without contextual data, to have obtained at least a grade 6/B in English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs. For applicants with contextual data, we will accept English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs at a grade 5/C. Please note we do not take any other GSCEs into consideration during our admissions process.

Scottish National 5s - English and Maths at grade B or above, or grade C for applicants meeting BSMS's contextual admissions criteria.

BSMS accepts the following Access to HE qualifications:

East Sussex College Access to Medicine and Dentistry Diploma
City and Islington Medicine & Medical Bio Sciences – Access to HE Diploma
College of West Anglia Access to Medicine and Dentistry
Distance Learning Centre's online Access to HE Diploma in Medicine

The personal statement is not used in any part of the selection process.

Multiple mini-interviews

Not required but must have suitable understanding of medicine.

University of Bristol Medical School

2:1 in first degree with ABB at A Level including A in Chemistry and B in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (or in equivalent level 3 qualifications). Any degree subject is accepted if applicants meet the above level 3 requirements.

AAA at A level including A in Chemistry and A in one of Biology, Physics or Maths.

AA at SQA Advanced Higher including A in Chemistry and A in one of Biology, Physics or Maths with with AAAAB in Scottish Highers.

36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)

Advanced numeracy requirement (7 or A in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent) and Standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent).

Life Science, Medicine or Science. Must include a minimum of 15 level 3 credits in Chemistry and 15 level 3 credits in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

We no longer use the personal statement as a weighted component of our selection criteria.

Multiple mini-interviews (online)

While not a requirement for the course, we encourage applicants to obtain a minimum of two weeks’ work experience. This enables the applicant to gain some insight into their potential vocation. Applicants may be asked to reflect on their work experience at interview.

This course offers contextual admissions. For applicants that are eligible for contextual admissions, this may result in a reduced predicted grade requirement for interview and a reduced academic grade offer (e.g. A levels, IB, Highers).

Brunel Medical School Currently only open to international students. It is our aim to open our admission to home (UK) students at the earliest opportunity.

Medicine mbbs (a100).

Upper second-class degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to Medicine. Applicants presenting university degree qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

AAB at A-Level to include Chemistry or Biology and a second science (chemistry, biology, physics) or maths and a third subject (not general studies) or international equivalent.

At least Grade B (5) in Maths and Grade C (4) in English Language or equivalent qualification.

36 points (including Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay) and must include Higher Level 6 in either Chemistry or Biology and Higher Level 5 in Mathematics or in a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics).

The personal statement will be used as part of the selection process for the MBBS programme. The personal statement should be 750 words, please refer to our website to review what we are looking for.

Multiple Mini Interviews (Virtual)

Work experience, with dates: this should include a caring or service role, such as paid employment for a healthcare organisation, volunteering for a community organisation or caring for a family member. Focus on what you have gained from these activities in terms of your personal development and insights into a caring profession.

University of Buckingham Medical School AWAITING 2024 ENTRY UPDATES

Mb chb medicine (71a8).

Last updated: June 2022

For applicants offering a degree – they should have a Bachelor degree in a subject cognate to Medicine, and have or be predicted a minimum classification of 2.1.

ABB at A level including Chemistry and Biology.

BBB at Advanced Highers to include Chemistry and Biology.

In the specific case of the International Baccalaureate, they should be expected to achieve or to have achieved a total score of at least 34 points with Higher Level 6 in Chemistry & Biology. Please note that the overall point score does not include theory of knowledge or extended essay.

The medical school may consider all the information provided within a candidates application including academic qualifications, personal statement and references before a final decision is made to interview or offer a place on the course.

Multiple mini-interviews.

Not considered.

The University of Buckingham is a not-for-profit educational charity that receives no government subsidies. More information on fees. Please note the application deadline for this course is 31 August of each year. This course is 4.5 years and the term starts in January 2021.

University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine

Mb bchir medicine (a100).

Number of applicants per interview: Home: - | International: -

Number of applicants per place: Home: 6 | International: 20

Typical offers are A*A*A at A level, or A1A1A2 in Scottish Advanced Highers. On entry, applicants must have A level passes in Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics, Maths (two required by some colleges). Please note that the success rate for students offering three or more Science/Maths A levels has often been higher than for those without.

40–42 points, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level. On entry, applicants must have Higher Chemistry and at least one of Higher Biology, Physics, Maths (two required by some Colleges).

Personal statement is reviewed prior to interview but not scored.

Panel interview/s (usually two interviews lasting 25–30 minutes at one College).

To develop understanding of what a career in medicine involves and suitability for your intended profession, candidates are strongly advised (though not required) to undertake some relevant work experience (either paid or voluntary) in a health or related area. The medical school is not prescriptive about how this is obtained and recognises the widely differing opportunities available.

Contextual data is considered within the admissions process; relevant applications receive contextual flags based on individual, socio-economic and educational disadvantage. This information is fully considered as part of a holistic admissions process to aid in the fair assessment of applicants, but does not result in systematic lower grade offers. The university delivers a Medicine Summer School with the Sutton Trust, alongside a number of other subject-specific outreach interventions.

See website for more details.

Page 1 2 3 4 5

Terms and conditions
Privacy statement
Safeguarding policy

Medical Schools Council registered Charity No. 1155370 A Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales Company No. 8817383 Registered Office: Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HD

Admission office: +7 969 2834820 [email protected]

First Moscow State Medical University

Be a student of the best medical unviersity in Russia

Study medicine in Russia

The highest quality of education for low tuition fees

Admission 2021-2022 is started

All foreign students can apply online now

Admission is open

Welcome to FMSMU

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University is the oldest leading medical university in Russia that has become a cradle of most medical schools and scientific societies of our country. For decades it has been unofficially known as “First Med”.University success is based on a blend of glorious traditions and actual innovative approaches multiplied by a great potential of human resources. We are proud to be a unique educational, scientific and medical complex that graduates, certifies and provides lifelong professional education for physicians and other healthcare workers; that contributes significantly to the domestic and global medicine. The University is closely linked to the fundamental and applied research, highly efficient medical treatment, and propaganda of medical and pharmaceutical achievements. Our University is rich with knowledge and experience that is generously transferred to our students, to those whose mission will be to face the challenges of the 21st century in the field of medicine and people aiding, to implement new methods and technologies in healthcare.

Rector, P. V. Glybochko

CHOOSE COURSE

Fill application form, admission proccess, enjoy your study, explore our faculties.

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Dentistry

Faculty of Pharmacy

Postgraduate

Faculty of Postgraduate

Preventive Medicine

Faculty of Preventive Medicine

Faculty of Pediatrics

Health Care Management

Faculty of Health Care Management and Economics

Preparatory

Faculty of Preparatory Studies

Faculty of Higher Nursing Training, Psychology and Social Work

First moscow state medical university.

We are the best medical university in Russia in big number of rankings

MBBS in Russia | MBBS in Moscow | Study in Russia | Study in Moscow | Education in Russia | Education in Moscow | I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | FMSMU | MBBS Admission in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | MBBS Fee in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | Direct Admission in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | Apply for MBBS Admission in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | How to Get Direct Admission in MBBS in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | Study in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | About I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | Tuition Fee in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

Admission 2021-2022 is open

Dear prospective students. We are glad to inform you that First Moscow State Medical University start admission for 2021-2022. All foreign students can apply now

May 27, 2020

Season’s Greetings from Sechenov University

Sechenov University Maintained its Position in the 5-100 Project

Russian Urologists to Create an “ideal” Protocol for Managing Early Stages of Prostate Cancer

Sechenov University to Host a Major Urology Conference

Admission process
Admission requirements
Application form
Admission 2021-2022
Tuition fee
Apply online
Visa requirements
Our representatives
Russian embassies
Airport pickup
Faculties and Departments
University Leadership
FMSMU Worldwide
Clinics of FMSMU

How to Approach Your Personal Statement: Dos and Don’ts

By Sammi Scarola
May 6, 2021
Medical Student , Pre-med
Medical School Application , Personal Statement

Like many premed students, you are diligently working hard on applications, getting transcripts, asking for letters of recommendation , and choosing how to approach your personal statement. Writing your personal statement is a daunting and, in some cases, painful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be motivating to recall the events and influences that have led you to this point in your life—applying to medical school.

Learn from the many, many premeds who have been down this road before. Our list of personal statement Dos and Don’ts will help you make the most of the experience and ensure you don’t make any of the usual mistakes.

Read our free Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write a Medical School Personal Statement for tips on getting started, what to include, and common mistakes to avoid.

The Purpose of a Personal Statement

Medical school admissions committees want to see what inspired you and prepared you to go to medical school. They want to know if you truly have a passion for medicine and are ready for the rigor of medical education.

Medical school is challenging, stressful, expensive, and only the beginning of a much longer journey. Medical schools want to ensure they are accepting students that are equipped for the journey and have a genuine desire to practice medicine. This saves both the school and the student time and money.

|| 6 Common Medical School Application Mistakes – Pre-Meds Be Warned ||

The Personal Statement is an Opportunity

Instead of looking at the personal statement as yet another hurdle to jump through when applying to medical school, view it as an opportunity. All of the other aspects of your application are pretty standard. They see your MCAT score , your college GPA and course performance, your volunteer hours, and your listed clinical experiences. What they don’t see is who you are underneath your accomplishments.

This is what the personal statement allows you to demonstrate. Admissions committees already have your CV and transcripts, so the personal statement should show a more multifaceted view of who you are.

This is your chance to convey your personality, character traits, and personal narrative. Your personal statement is what helps you to stand out among thousands of similar applicants. Be sure to share meaningful information and help the readers feel a personal connection with you. Tell your story.

Getting Started

Many students find getting started is the hardest part of writing a personal statement. Writing your personal statement requires ample time for reflection. To get started, brainstorm some of your best qualities and character traits and list them on paper. Ask yourself: “ What character traits do I want admissions committees to focus on? ”

Then, brainstorm some of the events and experiences in your past that best portray these qualities. For example, avoid telling the admissions committee that you are “ motivated, empathetic, and compassionate .” Instead, SHOW them that you’re motivated, empathetic, and compassionate by telling a story that exemplifies these characteristics. It is important that your personal statement is a narrative rather than a list of your accolades and qualifications.

For more on how to begin your process, read: How to Start the Medical School Personal Statement .

Writing your Personal Statement

Once you’ve identified the personal traits and experiences you want to convey to the admissions committee, writing your personal statement will come much more easily. Remember to share moments of your life that mattered. The experiences you choose to share must have played an active role in shaping who you are as a person and influenced your desire to pursue medicine.

When writing about your experiences, ensure they showcase your passion for medicine and be sure to include your own reflections and lessons learned. These experiences are not required to be medical in nature but should portray why your journey through medical school will be successful.

With so many career paths relating to science and the medical field, it is imperative that you portray why being a physician is the only path for you and why it’s a good fit for who you are as a person. Show them why you would be a good physician and what unique gifts you will bring to the field to help your patients. Remember to share information that makes you memorable and unique so that you stand out among many similar applicants.

Don’t forget that during your interviews , the admissions committee will certainly ask you about the experiences or traits expressed in your personal statement, so share information you want to be asked about and can elaborate on in person.

Learn more in The Anatomy of a Medical School Personal Statement .

How to Approach Your Personal Statement: Dos and Don’ts

DO organize your personal statement . It should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion that flow into each other.
DO start writing as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the perfect idea magically pops into your head. Do some brainstorming and get writing as soon as possible. Your first draft won’t be anywhere near perfect so the sooner you begin, the more time you will have to edit, refine, or start over again with a better idea.
DO have a theme. Ensure that the theme is present throughout the entire personal statement.
DO use transition sentences. Transition sentences highlight the logical relationship between paragraphs and sections of a text. They provide greater cohesion and make explicitly clear how ideas are related to one another. Think of a transition sentence as a bridge between one idea and the next.
DO follow the requirements: 5300 character limit for MD applications. Remember that if you are applying to DO schools your personal statement must address why you want to become an osteopath specifically, and if you are applying through TMDSAS, there’s a 5000 character limit. ( AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS Application Differences )
DO put significant effort into editing your essay. Read your essay over and over again for proper grammar and sneaky typos. Use editing apps such as Grammarly and Hemingway Editor , but don’t rely on bots alone.
DO consult experts : You don’t have to go it alone. Seek out help and personal statement editing from professionals who have years of experience reviewing personal statements and serving on admissions committees. Ask mentors, or anyone else you know, with intimate experience in the medical school admissions process. If you don’t have anyone in your own network, Med School Insiders has top advisors who have admissions committee experience as well as extensive experience editing thousands of successful Personal Statements.
DON’T use clichés. It’s great that you like science, but I can assure you that all applicants like science. It is important that you want to help people, but so do all of the other applicants. Avoid stating the obvious. Instead, try to be unique.
DON’T make careless grammatical errors. This can be the difference between an interview offer and a rejection . Grammatical errors suggest that you are either careless or don’t really care about entering medical school. Attention to detail is important in medicine, so exhibit that skill while writing your personal statement.
DON’T lie or fabricate stories or information . Just don’t do it. You do not want to get caught in a lie in the middle of an interview, and it is simply unprofessional. Remember that your personal statement is your only chance to demonstrate who you are , so tell your story truthfully.
DON’T make excuses for poor grades or MCAT scores. This is definitely not the place for that. Focus on sharing your story and expressing the personal qualities you’re most proud of. If there was an event that played a large role in your journey, feel free to write about it, but do not simply make excuses for weak parts of your application.
DON’T speak negatively about a physician or healthcare professional. You may have had negative interactions with a physician and feel compelled to discuss how those negative encounters shaped your desire to become a physician, but leave this out of your statement. These experiences may have strongly impacted you, but admissions committees may be deterred by your cynicism towards the healthcare profession.
DON’T overuse the word I. Doing so makes you more likely to state your accomplishments instead of telling a story.
DON’T use flowery language or words you found in a thesaurus. Be respectful and thoughtful with your language, but focus on using words that come naturally to you.
DON’T list your accomplishments or rehash your CV and extracurriculars. They already have access to those aspects of your application. Use the personal statement as an opportunity to provide a deeper insight into who you are as a person and prospective physician.
DON’T beg for an interview or acceptance. This is unprofessional and not at all the purpose of your personal statement.
DON’T explain to a physician what medicine is all about. Talk about yourself and your experiences; the admissions committee already understands medicine.
DON’T procrastinate. Get started on your personal statement as soon as you can. Set time aside every day to reflect on the moments in your life that have shaped your desire to become a physician.
DON’T edit your personal statement by yourself. You should get outside opinions and have others edit your essay to ensure there’s nothing you missed. Having strong writers edit your essay is helpful, but it’s best to have physicians and those who have served on admissions committees as editors. They can edit beyond spelling or grammar to provide an insider’s perspective on what will impress medical schools. Med School Insiders offers a range of personal statement editing packages , from general editing to unlimited, in-depth editing with a physician.

Learn more about our Comprehensive Medical School Admissions Packages and follow our blog for the latest premed advice, study strategies, and more.

|| Guide to Understanding the Medical School Application Process ||

Sammi Scarola

AACOMAS - doctor hands helping a patient

2024 AACOMAS Application Guide for DO Schools

Use our AACOMAS application guide for an ideal DO school application timeline, what you need to include, mistakes to avoid, and frequently asked questions.

2024 TMDSAS Application Guide for Texas Medical Schools

Use our TMDSAS medical school application guide for key insight into the primary application process. We’ll outline an ideal application timeline, what you need to include, mistakes to avoid, and FAQs.

AAMC PREview - Female student at a computer taking the exam

2024 AAMC PREview Prep Guide—Everything You Need to Know

Here’s everything you need to know about the new AAMC PREview Exam, including test logistics, who needs to take it, how it’s scored, and how to prepare.

Join the Insider Newsletter

Receive regular exclusive MSI content, news, and updates! No spam. One-click unsubscribe.

Customer Note Premed Preclinical Med Student Clinical Med Student

You have Successfully Subscribed!

IMAGES

amp-pinterest in action
FREE 7+ Sample Medical School Personal Statement Templates in MS Word
2017-SAMPLE PERSONAL STATEMENTS.pdf
Medical School Personal Statement Examples
Personal Statement Format Medical School
Personal Essays For Medical School

VIDEO

The importance of nutrition and botanicals in healthcare: a physician's perspective
Write an Incredible Personal Statement: 3 Steps with Examples
Personal Statement Example
Episode 1: Live Q&A with Jessica Freedman, M.D.
MedStarTutors
Complete guide to writing a medical school personal statement

COMMENTS

Reapplying to Medical School: Every Major Question Answered
Part 1: Introduction to reapplication to medical school. If you're worried about being a medical school reapplicant, you're not alone. In fact, since only roughly 40% of applicants matriculate into U.S. MD programs in any given application cycle, nearly 60% of applicants face the decision to pursue a different career or to reapply. While ...
Medical School Reapplicant Personal Statement Guide
A reapplicant personal statement, while much the same as one for a first-time applicant, gracefully acknowledges the previous rejection. Admissions committee members will know you are a reapplicant, and they expect you to address it by illustrating what has changed since you first applied. The personal statement is a huge opportunity to tell ...
Do I Need to Rewrite My Personal Statement if I Reapply?
If you're a reapplicant to medical school, you MUST rewrite your personal statement 100%. If you're applying with the same personal statement and applying to the same school, they'd look at your personal statement from last time and this time (they could!). And when they look the same but you're rejected last time.
6 Steps to Reapplying to Medical School
Step 1 | Accurately Assess Your Medical School Application. After a rejection, or really any obstacle you face in life, you have three main options. First, give up. Second, try the same thing expecting different results—the definition of insanity. Or third, learn from your mistakes and improve.
Reapplying to Medical School
Reapplying to medical school. Associate Dean for Admissions Demicha Rankin, MD, shares how to best prepare yourself to reapply for medical school. Hearing "no" can be discouraging, but Dr. Rankin reminds you that this means "not yet.". Here, she provides tips regarding your personal statement, letters of recommendation and studying for ...
Medical School Reapplicant FAQs—13 Questions Answered
Medical School Reapplicant FAQs—13 Questions Answered. By Med School Insiders. February 13, 2023. Pre-med. Reapplicant. Not being accepted to medical school the first time obviously isn't what you were hoping for, but you're far from alone. Of the upwards of 50,000 applicants who apply every year, about two thirds are rejected.
2024 Medical School Personal Statement Ultimate Guide (Examples
Part 1: Introduction to the medical school personal statement. You probably know someone who achieved a solid GPA and MCAT score, conducted research, shadowed physicians, engaged in meaningful volunteer work, and met all the other medical school requirements, yet still got rejected by every school they applied to.. You may have even heard of someone who was rejected by over 30 medical schools ...
What You Need To Know As A Medical School Reapplicant
Medical School Reapplicant Tip #2: Review Our Tips For Writing Strong Essays. With up to 5300-characters allotted for your personal statement, 700 characters for a maximum of 15 activities (including 3 most meaningful activities with an additional 1325 characters), and secondaries essays from most schools, your ability to succeed when applying to medical schools is highly dependent on your ...
15 Tips for Your Medical School Personal Statement
Bring your own voice and perspective to your personal statement to give it a truly memorable flavor. 5. Be interesting. Start with a "catch" that will create intrigue before launching into the story of who you are. Make the admissions committee want to read on! Book an Admissions Consultant. For Free. 6. Show don't tell.
Revise a Personal Statement for Your Medical School Reapplication
Do not reuse your previous personal statement; as a reapplicant to medical school, you really need to differentiate your current application from the previous one as much as you can. Some medical schools keep previous applications on file and compare the old and current applications. When revising a personal statement, you don't have to do ...
Your Questions Answered About Reapplying to Medical School
Using the same personal statement is a big disadvantage for students reapplying to medical school. Reapplicants need to write a new personal statement, and this can be difficult for students who struggled with their personal statement the first time around. 💡 Review Medical School Personal Statement Examples and Crucial Advice.
Reapplying to Medical School: The Ultimate Guide
But looking at medical school reapplicant personal statement examples can be useful to see what worked for other applicants. Medical School Reapplicant Personal Statement Examples. Let's take a look at an example personal statement that impressed the University of Minnesota's Medical School admissions officers.
Top 3 Reasons to NOT Reuse your Personal Statement
Reason 3: Live in the Present. You are not the same person or professional you were last year. Your Personal Statement should always focus on the person you are NOW. Assuming you are the type of residency candidate who moves forward and continues pursuing new Work, Volunteer, and Research experiences, those experiences should not be forgotten ...
The Anatomy of a Stellar Medical School Personal Statement
The Anatomy of a Personal Statement. There is a 5,300 character maximum for your personal statement. That's about 1.5 pages of single-spaced 12-point Times New Roman font to demonstrate why you want to go to medical school. A personal statement is made up of three parts: Introduction (Bread) Body (Meat and Vegetables) Conclusion (Bread)
Residency Personal Statement: The Ultimate Guide (Example Included)
A step-by-step medical residency personal statement guide to help you match into your dream program ... In medical school, I serendipitously found the specialty within which I wanted to apply this passion after accidentally dumping a bag of mulched poison ivy on my head. The resulting rash was painful but interesting and sparked a curiosity ...
Reusing Personal Statement
This is my second year applying and I was wondering if I can reuse my personal statement for MD. Thanks. Forums. ... OOS, 506, 3.52 cGPA, 3.34 sGPA. One interview at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University For MD Click to expand... Forget the PS, you need to bump your MCAT. Reactions: 2 users S. SpoiledMilk Full Member. 7+ Year Member. Joined ...
Writing Your Personal Statement for Medical School Applications
Your personal statement will likely focus on 3-5 key experiences Your activities list will name 15 experiences, including the 3-5 mentioned in the personal statement. Your "most meaningful" experiences will be present in your personal statement, so extra care must be taken to write these in a way that adds depth without being repetitive.
Personal Statements
1. The personal statement will rarely affect whether or not you get in. Mostly that will be your letters of rec, resume, grades (and GRE and writing sample, if those are applicable). Helping your recommenders write letters that really represent you is a much more valuable use of your time than turning an ok statement into a good one.
Entry requirements for 2024 start
The medical school may consider all the information provided within a candidates application including academic qualifications, personal statement and references before a final decision is made to interview or offer a place on the course.
Medical School Reapplicants
Each year, approximately 40% of medical school applicants successfully matriculate, leaving nearly 60% facing the decision whether they should reapply or pursue another career altogether. Unfortunately, there's a great deal is misinformation surrounding this stress-inducing topic - should you change your personal statement or use the same ...
First Moscow State Medical University
History Coin of the Bank of Russia (silver, 3 rubles, reverse), series "Science", 250th anniversary of the Moscow Sechenov Medical Academy.Monument to Ivan Sechenov on Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street in Moscow. The university was inaugurated as the Imperial Moscow University (Moscow State University since 1917) in 1755.It is named after Ivan Sechenov, a doctoral graduate of Moscow Imperial, who ...
First Moscow State Medical University
Welcome to FMSMU. I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University is the oldest leading medical university in Russia that has become a cradle of most medical schools and scientific societies of our country. For decades it has been unofficially known as "First Med".University success is based on a blend of glorious traditions and actual ...
2024 How to Write a Medical School Personal Statement (11 Steps)
2024 How to Write a Medical School Personal Statement (11 Steps) Each piece of a med school application brings a unique set of anxiety-ridden challenges, but few equal that of the personal statement. A personal statement is much, much more than a narrative-version of your CV. Reiterating your grades and extracurriculars in complete sentences is ...
MSU Faculty of Fundamental Medicine
MSU Faculty of Medicine or FBM/FFM MSU ( Russian: факультет фундаментальной медицины - ФФМ) is a medical faculty in Moscow State University. Founded in 1992 by an order of the Rector of Moscow State University, Professor V.A.Sadovnichy, FBM MSU is one of the institutions of higher learning in medicine in ...
How to Approach Your Personal Statement: Dos and Don'ts
The Purpose of a Personal Statement. Medical school admissions committees want to see what inspired you and prepared you to go to medical school. They want to know if you truly have a passion for medicine and are ready for the rigor of medical education. Medical school is challenging, stressful, expensive, and only the beginning of a much ...

Do I Need to Rewrite My Personal Statement if I Reapply?

[00:37] Re-Applicant’s Personal Statement

[02:28] Should Your Failure the First Time Be in Your Personal Statement?

[04:05] It’s a New Application!

SEARCH SITE

LISTEN FOR FREE

RECENT POSTS

How Can I Fight The Fear I’ve Destroyed My Chances?

Recovering From a Low GPA, What Are My Chances?

How do I Navigate Secondaries as a NP?

Initiatives

Reapplying to Medical School

Reapplying to medical school

Ask the question: Where did I go wrong in my medical school application?

Take time to positively impact your portfolio before you reapply to medical school

Can you reuse your personal statement for medical school when you reapply?

Use the interview to show how you have improved as a medical school reapplicant

Helpful Links

Recently viewed courses

Enter your email to unlock an extra $50 off any MCAT program!

Personal Statement Topics

How to Write a Personal Statement for Medical School

1. Write, re-write, let it sit, and write again!

2. Stay focused.

3. Back off the cliches.

4. Find your unique angle.

5. Be interesting.

6. Show don't tell.

7. Embrace the 5-point essay format.

8. Good writing is simple writing.

9. Be thoughtful about transitions.

Free MCAT Practice Tests & Events

10. Stick to the rules.

11. Stay on topic.

12. Don't overdo it.

13. Seek multiple opinions.

14. Double-check the details.

15. Consult the experts about your personal statement strategy.

Want to get an edge over the crowd?

Explore Graduate Programs for You

Best Law Schools

Search for Medical Schools

Find MBA Programs Matched to Your Interests

MCAT Prep Courses

Free MCAT Practice Test

MCAT Self-Paced 14-Day Free Trial

Your Questions Answered About Reapplying to Medical School

How Many Times Can You Apply To Medical School?

Is It Bad to Be a Reapplicant to Med School?

Should I Wait a Year Between My Original Application and Reapplying?

Can You Reapply to Medical School After a Withdrawal?

Can You Reuse Letters of Recommendation?

Are There Any Medical School Reapplicant Disadvantages?

Reapplying to Medical School Resources

Retaking the MCAT

Make Your Reapplication to Medical School Stand Out

Trial Session Enrollment

Free Trial Session Enrollment

Welcome Back!

Please sign up to continue.

Sign up to our Newsletter

Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement

Why Reapplying to Medical School Isn’t Bad

When Should You Reapply?

Assessing Your Previous Application

Planning How to Reapply to Medical School: Step-by-Step

Preparations

Areas of Focus

GPA and MCAT Scores

Letters of Recommendation: What Should Change?

Update Your Work Experience to Strengthen Your Application

Medical School Reapplicant Personal Statement: What Should Change?

Medical School Reapplicant Personal Statement Examples

Interviews

‍ ‍ Where Are You Going to Apply?

How to Go About the Reapplication Process

FAQs: Reapplying to Medical School

1. Is it bad to be a reapplicant for med school?

2. Can I reapply to medical school after withdrawal?

3. Can I reapply to med school with the same application?