1. The chances for applicants with average
credentials to gain admission is
markedly diminished.
2. For the more attractive applicant the number
of multiple acceptances received
will likely be reduced.
3. The number of schools to which an applicant
should apply will probably
increase; consequently, the overall cost to
applicants of the entire admissions
process (such as application fees and interview
expenses) will be higher.
4. The response from medical schools may be
slower due to the large volume of
applications that need to be processed when the
pool is large.
5. Less attractive financial aid packages may
be offered to applicants.
6. Competition will also be intense in the
selection of women and minority group
applicants who make up a sizable segment of
most freshman classes.
7. Marked deficiencies in an applicant's record
will carry more weight than usual,
to the applicant's disadvantage; therefore,
chances of the applicant securing an
interview, which would allow the opportunity to
explain a possible weakness in
that applicant's record, are unfortunately
diminished.
8. Tuition will more likely remain high when
the applicant pool is large.
During a period when the applicant pool is low
(as in 1984–87), the reverse of the
above considerations come into play, to a
degree dependent on the extent of the depres-
sion in the number of applicants.
In light of these considerations, it is
important for all applicants to be alert to the
status of the current size and direction of
movement of the applicant pool for the few
years prior to the time they plan to apply.
They could then anticipate the general impact
that the existing applicant pool situation will
have upon them.
Early Admission
Most applicants to medical school plan to have
their baccalaureate degree before begin-
ning medical study. For a typical entering
class, less than 5% of the first-year students
lacked their bachelor's degree. (For details,
see Table 6.1, page 214.)
There is considerable variation in policy
regarding the admission of students after
only three years of college study. The
percentage of early admissions varies between
none and 25%. In any case, only the exceptional
student should consider applying for
early admission, since only such an applicant
will have a good chance of being
accepted and the best chance of successfully
completing his/her study. Applying early
and not being accepted, however, does not
prejudice your chances for admission the
following year.
If you are interested in the early admission
program, compare the colleges that offer
such programs, using the information included
in Table 6.1.
SELECTION FACTORS
______________________________________________
The admissions process is theoretically geared
to recognize applicants who measure up
to a hypothetical image of the person who, in
the consensus of the medical school's
admissions committee, will prove to be a
successful medical student and in time a quali-
fied and dedicated practitioner. Those who are
accepted may not have all the qualities
that a committee seeks. There may even be some
areas of weakness in a candidate's pro-
file. The weaknesses, however, can be offset by
strengths in other areas so that on bal-
ance the applicant's overall picture is one
that meets the standards that each school sets.
In other words, one need not be the ideal
candidate in order to achieve success.
It should also be realized, as was implied
earlier, that some applicants may, at first
glance, possess an impressive array of
qualifications but nevertheless do not succeed in
gaining admission. These candidates
unfortunately proved unable to effectively project
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