Commonly Overlooked Medical School Application Mistakes

This Moon Prep article was originally published on U.S. News.

It’s no secret that medical school is competitive. That’s why it’s important to optimize your application – even seemingly minor setbacks can cost an applicant admission.

Stay ahead by avoiding six of the most commonly overlooked medical school application mistakes.

1. Submitting the Primary Application Too Late

The primary application opens in early June. Students should plan to submit on the day it opens.

Many pre-med applicants mistakenly think they have time because schools stop accepting primary applications between September and December. However, students who submit their primary application earlier get their applications reviewed earlier in the rolling admissions process. That means more interview invitations are available.

Diligent students who submitted their primary applications early may have exhausted a school’s allocation of acceptances, and those who submit later in the cycle may be rejected, even with a robust application.

For the best chances of medical school admission, submit your primary application as early as possible.

2. Applying Before Receiving Your MCAT Score

Many students make the mistake of applying before receiving their MCAT score. Students often score significantly differently on test day than on their practice test. Relying on a practice score to create your school list can lead to having an unbalanced list.

Take the MCAT before April of the year of your application cycle to ensure that you have enough time to receive your score, create a balanced school list and submit your applications on time.

3. Having an Unbalanced School List

Each applicant should apply to about 20 to 30 medical schools. Your MCAT score should be at or below the average score of matriculated students for about 75% of the list, while the remaining 25% can be considered “reach” schools.

Many students erroneously believe that considerable hours in volunteering or clinical work can make up for 10 to 15 points on the MCAT. While extracurricular activities are important, weighing them more heavily than the MCAT score can lead to an unbalanced list.

4. Disregarding D.O. Programs

D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and those holding the degree are physicians, just like those holding a medical doctor degree, or M.D.

Many students shy away from applying to D.O. programs under the false assumption that they are lower quality than M.D.-granting medical schools.

Those with an MCAT score below the national average should strongly consider applying to a majority of D.O. programs for a higher chance of admission. If your end goal is to care for patients, it won’t matter if the two letters after your name are D.O. or M.D.

5. Submitting Secondary Applications Too Late

Just like the primary application, secondary applications are also considered under the rolling admissions process. Not only will those first in line get considered first, but submitting a polished essay within a quick turnaround time demonstrates your writing skills, preparedness and interest.

Aim to submit secondaries within two weeks of receiving them. This can quickly become overwhelming for students applying to 20 to 30 schools, so start early by prewriting essays for the most common prompts before you even receive the secondary application.

6. Not Taking Interview Preparation Seriously

The interview is the last obstacle before receiving an admissions decision. Put your best foot forward by taking your preparation seriously.

There are two types of interviews: the traditional interview and the multiple mini interview. Familiarize yourself with both types, the most commonly asked questions and the competencies that schools are looking for.

Many applicants benefit from working with a counselor who can simulate a mock interview for the opportunity to practice out loud and build confidence.

Avoiding these commonly overlooked mistakes can make a significant difference in the strength of your application. Careful planning and an early start can help ensure your application is positioned for the best possible outcome.