How to Strengthen Your Medical School Application

10 Things to do to Prepare to Apply to Medical School from the AAMC
Getting the most out of the MSAR
Subscribe to the Premed Navigator from the AAMC
Review the AAMC article How Medical Schools Review Applications.
US News and World Report article 2 Med School Essays That Admissions Officers Loved (well worth a read before writing your own personal statement)
8 Ways to Make Your Medical School Application Shine (University of Michigan Medical School)
Understanding Resilience: Resilience Is About How You Recharge, Not How You Endure. On your medical school application, you will be asked about how you have developed the competency of resilience. For example, on the University of Toledo secondary application, they ask, “discuss a specific experience from your life that you feel demonstrates your level of competence in resilience and adaptability.” Although this article was written in 2016, with no insight into the current pandemic challenges, there are still many transferrable ideas and strategies outlined.

Suggestions from Medical School Students

Insider insights on getting into, and thriving, during medical school: “University of Michigan medical students answer pre-meds’ questions ranging from how to prepare for interviews to how to stay well while juggling medical school.” (Oct 2021)
The University of Michigan has a great webpage called Pay to Forward. It highlights quotes and tips from UM students to future applicants.
Real Stories Demonstrating Core Competencies from the AAMC highlights how students have demonstrated different competencies.
AAMC Inspiring Stories
Beyond Shadowing: How to Get Unique Prehealth Experience (55 min. video)
Paying for Medical School: What Premeds Need to Know (1 hr. video)
AAMC’s Resources for Your Path to Medical School (44 min. video)
Ask a Med Student Video Series
Tips from Med Students:
- Apply early….on the first day.
- The application takes longer to fill out than initially anticipated so PLAN AHEAD.
- Develop faculty mentors and relationships early on in your undergraduate career.
- Relax in your interviews. Take advantage of the opportunity to do a mock interview beforehand through the Career Center.
- Keep informed about current events in healthcare.
- Return secondaries ASAP.
ChooseDO a blog for DO applicants

Even if you are not applying to the University of Michigan Medical School, their website gives a great overview of what they would like to see in a successful candidate. They also include a link for a discussion with Assistant Dean of Admissions, Dr. Steven Gay about the ideal medical school candidate.
Another great article from the University of Michigan Medical School (July 2021): What does it take to get into Michigan’s medical school? Just ask the new dean

Highlighting Non-Medical Related Experiences. This article, written by Jason D’Antonio, PhD, director of the Health Professions Program at Carnegie Mellon University, highlights the qualities a premed can gain from various volunteer activities and how best to incorporate this learning into a medical school application. (April 2020)
Holistic Review: You're More Than a Number (1 hr.)
Tips from Ohio State Associate Dean on interviewing
From Michigan Medicine article about What the Michigan Med School Admissions Team Looks for on Applications (Hint: More Than Grades and Test Scores)
Pre-Application Tips from the University of Michigan Medical School
From Drexel University College of Medicine MD Program Admissions Recommendations
From David Greffen School of Medicine (UCLA) Five Med School Application Tips by the Dean for Admissions