There are many reasons that people alter the course of their careers. Sometimes it happens soon after they enter the workforce, but for others it takes a few years and different paths before they discover something that ignites a passion.
For nontraditional medical school applicants, the road to becoming a doctor can be especially arduous. As they research and apply to different programs, nontraditional applicants might have concerns about how they are being perceived and evaluated or the best strategy to impress admissions committees.
Nontraditional applicants bring a special set of qualities to medical schools. Admissions committees often find pleasure in reviewing applications from individuals who have not only succeeded academically, but who also have a unique set of life experiences to contribute to the medical profession.
Work, travel, graduate education, family responsibilities and the other endeavors of nontraditional students often contribute richly to diversifying the student body and culture of a medical school. Nontraditional applicants, however, may doubt themselves in terms of their own competitiveness as they are compared with traditional applicants who are applying fresh from their respective degree programs.
Nontraditional applicants typically fall into one of two categories. There are several things individuals in each area should consider when preparing a medical school application.
— Second degree seekers: These are individuals who have completed a non-science undergraduate degree program and became inspired to pursue medicine while completing their first degree or soon after obtaining it. Depending on the original degree, admissions committees may want to see these candidates complete science coursework, particularly coursework that meets the institution’s requirements.
Coursework may be obtained from a second degree program, but more often is completed as post-bachelor’s work or through a master’s degree program.
Basic medical science coursework, such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and genetics, are some examples of complementary science coursework recommended by medical schools. For those working full time, a full course load may not be possible.
Admissions committees will, however, prefer applicants take more than one course per semester to provide sufficient evidence of academic prowess essential for the rigors of medical school.
[Learn how to avoid the common mistakes that lead to medical school rejections.]
— Career changers: These prospective students have typically pursued a career path that might be connected to or completely outside of that of a physician. Medicine attracts a wide array of people, including former firefighters or paramedics, accountants or retired automotive company executives.
Like those who are seeking a second degree, applicants in this category should research the requirements of the schools they are considering. They may also want to complete additional science courses or build a community service portfolio by volunteering at a clinic, hospital or other medical setting.
Nontraditional applicants should not be shy about referring to aspects of their lives that may be applicable in essays or interviews, and they should definitely not misrepresent aspects of their backgrounds.
Applicants who have a spouse or children should ensure that the entire family is on board with the commitment required for medical school and a career in medicine. Medical school is stressful and will likely affect your lifestyle. One may expect to miss out on major life activities, such as family gatherings, children’s sporting events and other social engagements due to the requirements of coursework and the hours one must invest in studying.
[Find out what to consider before applying to medical school as an older student.]
Although most medical schools do not keep track of how many nontraditional students they admit, anecdotal evidence suggests that the number has increased over the past decade and will likely continue in response to concerns about the approaching physician shortages and changes in patient care expectations.
The bottom line is this: Don’t discount your life experiences. Embrace them and connect them to how you will contribute to the profession and to a high-quality patient care experience.
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Nontraditional Students Can Be Attractive Medical School Applicants originally appeared on usnews.com
