Welcome back to the application timeline series! Below is a timeline to use after the medical school application cycle opens in May. Click here for tips on how to prep in the months before the application cycle opens.
May: Applications for the next class usually open in the first week of May. Start working on your activities and personal statement this month. Focus on getting multiple drafts of both your activities and personal statement before you actually submit your final application. The end of May is when you can start submitting your application–submit on the first day or very close thereafter.
June – July after the application cycle opens: During this time, you should receive secondaries. Do not get overwhelmed by the amount you receive. Create a plan and prioritize based on your preference. You will also find that you can tweak the secondaries to match different essay prompts. Be very careful with this–double-check that you are inputting the correct medical school name. If you mistake the name of a medical school, it is a guaranteed denial. I know a few people who accidentally did this. It is more common than you would think so proceed with caution.
August – April after the application cycle opens: Interview season! Make sure you practice your interviewing skills and obtain professional clothes. Planning for transportation and hotels can be stressful, thus plan early to ensure a less stressful day. Invest in a portfolio to take to your interview.
May after application cycle opens: Make your final decisions. If you are accepted, congratulations! Getting an acceptance into a medical school is no small victory! Take some time off and celebrate! If you are wait-listed, do not lose faith! One of my classmates obtained his acceptance to KYCOM the day of our orientation. Do not lose faith. If you were rejected, there is still hope. I would call the medical schools you’re most interested in and see how you can improve your application. Many of my classmates applied to medical school multiple times. It only takes one school for you to become a doctor. Always remind yourself why you started this process.
Be sure to check out Part 3 of the Medical School Application Timeline Series to see the final words of advice!
