To Be...A Spartan MD

While the current application cycle approaches its final stages, another begins with the next group of wide-eyed #medschool hopefuls, carrying more dreams of scrubs, stethoscopes and surgery rooms. Within the incoming wave of applicants, perhaps no one knows how competitive the medical school application process is more than unsuccessful applicants. Less than 45% of 2013-14 applicants were accepted into medical school. So as the AMCAS application opens for submissions in less than a week (June 3), some of the more persistent applicants are preparing to go through the process for a second—even a third—time. While having to reapply can surely be frustrating, consider this an opportunity to learn from your missteps and show your commitment to medicine. For those looking to reapply, improving your chances of matriculating may require you to simply reflect and react .  REFLECT If you applied to medical school and were not admitted, some personal time for self-assessment is a must

The AMCAS application for the cycle is now open and accepts official submissions in June. While we're sure a good number of applicants may have finished their personal statements already, there may still be a few with some finalizing to do. Some applicants may have written a few drafts yet are looking for ways to polish their statements. The personal statement, after all, is one of the most important portions of an applicant's review. As MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) admissions advisor, Brian Ulrich, points out , "The personal statement is where applicants can demonstrate the personal characteristics and attributes that are required in medical school. Many applicants will have great MCAT scores and a solid GPA. The statement helps set people apart." We hope that by now you've written a draft or two. So if you're looking to tighten it up or round it out, here are some things to consider to ensure you'll have a solid personal statement. **

It is a fact, unfortunately, that over half of the nation's medical school applicants do not get accepted, meaning most students fail to matriculate into any of their medical school choices when they first apply. More specifically, American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) statistics show that just under 42% of applicants in 2013 matriculated into medical school. The reality is there's a ton of great applicants for which schools simply don't have open seats. At MSU in particular, we receive thousands of applications annually from students who have put in a great deal of time and effort to prepare their medical school applications. We understand how one can feel taxed after not receiving an acceptance. If the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) was one of those choices that you were unsuccessful with and you have not been admitted to any of your additional choices, there are steps you can take to become a more competitive applicant should you intend to reapply

Let's face it. The medical school admissions process can be very competitive. Here at the MSU College of Human Medicine  (CHM), for example, over 6,000 applications are received annually. It is said often and truthfully that one of the keys to successful admission into medical school is applying early. Applicants should be ready at every stage of the process, which means preparing before the process even begins. The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application is available in May and allows submissions in June. With the starting line for the next cycle right around the corner, now is the time when potential applicants are wondering how they can prepare in order to place themselves in the best position for when the AMCAS application opens. Here are some tips of what you can be doing to prepare in the meantime. Make A Plan Or in other words, make a timeline if you haven't done so already. This means doing some digging for relevant dates and deadlines

Before graduation commences and the final day as an MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) student comes to a close, the culmination of medical school ultimately leads to this. Just over a month before the official graduation ceremony, a nice banquet room at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the northwest corner of  MSU 's East Lansing campus is filled with fourth-year students. Other CHM sites , like those in Grand Rapids and Traverse City are also hosting students on this special occasion. In each of those rooms, anxiety and anticipation are just as present as the students, friends, and family that fill the seats. It is minutes before noon on Friday, March 21, 2014, and each medical school senior is being handed a plain, white envelope with very important information nuzzled inside. It's Match Day. While CHM's Class of 2014 has now been removed from the medical school application process for several years now, Match Day serves as very visible mark of

January and February have come and gone in a blink of an eye. It's March . At this point in the medical school  application process , people are wrapping up their interviews for spots across the country in the hopes of soon adding "med student" to their list of titles. If you've had interviews, your application has been competitive and you're on the right track. While some applicants will join the class of 2018 at their preferred medical school, others will still be overjoyed to enroll at a second or third preference.  Committee on Admissions decides which of four possible outcomes is rendered for each applicant Regardless of where you end up, all of the nation's medical school applicants will finalize their candidacies with each school through a number of possible scenarios and outcomes. Though the process to get to these scenarios may differ depending on the school, a general set of outcomes is usually imposed—acceptance, waitlist, and rejectio

The weather may not be alluding to it much lately, but season's will be changing soon enough here in Michigan. As spring approaches, it is that time for many premed students to begin thinking about the medical school application process. This stage can come with many questions that we would like to help clear up. The MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) Office of Admissions has announced the date for our Spring 2014 Premedical Day . Taking place at the Secchia Center in Grand Rapids, undergraduate pre-med students can enjoy a great opportunity to meet the College of Human Medicine on the afternoon of March 14th . Registration is required. However, this event is not only open to #premed students. Non-traditional* applicants seeking information on how to apply to CHM are also welcome to see what the MSU CHM application process is all about. Upon check in, Dr. Joel Maurer, Assistant Dean of Admissions for CHM, will be discussing The Makings of a Great Applicant .  Admission

Are you an undergraduate student seriously interested in going to medical school upon graduating? Do you come from a disadvantaged background or have a strong interest in serving in a high-need medical specialty area? If so, you may actually be able to gain acceptance to the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) before graduating with your undergraduate degree. Early Assurance gives students the opportunity to apply to CHM in their junior year (or the year prior to completion of their undergraduate degree) at both public and private undergraduate institutions in the respective communities where the college already has partnerships in the medical training of third and fourth year students. This ability to apply prior to the regular pool of candidates offers several benefits. Perhaps the most obvious benefit of utilizing Early Assurance is simply securing a spot at a top-notch medical school and one of the nation's pioneers of community-based medical education. The real

Green. White. Golden. The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (CHM) was founded in 1964, making this year the 50th anniversary for one of the nation’s pioneer community-based medical education institutions.   With footprints that span the entire state of Michigan, the college is nationally recognized for the social mission of preparing physicians for service in underserved communities—a mission that has been in place since the start. After early 1960's reports suggested an immediate need for additional medical schools in the state of Michigan, MSU Board of Trustees responded in 1961 by implementing a new two-year medical program foundationally supported by other related areas of the university, such as the Institute of Medicine & Biology in the provost's office. The College of Human Medicine came into fruition after several grants further supported successful development of the program. The Board of Trustees soon named Andrew D. Hunt, MD, th

It's the closing of a new year and we, here at the College of Human Medicine Office of Admissions, reflect on a terrific 2013. Like any college, the students are the heart and soul of CHM and we feel we have some of the brightest, most talented future physicians in the nation. As we look forward to a new year, we're sure the incoming class of 2018 will follow suit. Our #SpartanMD's achieved much this year, not only across East Lansing and Grand Rapids, but across the globe. We're proud that the CHM student body took on so much this year in a variety of directions. Considering the many different roles (like teammate, employee, tutor or even mother, father, scholar , researcher , navy medic , and  board member ) each CHM student can play in their daily lives, staff and faculty have the opportunity to witness them take the role of student very seriously. Yet, as a community-based medical school , we also have the opportunity to witness students contribute to t