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So You've Been Put On The Waitlist: What's Next?

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You've  waited for a decision and word has finally arrived: you've been placed on the waitlist. It's okay for applicants to feel some anxiety when placed as an alternate. That's normal. More uncertainty isn't something an applicant begs to endure. But don't necessarily take it as a bad omen either. More than disappointment, you should have hope. You still have a chance, after all. Considering the sheer number of applicants across the country each year, the truth is that it's actually pretty common to be in this situation. Thousands of accepted students matriculate off the waitlist each year. With only 5-10% of students matriculating from the waitlist at some schools, others accept as high as 50-60% of their incoming class from waitlisted applicants. The question then is, "What should I do now?" Remain Positive Waitlist does not mean rejection. While this isn't ideal, getting your name onto a waitlist is an accomplishment and shows

Early Assurance Application Deadline Set for Feb. 18th

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The deadline to apply to the MSU College of Human Medicine through Early Assurance is Wednesday, February 18th. Early Assurance is an enriched, interest-directed program that gives undergraduate students from both MSU and partner universities the opportunity to apply to the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) in their junior year (or the year prior to completion of their undergraduate degree). The College provides early assurance of medical school admission for students interested in becoming MD physicians in an underserved region or with an underserved population. Please note that application procedures for MSU students differ than those for students attending one of our partner colleges/universities. Current MSU students apply through the Early Assurance Opportunity (EAO) whereas students from partner universities apply to the Early Assurance Program (EAP). Click this button for a list of partner universities. Applicants who secure acceptance to the College through

CHM: 50 Years (And Beyond) of Innovative Thinking

Today marks the last day of 2014, officially closing out a very special year for the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM)—our 50th Anniversary . Green. White. Golden. MSU College of Human Medicine 1964–2014 from MSU MD on Vimeo . As national pioneers of community-based medicine , the trait that Dean Marsha Rappley feels is most commonly associated with the College is innovation. And through innovative thinking, our goal has always been to prepare future physicians to meet the ever-changing needs of the medically underserved. A main way to do that is naturally through curriculum. With so many medical advancements in the last half-century, CHM has always understood that thoroughly preparing our students means being continuously self-aware in regards to updating the curriculum through time. From emphasizing new angles on primary care and family practice to growing the concepts of problem-based learning, medical students have had the opportunity to get actively involved in c

It's All About Fit: A Holistic Approach To CHM Admissions

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By Joel Maurer, MD, FACOG Assistant Dean, Admissions Michigan State University College of  Human Medicine Over the last five years, CHM Admissions has solidified its commitment to an admissions process that uses principles of holistic review (a balanced consideration of academic metrics, activities in preparation for a career in medicine, and personal characteristics consistent with the kind of physician we strive to train and graduate) in selecting each incoming class of medical students. Historically, our College has long understood that intelligence is a key component in becoming a successful doctor, but it also appreciates that above and beyond a certain level of "smartness" does not necessarily make a better doctor.  While activities listed and discussed on a medical school application and during an interview process also remain a key component in the decision-making process, the evaluation of personal characteristics consistent with becoming a successful doc

Waiting On A Decision: Post-Interview Outcomes & Scenarios

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The interview process for the incoming class is in full swing and applicants are now receiving word on their decisions. If you're out there interviewing, that's a good sign that your application is competitive. A strong showing in the interview can decide what you ultimately hear from the school. Generally, there are three scenarios post-interview: Accepted Congrats! Your path to becoming a med school student just got a bit clearer. But there are still some issues you must consider. For instance, if you are accepted at several institutions, a decision on where you'd like to attend is imminent. Not many people get the luxury of receiving several acceptances so if you are certain of which school you'd like to attend, it's helpful and considerate to withdraw your application from the school(s) you choose not to attend. This way, they are clear about having that spot open for other candidates. Admissions offices appreciate it. Some schools also allow applicant

All About The MMI: Tips on What To Expect and How To Prepare

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Applicant interviews are underway across the country and medical schools are finally coming face-to-face with candidates for their incoming classes next fall. Each institution has their own characteristics to look for as well as their own strategies for evaluating applicants. Here at MSU, we've utilized the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format in our Interview Day since 2011. In fact, the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) was the first medical school in the state of Michigan to implement the method. While this is a relatively new interview format in the United States, it has been used successfully for years throughout Canada and Australia. Developed at McMaster University (Canada), more and more stateside schools are adopting the MMI each year, which has become increasingly popular beyond just medical schools. To understand why, it's important to know what the MMI is. What is the MMI?   The MMI is a series of short (timed), highly structured "interviews"

College of Human Medicine Assistant Dean for Admissions To Host Workshop at Nation's Largest Pre-Health Conference

The largest pre-health conference in the country is just around the corner, with CHM's head of admissions scheduled to lead a workshop. The 12th Annual UC-Davis Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professions National Conference will be held just 15 minutes outside of Sacramento on October 11-12. The two-day event will cover health professional topics just as varied as the selection of keynote speakers, panels, and workshops. Our very own Joel Maurer , MD, FACOG, Assistant Dean for Admissions at the MSU College of Human Medicine , will be speaking at the conference for the fourth consecutive year. "I always look forward to describing the mission of our college, as I believe there are certain components of it that should truly resonate with most people who attend. Since we typically matriculate 15-20% out-of-state applicants (much higher than most state-supported medical schools), I like to encourage them to at least look at us," says Maurer. The AMCAS Personal Statement

CHM Admissions Uses A Mission-Based Assessment Beyond Academics

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As we've mentioned before, the reality of the medical school application process is that it is competitive. Tens of thousands of students across the country are vying for what amounts to only a few thousand spots. Sure, good grades and high scores are important to being a competitive applicant. But that will only get you so far. More and more schools such as the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (CHM) are looking beyond one's academic profile. Truth is, every cycle is full of applicants with terrific scores and grades. What sets you apart? While we strive for a class with GPA and MCAT scores approximating the national average of accepted students, the CHM admissions committee uses a mission-based assessment of applicants that strongly considers nonacademic variables. For this reason, the CHM Office of Admissions does not use specific GPA and MCAT cutoffs. That isn't to say your numbers aren't important. They certainly are. Admissions teams n

Head of CHM Admissions Office Takes On ALS Ice Bucket Challenge; Offers Hefty Challenge of His Own

Ordinarily, having a bucket of ice water dumped over your head isn't something someone would do for fun. But this is more than that. There's something special going on here. Folks from coast to coast are taking up the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in what has turned out to be a national craze on social media. Uploaded videos across the internet show people taking on the challenge and daring even more souls to either accept within 24 hours or donate to the ALS Association. Adults and children from all walks of life have participated, raising awareness and funding for the cause. Sure enough, the challenge was bound to reach the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM). Faculty and staff are taking Dean Marsha Rappley's lead , which includes our very own Joel Maurer, MD, Assistant Dean, Admissions, who was recently challenged by a long-time friend. With students from CHM's incoming class on hand and the Magic Johnson statue towering above, Dr. Maurer issued his own ch

How To Tailor Your Secondary Application

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The secondary application process typically begins around July, when verified primary applications from AMCAS start getting sent to individual institutions. Some medical schools, such as the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM), automatically invite all applicants to submit secondary applications. In contrast, other schools review their candidates before deciding who is allowed to send a secondary. Now in August, you may already have a nice stack of secondary applications, each with several essay prompts. The secondary essay prompts, in general, should help address any deficiencies in the application, helping the reviewers better assess the applicant. Each school has their own set of prompts, specific to what they are looking for in a candidate. So while applicants may encounter similar questions and prompts, note that secondaries should be tailored in two specific ways that, essentially, go hand-in-hand. 1. Secondary applications should fill in the gaps. Reviewers and