Premedical Checklist for Seniors Majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology (or other majors).

1. Follow the "traffic rules" for acceptance and rejection procedures.

• Acceptance rules are found at the AMCAS web site under Applicant Responsibilites.
• You run the risk of being blacklisted by all medical schools if you do not follow these rules. Ignorance is not a valid excuse. Do not violate these rules.

2. Move into the final phases of preparation for the interview by the Premedical Committee and by medical school admission committees.

• For cell and molecular biology majors, mock interviews will be arranged by your premedical advisor.

3. Make sure you schedule the activities for review and interview by the Missouri State University Premedical Committee in a timely fashion.

• Prepare for the Premedical Committee interview, fill out the required forms neatly, and submit them well before the deadline suggested.
• Don't underestimate the importance of the Premedical Committee Recommendation supporting your application to medical school, but do not place too much emphasis on the differences among the various "positive" recommendations. You have the option of asking that a poor recommendation be withdrawn after the Committee notifies you of that recommendation.
• If you receive a recommendation of "recommend with reservations" or "not recommended", note the reasons given for their recommendation and take advantage of the suggestions the Committee has for improving the application at a later date.
• Remember that the Premedical Committee has a lot of experience in evaluating applicants for medical school. Take the Committee recommendation with maturity and be careful not to demonize the Committee or its members.
• Whether positive or negative, send a thank you to the chairperson of Premedical Committee for the Committee's time and efforts on your behalf.
• All of those who support your efforts to enter medical school are not competing with you, but are charged with the responsibility of making comparisons among the applicants they recommend. In the end, you are the person applying to medical school. Make sure you have the credentials that make their task easier in supporting you.
• A positive recommendation from the Premedical Committee is your first good sign.

4. The invitation to submit a secondary application is the applicant's second good sign.

• Submit requested secondary application materials promptly.
• If the school has a secondary application (and most do), the failure to receive an invitation to submit the secondary application is a bad sign.
• If you feel you are a strong applicant, but have not received the invitation to submit a secondary application, inquire.
• Make sure you are aware of the written procedures regarding secondary applications. A few schools have GPA and MCAT cut offs that determine whether applicants should submit secondary applications.

5. The invitation to interview is the applicant's third good sign.

• Be prepared and be confident in your preparedness. Review Sample Interview Questions, Tips, and Format.
• Be specifically prepared to answer the questions usually asked by interviewers at the medical schools where you interview.
• Share your interview experiences with others including your premedical advisor.

6. Keep your premedical advisor and the chair of the Premedical Committee advised of:

• Invitations to submit secondary applications
• Invitations to interview
• Each acceptance
• Being placed on an alternate list or being "wait listed".
• Each rejection (both theirs and yours).

7. After you have received an acceptance:

• Notify schools as soon as possible of your acceptance or rejection of the offer.
• Maintain your grade point average in your senior year whether you have an acceptance or not. Medical schools will often require the students to maintain their GPA during the senior year to retain their "admit status".
• Begin the financial aid planning process with the AAMC (MD)2: Monetary Decisions for Medical Doctors online program.
• Investigate the AAMC Financial Aid Forms Required by Medical Schools using the MSAR searchable database.
• Look into available medical school "service back" scholarship programs such as PRIMO, HPSP, NHSC, and IHS. Loans can be forgiven for service commitment after medical school.
• Make sure you and your parents file IRS forms as early as possible in the filing period. Copies will be required for financial assessment and student loans.
• Complete scholarship and loan applications as soon as possible. The "best deals" are on a first come first serve basis.
• Prepare a budget for medical school. Consider tuition costs and living expenses.
• By or during the summer, make appropriate living arrangements and begin to prepare for medical school enrollment by purchasing books and supplies. Attend orientation programs.

8. If you are "wait-listed", you may have to wait to between June and August to hear whether or not you are accepted.

• Check on your wait-listed status frequently.
• Develop plans for your last minute acceptance.
• Develop alternate plans for a last minute rejection.

9. Handle medical school rejections with dignity and grace.

• Medical schools have specific characteristics they look for in an applicant. Even the "best applicants" may not possess what they may be looking for.
• If you have been rejected by a medical school in which you have particular interest, you may try contacting the Admissions Committee of the school and ask them to review your application with their suggestions on what you might do to make your application stronger during the next application cycle. Some schools will accommodate your request, others will refer you to your premedical advisor.
• Some rejections may not have anything to do with your qualifications to become an excellent physician when the competition is high.
• Link to medical school rejection for some additional advice and guidance.

If you are rejected and decide to reapply, make sure you check over the various Timeline Checklists For Premedical Students. Identify those areas where improvements are needed and then plan your strategies for the next application cycle.

Premedical Timeline Checklist for Freshman Students

Premedical Timeline Checklist for Sophomore Students

Premedical Timeline Checklist for Junior Students

Primary Web Sites for Premedical Students

• Information on the 125 allopathic medical schools in the US: http://www.aamc.org/students/start.htm
• American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for applications to allopathic medical schools.
• Information on the 20 osteopathic medical schools in the US: http://www.aacom.org
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services for applications to osteopathic medical schools

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For More Information

Contact one of the following Premedical Advisors:

Dr. Michael Hendrix* (417) 836-4509, Prof. Bldg, Room 339
Dr. Colette Witkowski* (417) 836-6140, Prof. Bldg, Room 341
Dr. Joanne Gordon (417) 836-7601, Prof. Bldg, Room 335
Dr. Christopher Field (417) 836-5478, Prof. Bldg, Room 352
Dr. Richard Garrad (417) 836-5372, Prof. Bldg, Room 345
Dr. Albert Gordon (417) 836-5730, Prof. Bldg, Room 333

* indicates current member of the Premedical Committee

Department of Biomedical Sciences
Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri 65897
(417) 836-5603