Dr. Raphael Emanuel, International Director, The Med School Exchange

As someone considering a medical career, you are commencing an amazing journey. The challenges and rewards along the way ensure that your life will never be boring.

Your professional options will include:

- Opening and running your own practice, which gives you autonomy and pride.
- Joining a large group where you can collaborate with seasoned colleagues while you practice.
- Becoming a research specialist, allowing you to delve into the core and contribute knowledge to the field of your choice.

However, if the route to a medical career were an easy one, there would be a glut of physicians today. Given the low acceptance rates at medical schools, the first hurdle is the highest: gaining admission.

As an aspiring med school candidate, you should approach your applications with a clear understanding of yourself, the profession and the criteria that will be used to assess your potential. You have to put yourself in the shoes of an admissions committee that has its choice of thousands of qualified applicants.

Medical schools consider a variety of attributes beyond the obvious, (i.e., college grades, standardized test scores, etc.) in sorting through submissions from around the world. So, what can motivated Hong Kong applicants do to improve their chances for medical school admissions success?

Motivation

Why should a medical school, and in particular that "dream" school, admit you - especially if your grades and/or test scores are less than stellar? Most students who gain entrance have demonstrated individualism, caring, organizational skills and a desire to help others. The rejected candidates, on the other hand, leave the committee concerned that they haven't achieved professional maturity or are not truly committed to their goals. While such issues are highly subjective, they count heavily in the evaluation process.

Thoroughness

Having a laissez-faire attitude toward the medical school application process means that your chances for admission are doomed before you even submit your credentials. Be meticulous in all aspects of your application and leave nothing to chance. If in doubt about a particular item, ask your consultant or the admissions staff at the targeted school. The admissions committee will view the package you present as a preview of how you will perform in their classrooms, labs and then in the real world. So, blatant errors or omissions make it all too easy for them to put aside your application.

Uniqueness

Playing it safe in your applications will not do. The more you stand out, the more you will be noticed. So don't be resistant to share those distinctive traits, experiences and values that you perceive to be different. Stress your individuality. Boring applicants with superior "numbers" often lose out to the more unique applicant with a blemish or two. Yes, there is some risk in straying from the beaten path, but given the "herd instinct" of many applicants, you need not be overly aggressive in demonstrating your points of difference. Show them what they would be missing if they failed to admit you!

Candor

Although your application should emphasize your strengths, don't ignore that you are "human" after all. No one is a genius or a saint. You should be candid about your weaknesses, accepting them as areas for development and improvement. Have a game plan in mind. If probed by the admissions committee, be well prepared to explain how you intend to overcome this vulnerability - and perhaps even convert it to strength. Demonstrate that you face issues squarely and resolve them promptly.

Competition

There is only one place in accredited medical schools today per every 150 applicants. The first step toward success is to evaluate what criteria each of your targeted schools will use to select applicants. Then, align your credentials against each of these. Many applicants rely upon how-to books and websites to craft their competitive strategies or work with a qualified admissions consultant to develop a customized plan for success.

Diversity

Think globally. The world is a small place today. Your future classmates, colleagues and patients represent a kaleidoscope of races and cultures. Therefore, medical schools prefer students who have demonstrated interest and effectiveness in interacting with people from different backgrounds. If you can travel, that is the best way to immerse yourself in new cultures. And there are international organizations and institutions in Hong Kong that would welcome you as a member or volunteer. Make yourself a citizen of the world!

Timeliness

Don't be late. If you are targeting medical school admission for 2003, your planning should start immediately. If your time horizon is a longer one, beginning now will ensure that you can make the sometimes-dramatic changes and improvements in your profile that could make the difference between admission and rejection.

The Med School Exchange, a US-based international admissions consulting firm, counsels applicants from Hong Kong and 25 other countries on all aspects of admissions to the world's top medical schools, including credentials assessment, school targeting, application strategy, essay development and interview planning. Web site: www.medschoolexchange.com

Taken from Career Times 2002/11/01