sample admission essay

A guide for non-US residents on how to apply to college in the USA

When faced with the important process of how to apply for college, one can be easily daunted by the many forms, tests, and trivial requirements of colleges around the world. Even with soaring test scores and impeccable transcripts, it is still quite hard to have a smooth and easy application to college in the United States – even for Americans. One can only imagine the difficulty that a foreigner would encounter in the same situation.

Foreign applicants to American colleges have to complete the requirements of any other student, as well as some additional requirements. Perhaps the best way to ease the process of application for foreign students is through organization and guidance. Although this guide will certainly not cover absolutely all of the considerations for foreign application to an American college, it will definitely be of great assistance.

Preparation and Anticipation

Like any other significant endeavor in life, it is always important to prepare ahead in order to anticipate the humps and bumps that may arise along the way. Before applying, narrow down the list of colleges that you wish to apply to. Once done, you can use the internet to visit the homepage of each college and gather the application procedure and requirements – keep in mind that the requirements will differ from school to school. Now you can make a schedule to help you along each of your tasks and deadlines to ensure that you are well prepared for things to come.

Falling in Line with the Rest

As a foreign student, you will have to complete everything that all the other students have to complete with the added bonus of extra requirements. Almost all college applications require the following:

Application form
Application fee
High school transcripts
Admission test scores (SAT, ACT, etc.)
Recommendation letter/s
Essay/s
Interview
Portfolio or audition (if applying for an arts related course)
You should also prioritize your list and adjust your schedule to make sure that you have enough time for each requirement. Remember that foreign students have quite a handful more to consider, therefore it is imperative to allot ample time to complete the regular requirements and those needed for foreigner applicants.

A Little Something Extra

The best place to begin after completing your normal requirements is by asking your high school guidance counselor for a list of common tests or requirements that will be needed for foreign applicants. This list will most likely consist of the following:

TOEFL or test of English as a foreign language (or other proficiency tests)
VISA (whether working or student)
Financial support

The TOEFL is an English proficiency test for foreigners who would like to work or study in places where English is the primary language. Acquiring a VISA and proper financial support determines whether or not you will be admitted into the United States and if you will be properly financed throughout your stay. Make sure to inquire with family (both abroad and in your native country) as they can help with these regards. Aside from these, double-check the specific requirements of each college you apply to.

Patience is a Virtue

Finally, all that is left to do is wait. Definitely, this wait will give you time to do more research into your colleges of choice and your programs of preference. Get out there and do some research into campus life, student programs, course information, and the likes. All of your work will pay off in the end!

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There are lots of mind-boggling questions swirling around students’ minds, as they hold their pen and wonder what to write for a piece of paper called College Admission Essay. Some of the questions that bother them are the following: what is the style of writing they should adopt for this specific kind of essay, what is the tone to use, and what topic to talk about. The students are really interested in knowing what the admission officers would like to read in a College Application Essay. For them, hitting the bull’s eye with their College Application Essay will definitely increase their chances of admission to their desired university. Entrance to a top university is a tough competition that one has to outwit, outplay, and outlast everybody with their creatively written essay.

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Writing one’s College Admission Essay is not the same as writing a research paper. This means that one’s essay should not be formulaic as though one is just stating facts about oneself. There’s a tendency for most admission essays to be boring and lifeless if one writes it in the form of research paper. The moment that the admission officers discover that one’s writing and essay is a complete drag, they are likely to miss the important details contained in the essay even though the credentials are excellent. The first thing an applicant has to remember is that Admission officers want the essay to be personal and imaginative. The next thing they have to take note of is how to write something personal without making it appear as a lifeless paper. The trick for this is to make the tone of the essay a conversational one. Since one is talking about his life, narrate it in a light humorous tone as though one is talking to another person like a friend. In this way, one will definitely get the focus and the hearts of the admission officers. People should freely express themselves. It is observed that the grammar is not given so much concern because the Admission officers are not reading an essay to find out if the applicant knows about subject-verb agreement. The application essays were created so that the Admission officers will know the applicant’s attitude and outlook in life.

The student’s goals in writing their College Admission Essay should always be to make it memorable. The applicant should ensure that the readers will peruse the essay from beginning up to the end. One can use witty catch phrases as well as funny stories and jokes as a springboard to start introducing one’s topic. Speaking of topics, it is best to stick with personal experiences rather than re-stating one’s resume or academic transcripts. Admission Officers are on the prowl to find unique personalities that will blend with the school’s standards and environment. They are after the authentic person behind the numbers and statistics i.e. grades. Another thing that the students have to remember in writing College Application Essay is to be original and individual. This means that their writing should reflect the unique individual creature that they truly are. Being creative and imaginative does not really have to be fictional. One’s admission essay should be true, honest, and most importantly sincere. The Admission officers can go beyond the beautiful words and detect if it’s true or not. Aside from that, Admission officers read thousands of essays, and they can’t recall everything they read. Thus, it is the applicant’s job to make a real impression on the reader. Make your essay fun and exciting. Don’t simply provide a lifeless detailed paper about yourself; instead show them colors and wonders of your personality.

For an unprecedented medical school learning experience, the Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the place to be. Having an HMS education is not a walk in the park, but the rewards that await a student (much more an HMS graduate) is something to covet.

What do the Michael Crichton and Fe del Mundo have in common? Definitely not their line of work. Not their citizenship as well (we know that Michael Crichton is a famous suspense-sci-fi novelist while Fe del Mundo is a Filipina pediatrician).

The thing is, they both took the first step to their success: they had an HMS education!

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Do you have what it takes?

HMS prides itself as the medical school that has the most rigid admission criteria.

Though HMS’s main requirement for its students is academic excellence, it also put premium to a potential students’ Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, extracurricular activities, researches done, and health-care and community-service exposure.

HMS welcomes students who are highly motivated, visionaries, ambitious, and compassionate in their medical practices.

At HMS’ portal
All applications to HMS are through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). There is a non-refundable $85 filing fee for every submitted application which could be waived if an applicant has been granted an AMCAS fee waiver.

What you need
HMS’s faculty has set the following requirements for applicants:
meet the minimum requirements set my the HMS faculty for the program
present proofs that that they are intellectually capable to study and eventually practice medicine
show personal credentials that could help assess their potentials
demonstrate aptitude in sciences during undergraduate year
enhanced their education with at least one year of college or university training in the United States or Canada (for foreign students)

What awaits an HMS student?

Honor and prestige are just icing on the cake that an HMS student can have. Why not have the cake itself?

Here are more stuffs that make an HMS education something to thirst for:
HMS offers its students a wide array of excellent learning experience
students are lectured and trained by a faculty of experts in the various fields of medicine
students are given the opportunity to participate in research projects locally, nationally, and sometimes internationally
students enjoy access to a multitude of possibilities

How it all started

Founded in September 19, 1782 by Dr. John Warren together with Benjamin Waterhouse, and Aaron Dexter, the Harvard Medical School (HMS) was then known as Massachusetts Medical College of Harvard University. Not surprisingly, the three doctors were also the pioneering professors at HMS.

The first class ever held at HMS had an astonishing number of students – two! These students graduated in 1788. In the early days of HMS, classes were held in the basement of Harvard Hall. Later, lectures were held in Holden Hall.

By 1869, then US president Eliot established a curriculum for HMS. He instituted a higher standard for for admission, required written exams with passing grades, established new departments, introduced a three-year degree program, and eliminated the apprenticeship system.

Through the years, HMS has earned the honor and prestige as one of the world’s top medical schools.

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THE YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Brief History

Founded in 1810 by the Connecticut General Assembly, the Yale University School of Medicine is the sixth oldest medical school in the United States of America. Since its establishment, it has grown to be the home of famous and outstanding medical professionals all over the world.

Famous Alumni

Francis R. Coughlin Jr., M.D. ’52
Gilbert F. Hogan, M.D. ’57
Donald E. Moore, M.D. ’81
Francis M. Lobo, M.D. ’92
Cynthia B. Aten, M.D. ’81
Sharon L. Bonney, M.D. ’76
Joseph F.J. Curi, M.D. ’64
David H. Lippman, M.D. ’71
Harold R. Mancusi-Ungaro Jr., M.D. ’73, HS ’76.
Arthur Ebbert Jr., M.D.,
Betty R. Klein, M.D. ’86, HS ’91

Why shoot for a Yale Medical Degree

Yale University School of Medicine is renowned for having a wide range of areas of medical coverage from basic scientific and medical studies to research to clinical diagnosis and even treatment of human illnesses. It has consistently been in the top ten of the National Institute for Health’s best medical schools since 2005. Most recently, it is in the 7th rank.

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The prestige and sterling reputation that comes from being affiliated in anyway with Yale School of Medicine, whether you are a fellow, an employee, an alumni, or a student is in itself a reward that yields a great benefit that can lead you to the doors of the state-of-the-art hospitals, clinics, and medical research facilities worldwide.

A medical degree at Yale means medical integrity and best medical practice.

How to Apply to Yale Medical School

1. Medical student candidates must first obtain an application from the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and comply with its requirements.
2. In the application, a student candidate must specifically indicate what he/she is applying for at the Yale University School of Medicine.AMCAS application for Yale University School of Medicine is due on August 1 for Early Decision Program (EDP); and October 15 for masteral and doctoral candidates.For more questions and information about AMCAS, inquire at American Medical College Application Service, 2501 M Street, NW, Lobby 26, Washington, DC 20037-1300; or call telephone number 202-828-0600; or email them at amcas@aamc.org.
3. After obtaining an AMCAS application, student candidate must submit it to the Office of Admissions, Yale University School of Medicine on or before August 31 for EDP, and November 30 for masteral and doctoral studies. The Office of Admissions is at Edward S. Harkness Hall, 367 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06510. Its email address is medical.admissions@yale.edu.
4. Together with your AMCAS application, submit your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores to Yale University School of Medicine.
5. Also, directly submit to Yale either any of the following: (1) Premedical Advisory Committee evaluation of the student candidate, (2) three recommendation letters from the student candidate’s teachers, two of them must be in the study of science.
6. Obtain a Yale Certification Form and mail it via the postal address of the Office of Admissions of the Yale University School of Medicine.

Pay the application fee of $85 or obtain an AMCAS fee waiver. Mail your payment or the AMCAS fee waiver together with your Yale Certification Form.

Shortlisted student candidates will be notified for a personal interview with members of the Committee on Admissions.

Medical student candidates at Yale University School of Medicine must display above average intelligence, maturity, and strong drive to pursue and excel in the medical study and practice. The Committee on Admissions are keen on those who show the highest leadership qualities and potentials. It aims for its students to become significant contributors in the field of medicine.
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If you are seriously considering applying to college or any graduate school, part of the preparation that you cannot ignore, aside from taking the required standardized tests, is the preparation of a well-crafted college admission essay or graduate school admission essay, including MBA essay, as part of your application to college or grad school. This part of the application process is a measurement of your personality, and constitutes an integral part of the admissions process. With the number of applicants wanting to pursue higher education dramatically rising since the early 90 s, many colleges and post-graduate schools have imposed certain safeguards to regulate the entry of admitted applicants to their programs. The goal is to admit only candidates who hold promise and are likely to succeed in their chosen field of endeavor. The college admission essay or graduate school admission essay, including MBA essay, is one such safeguard.

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It is important, therefore, to come up with a well-polished college admission essay or graduate school admission essay, including MBA essay. And doing so need not be a problem if you are capable of articulating your experiences in written form quite well.

What do you actually need to present in a college admission essay or graduate school admission essay, including MBA essay? It varies actually. Some schools have several specific topics from which you are required to choose and write about. However, on the average, admissions essays usually seek to present you as an individual. This may include a listing of your past and present experiences, your nature, preferences, ideals, principles, family and social backgrounds, your school years, grades received, extracurricular activities, etc. But these are not simply listed down. The essay should seek to present these profiles in clear and specific details and preferably, accompanied with one or two related anecdotes.

The area of extracurricular activities will be of particular significance. Many admissions officers are no longer impressed with high test scores as well as high grades. They realize that these do not represent the total you. They are not satisfied with the numerical side of yourself. What they would like is to get to know more about you and the activities you got involved in, which may be presented in the college admission essay or graduate school admission essay, including MBA essay. Specifically, they want you to present evidence that your field of expertise, for which you are seeking further studies on, is one that is very close to your heart. That being the case, you naturally do not limit your knowledge of the field to theoretical concepts in school. You go out and engage in projects wherein you are able to apply school theories in actual situations.

Such evidences, again, as written down in the college admission essay or graduate school admission essay, including MBA essay – as the case may be, along with an excellent school record as well as a good performance in the admissions test, will persuade school administrators that you are capable of adding something significant to your selected field of study and their school in particular.

However, such evidences should not be listed down in general terms. What is usually required in many college admission essays or graduate school admission essays, including MBA essays are specifics. Detailed accounts of the off-campus undertakings that you immersed yourself in while attending school. Undertakings that are directly connected to your area of concentration. A good example would be something like the following: wanting to enter medical school, you decided to sign up, in the final year of your pre-med course, as a volunteer in the relief operations organized by the group Band-Aid to help the famine-stricken country of Ethiopia. There, your eyes were opened to the harsh reality that not everything is ok in the world. You began to acknowledge that while a number of countries may be well-off, countless others are living way below certain human standards of living. And they are in dire need, not only of food and shelter, but such other basic necessities like medicine and health care.

The college admission essay or graduate school admission essay, including MBA essay affords you the opportunity to present yourself as someone capable of sharing something significant in a particular field, and not just a mere statistic in the same.

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High school is nearly over and preparation for college is just around the corner. Admittedly, not all students can afford to continue their education due to financial restraints so the next best thing available for those who do not have the financial capability is to apply for a college scholarship.

Those students who are qualified academically and excel in a particular sport can apply in universities and that offer sports scholarships. Being a varsity player for a particular college team can help students pay for their undergraduate education. Basketball, football, and swimming are some of the sports where athletic scholarships are awarded. However, students who are granted athletic scholarships are required to take undergraduate degrees. Scholarships granted by universities may vary and are provided on a year-to-year basis which can be re-applied for up to four years.

How to apply for athletic scholarships

Coaches scout for new talents in matches and events. A coach may ask a player to play for his collegiate team, but even if he does this, one must still apply to the university ollowing the regular academic application procedures. Make sure that you meet the required academic standards of the school you want to go to and maintain these as your scholarship will depend on the evaluations and recommendations of the coach and other academic teachers.

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A student may also personally approach coaches of different universities and colleges. But for a student to do this, he or she should have a distinctive accomplishment in his/her field of sport. Do not fail to do a background check on these school as one may need to compare his performance to their standards. An applicant may also need to provide these coaches a resume of his sports accomplishments and a video documenting his qualifications.

How to Win a Scholarship

1. Gear up. Letters of recommendations from your teachers, school counselors are important.
2. Prepare. Make sure you have a copy of your high school diploma.
3. Be active. Involving yourself in community activities and projects will work to your advantage.
4. State your goals. Write an essay detailing your objectives and your achievements to date. Make sure you stand out.
5. Get organized. Do a research on scholarships that suit your criteria. Also, keep track of the deadlines of applications by creating a chart which includes the name and contact information of the university, scholarship name, date of application, verification, and follow ups.
6. Get noticed. One thing that will make you stand out is your essay application. This is your chance to get your yourself noticed. Make sure that before submitting this, ask your English professor to review and edit it.

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Looking for the perfect campus to study law can be compared to finding a good household appliance: every company tries to outdo the other by showcasing their top features, ultimately confusing buyers all the more. As students work their way to getting into a respected law school, they too become confused into choosing which academic faculty is more suited to their preferences. I’ll try to help minimize the confusion by focusing on Stanford Law School, one of America’s top law schools for 2008 according to USNews.com.

A quick look at Stanford history and alumni

The Stanford Law School is located in California’s Silicon Valley, the area where most high-tech businesses and firms are situated. The school was established in 1893 -the year when former US President Benjamin Harrison became the campus’s first law professor. He was joined by Nathan Abbott who assembled the first faculty to teach the up-and-coming lawyers.

Some of the most famous alumni to come out of the Stanford Law School include Peter Thiel, the founder of Paypal, and Penny Pritzker, one of the world’s billionaires and the CEO of Pritzker Realty. The school also boasts of Michael Jacobson, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Ebay Inc., and Robert Cochran, creator of the popular TV shows Le Femme Nikita and 24, as its former students.

Stanford Law Degree benefits

As with most law schools in the US, Stanford offers various degree programs. It has the standard Juris Doctor program which is the basic course for becoming a lawyer. Stanford also has Joint Degree programs for students who wish to connect the law process with other disciplines. There are also Advanced Degree programs that offer doctoral degrees for foreign graduate students.

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Stanford prides itself in having a low student-to-faculty ratio, thus allowing a more concentrated approach in teaching. It also has mentorship programs wherein students can hone their skills with the help of professionals. Students also get membership to the school alumni network. This is a very essential tool especially for new graduates as they explore opportunities in the competitive world of legal businesses.

Becoming a Stanford Law student

To get into the Stanford Law School, one must understand that there are more applicants than available seats thus completion of forms is an essential. According to the Law School Admission Council, one must be able to prepare the application form, a Law School Report from either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), recommendation letters and application fee. Stanford has an additional requirement of a Personal Statement letter that indicates aspects of the applicant that are not apparent in the other forms.

Please note that since Stanford is in the San Francisco area, it has a high cost of living so do expect pricey rates. Though this may be the case, students will enjoy comfortable benefits such as cutting-edge classrooms and a magnificent view of the San Francisco Bay, palm trees and all. As others may say, studying law can be a brain-buster in itself but with the many features of Stanford Law School -from the degrees to the benefits-, knowing legal matters may not look as hard as it seems.

How does one apply to a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Program in the US?

Getting ahead in this world of information and technology requires not just the usual panache and street smarts. The foundation to sure-fire success is a good… no… make that an excellent, education. In most job opportunities, an undergraduate degree is enough. But if one really dreams of becoming a CEO, graduate and post graduate degrees are a necessity. What does an MBA mean and entail? How does one go about applying for an MBA?

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An MBA is graduate degree that can be attained at a university or college. It’s syllabus focus on the theoretical and practical training of its students. The aim of which is for the scholar to gain an even more thorough understanding of general business management functions as compared to an undergraduate degree. MBA degrees usually concentrate on the mastery of topics on accounting, finance or marketing.
Most major academic institutions offer MBA programs and the program can usually be completed within two years. Different universities have various criteria but there are standard essentials that one needs to take note of if one is interested in the acquisition of an MBA degree.
How to apply?
The application process for any program under any academic institution requires time, energy, and of course, money. Planning your course of action is important. Awareness of application schedules and deadlines in the university of your choice is a must. Plan and strategize! This will give you the much needed time to acquire the basic requirements.
The Basic Requirement
An undergraduate degree is a must. Your academic records in your undergraduate course will be your ticket in convincing MBA programs that you are worthy of admission. A four-year college or university is preferred. Your undergraduate transcripts will vouch for your abilities.
Other academic activities, such as extra classes outside of your course or academic papers that you were able to publish will also help your application.
The GMAT
More often than not, an MBA program requires an applicant to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and be accepted by the program based on its results. What exactly does the GMAT inspect in an applicant?
The GMAT basically examines the ability of the applicant to cope with the demands of a graduate program. The GMAT exam measures basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that should have been developed in the span of years spent on one’s education and work experience. The cost for the GMAT exam is $250 worldwide. This is the standard rate but taxes vary depending on the countries where the exam will take place. Most business schools recognize the GMAT as an effective tool in assessing the competency of an applicant.

Does this automatically mean that passing the GMAT ensures an entry to any graduate program? Does this also mean that all who wish to study for an MBA have to take the GMAT? Not necessarily. Sometimes, the institution only requires more years of work experience or an excellent academic record in lieu of a GMAT.

Work Experience

Other graduate programs, like Master of Arts or Sciences degrees, do not require work experience but that is not the case with MBAs. MBA programs require work experience because the workplace is an excellent arena to test the capabilities of people. The responsibilities you were able to handle, the projects you were able to head or the tasks you were assigned to- these are all excellent qualitative ways in which business schools can gauge your talents and skills.

Essays, Interviews and Recommendation Letters

Like most job opportunities or academic applications, admission essays (also known as personal statements or statements of purpose) and interviews are necessary to give the university a sense of who you are and who are they basically admitting to their halls of learning.

Your essay should not only be perfectly composed in terms of delivery, content and grammar, it should also provide a glimpse as to who you are now and what you expect to become when you enter their program. This will impress upon the administrators your intellect and foresight. More importantly, it will underscore your seriousness in scholarly pursuits.

An interview is an indication that you are one step ahead in becoming a graduate student. The privilege of an interview means that your records speak for itself and that you are being considered for a spot in their school. Now, all you need to do is cement the good impression that you have given by being honest and forthright during the interview.

A good recommendation can make or break an application. It gives particular evidence of your skills and talents. People whom you should ask to give you an evaluation are your employers, colleagues, associates and peers.

Extra, Extra

Any other interests as evidenced in your extracurricular activities, community involvement and hobbies give insight to your character and personality. These should also be included in your application. You may have a chance to mention them in your application form, submitted essays and interview. Consistency is a must but a well-rounded personality is always appreciated.
Take note of all these and you are on your way to becoming a true blue scholar.

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While there is no sure-fire formula for getting into the country’s top colleges, these simple guidelines, along with some personality brush-ups here and there, can very well be everything you need to nail that application.

Getting into the college or university of your dreams isn’t really as hard as some make it out to be. In fact, even recent statistics compiled by the US Department of Education clearly counters the common notion of college admissions being too competitive. In the study involving 857 four-year schools done in 2006, it indicates that only 2.6 percent (this number primarily pertaining to Yale, Princeton and Stanford Universities, which are expectedly the top three on the list) accepted fewer than 25 percent of their applicants, while 82.5 percent accepted more than half.

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With that in mind, it’s no wonder that many students say they got into college “without really trying.” Call them secrets, tricks, hints, techniques—whatever you want to call them, here are four simple steps you can follow to make yourself an attractive candidate for college admission.

• Organize a calendar of all admission deadlines, along with a checklist of all application tasks, paperwork and other requirements, and observe it religiously. And as with anything, staying a step ahead is always an advantage. For example, get started on college-hunting as early as the summer before your senior year so you can finalize your list of target schools early. Take your AP exams as early as possible, say in May, so you can receive your grade reports in July and send it out to your choice colleges promptly. Register early for SAT tests in the fall.
• If you plan to apply through an Early Decision or Early Action program, then start filling out those forms around September—you can do this online. Deadlines for such applications fall in October or November. This is also a great time to draft out your college essays—work on them and enrich them with personal experiences that make you stand out from the rest.
• Work hardest on your senior year grades. Many colleges wait until they receive first semester grades before making a decision, expecting to see a performance that indicates you’re ready for college-level work. You’d be surprised that senior year grades actually get almost equal merit as your SAT scores. And also while on your senior year, get involved in more activities, especially those that define the field of study or career path you particularly have interest in. Make sure to mention these activities in your college essays, for these are highly valued.
• Meet with your counselor, teachers and school officials and work with them closely. They play a big role in helping you get into college, so keep them informed and updated as you see fit. It’s also very important that you give them enough time to meet your recommendation letter deadlines. For the letters, make sure to provide them with stamped and addressed envelopes.
• Score high on the SAT—this, along with a satisfactory GPA, increases your chances not only of getting into college, but also of getting a scholarship. You can boost SAT scores by picking up a good SAT prep guide or taking an SAT prep course. And don’t forget the AP (advanced placement) courses—take advantage of these especially if your school already offers them. These not only allow you to earn college credits without having to pay the tuition, but also show admission officers you mean business when it comes to education.

Now that you’re all set for any college application, there’s no more reason to fret and panic. Get a move on, and good luck!

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If you have decided to become a medical professional, there are several steps you need to take in applying to a medical school in the United States. Below is some useful information to guide you through the process.

Preparing for Medical School Application

The admission requirements of medical schools vary but, generally, they will look at your academic grades in college as well as your non-academic activities. Completing coursework in Science subjects such as Biology and Chemistry, Math and English are often required by medical schools. Taking one or two Social Science classes is also a good idea to give you a better understanding of people.

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Aside from your college grade point average, medical schools will also look at your activities outside the academic world. Therefore, you should be involved in activities that are related to the medical profession such as volunteering at a clinic in your area. This will not only you give you a hands-on experience in providing health care but also show medical schools your serious commitment to entering the medical world.

Applying to medical school can be confusing or complicated so it is recommended that you seek the guidance of a pre-health advisor in your college. For requirements specific to a medical school in the United States, you can check the publication known as the Medical School Admission Requirements or MSAR.

The MCAT

The MCAT or Medical College Admission Test is usually required by medical schools. It is a test used to evaluate your knowledge of basic concepts in science as well as your skills in reading comprehension, writing, solving problems, and analysis. You can obtain MCAT registration kits from your pre-health advisor or, alternatively, you can register through the MCAT website. Be sure to check the schedule of registration for when you want to take the exam, which can be either be during the months of March to May of your college junior year or from August to October in your college senior year.

Making Your Application

After taking the MCAT, you can then send your application to the medical school you are interested in through the American Medical College Application Service or AMCAS. All you need to do is send AMCAS a completed application form along with your official school transcript. After verifying your information, AMCAS will submit your application to your selected medical school/s.

Some medical schools may request for more information or documents such as letters of recommendation after receiving your application. As with the MCAT, always keep application deadlines in mind. If your prospect school is not part of the AMCAS program, simply get in touch with the school’s admissions department to facilitate your application.

The Medical School Interview

One of the most important part of your application process is the interview with the medical school’s admissions committee. This normally happens at the later part of the application process and the opportunity is usually granted to candidates who show the most potential. You should come to the interview prepared to answer why you want to commit your life to the medical practice. Certainly, the committee will have more questions for you but the simple trick is to answer them honestly.

The truth is, getting to medical school in the United States is difficult. Needless to say, you need to have not only a brilliant mind but a strong commitment and an honest desire to help people.

Source:

Association of American Medical Colleges

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