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If you're a Junior or Senior pre-med at Cal, in all likelihood, you'll be applying to medical school in less than nine months. Our recommended timeline suggests planning ahead by choosing those medical schools you will likely send your application to for review well in advance of the actual application date. Looking at the Medical School Admissions Requirement book (MSAR) with a counselor during a Mini-Appointment is one way to begin; another is to check out the advice offered by the Choosing Medical Schools section of our website. Even if you're first year student, it is not too early to start scouting around so that you can develop your own sense of personal priorities and preferences.

Dean Morris has been a friend of Cal students ever since he started participating in our Meet the Medical School Series and Career Week events. He has become a mentor to many and provides reliable, sensible, "insider" advice. He prefers to be referred to as "Uncle Leibert."

According to Uncle Leibert, applying to medical school is comparable to smart shopping. You start out with an idea of what you want, but once you actually begin looking, you consider other promising options you encounter. Healthprofessions.org is a site that can assist in your exploration with over 800 links to medical schools and other health related professions.

Uncle Leibert believes that the key element guiding your thinking about where to apply should be looking for the "right fit." Not all medical schools are the same. Curricula, approach, pedagogy are vary more than you might think. Know what you're looking for in a school, but don't let it limit your options. Having been a member of several admission committees at various medical schools, he believes there are three qualities admissions committee members try to assess in their applicants as they evaluate them as prospective students.

Qualities sought by admissions committees from prospective applicants

1. The potential to be a life-long learner, critical thinker, and problem solver.
   Students who apply to medical schools must be able to present these qualities to the admissions board. Start thinking about ways to carry this mission out: put together a portfolio and implement a strategy.
2. The potential to become a well-rounded physician.
   A well-rounded physician should have most or all of the following qualities: determination, dedication, cultural competence, compassion, communication, confidence, and open mindedness. Medical schools, for example, often stress that juniors and seniors must possess confidence even at this early stage because it's such a critical element of becoming an effective physician.
3. Applicants find their "right fit"
   If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it! The same concept goes for choosing, applying for, and accepting offers from medical schools. Most schools have a profile in mind when they assess applicants given the particular nature and philosophy of their program. Do you present the kinds of qualities, beyond your GPA and MCATs, that will cause them to view you as a good fit from their perspective?

Take the time now to think about what you believe makes a well-rounded physician, look for programs that share your perspective, and start to think about how you'll convey to the admissions committee the good "fit" between their criteria and your personal qualities in your written materials and interviews.

Still confused? What does Uncle Leibert mean when he talks about finding the "right fit?"
It all comes down to choosing the medical school that feels right for you. When you shop for a sweater, you try to keep an open mind with regard to style, color and other features. When you research medical schools, try to also keep an open mind regarding curricula, campus sizes, and other factors. The information you gather before you apply will be complemented by what you learn when you interview. But you'll never get to see what Minnesota has to offer if you restrict your applications to California medical schools.

Do some "shopping" at AAMC's alphabetical listing of medical schools. Don't limit yourself, for example, to schools in California or those highest in prestige. You will increase the likelihood of finding the "right fit," and provide a sound basis for helping you choose between medical schools should you have more than one option.

Uncle Leibert offers his extra two cents on preparing for medical schools
"You can reach your goal if you can be CONVINCED to work to your full potential. Give 100% of yourself, 90% of the time, inside and outside of campus. By being prepared and consciously aware of what your qualifications, personal qualities and preferences are, you can focus on the schools that are the right fit for you. Medical schools are selecting individuals that have the potential to make a commitment to service and not necessarily at just the schools attended by the applicants."

Final suggestions for Cal pre-med students
Be prepared to leave California and the weather. Based on our latest admissions statistics for the Top 20 medical schools and California medical schools (Graduating seniors 1999-2003), Cal grads who apply outside of California have a better chance of getting accepted into medical school. You'll also want to consider private medical schools because they tend to make more offers. Keep in mind that medical schools make more offers than they have seats available, so again finding the "right fit" will play a major role in your next big step.

Additional Resources

Career Field - Human Medicine

American Association of Medical Schools Curriculum Directory