Dr. Rubin is providing here a list of pointers to help you succeed in gaining admission to a medical, dental, optometric or podiatric school.

1. Get the best G.P.A. you can at school.  Schools really want to graduate every student enrolled and a high G.P.A. is associated with a higher chance of completing medical school and succeeding.  In 2015, average G.P.A. of entering medical students is around 3.70 .

2. Get research experience in a lab or clinical setting.  Best to do this over your summers when you generally have more time.  During the academic  year concentrate on your class work.  Rochester Institue of Technology keeps a really good list of summer programs. Here are the links for High School Students and College Students.

3. Get the best standardize admission test scores possible.  To do this you need to prepare for these test.  I do not recommend taking an exam without a review course and practicing. If you are in high school take an ACT or SAT prep class.  If you are in college take an MCAT class. You can take the class online or in a classroom.  If that is not possible buy a review book and practice on your own. 

4. Get clinical exposure to show you know enough about your chosen field.  You can do this by either contacting your local  hospital  and volunteering or contacting your own physician and asking if you can shadow for a day.  Some college premed organizations provide these opportunities.  Alternatively, if you don’t find any opportunities, simply email or call physicians in your neighborhood or local hospital and simply say you are a premed looking for a chance to shadow or volunteer in their office.  Most physicians are kind and caring and willing to help you is they have time and can.

5. When the time comes to apply to a school, apply early.  You will have to write at least one essay. You will want your essays perfect both in content and grammar.  Show your essay to friends and family or get a professional to help you.

6. Many medical schools now require a CASPer (a computer based assessment for sampling of personal characteristics) interview.  This new concept is designed to help the school look at your personality and character.  This assessment consist of 12 stations, 3 questions per station and is done on your computer at a location of your choice using a video camera.  You type your answers, so you need to be computer literate.  There is no official scoring. You are judged against others taking the test.  

7. After you apply, almost all medical programs require an personal interview before an acceptance is offered.  Interviews must be granted by the school or program. Often there are several interviews.  There are 3 types of interviews.  The most common are a one on one interview. There are some schools which have a committee which jointly interview students.  Around 10 percent of schools are now running a multiple mini interview  process - 8 to 10 short 10 minute interviews.  Interviews are only offered to serious applicants. A good interview results in a good response letter.  Many college premed organizations offer mock interviews. You can contact me at naperpeds@msn.com if you are interested in seeking my help for BS/MD programs or med school interviews.