What Non-Traditional Applicants Should Consider When Applying To Medical School

Medical school applications have skyrocketed. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the number of applications in this last year’s admissions cycle was up 18% over the previous year’s totals. That’s six times the average annual increase in applications between 2011 and 2021. 

Most experts speculate that last year’s spike was a reaction to the pandemic. The heroic actions of doctors on the frontlines fighting Covid-19 surely inspired some applicants to pursue careers in medicine.

Others turned to medical school as a ticket to a stable, well-paying career. The healthcare workforce rebounded faster and remained more stable than other industries during the pandemic. In October, the unemployment rate among healthcare workers was less than 3%.

Still, others may have cited the pandemic as a reason to reach for their lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. According to one survey conducted this summer, nearly six in ten people say the pandemic caused them to rethink their careers. 

Regardless of what’s causing the upward trend in applications, it’s clear that medical school admissions are becoming more competitive. In 2020, acceptance rates at the most competitive medical schools, like New York University and Stanford, hovered at about 2%. 

Those numbers are daunting for any aspiring doctor. However, for “non-traditional” applicants, the medical school admissions process can seem even more harrowing. 

As the name indicates, non-traditional students don’t fit the typical profile of a medical student. These students generally do not transition into medical school after completing their bachelor’s degrees. Nevertheless, gap years have become increasingly favored, and non-traditional status can work to their advantage.

Many admissions committees are looking to admit students with diverse backgrounds, career paths, cultures, socioeconomic statuses, hometowns, and stories. 

With that in mind, here are a few things non-traditional applicants should keep in mind when considering medical school. 

What Kind Of Non-Traditional Applicant Are You?

Age is probably the most common reason a medical school hopeful would be considered non-traditional. In 2020, the median age of first-year medical students was 23; less than 6% were over the age of 28. In the past two decades, just 0.3% of medical school matriculants have been 40 or older.

Age often correlates with several other characteristics that can make a non-traditional applicant stand out. Perhaps they’re a “career changer” who pursued an entirely different career path before realizing they wanted to become a physician. 

Some applicants might have lower grades or MCAT scores than the average medical student.

Others may be one of the 5 million students who had caretaking responsibilities as an undergraduate. Some non-traditional students may have had to work nights and weekends in order to put themselves through college. 

Rather than being a detriment, these unique experiences can be assets in the eyes of medical school admissions committees. Medical School Counselor Lindsey Conger stresses these experiences can demonstrate their strength of character, especially if the applicant had to overcome obstacles to apply to medical school.

Highlight What Makes You Unique

It may sound trite, but non-traditional applicants should celebrate their adversities and distinctions from the traditional applications. Highlighting and contextualizing their unique experiences can make these prospective students strong candidates. 

A career-changer could discuss the inspiration behind the shift to medicine. Military veterans, for instance, might have a compelling story about why they decided to move from serving the country to serving patients. 

Medical schools are already starting to recognize the value that veterans can bring to a cohort. The 2020 class of matriculants included an impressive 28% increase in veterans over the previous year.

If an applicant is non-traditional because of their age, they might consider explaining why they’ve decided to pursue medicine later in life. They’ll surely have a more compelling answer than the typical applicant to the classic “Why medical school?” question on an application.

Conger’s advice is, “Be personal; these essays are one of the few places to showcase your personality. Don’t be afraid to use that space to your advantage.” 

Strong Letters Of Recommendation 

Due to the breadth of their experiences, non-traditional applicants can often source strong letters of recommendation from their mentors. 

Those who worked before applying to medical school can ask former supervisors to comment on their professional abilities, work ethic, and character. A letter from a professor who still remembers the impact a student had in their classroom could be particularly powerful for an applicant who has been out of school for a while. A professor with whom an applicant took multiple courses, or one who supervised a senior capstone project, could also write a perceptive letter. 

An applicant might even consider asking their recommender to comment on how their non-traditional status makes them a stronger and more interesting candidate. Choosing the right recommenders can be crucial to putting together a compelling application.

Study Hard For The MCAT — But Don’t Stress Too Much Over GPA

If applicants have been out of school for a while, the MCAT is an opportunity to demonstrate that they can still meet the demanding rigors of the medical school curriculum. Furthermore, an admissions committee may assign more weight to a competitive MCAT score than an undergraduate GPA. MCAT scores provide a standardized measure of comparison between applicants. College curriculums, by contrast, change from year to year and differ between schools. 

For older applicants, a lower GPA may not have as much of an impact on their applications as they might expect. This is especially true if the GPA is more than a decade old. On the other hand, an exceptionally strong undergraduate GPA won’t necessarily guarantee an acceptance letter.

Consider Attending Medical School Outside The United States

Leaving the country for medical school is a big decision and may not be the right decision for every non-traditional applicant. International medical schools have a long track record of providing non-traditional students an alternative pathway for successful medical careers in the United States. Another attractive attribute is that international medical schools tend to accept more students than domestic medical schools. 

As Dr. G. Richard Olds, the president of St. George’s University on the Caribbean island of Grenada, told Moon Prep, “Of course undergraduate GPAs and MCAT scores matter, but we don’t let low numbers define an application. Rather, we understand that applicants have a broad diversity of backgrounds and experiences, and numbers are just one small part of our holistic selection process.” 

In fact, many international medical schools intentionally seek out older applicants. While the median age of incoming students at U.S. medical schools is 23, the average age at St. George’s is 27. “We’ve found that older applicants often become some of the strongest students in our medical degree programs,” Olds said. 

Think About A Spring Start Date

Coming out on the wrong end of an admissions decision can feel particularly disappointing to non-traditional students, who may have put their current careers on hold or decided to go back to school after years away from the classroom. However, there are still options available. 

Those who are waitlisted or denied fall admission may consider applying to medical schools that allow them to start school in the spring. 

Some international schools, including St. George’s, matriculate a cohort each January and April. An alternative matriculation date can give students access to rare scholarship opportunities, smaller faculty-to-student ratios, and prepare them for residency. 

“Our January and April terms provides our students with a unique opportunity to get a head start on their medical education,” Olds explained. “That means they’ll have more time to adjust to the rigors of medical school and prepare for a residency down the line.”

Demonstrate A Commitment To Service

Being a doctor, more than anything else, is about helping others. Thousands of physicians risked their lives over the past year to treat patients during the pandemic and continue to do so. According to Conger, it’s not too late to get started. “If a non-traditional applicant isn’t planning on submitting their application until the next cycle, there’s still time to get involved in a local advocacy organization or nonprofit to demonstrate a commitment to assisting those in need.”

With medical school applications at record highs, garnering an acceptance letter is tougher than ever. Non-traditional applicants have compelling stories to tell. Medical school admissions committees want to hear them.