Strategies for Applying as a Non-Traditional Medical School Applicant
Whether you have taken a few years off between college and applying to medical school or you decided after settling into another career that you wish to be a physician instead, you find yourself as a non-traditional medical school applicant. As a result, you might feel like you are at a disadvantage if you do not have the support of a pre-med advisor or think your experience does not match up with more typical applicants. Do not get too overwhelmed. It is not uncommon for applicants to switch to medicine later in life, and this can work to your advantage. But given the cutthroat med school admissions process, like all candidates, you have your work cut out for you.
Deciding to apply to medical school mid-career or after a few years at another job can be a big decision. With the application process more intense than ever, the question is, how do you use your non-traditional status to help you stand out? To help you strategize, here is an outline of who qualifies as a non-traditional medical school applicant, how admissions officers view such students, and strategies to solidify your candidacy.
Who is a Non-Traditional Medical School Applicant?
Before we dive into the approach, you need to understand the term “non-traditional medical school applicant” and determine whether it applies to you. According to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, non-traditional applicants are “defined as those who have taken two or more years off between undergraduate studies and matriculation to medical school.” The University of Michigan Medical School defines them as “career changers, non-science majors, post-bac graduates, military veterans, and Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteers.” As taking one to two years off before medical school has become more common, non-traditional applicants usually fall under the following categories.
Older Applicants
The average age of medical school students is 24. If you are in your late 20s or early 30s, you qualify as a non-traditional medical school applicant. Even if you had always been interested in medicine, you might have taken more than a couple of years off to travel or try other careers. Your job may have been connected to medicine. For example, you could have worked at a research lab for over six years. Since you will have more in-depth experience than other candidates in the pool, you still count as non-traditional.
Recent Graduates Who Weren’t Pre-Med
You might still be a year or two out of college but have only recently made up your mind to attend medical school. Your experiences could include a journalism degree and a job at a newspaper, or an economics degree and experience working at an investment bank. Either way, you do not have pre-med experience under your belt. In such cases, you are a non-traditional applicant.
Career Changers
Another kind of non-traditional applicant is someone who is older and more established in a career in a non-medical profession, such as a chef or a fashion designer. You might have had a sudden revelation that you are not invested in your current profession and instead want to be a physician. You are not the typical candidate that medical school admissions committees come across every day.
How Admissions Committees View Non-Traditional Applicants
You may be wondering whether being a non-traditional medical school applicant puts you at a disadvantage. The answer is no. You are encouraged to apply. Harvard, for example, says that it “welcomes applications from non-traditional students, such as those who have an established career, have a partner, spouse, or family, or have been out of school for two years or longer.” If you have fulfilled all of the course requirements, taken the MCAT, gained research and clinical experience, and written a compelling personal statement, you can give yourself a fair chance in the applicant pool.
Medical schools are actively looking to create dynamic classes. They seek people with different backgrounds so that everyone does not bring the same perspective. Being a non-traditional candidate can be a strength at a time when admissions committees are making a concerted effort to admit people with varied experiences.
Flexibility in Application Requirements
The medical school process is holistic. No institution will look at your age or one part of your resumé and immediately cross you out. Since schools receive applications from people of all backgrounds, certain requirements are made more accessible. For example, requirements for letters of recommendation are more flexible for non-traditional applicants. Do not stress about not having access to a pre-med advisor.
School-Specific Examples
Cornell University (Weill): Letters of evaluation play a crucial role in the committee’s assessment of your application. Those who know you well personally should write these letters.
University of Michigan Medical School: Your recommenders can be any individuals who can objectively assess your personal qualities such as integrity, reliability, teamwork, resilience, altruism, and a desire to learn.
University of Colorado School of Medicine: Three to five letters are required. Letters can come from a faculty member, clinical experience, research experience, or a current job. Obtaining a letter from your current employer is highly recommended. Achievements in post-college experiences are considered valuable additions.
Emory School of Medicine: If your letters are submitted by three individual writers rather than a Pre-Health Committee, you will be asked on the Emory Supplemental Application to explain why.
Medical schools also welcome students who have not majored in biology or chemistry. Some share data on the wide range of majors represented in their admitted class. Northwestern reports 51 different undergraduate majors. At UChicago, 36.7% of the entering class took two or more gap years. At the University of Pittsburgh, 45% of admitted students were non-science majors.
You will not be alone in applying as a non-traditional medical school applicant. But you must approach the process strategically so you can convince admissions committees that you are a strong fit for their MD programs.
Strategies for Applying as a Non-Traditional Medical School Applicant
It is time to think about using your background as a non-traditional applicant to your advantage. Once you have decided that medicine is what you wish to pursue, here are some ways to prepare your profile to ensure you present the best version of yourself.
Get Courses and the MCAT Out of the Way
If you have made up your mind about a medical career recently, chances are you are a few courses short of meeting the prerequisites required by medical schools. Once you have decided this is the path for you, enroll in post-bac science courses and begin studying for the MCAT. Do not wait until the last minute. If you are not satisfied with your MCAT score the first time, identify problem areas and retake the test.
Choose Your School List Wisely
Once you have your updated GPA and MCAT score, it is time to think about your school list. As a non-traditional applicant, there are factors to consider when deciding where to apply. Look at MCAT and GPA medians for admitted students. Keep enough programs on your list where your numbers align with the average.
It is also smart to focus on schools with a history of accepting non-traditional students. Research your options carefully. Does the school highlight diversity of backgrounds in its admitted class? Does the mission statement resonate with you? If possible, visit campuses and ask students and faculty about how non-traditional students are supported.
Show Commitment Through Clinical Experience
Admissions committees want evidence that you are not just changing your career path on paper. Clinical experiences prove your interest and readiness. These experiences also help you confirm whether medicine is truly the right choice.
Consider jobs as an EMT or emergency room scribe. Volunteering at hospitals or conducting clinical research with patient exposure can also be meaningful. Shadowing a doctor can give you firsthand insight into the daily schedule and responsibilities.
Crafting a Strong Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the most significant ways to showcase your background. A non-traditional story allows you to add a unique perspective.
When writing, discuss your accomplishments, but do not focus so heavily on your past career that it raises doubts about your interest in medicine. Avoid putting down your current field. Instead, explain why medicine is where you want to be. Show how skills from your previous work can make you a strong physician. Emphasize why you believe pursuing medicine is your calling and why now is the right time to apply.
Admissions committees want to see a clear trajectory and understand your commitment. Show that you are prepared for the long road ahead and ready to dedicate yourself fully.
Leverage Your Unique Background
As a non-traditional medical school applicant, you might feel like you have more obstacles than typical candidates. But because admissions is holistic, you can turn your experiences into an advantage. Leverage your background to highlight why you bring a valuable perspective to the classroom. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare your application components and approach the process strategically.
Being a non-traditional applicant can be an advantage. Our Former Admissions Officers can help you turn your experiences into a compelling medical school application. Schedule your free consultation today.