Four Reasons to Attend a Medical School Fair

If you’re planning to attend to medical school, you probably already have a very long set of items on your to-do list. From excelling in your coursework to assembling compelling application materials, the typical pre-med student’s life can be defined in one word: busy. Well, we’ve got one word more thing to add to the lineup. Attending a medical school fair. Let’s count down four reasons why these gatherings are an important part of any prospective medical student’s roadmap to becoming a doctor.

1. You have the opportunity to make an impression.

While the essay portion of the application lets candidates show who they are as individuals, medical school fairs take this to the next level. Medical fair booths are staffed by people directly connected to the program. What better way to stand out and be remembered than to wow them with your presence and preparation?

This does take some effort, however. In order to make the best impression, research prospective schools and programs before stepping foot in a medical school fair. You should also be prepared to answer questions, although many admissions officers save those for the interview process. In this case, taking a proactive approach to explaining why you want to attend medical school -- and/or a specific program in particular -- can give you an inside edge. Not to mention that doing so is good practice for when you’re in the hot seat during actual interviews.

Another useful tip for amping up your memorability? Use your full name on name tags and when introducing yourself. Admissions officers meet hundreds if not thousands of candidates over the course of a single year. That’s a whole lot of Jessicas and Joshuas! By providing your last name in addition to your first, you increase the odds that they’ll be able to connect your face with a name when they return to their offices.

2. Networking opportunities abound.

Want to take it to an even higher level? Request business cards from medical school fair representatives, then follow up later via email. Whether you have a lingering question, additional information to share, or simply want to say “thank you,” doing so deepens your connection and serves as invaluable networking -- something you can never do too much of in today’s social age. You’ll not only get your name in inboxes...but you just might get your application at the top of the pile.

One caveat? There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. One email is appropriate. A series of emails? Overkill. Remember: your goal is to develop a positive relationship; annoying admissions officers by flooding their inboxes with unnecessary messages is likely to lead to the opposite result.

In addition to meeting admissions officers, you can look forward to meeting current medical school students, as well, meaning you’re more likely to recognize a few friendly faces during those initially overwhelming first days.

3. You’ll gain access to information.

From types of medical school to specific programs, all medical schools are not created equal. Asking program-specific questions demonstrates both interest and initiative -- two things medical school admissions committees value, but that’s far from the only reason to speak up during medical school fairs. Ultimately, these events are as much about empowering prospective medical school students as they are about the recruiting process. By assembling a list of questions in advance, you can get the answers you need to make the most informed decisions.

4. You don’t even have to leave your sofa.

If distance is keeping you from attending a medical school fair, you don’t have to miss out on the opportunity thanks to today’s sophisticated technology. In the U.S., for example, the Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) inaugural Medical School Virtual Fair held earlier this year was attended by more than 6,000 students from all 50 U.S. states via mobile, laptop or desktop making the usual geographical constraints moot. Students could even schedule private chats with medical school representatives from the 25 participating medical schools! While still in its pilot phase, a 2017 event is currently under consideration.

Of course, attending a virtual fair mandates some unique advance preparation. From ensuring that your technology is up to the task to cleaning up your social media presence, these steps can help you put your best virtual foot forward.

The overall takeaway? While attending a medical school fair may seem secondary to more immediate concerns, doing so can have a profound impact on your academic and career prospects -- both in terms of showcasing your candidacy as well as in enriching your understanding of everything prospective medical schools have to offer.