Four Tips for Non-Traditional Students Applying to Medical School

While a large majority of medical students take the traditional route – pre-med undergraduate degree into medical school – a growing number of med-school applicants are ‘non-traditional’ students or students who have taken two or more years between their undergraduate degrees and med-school applications. Most med schools group non-traditional students into two groups – second-degree students and career-changing students, and both types of students come with unique skills and challenges. So, whether you finished your university degree unsure of your desire to pursue medicine or spent several years in a completely unrelated field only to find that medicine is your purpose in life, here are some tips to help you apply and succeed in medical school.

1. Be certain

Whether you enter med-school straight from a college campus or from a board room, choosing to pursue a career in medicine is a daunting task, and medical studies aren’t for everyone. The good news for non-traditional students? Most medical students see their choice as an indication that they’re really serious about medicine. Medical school is a huge time and financial commitment, so non-traditional students who may already have careers, families, homes, and other commitments will have to find ways to balance their studies and outside lives. If you’re married or have children, make sure to include your family in the decision, and ensure that your spouse is prepared to help with the financial aspect of medical school. The long-term benefits of a medical career are worth the commitment, but you’ll need to be certain that you’re prepared for the sacrifices you’ll have to make during your studies.

2. Remember your strengths

Medical school admission boards like non-traditional applicants but non-traditional applicants need to demonstrate how their experiences outside of pre-med courses will help them succeed in medical school. Traditional students may be able to rely on good recommendations, high grades, and impressive MCAT scores, but non-traditional students should show that they have what it takes in other ways. Have you spent your weekends volunteering at a local clinic? Are you coming from a career in medical insurance? Did you give up upper management to pursue a career as a general practitioner? Your pre-med-school experiences demonstrate your ability and passion, so make sure to present them as clearly as possible. And don’t forget to highlight any specific areas of medicine that interest you – one of the reasons that medical schools are happy to accept non-traditional students is that they’re more likely to pursue positions or areas of medicine that are in high demand, like general practitioner or rural medicine.

3. Show you can change

It’s absolutely possible for a literature major who spent two years in the Peace Corps to transition into medical school, but he shouldn’t expect to do so without playing a bit of catch-up. The same goes for pre-med students who opted out of medical school after graduation because their grades were not up to standard. If you’re applying to medical school as a non-traditional student, you’ll probably need to a few science courses before applying, especially if you didn’t pursue a pre-med undergraduate. It’s also a good idea to spend some time volunteering or working part-time in a medical related field to gain experience and demonstrate your commitment. Med-school admissions boards won’t necessarily frown on previously low grades, but they will want you to demonstrate that you have the skill and tenacity to improve. And don’t forget the all-important MCAT. It might be challenging to study while you’re working, but a good score will pay off in the long-run.

4. Use your experiences

Although only about 15% of medical students are considered ‘non-traditional’ they are often favoured by admissions boards because their life experiences and the skills they may have acquired in their pre-medical school careers often bring unique expertise and diversity. Make sure that you highlight your strengths and experiences in your application, and explain how you came to realize that medicine is your calling. Medical school admissions officers want to see applicants who can bring creativity, confidence, and passion to their programs so demonstrate your enthusiasm for medicine and show how your career or travels after university brought you to medicine. Whether you were a field anthropologist in French Guiana, a cellist in a symphony, or bio-tech engineer, you have specific and valuable knowledge that will make you stand out in medical school.

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