What Makes a Good Applicant?

Suggestions to be a successful application

(Taken from OUHSC Health Advisors Day)

START EARLY
- Find out what it takes in terms of classes and extracurricular activities – and do it
- Strive to do well academically from the start (or from that point on…)
- Start your application as soon as becomes available – most are online by June
- Apply as early as you can – even before the application deadline – to get the best chance of an early interview and early acceptance
Seek advisement – from instructors, professionals in the field, the school to which you are applying, and other students who have been there.
- NOTE: While other students are good sources of information, please verify what they tell you!
Have other people review your application
- This is especially true of your personal statement – this is the first impression that the professional school gets
Demonstrate Leadership in at least one activity
Do well on the pre-professional test – study for the test and do practice tests!!!!
Gain knowledge about your field of interest
- Check out the school(s) to which you may apply beforehand by talking to the admissions people and current students, and by visiting those campuses in person
- Visit the individual website(s) of the school(s) to which you are applying
- Go to the Helpful Websites section or search online to research the field
- Interview a professional within your field of interest
Display a true passion for that field of interest

Be able to articulate an understanding of health care in general, the specific profession for which you are interested, and the program to which you are applying
Show that you are excited about that field – know specifically why you want to go into it
Be able to describe at least one example from actual volunteer / work / shadowing experience that left an impression on you
If it is in your application, you better be able to explain it! (i.e., research experience, volunteer work, participation in a club event, etc.)
Mock interview so that you are familiar with common questions and are prepared to think on your feet
Be honest and be yourself – the interviewers want to get to know you as a person and see if you are a good “fit” for the program
Avoid canned answers – you will only get flustered if you can’t remember every word that you had memorized
Show up early and come prepared, with a copy of your application, resume, and transcript, as well as pen and paper.
Treat EVERYONE as if they were the interviewers
Ask questions of the interviewers
Make eye contact, try to relax as much as possible, and be confident – this is your moment to succeed

Try not to be discouraged
Honestly assess the situation – is there a realistic chance for you to get in next year if you make certain improvements to your application?? Improvements may include:
- Re-taking pre-requisites (although some professional schools are no longer honoring academic forgiveness policies)
- Taking advanced courses in science
- Improving GPA (especially by taking more upper level science courses)
- Finishing your degree
- Taking classes to earn Graduate School credit
- Becoming more familiar with the profession (i.e., by researching on the internet or interviewing health care professionals)
- Gaining more experience by volunteering or working in a health care setting
- Doing more shadowing in the specific field
Seek advisement for specific recommendations
- Contact the professional school to make an appointment to go over the application packet and interview scores
- Follow their recommendations and try again
- Re-interview with the SWOSU Pre-Medical Committee – be prepared to tell the Committee why you are a stronger applicant and even more prepared now to enter into this field.
By applying again, you are demonstrating that you have made a commitment to this field and that (hopefully) you are now a more qualified applicant than in the previous year. Being older and wiser definitely weighs in your favor in the medical fields!