We partnered with Celeste Crowe, director of the Health Professions Advising Office at Appalachia State University, to answer questions collected from applicants at events throughout the year.
- For career changers or students applying to med school later than the typical age (older than 28), what additional factors tend to matter most for admission compared to traditional students?
I find that medical schools appreciate the life experience and maturity that older applicants have cultivated before applying to medical school. The oldest student that I worked with was 40 when she matriculated and is now a successful physician. Many medical schools will want to see recent science/math coursework to demonstrate readiness for the rigor of the curriculum and clinical experience that supports their decision to pursue medicine. Schools will value the development in the Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students that older students bring through their work history and lived experiences.
- What happens if you don’t have letters of recommendation from college since it’s been a while since graduating from undergrad?
The first thing I would recommend is that applicants should be checking letter requirements for their schools of interest. Medical Schools provide guidance about their letter requirements on their websites. You can also find letter requirements for every school on The Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®) website. Then, I would encourage them to check in with their undergrad’s Health Professions Advisor/Health Professions Advising Office to see if they provide support to alumni. And if they offer support, then use it!
Many medical schools appreciate having a letter of evaluation that speaks to the applicant’s academic readiness for medical school. If the applicant has taken additional coursework as a postbac or special masters program, it would be appropriate to ask a faculty member from those academic experiences. If the applicant hasn’t taken recent coursework but their schools of interest recommend or require academic letters of evaluation, I would encourage the applicant to reach out to faculty members from their undergraduate experiences to have a conversation about having them write a letter. For non-academic letters, applicants should plan to have a clinical experience letter of evaluation and other letters from current employers, volunteer supervisors, etc. Five letters of evaluation submitted as part of your application can provide a comprehensive sense of your preparation.
- What do you see as the most important factors to consider when deciding which medical schools to apply to (e.g., educational opportunities, alignment with academic metrics, location, program offerings)? Are there any key factors you feel are often overlooked?
When I meet with students to talk about their school lists, I encourage them to think about a MC squared approach to their research. And no, this isn’t about Einstein’s famous equation! It’s about balancing Metrics (GPAs and MCATs) with Mission (alignment) and finding schools that provide a Curriculum structure and Community presence that will allow them to thrive not just survive. With the changes in the financial aid landscape, applicants are also looking more closely at tuition, fees, and cost of living considerations when researching schools.
About Celeste Crowe
Celeste joined Appalachian State University in 2007, bringing experience from previous roles at ETSU, Tusculum University, and Union Commonwealth University. Over the years, she has served as president of both HPANC and SAAHP, on the NAAHP Board of Directors, and 2018 NAAHP National Meeting co-chair. Currently, she serves as NAAHP Member Engagement Committee Co-Chair. When she’s not working, you can find her at the dance studio, divastrating for the Carolina Snowbelles, exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, and hanging out with her niece.