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Applying to Medical School

MCAT

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When do students take the MCAT?

The timing in which you take the MCAT is dependent upon your timeline for applying to medical school. Your advisor can help you get a better idea of when you should plan to complete the MCAT based on your individual goals. For students looking to matriculate straight into medical school after graduating from Northwestern, this typically means taking the MCAT during spring quarter of junior year at the latest. Those looking to take one or more gap/bridge years will have more flexibility with their MCAT timing.

When should I start studying for the MCAT?

HPA recommends planning to study 3-4 months, ideally 16-20 hours a week, before taking the MCAT exam. HPA recommends reviewing the AAMC “How to Create a Study Plan for the MCAT” online resource to come up with a plan that's right for you.

Application Timeline

When should I apply to medical schools?

For MD programs, ideally any time in June. Consult with an advisor about using your spring quarter grades or not. For TMDSAS, apply in May (you are allowed to send in your spring quarter grades later). For DO programs, apply in June or July (you have to wait for your spring quarter grades).

How do I decide what schools to apply to?

HPA recommends getting access to the AAMC Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database in the winter of the year you intend to apply to med school.

  • The MSAR is updated every spring and provides information and data of each medical school.
  • Applicants may also use the 3 year acceptance/matriculate handout to see medical schools by region and get a sense of where NU applicants have been accepted and matriculated over the past 3 cycles.
  • Applicants should also note in-state preferences, GPA and MCAT ranges and aspects of each med school.
  • Beyond using geography and GPA/MCAT ranges to choose a school, they should also be able to articulate why they are choosing to apply to that school (a common secondary and/or interview question).
  • Please also ask your health professions advisor for a Selecting Medical Schools handout. 

Do most students take a gap/bridge year?

Yes, most Northwestern students choose to take one or more gap/bridge years between graduating and matriculating to medical school – more than 80%.  Folks choose to take a gap/bridge year for many reasons, including wanting more flexibility for completing pre-med coursework and/or the MCAT, the opportunity to work and earn money before attending school, pursuing a fellowship opportunity, getting involved in different organizations like the Peace Corps or Teach for America, or choosing to pursue a post-baccalaureate program to improve their academic profile ahead of applying to medical school.

Letters of Recommendation

Does Northwestern offer a committee letter?

Northwestern University does not offer a committee letter, medical schools are aware of this and do not hold it against NU applicants.

When do I need letters of recommendation?

Applicants should ask a recommender 4-8 weeks (or more) before the letter is due (letters are needed in July for MD programs). The first time an applicant talks to a recommender should not be to ask for a letter of recommendation, they should have been cultivating this professional relationship over time. Because many science faculty write letters for a large number of pre-med students, we encourage you to have these conversations early in the year you plan to apply.

Who should write letters of recommendation?

First, review the requirements for letters for each school you’re interested in or planning to apply to. How many letters are required and who should they come from? Letters from faculty (STEM or non-STEM), physicians, PI’s, supervisors, etc. are frequently permitted/required from medical schools.

Ideally, those writing letters for you will know you well enough to write a strong letter. However, letters shouldn’t come from family members. The same can be said for family friends unless you worked for that individual or you have a professional relationship that they can speak to in a letter.

What should I provide my letter writers?

Some of your recommenders may already be familiar with the LORs process for medical schools, but it’s still best practice to provide them with the following materials to help them should they need it and to ensure you end up with the best possible letter.
  • Updated resume. See Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) for a resume review.
  • Transcript
  • Personal statement
  • The AAMC Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation
  • A Thank You for supporting you