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Ask for Help on Your Medical School Applications

By U.S. News & World Report

As a premedical student, you’re probably confident, capable and have a fierce independent streak — but don’t let these qualities prevent you from seeking help on your medical school applications.

Getting expert input from others can mean the difference between securing an admissions interview and having your application rejected. Here are some tips on seeking help with your medical school applications.

[Learn how to avoid the common mistakes that lead to medical school rejections.]

1. Why should you seek help? Applying to medical school is a costly proposition — in both dollars and time — and you want your application to be the best it can be. Why wouldn’t you seek help if it improves your chances for securing medical school interviews?

The most common reasons for not asking for help are stubbornness and fear, both of which you can easily overcome if you really want to be a medical student and you understand what’s at stake.

2. Who should you ask? Divide your contacts into two major categories: those who have knowledge of your experience and abilities and those who really want you to succeed.

The first group includes your premed advisers, professors, admissions coaches and admissions directors, to name a few. The second group includes your family, close friends and volunteer mentors. Each group can help you in different ways, as we discuss below.

[Choose amedical school admissions consultant carefully.]

3. What kind of help should you seek? You can ask different people to review various sections of your application, but be sure that you write your own essays and descriptions of activities. You can verbally bounce ideas off someone about how to approach an essay topic, but write the essay yourself.

After you have completed your personal statement, ask either group of your contacts to review your essays for content and grammar. Also have someone you trust read your personal statement to ensure that it reflects the true you. Don’t be surprised if you gain new insights.

You’ll also want to enlist someone who is familiar with the admissions process to review the descriptions of your activities to ensure you have labeled them properly. I’ve written previously about the importance of labeling activities properly or you may not receive the credit you deserve.

[Learn howextracurriculars may improve med school applicants’ chances. ]

4. When should you ask for help? Ask for help early in the process — not at the last minute. If you wait too long, your contacts may not have the time to help or you may not have the time to make any final adjustments or enhancements to your application materials.

When too many applicants approach premed advisers in late spring, the time and attention the advisers would like to give each applicant is diminished. Your best bet is to meet with your premed advisers annually in fall and winter; they’ll help you plan along the way and spare you many omissions.

If you are planning to ask professors or researchers for help, don’t ask right before their big grant, presentation or end-of-term grades are due.

Family members are generally open and willing to comment on your essays anytime. That said, family dynamics could reduce yours willingness to share with family.

Often I have given a student the same advice he or she received from a parent, but the applicant only believe me because of my expertise. Like it or not, your parents know you very well, so don’t avoid asking them for help.

5. Where should you meet? If at all possible, meet with each person in a quiet setting, such as an office. Only if you are geographically distant should you call or email.

You want the exchange to be personal — a face-to-face meeting better ensures that you will focus on the advice the individual is giving as well as get all your questions answered.

6. How should you seek help? Be polite and tactful, and show humility. Whether you’re asking your professional contacts or family members, be sure to express your sincere appreciation.

They are giving you the gift of time and thought. Gratitude is always in order.

As you tackle the medical school application process, be sure to rely on the many thoughtful and talented people who can help you polish your application materials and demonstrate your qualifications.

More from U.S. News

Weigh the Pros, Cons of Taking a Gap Year Before Medical School

6 Red Flags Medical School Isn’t the Right Choice

Prepare for the First Day of Medical School

Ask for Help on Your Medical School Applications originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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