Veritas Prep Debunks Top Myths Associated With Gaining Admission Into Top Medical Schools

Leading Graduate School Admissions Consulting Provider Launches Service to Help Prospective Students Avoid Common Missteps in the Medical School Application Process


MALIBU, CA--(Marketwire - May 28, 2009) - Despite ranking among the most competitive tasks in all of higher education, the medical school application process is one that allows candidates to be proactive, taking control of their admissions destiny by highlighting their unique backgrounds and skills. Veritas Prep, a leading graduate admissions consulting firm, has found that many medical school hopefuls fall victim to a series of myths about the medical school admissions process, and commit all-too-common application errors that significantly compromise their chances of gaining admission into top choice programs.

--  Myth #1: The AMCAS application is not very important -- Many medical
    school applicants mistakenly regard the American Medical College
    Application Service (AMCAS) application, the first step in the medical
    school application process, as an unimportant mandatory step.
    --  Reality:  The AMCAS application, particularly the personal
        statement portion of the application, provides critical information
        that medical schools use to evaluate an applicant's candidacy
        throughout the entire admissions process.
--  Myth #2: Applicants know what medical school admissions officers want
    to hear -- Applicants often assume medical schools want to hear about
    the gimmicky, emotional moment in which they decided to pursue medicine
    as a profession, such as a time when a stranger suddenly fell ill and
    needed their help.
    --  Reality:  Applicants who elect to communicate their strengths and
        weaknesses, building a consistent and powerful message about who
        they are as an applicant, hold a tremendous advantage when seeking
        a coveted spot in a primary care or research program.
--  Myth #3: Competition for admission is waning since application numbers
    are down -- Application volume at some top medical schools has
    declined over the past several years, driven in part by uncertainty
    in the healthcare industry that has driven away some would-be
    physicians. As a result, it is getting easier to gain acceptance
    to a top medical school.
    --  Reality:  Despite this relative decrease in applications, medical
        schools have long been in the position of choosing from a deep
        pool of qualified candidates. The acceptance rate at nearly every
        top U.S. medical school is still well below 10% (and many schools'
        acceptance rates are below 5%), making medical school still far
        more difficult to get into than law school or business school.

"In the increasingly competitive medical school admissions landscape, applicants cannot afford to make these small missteps that jeopardize one's attractiveness as a candidate for admission," explains Adam Hoff, Director of Admissions Consulting at Veritas Prep. "Expert perspective into the medical school admissions process as a whole, the application itself and what admissions officers look for in an ideal applicant will position prospective students in a way that maximizes their chances for admission."

Fortunately for medical school applicants, Veritas Prep has created a targeted array of services to help candidates to get a handle on the complex and rigorous medical school application process and avoid the aforementioned application pitfalls. Veritas Prep's medical school admissions consulting experts -- each of whom is a former medical school admissions representative, published author, or both -- guide applicants in focusing on the foundational elements of the process, including crafting powerful personal statements and effective supplementary essays, as well as preparation for medical school interviews.

For more information about Veritas Prep's medical school admissions consulting services, visit http://www.veritasprep.com/medical_school or call 1.800.925.7737.

About Veritas Prep

Veritas Prep is a leading test preparation and admissions consulting provider offering effective programs to help applicants improve their test scores and gain admission to the world's best graduate schools. Founded in 2002 by graduates of the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep now offers live GMAT prep instruction in more than 80 cities worldwide, as well as interactive online courses available everywhere. Additionally, Veritas Prep offers industry-leading admissions consulting services for applicants seeking admission to the most competitive business schools, law schools, and medical schools in the world.

Contact Information: Contact: Lisa Weiner 303 433 7020