After Receiving an Admission Decision

Next steps after receiving an acceptance

Congratulations on your acceptance! Download the Post-Acceptance Checklist below for next steps in accepting your offer of admission. This checklist provides general recommendations, please communicate directly with the school you have been admitted to regarding finalizing your admission and completing final steps specific to their program.

 

What if I am waitlisted?

If you have been offered a position on a program’s waitlist, review the video below for next steps. This video provides general recommendations, please communicate directly with the school you have been waitlisted by for waitlist information specific to their program.

 

What if I was denied?

If you are denied admission to a program, review the following resources to reflect on your current application materials and begin considering next steps for future application cycles.

Connect with Resources

• Talk with admission representatives at schools you were denied from. Admission representatives can provide feedback on strengths and weaknesses in your application and how to be more competitive in the next application cycle.  
• Speak with a pre-health advisor to outline pros and cons of reapplying.
  • Download this questionnaire  to get started.
• Connect with Career Services regarding job opportunities with your degree, reflecting on alternative career pathways or gap year plans.
• Meet with a consultant in the Writing Center to review and update your personal statement.
• Talk with your letter writers and consider additional people to ask for new letters of recommendation.
• Enhance your interview skills by participating in mock interview events hosted by Career Services and using online tools such as InterviewStream.

Academics

• Evaluate your current GPA against the admitted student profile at each school you applied to. Does your GPA fall within the average GPA?
  • Use our GPA calculator to calculate your overall, science/math, and prerequisite GPA’s.
  • Consider applying to post-baccalaureate, second degree, or masters’ programs if your GPA needs to be strengthened. A list of post-bacc programs can be accessed on the AAMC website.
    • Important: Post-bacc programs do not typically offer financial assistance. If needing financial support while pursuing additional courses, consider a second-degree or master’s level program instead. Additionally, consider what alternative career opportunities these programs offer.
• Review your Entrance exam score. Were your test scores considered competitive against students that were admitted to the program? If needing to retake an entrance exam, begin gathering materials and planning for 4-6 months of study prep.

Cocurricular Experiences

• Evaluate co-curricular experiences – do you have diverse experiences and meet all minimums set by programs? Use the pre-health co-curricular activities log to track and assess your experiences.
• Continue gaining experience to enhance your application. Consider additional community service, clinical experience, research, observation hours, and leadership experience for the next cycle.
• Refer back to your gap year and parallel plan to consider options during your time in-between application cycles.

Reapplicant Checklist

If considering reapplying, download the checklist below to begin preparing for the next application cycle.