About Applying

Students who wish to enter school in the health professions directly after graduation should apply during the summer between their junior and senior years of college. General meetings are held for prospective applicants during the fall of junior year; these meetings provide detailed instructions about the Premedical Advisory Committee Pre-Application as well as other procedures and timelines. Although the application process will not formally begin until the junior year, students should prepare for graduate school in the health professions throughout their undergraduate careers.

When to apply?

Students should plan to apply to professional schools when they are ready to present the strongest application. When considering their options, students should choose the best time for them. If students elect to apply after graduating from college, they are NOT at a disadvantage when compared with other applicants.

Many students choose to apply to medical school after they have graduated from college for a number of reasons. Some start premedical courses later in their undergraduate careers; some wish to improve upon the grades they received as undergraduates; some need to retake the MCAT; some students still feel uncertain about whether or not they're ready for medical school; and others want to take time to make money, conduct research, travel, or perform public service. Because medical school is a rigorous and high-pressure course of study and because it is expensive, it often discourages students from casually pursuing a medical degree. Medical schools have absolutely no bias against older applicants; in fact, the average entering age of first-year medical students is 25. Many students will present much more impressive applications if they wait until after graduation to apply.

Remember, it is better to take the time to build a stronger application than to apply prematurely. A rejection will always remain on your record. Another reason to make a careful and well-informed decision about your application timing is that the application process requires a great deal of investment, in terms of time, money, and hard work.

Columbia will, of course, assist students in the application process whenever they choose to apply.

When students have decided that they are ready to apply, timing is very important. Most professional schools have rolling admissions, and it is to a student’s distinct advantage to be considered early in the admissions process. Do not wait for deadlines!

National Trends

The medical profession waxes and wanes in popularity. Over the past decade, the number of medical school applicants increased nationally, then it decreased for a number of years and now it is back on the rise Nonetheless, a high percentage of applicants from Columbia gain admission to medical schools each year. Broadly-educated applicants and applicants who have been involved in life as well as books present very competitive applications for spots at medical schools.

For additional information about applicant trends, please refer to the charts produced by the American Association of Medical Colleges.