Many medical schools including St. George’s University (SGU) often host events for aspiring medical students to get to know the school they are applying to. It is also an opportunity to learn more about how they can maximize their med school applications.
Future med students who attend an information session or event can reap many benefits including being able to speak with a representative one-on-one and learn valuable information on topics.
These events also give schools a chance to get to know potential applicants. You might consider this a low-stakes audition for medical school as it pays to put your best foot forward. But how do you do that?
We broke it down into four simple steps so that you can impress med school representatives while getting the most out of an event.
Step 1: Find an event to attend
SGU hosts many to showcase its School of Medicine to aspiring physicians so that they can determine if SGU is a good choice school for them. One of its most popular events is SGULive, which is a series dynamic events, structured similarly to a conference, hosted in various cities throughout the US and Canada. At SGULive, attendees:
- learn more about financial aid and scholarships, pre-clinical tracks, and tips to stand out as an applicant,
- connect one-on-one with peers, admissions, financial aid reps, current students, and alumni, and
- embark on an exploration of SGU’s beautiful campus and thriving student life.
SGULive is also a great networking opportunity with physicians and future physicians locally. These SGU students and graduates were once in your shoes and are happy to share their experiences with you.
There are other ways to interact with a school you are interested in. For instance, SGU also hosts around the US. Where SGULive has the conference-like feel, MeetSGU operates more like a traditional information session (but is still a great venue for you to make your impact nonetheless). You can also find SGU at many med school fairs or attend a virtual information session.
Step 2: Come prepared with the right questions to ask
When attending an information session, especially in person, it is important to consider what you want a medical school representative’s first impression of you to be. You can make a good impression right off the bat by:
- Dressing professionally
- Having multiple copies of your resume/CV to share with recruiters
- Preparing a few questions to ask recruiters
What kind of questions should you ask recruiters? To name one example, ask about opportunities that are offered that align with your passions and interests.
Do you love traveling and would like to study abroad? Do you see yourself active in student life and want to participate in academic extracurricular activities? Or perhaps you are passionate about giving back or making institutional changes with a dual MD/MPH degree.
Asking about these opportunities will help identify which schools may be a strong fit for you based on the support and programs that are already in place.
Also, be prepared to explain how your interests fit with the institution. You should be ready for important questions like ‘why medicine?’ or ‘why are you the right fit?’
These are simple topics that can come up in conversation and are a great way to showcase your skills, interests, passion, and a readiness for what is to come in med school.
When asked what you are looking for in a medical program, be able to articulate some important characteristics for you such as residency match rates, a diverse student body , or start dates that are conducive with your timeline.
Step 3: Connect after event
If you find an interaction with a med school rep to be particularly helpful, connecting with them after the event to express your gratitude can also help make a good impression. And, of course, if you still have questions, there is always the tried-and-true method of just asking!
Do not hesitate to reach out to admissions to connect you with the answers that you are looking for.
Aspiring students should also utilize the wealth of information that is readily available such as on a school’s website, residency match stats, and even blogs. Be sure to take advantage of the student support that SGU provides from the application stage all the way through to your final goal.
Are you ready to implement these tips at your next event?
We have outlined ways to make a good impression and maximize your experience—now let’s put those tips into action!
Attend an SGU event like SGULive or MeetSGU! Or, if you have more specific questions about the School of Medicine, feel free to request more information.
