Many nontraditional medical school candidates have impressive accomplishments on their resumes. However, it’s important for these candidates to ensure that their successes don’t paradoxically harm their applications: Candidates who have thriving careers in other fields need to go the extra mile to prove their interest in leaving what they have for medical school. No admissions committee wants to accept a candidate who then quits school to resume his or her original field. You need to convince the committee that you won’t be that person.

Having a lot of clinical experience is a good way of doing this. Also, conveying clearly in your application and interviews an interest in your current field (don’t be negative) but a much stronger drive to become a doctor – despite the difficult training – is important. (Acknowledging the long road ahead shows you’ve had a reality check.)

Nontraditional candidates who want personalized assistance should check me out at www.InsiderMedicalAdmissions.com .