Global educational services provider Kaplan has released its annual medical school admissions officers survey, a nearly two decades old initiative, revealing what most impresses them when deciding who gets in and discussing some controversial topics in the application process and medical education*:

• MCAT® Score: At 39%, survey respondents named a low MCAT score as “the biggest application deal breaker” in the primary part of the application—a near constant in Kaplan’s findings over the years. A low undergraduate GPA placed second at 24%, followed by lack of clinical experience at 20%, and poor letters of recommendation at 10%.
• Artificial Intelligence: Only 3% of medical school admissions officers say their school has an official policy allowing applicants to use Generative AI programs such as ChatGPT to write their admissions essays; 36% say they officially prohibit the practice; and 61% say they have no official policy. One admissions officer shared, “Applicants should not use AI to draft essays or personal statements. This is both unethical, disingenuous, and not accurate. Plus, we can tell.”
• Social Media: Nearly a third (31%) of medical school admissions officers say they have visited an applicant’s social media profile to learn more about them, up 2 points from 2017, the last time this topic was explored in Kaplan’s med school survey. But a much larger 81% believe the practice is “fair game,” as opposed to 19% who say it’s “an invasion of privacy.”
• The Rankings: More than six in 10 (63%) admissions officers say the medical school rankings have “lost some of their prestige over the past couple of years,” compared to 53% who said this in Kaplan’s 2023 survey. This comes at a time when a number of top medical schools have decided to no longer participate in the rankings because of the way the rankings are calculated.
• Taking a Stand: Admissions officers are largely split on medical schools issuing statements about important political topics and current events, with 41% saying they should, 47% saying they shouldn’t, and 13% unsure. On a related note, only 30% of admissions officers polled approve of the way medical schools addressed political issues and current events this past academic year.

Dr. Alvin Bisarya, vice president of college and STEM programs, Kaplan, said:

“For nearly 20 years, Kaplan’s annual survey of medical schools has provided invaluable insights into what admissions officers prioritize when deciding who gets in. With admissions remaining fiercely competitive, understanding key trends—like the impact of MCAT scores, the cautious embrace of AI tools, and the role of social media—can give pre-med students a significant edge. We’d also stress that this survey is much more than data; it’s a guide for aspiring doctors navigating a high-stakes process, offering a window into the evolving viewpoints of admissions officers and helping applicants better position themselves for success in their medical career journey.”

Reporters can contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com for more information.

*Admissions officers from 59 accredited medical schools across the U.S. and Canada were polled by e-mail between July and September 2024. Findings were rounded to the nearest whole number.

MCAT® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the Association of American Medical Colleges, which is not affiliated with Kaplan.

About Kaplan

Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retainment, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries/regions continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 15,000 corporate clients, and 3,300 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com.

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