Your medical school application is one of the most exciting (and overwhelming) times in your premed journey. Even with all the research, planning, and advice from mentors, there are always a few surprises when applying to medical school that catch applicants off guard.
When I applied, I had plenty of “wow, I didn’t know that” moments. But after mentoring 840+ students through my Road to Acceptance program, I’ve noticed the same surprises come up again and again.
Below are the six most common surprises of my students – and how you can prepare beforehand and apply with confidence!
This post is all about surprises when applying to medical school.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
List of Surprises When Applying to Medical School
1. You Can Submit Your Primary App Without MCAT Score
“I was genuinely surprised to hear that you don’t need to have your MCAT score or even LORs all ready to apply.“
Many students assume they need every single piece of their application ready before hitting “submit.” Not true. You can actually submit your primary application without having your MCAT score or all of your letters of recommendation lined up.
This is huge because it allows you to still apply early (which is critical in rolling admissions) even if you’re waiting on a later MCAT test date or a professor to finish their letter. Don’t delay your entire application if just one of those pieces isn’t ready.
2. How Important Early Application Really Is
“How important applying early really is in the application process and how long it takes for the primary application to be verified.”
Medical schools use rolling admissions, which means seats fill as the cycle progresses. The later you apply, the fewer seats remain and the more competitive it becomes.
Ideally, you want to submit your primary application within the first week after submission opens. For AMCAS, that typically means filling it out starting May 1st and hitting submit by May 27th. Doing this can give you a serious advantage over students who wait.
3. Writing Your Personal Statement Can Be Easy
“How easy it is to write a personal statement once you know how to outline it!! I was truly overthinking it!”
This is another big relief for students. Once you break the personal statement down into a step-by-step structure, the process feels much less overwhelming.
A helpful framework looks like this:
- Your spark: the moment you first considered medicine
- 2–3 stories: specific experiences that strengthened your decision and showed qualities admissions committees look for
- Conclusion: tie it all together with why medicine is the right path for you
When students follow this format, they stop spinning their wheels and start writing essays that are compelling and authentically reflect their “why medicine!
4. Extracurricular Descriptions Should Be Story-Based
“I was surprised to learn that EC descriptions should be in story format. Additionally, that not every EC needs to leads back to why we want to become a doctor, but rather why we are who we are.”
Most premeds make the mistake of treating ECs like resume bullet points. But the best descriptions read like mini-essays, showing your growth, values, and impact.
And not every activity has to scream “future doctor.” A leadership role, volunteer project, or personal passion can just as powerfully demonstrate who you are as a person.
5. The Extra Tests You May Need to Take
“The amount of extra tests (Casper, Duet, Preview) that I needed to complete.”
Beyond the MCAT, some schools require situational judgment or readiness exams. These often catch students by surprise.
Here are the main ones:
- Casper: evaluates how you handle ethical or interpersonal scenarios
- Duet: measures alignment with a school’s values (subset of Casper)
- PREview: assesses professional readiness
The lesson? Always check school requirements early so you’re not blindsided by these additional tests.
6. The MSAR Is a Game-Changer (Especially With Low Stats)
“I was surprised to learn an effective mechanism of finding schools as a person with low stats. Finding schools where I fall into the 20th percentile and knowing that people have been successful with this brings a sense of hopefulness to the application process.”
Finally, many applicants are surprised to learn just how powerful the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database is for building a smart school list. It gives you data on residency bias, average MCAT scores, and average GPAs for accepted applicants at each school.
For students with lower stats, it’s especially helpful to see where you fall in the ranges and to identify schools where you have a realistic chance. In this case, finding schools where your GPA or MCAT lands closer to the 20th percentile can give you hope, and a strategy for crafting a strong, balanced list.
Final Thoughts on These Must-Know Surprises
If any of these six surprises left you thinking, “Wow, I didn’t know that,” you’re not alone. Most premeds underestimate how much strategy, timing, and storytelling matter in the application process.
The good news? With the right preparation, you can avoid these surprises and instead feel fully ready when you hit submit. I still remember the day I walked across the stage at my white coat ceremony – and I want you to experience that moment too.
You don’t need perfect stats. You don’t need to have it all figured out today. But you do need clarity, strategy, and momentum. Start now, and you’ll thank yourself when those interview invites roll in.
Related Posts
How to Apply to Medical School: A Simple Guide for Beginners
5 Things to Do NOW If You Are Applying to Medical School Next Cycle
Leave a Reply