Beyond+The+Numbers

toc =What Medical and Dental Schools are Looking For= Acceptance to medical, dental, osteopathic and other health related schools rely heavily on quantitative numbers such as GPA (both overall and science) and MCAT/DAT scores. However, this is not the whole picture. They also take into consideration many non-tangible traits as listed below. The Pre-Health Office will discuss the following traits in the Committee letter transmitted to the schools on your behalf. Many of these traits can be shown with your extracurricular involvement, and YU has many opportunities to ensure you can demonstrate these important components of your application. Below is a list of several important traits that schools examine when evaluating candidates.

Integrity and Ethics
Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways.

Reliability and Dependability
Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner and takes responsibility for personal actions and performance.

Service Orientation
Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others' distress. Letters from rabbis, schools, counselors, professors, etc. that discuss a desire to be of help to others.

Social and Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrates an awareness of others' needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples' interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; treats others with respect and demonstrates a respect for diverse populations. Letters that speak of classroom, lab or social interactions in a positive manner.

Teamwork
Demonstrates the ability to work with others, in a manner that allows for collaboration and positive interaction; letters of recommendation from labs, sports, camps, etc.

Capacity for Improvement
Sets goals for continuous self improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; assesses own strengths and weaknesses; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback. Demonstrates desire to learn and improve oneself.

Resilience and Adaptability
Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.

Oral Communication
Demonstrates the ability to speak eloquently to others and to elaborate on complex topics.