Professionals, such as physicians, clergy members or teachers, are expected to place the needs of others before their own – even when doing so is inconvenient. But what does professionalism mean for medical school applicants, and why is it important? After all, won't professionalism be taught in medical school? Professionalism will be discussed throughout your time as a student or physician, to some degree. But showing good character as an applicant can make you more likely to be accepted to medical school, as the admissions committee will believe you can only continue to improve. On the other hand, it is considered risky to accept an applicant who appears lacking in professionalism. There are many ways you can demonstrate professionalism as an applicant. One way might be to apply to medical school early. Applying early demonstrates you are well prepared and likely to continue that behavior throughout your career. When caring for your patients, you will be timely in completing notes for their office visits and sending in orders. Another way might be to arrive early for your interview. Remember, surgeons never roll in half an hour late to the operating room. You can also demonstrate professionalism by being courteous to others. Whether interacting with a secretary, another applicant, a taxi driver, a host student or the dean, an applicant is expected to be polite and considerate. During a visit, a phone call or in an email, respectful behavior is the rule. If you need to change or cancel an interview date, it should be done as early as possible so that another student may interview. Team play is a critical marker of professionalism, and admissions committees will scour applications for evidence. A true member of a team inspires and assists others to be their best. We watch closely how applicants treat each other, whether they are sitting at lunch or participating in a group discussion about ethics. Is an applicant observant and offered to help a secretary lift a heavy box? If an applicant drove to the interview and heard that another applicant needs a ride to the hotel, will he or she offer to help? Physicians must respect and be responsible to each other and to all of their patients. In building a professional reputation, it's just as important to avoid errors of judgment that can cost applicants an acceptance offer. First of all, never badmouth a school or people you interact with during the admissions process. A tactful physician does not rant about others. I recall one student who could hardly wait to complain about our sister school, thinking they were out of earshot. They were not. At least two students at my hospital were rejected because they wrote negative blog posts or remarks about students they met on interview day. Impolite, commanding or nagging verbiage over the phone or in an email to a secretary should also be avoided. If applicants don't answer emails or fail to give an explanation when they don't show up as expected, they are unlikely to make the admissions cut. You should also be careful not to exaggerate your volunteer hours. Application screeners will add up your hours and know when it would have been impossible to volunteer that many hours while attending classes. I can recall multiple applicants who were passed by for this reason. If you are brought to interview, the faculty will pay great attention to whether or not the exaggeration is continued or whether you give honest and accurate responses. Remember to act professionally in all situations that involve interaction with prospective medical schools. Don't drink too much when out with other students or at a residency interview dinner. You are at work and must maintain professional. The quality and safety of patient care depends upon a high degree of professionalism. Without this, physician morale and self-esteem suffer. Even more importantly, our patients lose out on a high level of care. When interviewers look at you, they want to see someone who will protect those values of professionalism as much as they do. They expect to see in you their ideal future physician. Source
