What do med school admissions committees actually look for after the GPA/MCAT screen? In this Jack Westin Pre-Med Admissions Podcast episode, Molly Kilty (Director of Instruction) hosts Dr. Anita Paschal (MD, double PhD, 30+ years on admissions committees) as she breaks down the CLASS framework for building a well-rounded application: Clinical, Leadership, Academic enrichment, Service, and Social.

Dr. Paschal explains why acceptance rates hover around 40–44%, why many applicants with strong stats still get rejected, and how committees review your application through categories, hours, time commitment, and evidence of core competencies.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How med schools screen applications and what happens after GPA/MCAT ✅

- The CLASS framework to assess your readiness for med school 🎓

- What “enough” clinical experience looks like (shadowing + hands-on care) 🩺

- How to diversify shadowing (primary, specialty, underserved, international) 🌍

- What strong leadership actually means beyond titles 👥

- How research + teaching/tutoring signal academic readiness 🔬📚

- What service should look like (clinical + nonclinical) and why it matters 🤝

- How hobbies/social interests can strengthen rapport and relatability 🎻🏃

🎧 More admissions episodes: AMCAS timelines, personal statements, experiences, and what adcoms really prioritize.

Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at [email protected]! 📱

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