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Applying to Professional Schools
Applying to professional school is a long process, so it's in your best interest to get informed about the process early! In general, applications are available in early May and should be submitted as early as possible in the period between June and September of the year preceding the year you expect to matriculate. For most preprofessional students, this corresponds to the end of their third year, when they should have completed all their preprofessional course requirements. You should have letters of evaluation collected in a confidential file in the OHLPA during that year, plan to take the admissions test (MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, PCAT) in the spring, and have your initial application submitted no later than late August or early September. Submitting your application or taking the admission test later can reduce your chances of acceptance. Different schools have different deadlines. Make sure you are aware of all deadlines to all schools to which you plan to apply. Admission committees meet all during the fall. Allopathic medical schools begin accepting students October 15. An early application enhances the chances for admission because it assists the admission committee's activities, demonstrates the applicant's enthusiasm and preparation, and allows for scheduling of interviews before the end of the year.
Selecting Schools
You should begin selecting schools to which you would like to apply at least 6 months beforehand. The best way to find out about the individual schools is to contact them directly and ask them for informational brochures, catalogs, or visit them on-line. You should call and ask them questions about information you find important, which may not be in their printed information. The Office of Health and Legal Professions Advising (OHLPA) Library, has catalogs for many health profession programs. The OHLPA Library, located on the second floor of the Academic Advising Center is open from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
It is recommended you obtain one of the following publications to help choose the schools to which you will apply.
- Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) 51st Ed.
Association of American Medical Colleges
Section for Publication Orders
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: (202) 828-0400
Fax: (202) 828-1125
http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm
- Admission Requirements of United States and Canadian Dental Schools
38th Edition.
American Association of Dental Schools
Attn: Publications Assistant
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036-2212
Tel: (202) 667-9433 ext. 155
Fax: (202) 667-0642
http://www.adea.org - Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the
United States and Canada 2000 Edition
Purdue University Press
1207 South Campus Courts, Bldg. E
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1207
Tel: (800) 933-9637
http://www.aavmc.org/VMCAS/VMSAR_publications.htm
Email: libpup@omni.cc.purdue.edu - AACPM Colleges of Podiatric Medicine College Information Booklet
Booklet comes with the AACPMAS application, in the on-line application and at the following website http://www.aacpm.org/apply/apply.asp - Osteopathic Medical College Information 2002 Entering Class
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
5550 Friendship Blvd. Suite 310
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815-7231
(301) 968-4100
http://www.aacom.org/colleges
Make sure you get the most recent edition. Copies are available for review in the OHLPA Library. Most of these publications contain information on admission requirements for individual schools, in addition to statistical information on accepted students. Some of them also include information about the respective professions. Most schools are also located on the worldwide web, which is an excellent source of information. It is important to verify information such as admission requirements and application procedures with each individual school.
Note: Having a GPA and test score higher than a school’s average does not mean you will be accepted, or even invited for an interview. Many other factors will be considered, including health care experience, motivation, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, personal statement, maturity, well-rounded education, commitment to health care, course loads, etc.
When considering a school, find out whether they consider out-of-state residents (if it is in a state of which you are not a resident), the average GPA and test scores of recently accepted applicants, tuition, location (do you want to live there for four years?), and special programs/initiatives. You should choose at least a couple of ‘dream schools’ – those that you may not have much of a chance of getting in to, but which you would love to attend. Then choose several schools to which you would like to attend and for which you feel you are competitive. Finally, choose a few schools for which you feel you are very competitive as backup schools. Make sure you only apply to schools you would consider attending!
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