Applying to Medical, Dental & PA School

1PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office

Pre-Med/Pre-Health

Advising Office

Applying to a Health Professional School: Are You Ready to Apply?

11/29/17


Did you miss the meeting in November?

If you missed the November meeting,

email Faith ([email protected])

for the recording of the meeting, which includes more in-depth slides.

mailto:[email protected]


The Competitive Health Professional School Candidate

Fill all three buckets and keep them full

• Keep doing clinical work

• Keep doing service

Share your successes

• Prepare a thoughtful application

• Gather strong recommendations

• Prepare for a great interview


The Perfect Health Professions School Candidate

http://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/blog/studentblogs/daniel14/

http://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/blog/studentblogs/daniel14/


What Role do Pre-Health Advisors Play?

Your Advisor = Your Coach

• Supportive but honest and objective

• Focused on being strategic to maximize your chances of acceptance

• Informed with years of data and access to all applications

Your Family = Your Cheerleader

• Will look past any areas of weakness

• Will champion your areas of strength

• Will (almost) always tell you to go for it

UMass Candidates Admitted to the Following MD Programs:

Albany Medical College

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Boston University School of Medicine

Case Western Reserve U. School of Medicine

Columbia University College of P&S

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Creighton University of Medicine

Dartmouth Medical School

Drexel University College of Medicine

Duke University School of Medicine

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Emory University School of Medicine

Florida International University COM

George Washington U. Sch of Med & Hlth Sci

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Harvard Medical School

Hofstra University School of Medicine

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Loyola U. Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Mayo Medical School

Medical University of South Carolina

Meharry Medical College

Mount Sinai School of Medicine

New York Medical College

New York University

Northeastern Ohio U. College of Medicine

Northwestern U. Feinberg School of Medicine

Oregon Health and Science University

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Rosalind Franklin U. of Medicine and Sciences

Saint Louis University School of Medicine

San Jan Bautista School of Medicine

Sidney Kimmel Med. College -Thomas Jefferson U.

Stony Brook University - School of Medicine

SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Temple University School of Medicine

Texas - Southwestern

Texas A&M U. System HSC Col. Of Medicine

Texas AM University

The Frank H. Netter MD Sch. of Med. at Quinnipiac U.

The University of Miami School of Medicine

The University of Vermont College of Medicine

Tufts University School of Medicine

Tulane University School of Medicine

UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Universidad Central Del Caribe

University of California San Diego

University of California San Francisco

University of Chicago - Pritzker

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

University of Connecticut School of Medicine

University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine

University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medicine

University of Massachusetts Medical School

University of Michigan Medical School

University of Oakland School of Medicine

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

University of Rochester School of Med. & Dentistry

University of TN Health Science Cntr Coll of Med

University of Washington School of Medicine

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

UT Southwestern

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Washington University of Medicine

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Weill Medical College of Cornell

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Wright State U. Boonshoft School of Medicine

2015 – 2017

Application Cycles

UMass Candidates Admitted to the following DO Programs:A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Alabama College fo Osteopathic Medicine

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus

Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine – Colorado(RVUCOM-CO)

Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

‘15 – ’16 & ‘16 – ’17

Application Cycles

UMass Candidates Admitted to the Following Dental Programs:Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BU)

Indiana University School of Dentistry (IND)

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Dental Medicine (LECOM-FL)

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (LLU)

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona (MWU)

New York University

Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine (NSU)

Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College (TCDM)

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUF)

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (BUF)

University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry (UCLA)

University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine (CONN)

University of Louisville School of Dentistry

University of Maryland

University of Michigan School of Dentistry (MICH)

University of Nebraska

University of Nevada LV

University of New England College of Dental Medicine (UNE)

University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine (PITT)

Virgina Commonwealth University

Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine (WESTU)

‘15 – ’16 & ‘16 – ’17

Application Cycles

UMass Students Admitted to the following PA Programs

Stats for 2017 available in February

Barry University

Bay Path University

Bryant University

CUNY School of Medicine

Duke University Medical Center

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Elon University

Emory University

Franklin Pierce University

Johnson & Wales University

Long Island University

MCPHS University (Boston)

MCPHS University (Manchester)

MCPHS University (Worcester)

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Midwestern University (Downers Grove)

New York Institute of Technology

Northeastern University

Nova Southeastern University - Fort Lauderdale

Nova Southeastern University - Jacksonville

Pace University

Philadelphia and Atlantic City

Sacred Heart University

SUNY Upstate Medical Center

Thomas Jefferson University

Tufts University

University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Bridgeport

University of Washington

Weill-Cornell MSHS PA Program

2015 – 2016

Application Cycle


Be Clear about Your Goals: Timeline v. Acceptance

What is your primary goal?

Be careful not to prioritize your method over your goal.

• Keep your timeline flexible

• Apply when you are competitive

• Set yourself up for success

What’s the harm in trying?

• Wasting time (your most precious resource)

• Wasting money (likely another precious resource)

• Need to demonstrate marked improvement over previous application if

you reapply

What is your method?

Admission

Timeline

2016 – 2017 Application Cycle

Make sure your academic portfolio is competitive.

For context, UMass Amherst candidates had the following success rates:

73% admitted to MD programs if they had at least

3.7 science GPA & 508 on MCAT

75% admitted to DO programs if they had at least

3.3 science GPA & 502 on MCAT

83% admitted to dental programs if they had at least

3.35 science GPA & 9 on DAT

Those pursuing med school without gap time typically had among the strongest academic records.


Red Dots in the Competitive Region of the Graph

Most Common Reasons why students with high MCAT scores and

high GPAs don’t get an acceptance:

• Too little volunteer or clinical experience (No gap time)

• Interview did not go well

• School selection

• Too many elite schools and/or state schools w/low OOS acceptance

• Not enough schools (20 was the average for those admitted)

• Applying too late in the cycle (late to submit secondaries or take MCAT)

• Mostly shadowing for clinical experience

• MCAT was too low in one section (often Bio or CARS)

Applying before you are ready can hurt your chances in a future application.

Dental School: Lessons

Tips

• Most admissions are rolling; apply when applications open

• Apply to 8-10 schools, mostly on target or safety

• Before applying, have strong and continuous -

• Community service

• Manual dexterity

• Shadowing

• Apply with a strong DAT score (only three attempts!) and strong science GPA

• Look closely at the pre-requisites for each dental school because they can vary

• Required courses may vary

• Required letters of recommendation may vary

Physician Assistant School: GPA & GRE

Median GRE for

Admitted Candidates

Section Scores %

Quantitative 154 55

Verbal 154 65

Writing 4 60

Not all schools require the GRE.

Less than half of applicants took or

reported their GRE score to UMass.

Science GPA for

Admitted Candidates

Median 3.59

Average 3.580% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

2.0 - 2.99

3.0 - 3.19

3.2 - 3.39

3.4 - 3.59

3.6 - 3.79

3.8 - 4.0

UMass: Percent Admits by Science GPA

Physician Assistant School: Lessons

Tips

• Most admissions are rolling; apply when applications open

• Apply to 8-10 schools, mostly on target or safety

• If you need to bolster your GPA:

• Take courses at a 4-year college

• Take at least 20 credits and excel in them

• If you need to complete pre-requisite classes:

• Take courses at a 4-year college

• Only report your GRE if it matches the schools stats;

should be at least 60th percentile

• Do not report your GRE to CASPA unless you want to

share it with all schools. Send individual score reports to

the appropriate schools.

• Minimum hours of clinical experience only means that the

school won’t throw out your application. Look at the

average.


Academics: Suggested Conclusions

Strong academics needed

There can be variances in who gets admitted. Common reasons:

• Applicant is underrepresented in medicine/dentistry

• Applicant took gap year(s) to grow stronger in other areas of the application, i.e.

more service, more clinical experience, more research

• Applicant has extraordinary experiences or skills

• Applicant overcame extreme hardship

Details about GPAs

• Schools check both science GPA and overall GPA

• A GPA that is going up or steady is preferred to one that is falling


Assessing your Non-Academic Experience

Use these AAMC materials to help you assess your readiness…

https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/preparing-med-school/anatomy-applicant/



Use the Core Competencies…

Successful applicants to graduate programs in ALL health professions are able to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and capability in these 15 defined competencies.


Documenting Your Competencies

Find this self-assessment tool here:




https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/preparing-med-school/anatomy-applicant/demonstrate-the-core-competencies/

Profiles of Applicants…

https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/preparing-med-school/anatomy-applicant/demonstrate-the-core-competencies/


Creating a Timeline for Application

Do you have all of the following?

• Strong academics

• Strong MCAT/DAT/GRE

• Continuous commitment to clinical experience

• PA school – many HOURS needed

• History of continued service to UMass and to the community

• Strong breadth of references

• Able to communicate why you want to be in healthcare

Family: We love you. We often give

feelings-based advice and may not

have access to up-to-date information.

Advisors: We will give you

facts. We will support you in

getting you where you need

to be to be competitive.


Major Dates to Apply This Cycle

Sugg’d Deadline Formal Deadline

Mid-Oct. Varies Register for the MCAT or DAT if not yet complete.

--- Late Nov./early Dec. Attend mandatory meetings for applicants.

--- Dec. 11, 5 p.m. Attend personal statement writing workshop. (904 Campus Center)

--- Apr. 20 Complete the self-assessment form the UMass Pre-Health website.

Early May July 1 Begin to complete the online application.

--- May 20 Have all letters of recommendation on file with veCollect.

June 1 July 1 Send transcripts from each college attended to AMCAS/AACOMAS/AADSAS.

1st week of June Aug. 1 Submit online application through AMCAS/AACOMAS/AADSAS.

One year prior June 30 Take MCAT if not already complete.

--- July 17 Take DAT if not already complete.

June 30 Sept. 1 Complete secondary applications.

--- Aug 1 Have completed: self-assessment, all letters of recommendation,

application submitted, MCAT or DAT score posted, and transcripts

Full applicant checklist on website under Application Timeline tab.

https://www.cns.umass.edu/advising/pre-med-pre-health/application-timeline

https://secure.cns.umass.edu/webforms/pre-med-pre-health-self-assessment?_ga=2.87090008.1923375956.1508764607-1836985188.1505141864


Maintain Relationships throughout Application Process & Beyond

Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising

• Work with current students and alumni

• In-person and remote (Skype/phone) advising available

Letter Writers for Recommendations – Ask early (February)

• Stop by office hours

• Go for coffee

• Send email updates

• Send casual emails, i.e., pass along a news article that may be

of interest


Is a GAP YEAR a Good Idea For You?• It will make you a more COMPETITIVE candidate, you will get

another (usually stronger) LOR, you can explore y0ur career interests.

• There are an INFINITE number of AMAZING things to do during a gap year (or two).


Don’t Miss These Meetings; Dates Announced in Newsletter…

Committee Letters

Self-Assessment

VE Collect

School Selection

Verification Process

Secondary Applications

Application Services Info Sources

Expenses

Committee Letter Request form/email

3) Accepted Student Panel! Wednesday May 2 (Time/Location TBA)Students accepted to Dental, Medical, and PA programs in the previous application cycle will talk about their experience with the application and interview process.

1) Personal Essay Workshop early spring semester

2) Part 2 of Mandatory Applicant Meeting mid-February

Questions?

Applying to Medical, Dental & PA School

Education

Transcript of Applying to Medical, Dental & PA School