READINESS
The best time to apply to health professions school is when you are ready and strongest.
Ask yourself the some of these questions:
- Am I academically prepared? Is my GPA competitive?
- Have I taken the appropriate test (MCAT, PCAT, etc.) and am I satisfied with my score?
- Do I have strong letters of recommendation?
- Do I have clinical and research experiences?
- Am I ready to be in school for the next 2-8 years?
HOW TO APPLY
Health Professions schools used centralized application services, allowing applicants to submit one application to multiple schools. Note that most schools have rolling admissions, meaning you should apply as close to the opening of applications as possible!
Allopathic Medicine
- AMCAS - American Medical College Application Service
- AMCAS Instruction Manual
- AMCAS Prezi Presentation
Osteopathic Medicine
- AACOMOS - American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service
- AACOMAS Application Instructions
Veterinary Medicine
Dental Medicine
Physician Assistant
Pharmacy
WHERE TO APPLY
Selecting schools to apply is a matter of research, research, research. Applying to more than 20 schools will not necessarily increase your chances of admission. Instead, consider factors such as geographic location, school profile, mission focus, and competitive range for admitted students. Explore schools and programs with these websites:
- Medical School Admissions Requirements
- Assessment Worksheets
- Osteopathic Medical College Information Book
- Veterinary School Admissions Requirements
- Dental School Admissions Guide
- Pharmacy School Admission Requirements
- Physician Assistant Education Online Program Directory
ENTRANCE EXAMS
Most health professions schools require entrance exams. Make sure to give yourself ample time to study!
- Register well ahead of time to make sure you get the date and location you want.
- Take all the coursework that the test covers before taking the test.
- Allow yourself at least three months of study before taking the test.
- Take practice tests! Students tend to perform a little more poorly on text day than on practice tests. Take the test when you are scoring above your target score.
Medical School: MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
- Comprised of four sections: Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills, and Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations of Behavior.
- The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam
- MCAT practice tests
- How Do I Prepare for the MCAT Exam
- Percentile Ranks for the MCAT Exam
Dental School: DAT (Dental Admission Test)
- Comprised of four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. In order to take the DAT
- The DAT Guide
Pharmacy School: PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)
- Comprised of Writing, Verbal Ability, Biology, Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Ability.
- The PCAT: About The Test [pdf]
Veterinary School & Physician Assistant programs
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Comprised of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing
CAS Fee Assistance Programs
Test Prep Courses
- AAMC Test Prep Products
- Kaplan Test Prep
- Princeton Review
- Gold Standard MCAT
- Gold Standard DAT
- Gold Standard OAT
- Adapt Prep
- Next Step Test Prep
Free/Reduced Price Test Prep Resources
- AAMC Free MCAT Study Resources
- Next Step Test Prep Free Webinars
- Altius Free MCAT Practice Test
- Kaplan Fee Assistance
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
All health professions schools require letters of recommendation. The purpose of the letters are for admissions committees to get a sense the characteristics that are not evident through solely your metrics. It is important to cultivate relationships with professors, supervisors and other mentors over time. Schools will likely ask for 3-4 letters.
Cultivate relationships with recommenders:
- Visit office hours, engage in class discussions, and keep in contact after the course ends.
- Demonstrate exemplary work ethic, and keep in contact with supervisors beyond your time in that setting.
Guidelines in asking for letters of recommendation:
- Include two letters from Science faculty, and one from a non-Science faculty.
- Include a letter from someone who has supervised you in a work or volunteer setting.
- If you have research experience, include a letter from whomever supervised you.
- Ask for letters far in advance (ideally three months).
- Share your resume and your personal statement with your recommenders.
- Provide all the necessary details and procedures as to how and when to submit the letters.
- It’s OK if the person you ask says no, just make sure to ask with enough time so you can secure the letters from enough recomendors.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews with Health Professions Schools are an opportunity for admissions schools to get to explore in person whether you would be a good match for their program. HCAO does offer in person mock interviews for students who have received interview offers.
Resources
- AAMC Guide to Preparing for Medical School Interviews
- Ask the Experts: Preparing for Medical School Interviews
- Acing Your Medical School Interview
- What It's Like to Participate in Multiple Mini Interviews
- American Student Dental Association: Interview Tips
- Advice from Admissions Officers: The Dental School Interview