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

Transcription

1 Applying to a Health Professional School: Are You Ready to Apply? Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising Office 1 11/29/17

2 Did you miss the meeting in November? If you missed the November meeting, Faith for the recording of the meeting, which includes more in-depth slides. 2

3 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 3

4 The Perfect Health Professions School Candidate 4

5 What Role do Pre-Health Advisors Play? 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 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 5

6 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 Application Cycles

7 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 & Application Cycles

8 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) & Application Cycles

9 UMass Students Admitted to the following PA Programs 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 Application Cycle Stats for 2017 available in Februa

10 Be Clear about Your Goals: Timeline v. Acceptance What is your primary goal? What is your method? Admission Timeline 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 10

11 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 re

12 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. 12

13 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

14 Physician Assistant School: GPA & GRE UMass: Percent Admits by Science GPA Median GRE for Admitted Candidates Section Scores % Quantitative Verbal Writing 4 60 Not all schools require the GRE. Less than half of applicants took or reported their GRE score to UMass % 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Science GPA for Admitted Candidates Median 3.59 Average 3.58

15 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 60 th 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.

16 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 16

17 Assessing your Non-Academic Experience Use these AAMC materials to help you assess your readiness 17

18 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. 18

19 Documenting Your Competencies Find this selfassessment tool here: plying-medicalschool/preparing-medschool/anatomyapplicant/ 19

20 Profiles of Applicants 20

21 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. 21

22 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. 1 st 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. 22

23 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 updates Send casual s, i.e., pass along a news article that may be of interest 23

24 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). 24

25 Don t Miss These Meetings; Dates Announced in Newsletter 1) Personal Essay Workshop early spring semester 2) Part 2 of Mandatory Applicant Meeting mid-february Committee Letters Self-Assessment VE Collect School Selection Verification Process Secondary Applications Application Services Info Sources Expenses Committee Letter Request form/ 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. 25

26 Questions?