1. Applying to Graduate and Professional School
Kent L. Barrus Pre-professional Advisor

2. Your Chosen Major Academic Factors
No major is better than any other major for professional school.
Major can matter for graduate programs.
Advantage of Biology and Chemistry Majors.
140 Credit issue.

3. Prerequisite Classes Academic Factors Medicine. Dentistry. Optometry.
Podiatry.
Other.

4. Other Required Classes
Academic Factors
Other Required Classes
University of Utah Diversity Requirement.
Books: MSAR, ADEA, OPTED
Online Resources
Data Sheets.

5. Recommended Classes Academic Factors
The value of additional upper division classes
Biochemistry.
Liberal Arts Classes
Only doing the minimums.
Calculus

6. GPA Academic Factors An extremely important quantitative measure.
A great GPA does “NOT” guarantee admittance.
Cumulative vs Science GPA
GPA from a “competitive” vs “non-competitive” school.
GPA trends and standardized test scores.

7. Standardized Test Scores - Other
Academic Factors
Standardized Test Scores - Other
Medical – MCAT
Podiatry – MCAT or GRE
Dental – DAT
Pharmacy – PCAT or GRE.
PT/OT/Other graduate level programs – GRE.
Veterinary School – GRE.
VCAT no longer available.
Chiropractics – Usually not required.

8. Non-Academic Factors
“The reward goes not to him with the greatest ability, but to him with the greatest determination.”
-Voltaire

9. University of Utah Example-
Non-Academic Factors
University of Utah Example-
“As important as grades and test scores are, by themselves they do not predict who will be successful in medical school. The demands of medical education and life as a physician are not for everyone. We consider how the applicant balances outside activities and responsibilities with schoolwork as an indicator of ability to deal with the rigors of life as a physician. The committee is interested in motivation for attending medical school and understanding of the medical profession. Commitment to community service, ethical behavior, compassion, leadership ability and communication skills are important characteristics of physicians. We expect applicants to be courteous, respectful and professional at all times.”
Dean of Admission
University of Utah Medical School

10. University of Utah Example-
Non-Academic Factors
University of Utah Example-
The three guiding principles for selection:
Overall Excellence
Humanitarian Skills
Diversity of Experience

11. Bio 311 - Professional School Preparation
Extracurricular Activities
The more diverse your background and experience, the more interesting you will become to the admissions committee.
Don’t avoid out of fear of a lower GPA.
Make sure your participation is ‘Active’ participation.
Personal anecdotes in your application.

12. Personal Statement Personal Statements – Common Topics
The five common topic areas:
Your motivation for a career as a physician.
The influence of your family / early experiences in life.
The influence of extracurricular, work/volunteer activities on your life.
Your long-term goals.
Your personal philosophy.
Description of irregularities in you record.

13. Personal Statement Attributes Committee Look For:
Realistic self-assessment
Resourceful
Accountable
Cooperative
Persistent
Resilient
Reserve
Supported
Focused
Active Learner
Flexible
Efficient
Organized
Purposeful
Acknowledging limitations
Seeking help when appropriate
Accepting responsibility for learning
Working well with others
Completing tasks
Accepting disappointment and moving on
Good performance in activities without being distracted by them
Not isolating self from others
Concentration on task at hand
Integrating and applying new information
Willingness to change
Making good use of time
Systematically taking care of business
Setting long-term and short-term goals

14. Personal Statement The Most Common Essay Mistakes:
Underestimating the Importance of the Essay.
Using Excessive Detail
Failing to Make the Essay Personal.
Embellishing the Essay.
Failing to Proofread the Essay.

15. Application Process Allopathic Medical Schools MD/Ph.D., MD/JD
Individual Applications.
AMCAS vs non-AMCAS
115 out of 125 schools participate in AMCAS
Online AMCAS Available around May 15
Processing 1st to middle of June.
Early Decision Program
Deadline August 1st
Application Fees
$160 for the first school
$30 for each additional school.

16. Application Process Allopathic Medical Schools Deadlines MCAT Scores
Transcripts
Secondary Applications
Letters of Recommendation
TMDSAS / OMSAS

17. Application Process Osteopathic Medical Schools AACOMAS vs non-AACOMAS
20 out of 21 schools participate in AACOMAS
University of North Texas at Fort Worth
Online AMCAS Available around May 1
Processing begins June 1.
Application Fees
A graduated scale:
1 - $155
5 - $275
9 - $375
13 - $480
17 - $580
2 - $185
6 - $295
10 - $405
14 – $505
18 - $605
3 - $220
7 - $315
11 - $430
15 - $530
19 - $630
4 - $250
8 - $345
12 - $455
16 - $555
20- $655

18. Application Process Osteopathic Medical Schools Deadlines MCAT Scores
Transcripts
Secondary Applications
Letters of Recommendation
Sample Application

19. Application Process Dental Schools AADSAS vs non-AADSAS
54 schools participate in AADSAS
Non-AADSAS - Louisiana State, Medical College of Georgia, Northwestern U., University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee
Online AMCAS Available around May 15
Processing begins June 1.
Application Fees
$195 for first school.
$60 for each additional school up to ten.
$50 for each additional school from 11 to 20
$25 for each additional school over 20

20. Application Process Dental Schools Deadlines DAT Scores Transcripts
Secondary Applications
Letters of Recommendation

21. Application Process Optometry Schools Independent Applications
Deadlines
OAT Scores
Transcripts

22. Application Process Podiatry Schools AACPMAS AACPMAS vs non-AACPMAS
6 out of 8 schools participate in AACPMAS
New York and Midwestern University in Arizona
Online AMCAS Available around September 1st.
Application Fees
Application Processing Fees:
1 school: $50.00
2-3 schools: $75.00
4+ schools: $100.00

23. Application Process Podiatric Schools Deadlines MCAT, DAT, GRE Scores
April 1st for Priority Consideration
July 31st for Final Deadline.
MCAT, DAT, GRE Scores
Transcripts sent directly
Letters of Recommendation sent directly

24. Application Process Pharmacy Schools PharmCAS vs non-PharmCAS
42 out of 84 schools participate in PharmCAS
Online AMCAS Available around May 5th

25. Application Process Pharmacy Schools Deadlines PCAT or GRE Scores
Transcripts sent to PharmCAS
Secondary Applications
Letters of Recommendation sent to schools.

26. Application Process Physician Assistant Schools CASPA vs non-CASPA
68 out of 134 schools participate in CASPA
Online CASPA application available April 15th.
Application Fees
Graduated Scale

27. Application Process Physician Assistant Schools Deadlines GRE Scores
Some schools may accept the MCAT
Transcripts sent to CASPA
Letters of Recommendation
3 letters sent to CASPA
Letters may be submitted electronically
Sample Application

28. Standardized Tests Why Take Standardized Tests?
Grades Don’t Tell the Whole Story
The Great Equalizer of Undergraduate Education
More Important for Students Graduating from Schools not Well Known or Schools Who’s Reputation is Less than Other Schools.
Determine the Test Taking Ability of an Applicant.
Will you Do Well on Medical School Exams?
Will you Do Well on a Licensing Exam?

29. Standardized Tests What are the Different Tests? MCAT DAT - Dental
Allopathic
Osteopathic
Podiatry
Some Veterinary and Pharmacy Schools
DAT - Dental
OAT - Optometry
PCAT – Pharmacy
VCAT – Veterinary (No Longer Offered)
GRE – Graduate Schools

30. Standardized Tests MCAT Essentials When to Take the Test
April 17th or August 14th
Deadlines: March 12th or July 9th
Where to Take the Test
Idaho – Albertsons College (Caldwell), University of Idaho (Moscow), Idaho State University (Pocatello)
Utah – Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, University of Utah
Costs
Regular Exam Fee - $185.00
Miscellaneous Fees ranging from $10 to $60

31. Standardized Tests DAT Essentials When to Take the Test
Any time of the year
Give yourself at least 3 weeks to register
Where to Take the Test
Idaho – Boise Sylvan Learning Center
Utah – Ogden, Orem, or Salt Lake City Sylvan Learning Center
Costs
Regular Exam Fee - $160.00
Score Sent to 5 schools, NOT AADSAS.
Additional score reports are $10 per school.

32. Standardized Tests OAT Essentials COMPUTERIZED IN 2004
When to Take the Test
February 7th 2004 and October 16th 2004
Deadlines: December 29th and September 7th
Where to Take the Test
Idaho – Idaho State University
Utah – Weber State (Ogden) or BYU (Provo)
Costs
Regular Exam Fee - $130.00
Score Sent to 5 schools.
Additional score reports are $10 per school.

33. Standardized Tests PCAT Essentials When to Take the Test
January 24th 2004, March 27th 2004, and October 25th 2004
Deadlines: December 5th, February 13th, and September 12th
Where to Take the Test
Idaho – Idaho State University
Utah – Weber State (Ogden) or BYU (Provo)
Costs
Regular Exam Fee - $69.00
Score Sent to 1, 2, or 3 schools.
Must arrange for PCAT score to be sent to PharmCAS if applying to PharmCAS schools.

34. Standardized Tests GRE Essentials When to Take the Test
Any time of the year
Deadlines: December 5th, February 13th, and September 12th
Where to Take the Test
Idaho – Pocatello, Boise
Utah – Ogden
Costs
Regular Exam Fee - $115
Score Sent to 4 institutions.
Additional Score Report $15 per Institution.

35. Standardized Tests Test Taking Skills Pace Yourself
Don’t forgo answering easy questions because you spent to much time on harder questions.
Mark up the Test Booklet (for paper-based tests)
Underline important points
Strike through wrong answers
Make calculations or drawings
Read the Entire Question Carefully
Don’t make an assumption as to the answer with thoroughly reading the question.

36. Standardized Tests Test Taking Skills Use the ‘dot’ method
Put a small dot on the answer sheet for a question that will require significant time to answer.
Put a question mark next to this question in the test booklet.
If you run out of time on the test, you can go back quickly and fill in the answer sheet where you placed the dot.
This helps reduce the possibility of missing questions due to totally random guessing.
Helps prevent frame shifting errors.

37. Standardized Tests Test Taking Skills Answer Every Question
Unlike the SAT, there are no penalties for guessing.
Your first instinct is more likely to be correct.
Don’t change answers unless it is obvious that you misinterpreted the question.
Approximate the answer
If the possible answers differ significantly from each other it is possible to approximate for quicker calculations.
Adjust the numbers to be calculated by rounding off or move to a close number with a known trig function.
With most problems you will be able to tell which answer is a reasonable estimate.

38. Standardized Tests Test Taking Skills For Reading and Verbal Tests
Answer the question only on the basis of the information given, NOT from prior knowledge.
Sometimes reading the questions and answers first can alert you as to what you should be looking for in the passage to be read.
For the Writing Sample
Practice, Practice, Practice.
Read the Op-Ed pieces in major newspapers.
Typical Structure
Explain what the statement means
Describe some situation in which you disagree with the statement
Provide justification for your disagreement.

39. Standardized Tests Test Taking Skills
Study for the test like you would a 4 credit class.
There are no ‘tricks’ or ‘strategies’ that can substitute for knowledge of a subject.
Get a good nights sleep
Arrive in plenty of time so you are not hurried.
Eat well before the test and during.
If you are a poor standardized test taker, you can improve.
Visit the Learning Assistance Lab

40. Standardized Tests Should You Retake a Test?
Are your scores consistent with your grades?
Did you prepare adequately for the test?
Will you have the time and motivation to prepare for a second test?
Doing the same or worse a second time will hurt you.

41. What is your job as a freshman student?
Work hard and get good grades.
Get as much out of the university resources as possible.
Get to know you professors.

42. Letters of Recommendation
How do you get to know your professors?
Arrive at your appointments on time.
Find time for extra appointments.
Be honest about any problems you may have with an application.
Always feel free to ask questions.
Have evaluators read your personal statement.
Let your evaluators know where you have been accepted.

43. Letters of Recommendation
Why are letters important?
Judgment of your non-academic attributes.
Character
Personality
Motivation
Maturity
Integrity
Etc..
Will you make a good clinician?

44. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation Options
Individual Letters
Advantages:
Individual letters of recommendation may be more favorable.
Less time commitment.
Disadvantages:
Schools may disregard non-committee recommendations because they lack credibility.

45. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation Options
Committee Letters
Advantages:
Interview experience.
Application Preparation.
Feedback on your application
The reputation of a committee letter.
Disadvantage:
Time consuming process.
If you are not a strong applicant, the letter will reflect it.

46. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation Tips
Ask potential evaluators if they can write a ‘good’ letter on your behalf.
Let your evaluator know the type of health profession school you are applying to.
Be prepared to furnish information about yourself.
Get at least two science evaluations.
Diversity your evaluations.
Give sufficient lead time.
Collect evaluations after you finish a class.
Keep track of your evaluations.

47. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation – Don’ts
Don’t get a letter from family member.
Don’t get letters from well known persons unless they know you well.
Don’t procrastinate.
Don’t act unprofessional around your potential letter writers – Ever.

48. Letters of Recommendation
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Buckley Amendment
Your rights
Waived rights is best.

49. Interviewing Keep up on current topics! World and Local News
Current Industry Issues

50. Interviewing What percentage of an applicant’s overall
evaluation does the interview constitute?
0-25% 17
20%
25-50% 34
39%
50-75% 29
33%
75-100% 7 8%

51. Interviewing Why do schools interview? Intellectual Curiosity
How you approach the unknown
How do you organize your thoughts
What is your preferred learning style
Do you have the desire for continuous learning
Social Awareness and Cultural Competency
Exposure to people with different interests, religion, culture, economics, gender, age, ethnicity, language, education, and race.
What value do you place on these differences
Can you modify your behavior to show respect for differences.

52. Interviewing Why do schools interview?
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
What is your perception of yourself
What is your response when others have misunderstood you
What are your experiences with teamwork
How do you handle criticism
Maturity
What have you done to explore a health career
What disappointments have you experienced in your life
What accomplishments are you most proud of
What is your definition of a leader

53. Interviewing Types of Interviews Open Semi-Open Closed
Interviews has reviewed your application and personal statement.
Interviewer will often refer to information in the application.
Semi-Open
Interview has read your personal statement but nothing else.
Interviewer will often seek answers to questions not found in your personal statement.
Closed
Interview has never seen your application materials.
Interview will ask more open ended questions.
Don’t be annoyed that questions may be answered in your application.

54. Interviewing Types of Interviews Group
More than one interviewer and/or interviewee.
Designed to see how well you play with others.

55. Interviewing Preparing for an interview
Practice your responses to questions.
List five important things you want to make sure the interview knows about you.
List five powerful questions you want to ask during the interview.
Describe three ways you can contribute to your class.
What are your three most significant leadership qualities?
List of anticipated questions.
List of toughest questions you could be asked.
Review potential interview questions.
Learn all you can about specific schools.
Mock Interview.

56. Interviewing Any Questions?
Don’t forget to have some good questions to ask.

57. Masters/Ph.D Programs What is it like in Graduate School?
Masters (M.S. Degree)
Most Graduate Schools offer an M.S. degree
Typically 2 years
Thesis usually required.
Ph.D Programs
1/5 of graduate schools offer Ph.D ONLY program.
The rest offer combined M.S./Ph.D programs.
Typically about 5 years

58. Masters/Ph.D Programs How hard is graduate school?
Attrition rate of some Ph.D programs is as high at 75%
By comparison more than 90% of medical school students receive degrees.
Very few jobs in biology for B.S. degree students.
You usually must do a graduate level program to get a good job.

59. Masters/Ph.D Programs Choosing a Graduate School Talk to professors
Review graduate school posters
List programs that have degrees in your area of interest
Visit the school
Learn about and talk to researchers in your area of interest to find out if space is available in their lab.

60. Masters/Ph.D Programs Financing a Graduate School Education
National Fellowships
University Fellowships
TA, Research Assistants
Loans

61. Masters/Ph.D Programs Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Take between your Junior and Senior years
Important for financial awards to be considered.
Subject test sometimes required

62. Masters/Ph.D Programs How do programs select students? GPA
Reputation of undergraduate school
GRE scores
Letters of recommendation
Statement of Goals