UMass Amherst Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising: Are you ready to apply to a health professions graduate program?

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

2. 2PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
Did you miss the meeting in November?
If you missed the November meeting,
email Faith (fnussbaum@cns.umass.edu)
for the recording of the meeting, which includes more in-depth slides.

3. 3PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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

4. 4PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
The Perfect Health Professions School Candidate

5. 5PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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

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
2015 – 2017
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
‘15 – ’16 & ‘16 – ’17
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)
‘15 – ’16 & ‘16 – ’17
Application Cycles

9. 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

10. 10PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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

11. 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.

12. 12PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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.

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
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

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 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.

16. 16PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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

17. 17PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
Assessing your Non-Academic Experience
Use these AAMC materials
to help you assess your
readiness…

18. 18PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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.

19. 19PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
Documenting Your Competencies
Find this self-
assessment tool
here:
https://students-
residents.aamc.org/ap
plying-medical-
school/preparing-med-
school/anatomy-
applicant/

20. 20PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-
medical-school/preparing-med-school/anatomy-
applicant/demonstrate-the-core-competencies/
Profiles of Applicants…

21. 21PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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.

22. 22PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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

23. 23PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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

24. 24PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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).

25. 25PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office
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

26. Questions?