Application Timeline

The following is a generic timeline for students planning an application to the health professions. You should plan to meet with an advisor once a semester to help plan your course loads and your individual application timeline. The best time to meet with your advisor is generally after the midterm. Please make an appointment with a science or health professions advisor.

Freshman Year through Junior Year

Develop relationships with professors
Volunteer - both clinical and community
Research Schools and Professions
Meet with your advisor regularly
See fticwkshp.htm for a more detailed timeline

Fall of Junior Year

Plan for Summer Research/Enrichment Program
Begin Test Prep (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.)
Narrow list of schools

Spring of Junior Year
Applicants for All Health Professions

Complete pre-requisite courses
Attend Health Professions Advising Application Workshop
Request letters of recommendation
Review USF and other college transcripts for errors
Register for required test (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.)
Meet with your Health Professions advisor to assess your application credentials
Finalize school selections
Begin applications

Spring of Junior Year through Senior Year
Medical School Applicants Additional Items

mid-March - April MCAT registration deadline
mid-April - MCAT
May -
- AMCAS and AACOMAS Available
- Work on your personal statement/essay
- Send transcripts
June -

April MCAT scores released
Submit AMCAS and AACOMAS
Attend Summer Research/Enrichment Program
Research alternatives/back-up plans

mid-July - August MCAT registration deadline
July/August - Submit Secondaries (and send letters of recommendation)
August 1 - Deadline for completion of USFCOM Early Decision applications
mid-August - MCAT
September through Fall/Spring - interviews and acceptances
October - August MCAT scores released
December 1 - Application deadline for many schools (some are earlier)
May 15 - Deadline to release additional M.D. acceptances

Throughout this time, you should work with your advisor to plan for alternatives and re-application in the case you are not accepted.

Spring of Junior Year through Senior Year
Dental School Applicants Additional Items

April/May - AADSAS Available

Work on your personal statement/essay
Send transcripts

June -
- Submit AADSAS (and send letters of recommendation)
- Attend Summer Research/Enrichment Program
- Research alternatives/back-up plans
July/August - Secondaries
mid-August – latest recommended time to take DAT
September through Fall/Spring - interviews
December 1 – First acceptances offered

Throughout this time, you should work with your advisor to plan for alternatives and re-application in the case you are not accepted.

Other points to Remember:

Not all students will follow this timeline exactly. Depending on your major and your course load each semester, you may end up slightly ahead or slightly behind of this schedule. Pre-pharmacy students who plan to transfer to pharmacy school after completing their requirements should meet with an advisor to plan their individual timeline.
The health professions schools do not care what you major in; only that you take the courses they require for admission. Consult an advisor to discuss the sequencing of your courses, ensuring you meet prerequisite courses, and the different majors available to you. A great place to begin your research is online at profession.htm.
Besides GPA and your test scores, all programs require letters of recommendation from at least two professors. Start establishing relationships with your faculty now so you can ask for letters of recommendation later.
To keep up with current requirements, be sure to sign up for to receive email information from the Health ProfessionsList-serv. Visit the Listserv Pagel to sign up!