The application process can be very time consuming and expensive. Before you apply, make sure you are ready to apply and are a competitive candidate. What do you need to get in? Visit our site on admissions requirements or see an advisor to help you determine when it's best for you to apply.
Below is a guide to help you answer the most common questions about the application process: what you need to apply, how to choose schools, essay-writing, interviewing, and more! Also visit our Health Professions Application Timeline site for additional information. If you don't see the answer to your question there or below, please email us.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
Generally, there are five basic things you will need in order to apply to any professional school:
More information on the specific requirements for each type school can be found on our individual profession sites.
If you do not have any one of these components, your application may not be successful because of the extremely competitive nature of the admissions process. An advisor can help you determine your best course of action if you are concerned about any aspect of your application.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
Most heath professions programs require that you take a standardized test to be considered for admission. Generally, you should take the test in the spring of your junior year. The earlier you take the test, the sooner you can be considered for admission. Many of the tests are only offered two or three times a year, but some like the DAT and GRE can be taken almost any time. Your aim should be to take the test only one time; don't take one just "for practice." You should be absolutely ready for the test when you take it. For more information on each of the tests, please visit the links below. You should see an advisor to help you decide when the right time to take the test is for you.
WHEN AND WHERE SHOULD I APPLY?
Once you know that you are ready to apply, the best thing for you to do is APPLY EARLY! Be sure to check deadlines for particular schools. It is generally advisable to apply during the summer or early fall the year before you hope to be admitted. However, the earlier you apply, the better. The majority of schools admit students on a rolling basis. Applying early is the best way to ensure that you are considered by the medical schools when they still have most of their seats available. Waiting to apply until the schools' published deadlines usually puts students at a great disadvantage: by the deadline, most schools that admit on a rolling basis have already filled many of their available seats. If you have questions about when you should apply, if you should wait for your MCAT scores to arrive, etc., please see an advisor.
Visit our Health Professions Application Timeline site for additional information.
The links below will lead you to listings of the different health professions schools:
More information on the specific requirements for each type school can be found on our individual profession sites.
There are many factors you may wish to consider in selecting the schools to which you will apply. The average number of medical schools students apply to is about 12; averages vary for the other health professions. Your first consideration should be to assess the possibility of your acceptance to a particular school, taking into account state residency and the mean grade point averages and mean admission test scores of the most recent entering class.
Other factors you will want to consider include whether a school meets your personal needs in areas such as curriculum, research, cost, location, housing, transportation, family needs, jobs for spouses, etc. In reality, you should only apply to schools that you will be happy attending.
Often, students want to know how a particular school is "ranked nationally." None of the health profession schools are ranked by any offical organization, although some magazines (like US News) and independent agencies do rank some types of schools (usually based on average test scores or GPAs). Keep in mind that any ranking you find is subjective and that your best source of information about a school is usually the application service (if applicable) or the school's official materials.
Another factor many students consider is the success of previous USF applicants to various professional schools. National statistics for M.D. applicants can be found on AAMC's website here .
Some medical schools (such as USF College of Medicine) offer an Early Decision Plan (EDP) which provides you an opportunity to learn more rapidly whether or not you have been accepted to their program. Requirements for the EDP are more stringent than for other applicants; however, acceptance rates are very high for early decision candidates who meet the minimum requirements. You should apply through EDP only if you meet the minimum requirements and are certain that it is the school you wish to attend. If the school accepts you in the EDP you are committed to matriculate there. Deadlines for EDP are much earlier than those for regular applicants (thus you must take the April MCAT). However, you are also notified earlier of your acceptance (usually October). If you are not accepted through the EDP you are released from your commitment to that school and may apply wherever you choose. Although applying through the EDP can save you in application fees and stress, it can delay your application to other schools if you are not selected.
Students occasionally apply to two or more professions simultaneously, such as medical and podiatry schools. If you choose to do this, be sure you have weighed your decision carefully and you are prepared to enter either profession.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Many (but not all) professional schools participate in application services. If a school participates in an application service, you must apply through the service. These applications are now all web-based (see below). If a school does not participate in an application service, you must contact the school directly to request an application. Electronic Applications for the 2004-2005 application cycle (primaries) will be available on the application services' web sites in late Spring. Please visit the sites for specific information about downloading and/or completing the applications online. Most services will accept applications beginning around June 1, although they will accept transcripts earlier. Again, we encourage you to apply early!
Fees for these applications are generally high, and secondaries usually require more money. Some assistance is provided for some of the primaries; information about Fee Assistance Programs (where applicable) is available on the sites above.
ALL of these application services STRONGLY encourage you to submit an electronic application. Some do have alternative (hard-copy paper) methods of applying, but check these web sites for the electronic versions first! They will save you time and help facilitate the speedy submission of your application to the individual schools.
WHAT DOES THE APPLICATION INCLUDE?
For medical and dental schools, the primary application asks for information about you, your schooling, and your employment/volunteer experience. This application includes your transcripts, MCAT or DAT test scores, and personal information. For other health professions, there is usually just one application, and in this application you will complete similar information.
You will need to have official transcripts sent directly from the Registrar of USF and each additional school you have attended to the application service or schools where you are applying. When you request the transcripts you should request an additional copy for your own use in completing your applications. Be sure any grade changes or incompletes have been corrected before your transcripts are sent. Grades entered on your applications must be identical to those on your transcript.
I HAVE TO WRITE ESSAYS?! AND WHAT IS A SECONDARY?
All applications also require some form of essay or personal statement. Need help figuring out what to write and what not to write? Read the website on essay preparation carefully before writing your essay(s).
All aspects of your application should be given careful scrutiny for accuracy and completeness. In the appropriate sections(s) on your application, be sure to include all extracurricular activities on or off campus, including such areas as sports, reading, hobbies, civic organizations, etc. Likewise, include all campus and community leadership, awards, or recognitions. Do not exclude something you have done because it is not "medically related." The schools you are applying to are looking for well-rounded students, so they appreciate seeing students who participate in diverse activities.
BE SURE TO COPY EVERY APPLICATION YOU SUBMIT. Doing so may save you time in filling out subsequent applications.
Most medical and dental schools will send secondary applications after an initial screening; however, please be aware that some schools send all applicants (regardless of qualifications) a secondary application. Secondaries generally require additional information and usually more essays. The schools also request application fees at that time, which are in addition to fees you have already paid the application service. When schools send secondary applications, your application is not complete until they have received your secondary application. Therefore, it is essential that you return these IMMEDIATELY!
WHAT ABOUT LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION?
No matter what profession your are applying for, you should ask four to six evaluators to write letters for you. You should select faculty members who have had you in class and will be sufficiently knowledgeable about you to address the areas indicated on the forms. We strongly recommend that at least three forms be submitted to faculty members, including two in science or mathematics and one in a non-science discipline. The fourth evaluation may be completed by another faculty member or teaching assistant (T.A.), or a direct supervisor at a place of employment or volunteer site. If a health professional (doctor, dentist, optometrist, etc.) is chosen to complete this evaluation form, you should have actually spent time shadowing them or working with them. You may choose to submit fewer than four evaluations, but schools generally require a minimum of three.
Make an appointment with your prospective evaluators to ask them if they can give you a good evaluation. It would be helpful to provide them with a brief, one-page resume and discuss additional relevant information about yourself. You might want to suggest that the faculty member consult with your T.A. in the course for input in completing the evaluation. Some faculty may "interview" you briefly before completing the evaluation. Each of your evaluators will want to know if you've waived your rights to see your evaluation.
For dental school, vet, and p.a. applicants, letters of recommendation are sent to AADSAS, VMCAS, or CASPA at the same time you submit your application to these services. If you are applying to one of these professions, you should plan to see an advisor before opening a file. These professions usually require that you submit their form only to the application service, so you will need to plan how to request and send your letters appropriately.
For all other professions (including podiatry), letters are sent directly to the school when you apply.
THE APPLICATION IS FINISHED … NOW WHAT?
Most schools will send you an acknowledgment when all of your materials have been received or inform you if materials are missing. If you do not receive any acknowledgment from a school, you should phone their admissions office to ask if all materials have been received. You should notify application services and all schools immediately of any change of address (including email address).
After screening application materials, schools usually invite applicants who appear to be competitive for interviews at the professional school or hospital. If you need to reschedule or cancel an interview, phone immediately and follow with a letter.
THE INTERVIEW
During inital screening of applications, admissions committees usually divide applicants into those who will be interviewed now, those who may be interviewed at a later date, and those that will not be interviewed. Interviews usually start in early Fall and continue until all seats have been filled.
Please visit our Interview Tips site for more information about interview formats and hints on making your interviews successful.
Thank you notes are not necessary, but are a nice touch that show your thoughtfulness. Be sure to get the name of each of your interviewers - you should send a note to all of them if you decide to send thank-yous.
Some schools may notify you within a few days and some may wait a number of weeks before notifying you of acceptance or rejection. If you have completed additional semesters of work after submitting your application, you should have updated transcripts sent to schools where you are being considered.
ACCEPTANCES AND REJECTIONS
If you receive acceptances from more than one school you may accept positions at more than one school, but you will need to be careful to meet the deadlines of schools regarding your final decision as to where you will attend. You may be faced with decisions about whether or not to submit deposits if you are still waiting to hear from the school you prefer to attend. Usually you must respond to acceptances immediately, so if you are going to be away from home because of travel or other situations, be sure to ask a parent or other person to act on your behalf in responding to schools. You may have to make some difficult decisions, and the whole process of application will require patience.
All of us in the Health Professions Advising are eager to learn of your acceptance to professional school. When you are successful we feel we too have been successful in helping you achieve your goal. We would appreciate your notifying us about all of the schools where you are admitted, as this information helps us to better advise other students in their selection of schools.
If you are not accepted please discuss your options with an advisor. We would like to assist you in preparing for reapplication or perhaps consideration of other professional goals. We also have information on different schools offering Postbaccalaureate Programs to rejected students, so please visit us!
HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT FINANCIAL AID?
Individual schools vary in their procedures and application forms for obtaining financial aid. Professional schools typically have a financial aid officer who is responsible for coordinating all sources of financial aid for each student. You should contact the financial aid officer and begin submitting the appropriate needs analysis forms as early as January of the year you anticipate matriculating, but only after you have been accepted.
Several branches of the military also offer complete funding packages for students entering different health professions. Check with your local recruiter for more information.
AAMC has a helpful site future M.D.'s should consult in planning their financial future: Monetary Decisions for Medical Doctors. ADEA also has dental student scholarships linked from http://www.adea.org/Awards/default.htm.
LAST WORDS OF ADVICE
We know this is an extremely stressful and complicated process, but remember that your advisor is here to help you. As you begin this process, prepare yourself for any eventuality (in other words - have a back-up plan!). Try not to worry too much if your friends are interviewed and accepted earlier than you are - acceptances sometimes run well into the summer. Help yourself by sending your fall transcripts to the schools or application services, and let them know if you've had any substantial changes in your life that could enhance your application. Keep your personal information up-to-date (address, phone, email, etc.) and keep your calendar flexible for those interviews!
We hope you have found this guide helpful. Also visit our Health Professions Application Timeline site for additional information. If you're interested in more information, check out our Links Page. Feel free to email us if you have further questions. Good luck!