Health Careers
Public Health FAQ
- What should my undergraduate major be?
Most schools do not require any specific major. However, it is advisable
to choose an undergraduate major closely related to the graduate
program that you wish to pursue.
- What program should I choose in Public Health?
It depends on your interest and past experience. Schools of Public
Health educate biostatisticians and epidemiologists, health administrators,
community health educators and specialists in environmental and
occupational health, maternal and child health, mental health,
population studies, international health, the behavioral and social
sciences, and health policy.
- What kind of job can I get with a Masters
of Public Health Degree?
It depends on what you study. You can chose a career as a health
officer, community health administrator, environmental specialist,
statistician, epidemiologist, nutritionist, community health educator,
public health analyst, etc.
- Who would I work for once I earned my MPH?
A person with a MPH has many choices. One choice would be to work
for the government at the local, state or federal level. Another
choice would be to work for Research Agencies (CDC, NIH, FDA),
Private Research Firms, or Public and Private Foundations. Another
employment possibility is in Health care delivery systems such
as hospitals. Finally, a person with a MPH could work for themselves
as entrepreneurs
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Chiropractic Medicine FAQ
- When should I apply for Admission?
Most Chiropractic schools start students two or three times a year
(fall, winter, spring), therefore you should apply about 9 months
before you want to start.
- Do I need to choose a major?
Strictly speaking, no, because chiropractic schools will accept you
with as few as 90 hours. However, we would encourage you to choose
a major and be working toward it. That way, if you are not accepted
on your first application, you are on the path toward achieving
a Bachelors degree in the next year.
- Are there admissions tests for Chiropractic
Schools.
No.
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Dentistry FAQ
- When should I apply?
As early as possible in the summer before or early fall of your Senior
year. Dental Schools make most of their admissions decisions before
December 1st.
- How do I schedule the DAT and when should
I take it?
You must apply to take the DAT. Applications are available on line
or in the SAC. Once your application is processed, you will get a
list of testing centers and an authorization to take the test. You
can then take it whenever you want. You can repeat it every 90 days.
We suggest that you plan to take the DAT for the first time in the
summer between your Junior and Senior year. That way you have time
to retake it before the November application deadlines, if necessary.
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Medicine FAQ
- What should I major in if I want to go to
medical school?
You should major in what you like and are good at. Here is why. Medical
schools look at your overall GPA and your math science GPA. If you
major in Chemistry but get mostly C's, you will not be considered
for medical school. On the other hand, if you major in Philosophy,
for instance, and get all A's, then really work extra hard at the
chemistry classes you do take, you have a much better chance of being
considered for medical school. You should also think about majors
that might compliment your interest in medicine. Some interesting
majors for medical students include: gerontology, anthropology (if
you are interested in people and cultures), communication sciences
and disorders, and foreign language.
- Will it matter if I take the August as opposed
to the April MCAT?
We strongly encourage you to plan for the April MCAT, because then
you can submit your application at the beginning of the application
season. If you take the August MCAT, your application will not be
complete until about mid-October, and by then perhaps half of the
interview slots will be already assigned. You put yourself at a disadvantage
when you enter the pool late.
- I recently decided I want to go to medical
school, and my GPA is pretty low. Is there still
a chance?
Probably. You should see an advisor so we can look at your specific
situation. In general, your transcript needs to show improvement,
your science grades need to be high, and your overall GPA needs to
be above 3.0. If you have fewer than 60 hours, you can probably salvage
your GPA and apply to medical school with your peers. If you are
close to graduation, you may need to graduate and then reenroll for
a second bachelors degree. Medical schools will rank that second
bachelors much higher in their decision. The GPA for the second degree
needs to be quite strong.
- May I take the core science courses at
the community college?
Students who begin their work at a community college are encouraged
to complete the core science courses during
their two years at that community college. However, once students
transfer to a university it is to their advantage to complete all
of their science requirements at the university. Returning to the
community college to satisfy other science requirements may be viewed
by some Colleges of Medicine as an attempt to ensure higher grades
or inflate GPAs.
- Will my high school AP credit be accepted
by the medical schools?
Although most professional schools will accept AP credit in lieu
of the required prerequisites, not all will. Contact the medical
school(s) you are interested in to find out if they will accept AP
credits. (NB: At this time, the medical schools in Florida all will
accept AP credits, although they prefer to see grades for each of
the required prerequisite courses).
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Optometry FAQ
- What is a Doctor of Optometry?
A Doctor of Optometry is an independent primary
health care provider who examines, diagnoses,
treats and manages diseases and disorders of
the visual system, the eye and associated structures.
Among the services optometrists render are: prescribing
glasses and contact lenses, rehabilitation of
the visually impaired, and the diagnosis and
treatment of ocular diseases.
- What type of education is required to become a Doctor
of Optometry?
Doctors of Optometry must successfully complete
a four-year accredited degree program at one of
the schools or colleges of optometry. Most students
accepted by a school or college of optometry have
completed their undergraduate degree. However,
each institution has is own undergraduate prerequisites,
so applicants should contact the school or college
of their choice for specific requirements.
- What undergraduate courses should I take to help prepare
me for optometry school?
The requirements for admission to the schools and
colleges of optometry vary, but students wishing
to study optometry should be certain to take at
least a year of biology or zoology, chemistry,
general physics, english and college mathematics.
The science courses should be pre-professional
level courses designed for science majors or health
professional students and should offer laboratory
experience. Brief survey courses in the sciences
will not prepare you for optometry school. Be sure
to consult with the pre-optometry advisor at your
school or an advisor at the school or college of
optometry that you plan to attend.
- What do I have to do to apply for admission to optometry
school?
Each institution has its own admission requirements
and policies, so you should contact the school
or college of optometry you plan to attend and
request a copy of its catalog. All optometry schools
and colleges also require applicants to take the
Optometry Admission Test (OAT).
- When must I apply to optometry school?
Early applications are desirable, and deadlines
range from November 20 to April 15 for the various
schools and colleges of optometry. Contact the
school(s) or college(s) of your choice to obtain
application instructions and forms.
- What type of selection procedures are used to evaluate
applicants?
Potential optometry students may be evaluated on
the basis of grade point average, performance on
the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), extra curricular
and community activities, personal interview, professional
potential, etc. Each institution has its own criteria;
therefore, you should contact the school(s) or
college(s) of your choice to obtain a copy of its
catalog and specific application guidelines.
- What is the OAT?
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized examination
designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension
of scientific information. The OAT is sponsored by the Association
of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for applicants seeking
admission to an optometry program. All schools and colleges of
optometry in the United States and Canada require the OAT.
- How much will optometry school cost?
The cost of your education will depend upon where
you choose to attend school. Annual tuition and
fees at public schools and colleges of optometry
range from approximately $3,584 to $11,927 for
residents. Non-resident costs range anywhere
from $9,890 to $22,950 a year. Resident tuition
and fees for private schools and colleges of
optometry range from approximately $8,500 to
$19,962 a year, while non-resident costs range
from $13,500 to around $19,962. Many of the schools
and colleges of optometry have financial arrangements
or contract programs which allow students from
various states to attend their institution at
the resident rate. Contact the admissions officer
at the school(s) or college(s) of your choice
for specific tuition and fee information.
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Pharmacy FAQ
- Do I have to finish my Bachelors Degree before
pharmacy school?
No. Most pharmacy schools require at least 60 hours and an AA degree
(some require 90 hours, and some require a BA). However, you should
consider working toward a major, so that if you are not accepted
in pharmacy school on you first try, you are still making progress
toward the Bachelors degree.
- Is there any booklet that contains information
about the admission requirements of all pharmacy
Schools?
Yes. The Pharmacy School Admission Requirements (PSAR) booklet contains
the specific requirements and other information for entry to all
accredited pharmacy programs. To order call 703-739-2330 EXT. 1035.
- What is the minimum grade point average required
for admission to the pharmacy schools?
The average G.P.A. of an accepted student is anywhere from 2.80 to
3.60 on a 4.00 scale.
- What is the ratio of applications received
by the schools of pharmacy to the number of students
accepted?
Pharmacy schools have reported an average application to enrollment
rate of 3.1 to 1 for the fall of 1998.
- What is the job outlook for the pharmacists?
There is a shortage of pharmacists at the present time. On average,
there will be 421 openings each year until 2005 for pharmacists
in the State of Florida.
- What are the test dates for the PCAT? What
are the deadlines for the PCAT application? How
do I register for the PCAT?
To get information or to register for the PCAT, call the Psychological
Corporation at 1-800-662-3231.
- Does the PCAT emphasize organic chemistry?
No. Only general chemistry. Therefore, it is not necessary to wait
until you have taken Organic to take the PCAT.
- Is the PCAT required by all the pharmacy schools?
No. Only 41 colleges of the 81 colleges in the United States require
the PCAT.
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Physician Assistant FAQ
- I need to take Medical Terminology for the
UF program. Does USF Teach that?
Yes. The course is in the classics department: CLT3040: Scientific
and Medical Terminology
- What is the difference between a PA and a
Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is an advanced degree in nursing. It requires
a RN degree first. Nurse practitioners have somewhat more autonomy
than Physician Assistants. They can act as primary caregivers.
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Physical Therapy FAQ
- What is the best major for pre-Physical Therapy?
As with many pre-professional programs, the best major is the one
you like best and in which you will do your best. In the long run,
you will be judged on your GPA and your upper-division GPA, so
you want both to be high. Many of the courses required for Physical
Therapy school are also required for several science majors (biology,
chemistry, interdisciplinary natural sciences). There is a new
degree program in Athletic Training in the Physical Education department,
and that degree will be a very nice match for PT as well.
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Podiatry FAQ
- What is Podiatric Medicine?
Podiatric medicine is a branch of the medical
sciences devoted to the study of human movement
with the medical care of the foot and ankle as
its primary focus.
- What is a DPM?
A doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) specializes
in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of
foot disorders, diseases, and injuries. A DPM makes
independent judgments, utilizes x-rays and laboratory
tests for diagnostic purposes, prescribes medications,
orders physical therapy, sets fractures, and when
necessary performs surgery. The DPM works closely
with other health professionals to treat and control
disease.
- What are the admission requirements?
To enter a college of podiatric medicine,
one must first complete at least three years or
ninety semester hours of college credit at an accredited
institution. Actual minimum semester credit hour
requirements for all of the colleges of podiatric
medicine include the following prerequisites:
Biology (8 hours)
General/ Inorganic Chemistry (8 hours)
Organic Chemistry (8 hours)
Physics (8 hours)
English (6 hours)
- Is the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
required?
Traditionally the MCAT has been the only standardized
test required for admission to the colleges of
podiatric medicine. However, some colleges accept
other test scores, such as the Graduate Record
Exam (GRE). Check the policy of each individual
college in which you are interested to ascertain
if test scores other than the MCAT are acceptable
for admission.
- Is residency training required?
After completing four years of podiatric medical
training, the podiatrist is required by most states
to complete at least one year of postgraduate residency
training in an approved healthcare institution
where residents from other disciplines may also
be training.
- How do I apply to a college of podiatric medicine?
Six of the seven colleges of podiatric medicine
participate in a centralized application service
sponsored by the American Association of Colleges
of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), which enables a
student to apply to one, some or all six of the
colleges be submitting only one application. The
service then forwards standardized applicant information
to the colleges selected by the applicant. There
is only one fee which is paid to the American Association
of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine’s Application
Service (AACPMAS). Other requirements for admission
include letters of recommendation, transcripts
from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
previously attended, which are to be sent directly
to the colleges, as well as a personal interview.
- How do I get an application?
To obtain an application, interested students
should visit http://www.aacpm.org.
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Veterinary Medicine FAQ
- Do veterinary schools give preference to state
residents?
Prospective veterinary students living in a state that has a veterinary
school/college may have an advantage over those that do not. State-supported
veterinary colleges do give preference to in-state applicants. However,
some states without veterinary schools provide excellent contract
arrangements for their residents. Other veterinary colleges/schools
do not discriminate between resident and non-resident applicants.
- Are the pre-requisites the same for all veterinary schools?
The prerequisites vary significantly from school to school. Students
must complete or be able to complete all course work and test requirements
before they may be admitted into a veterinary program. No prerequisites
may be left incomplete at the time of enrollment. If you are applying
to more than one veterinary college, be sure to complete the prerequisites
for each school to which you wish to apply.
- Is there a standardized test that I need to take?
Standardized test requirements also vary in each school. Students
may need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Veterinary
College Admissions Test (VCAT), and/or the Medical College Admissions
Test (MCAT).
- When should I apply?
Students should ideally plan to apply between August and September
of the year preceding the academic year they wish to apply. For
instance, students planning to enroll for the 2000-2001 school
year, should plan to apply late in the summer of 1999. Application
deadlines range between October 1 to January 15 of the following
year. It is wise to apply as early as possible. Very few schools
offer Spring term enrollment.
- Do I send applications to each individual school I want
to apply to?
Twenty-three of the twenty-seven U.S. and one Canadian veterinary
colleges/schools currently participate in the Veterinary Medical
College Application Service (VMCAS). If you apply to one or more
of the participating VMCAS schools, you only need to request one
VMCAS application. VMCAS applications may be obtained from the AAVMC
or any participating school. VMCAS is a standardized, universal application
service for veterinary colleges/schools. If you are applying to a
non-VMCAS school, you need to contact that particular school/college(s)
directly and request a regular institutional application.
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