Pre-Med Q&A
The following information represents some of the most frequently asked questions by health professional school applicants. This list was drawn up by W. Brian and Karen F. O'Connor, Pre-Medical Advisors. WE RECOMMEND STRONGLY THAT YOU READ THIS INFORMATION VERY CAREFULLY. This brochure has information pertinent to all students; from first semester freshmen to present applicants to health professional schools.
- Where is the Pre-Medical Office?
The office is located in Shade Tree Labs (a small blue building behind the south part of Morrill). Please drop by to pick up a handout (available on door) listing the hours and days for open advising (NO SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS) times for W. Brian and Karen F. O'Connor, Pre-Med Advisors. Phone number (413) 545-3674 and email briano@bio.umass.edu and kareno@bio.umass.edu. - How and when should I register with the Pre-Med Office?
All regular students who are completing their third semester at the university (1st semester for transfers, special students, continuing education, 2nd degree, graduates) should register at the pre-med office. This should be done regardless of your academic major. By registering with the office a student can then take advantage of advice and counseling from the Pre-Med Advisors. - Can one major in pre-med or pre-dent?
The University offers a standard pre-medical/dental curriculum, which meets all of the requirements necessary to apply to health professional school. There is NO PRE-MED-PRE-DENT MAJOR. You should select a major that is interesting and challenging and allows you to pursue a variety of different career opportunities. You should select a major in the field of your greatest interest and ability. - What and how important are the letters of recommendation for medical/dental and other professional schools?
The Pre-Med Advisors, W. Brian O'Connor and Karen F. O'Connor will write the letter of recommendation. They will assess your academic performance at this university and when appropriate, relative to the academic performance of other students applying. You can be very helpful to us by encouraging some of your instructors who are familiar with your academic performance to send their comments to the Pre-Med Office. Such letters can be solicited anytime during your academic career here or elsewhere and can be sent to us in c/o of the Department of Biology, UMass/Amherst, 01003 and we will begin a file on you. We also include an assessment of your overall personal qualities, such as motivation, commitment to a medical or dental career, experience in the health field, involvement in community service, research projects, etc. You have the right to read the letter or you may waive your right. Admission committees rely heavily on these to support and explain an academic record. Letters from family physicians, dentists or politicians usually do NOT help since they cannot evaluate your academic potential. Therefore it is absolutely necessary for you to get acquainted with your major advisor and/or instructors so they can evaluate your academic performance. - What are the minimal requirements for medical/dental schools or other health related schools?
All health professional schools require a B.S. or B.A. and consequently students must have completed at least 90 credits toward a degree before applying. Also, one should have completed at the time of application at least the following: one year of Biology with labs, two years of Chemistry with labs (1 of inorganic and 1 of organic) one year of Mathematics (preferably calculus), one year of Physics with labs and one of English. Many schools recommend/require additional courses in biology, biochemistry, chemistry and psychology. PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE THE MINIMAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND MANY MORE COURSES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF NOT REQUIRED. - Is there a good book where I can learn more about specific medical/dental schools without requesting several schools to send their catalogues?
Your best bet is to write to the following or checkout Websites.
For medical schools:
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N St. N.W.
Attention: Section for Publication Orders
Washington, D.C. 20037
Request the book entitled "Medical School Admission Requirements", 2007-2008, USA & CANADA
Web site http://www.aamc.org
For dental schools:
Publications
American Association of Dental Schools
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-2212
Request the book entitled: "Official Guide to Dental Schools" 2006-2007
Web site http://www.adea.org
They are well worth the price and include a summary of admission requirements of each medical and dental school in this country and Canada. WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL STUDENTS ORDER THE APPROPRIATE BOOK BEFORE THEY PLAN ON SUBMITTING THEIR APPLICATIONS. In addition to admission requirements, they have valuable information regarding state residency preferences, foreign medical schools, and financial aid, MCAT, DAT. - What is an approximate timetable for a student expecting to enroll in a medical, dental, or osteopathic school in September 1, 2008?
- February or July 2007-Submit application to MCAT, DAT or other appropriate testing agency.
- March 2007: Order medical or dental school handbooks
- April 2007: Discuss your choice of schools with your advisor
- May 2007: request application
- May 2007: attend workshop on applications procedures
- Spring term 2007: Visit your advisor and make certain that he/she is up-to-date on your academic record, extracurricular activities, independent study, senior honors, etc. Remember he/she will be composing your letter of recommendation.
- Summer 2007: Complete all applications, request transcripts from Records Office and mail to appropriate schools (Records Office will mail your transcripts directly so be certain you furnish them with appropriate addresses and forms. Complete forms mailed to you from the Pre-Med Office and mail or drop them when you return to campus. These forms indicate to us what schools we should mail your letters. We remind you again to please read the appropriate admission requirement books concerning residency requirements when determining which schools to apply to. It is waste of time and money to apply to a state school that accepts only state residents, unless, of course, you are a bona fide resident of that particular state.
- September 1, 2007: All applications should be sent via electronic transmission to the appropriate agency. Sit and wait to hear about interviews, acceptances, until September 1, 2008! It is true that all medical and dental schools have deadlines later than September 1st but past experiences force us to recommend that you try to get all the applications completed and sent before you get involved in classes, exams, etc., in September. Letters of recommendation need not be received by the school until December 2007 but we try to begin mailing them in August.
- NOTE: Students interested in applying to any medical school via the EARLY DECISION PLAN must consult with the O'Connor's before submitting an application. Generally only students with superior academic records (3.8 and above, 90th percentile or above on the MCAT) are encouraged to apply through EDP. Deadline for EDP is August 1 and applicants must have taken the MCAT no later than June.
- February or July 2007-Submit application to MCAT, DAT or other appropriate testing agency.
- What is the so-called "success rate" of UMass/Amherst applicants to medical(allopathic and osteopathic)and other health professional schools?
In the past 5 years the competition among applicants to both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools has been the greatest in the history of medical education in the United States.
UMass/Amherst applicants to medical school for 9/06 who were accepted had AT LEAST a 3.6 cumulative average and at least a score of 31 on the MCAT. The academic profile for the 9/06 entering class at UMass Medical School-100 students -GPA-3.7 Average MCAT scores-10.55 Other necessary criteria were volunteer experiences, preferably health related and/or laboratory experience and excellent communication and writing skills. We do NOT wish or plan to discourage future applicants to medical school but we do expect all applicants to be realistic and to become very aware of the competition that they face.
Applicants to dental, podiatry, optometry and chiropractic schools have been very successful with approximately 90% of our applicants earning an acceptance at one of these professional schools. - What are some of the tests required for graduate and professional schools?
ADMISSION TEST DATES FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS
TEST TEST DATE DENTAL ADMISSION TEST (DAT)
http://www.ada.orgComputerized tests are available year round GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE)
http://www.ets.org/greComputerized tests are available year round MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (MCAT)
http://www.aamc.org/mcatComputerized tests are available year round OPTOMETRY ADMISSION TEST (OAT)
http://www.opted.orgComputerized tests are available year round - How and when do I get applications for medical, osteopathic, dental, podiatry and veterinary schools?
Most schools belong to a central online application service and initially require only one application, which is processed and forwarded to indicated schools. The Pre-Med Office sponsors an application workshop on the last day of classes.
Application Services
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service:
web: http://www.aacom.org
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service:
web: http://www.aacpm.org
American Association of Dental Schools Application Service:
web: http://www.adea.org
American Medical College Application Service:
phone: (202) 828-0600
email: amcas@aamc.org
web: http://www.aamc.org
Central Application Service for Physician Assistants:
phone: (240) 497-1895
email: CaspaInfo@caspaonline.org
web: http://www.caspaonline.org
Pharmacy College Application Service:
phone: (703) 739-2330
email: info@pharmcas.org
web: http://www.pharmcas.org
http://www.aacp.org
Veterinary Medical College Application Service:
phone (202) 682-0750
email: vmcas@aavmc.org
web: http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/vmcas.htm
