1. University Advising and Career Center Hood House Room 102 (603) 862-7740 www.unh.edu/premed-advising Caitlin Bannon Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising Office Preparing for the 2016 Application Cycle

2.  Yes: Applicants to medical (MD/DO), dental, and podiatric programs.  Committee Evaluation is expected and preferred  No: Applicants to all other graduate level programs (PA, OD, PharmD, PT, ND, and DC)  Generally, no Committee Letter is required/requested  Start reviewing the letter requirements for schools of interest now.

3.  AMCAS - https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/: Most US allopathic (MD) medical schoolshttps://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/  AACOMAS- http://www.aacom.org/infofor/applicants/Pages/default.aspx: Osteopathic (DO) medical schools http://www.aacom.org/infofor/applicants/Pages/default.aspx  TMDSAS: https://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/: Texas public medical and dental schoolshttps://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/  AADSAS: https://portal.aadsasweb.org/: Dental schoolshttps://portal.aadsasweb.org/  CASPA: https://portal.caspaonline.org/: PA programshttps://portal.caspaonline.org/  PTCAS: http://www.ptcas.org/: Physical Therapy programshttp://www.ptcas.org/  OptomCAS: http://www.optomcas.org/: Optometry programshttp://www.optomcas.org/  PharmCAS: http://www.pharmcas.org/: Pharmacy programshttp://www.pharmcas.org/  AACPMCAS: https://portal.aacpmas.org/: Podiatry programshttps://portal.aacpmas.org/

4.  Read the 10 Good Reasons to Delay on our website under Application Process/Forms10 Good Reasons to Delay  Ask yourself – would I be a substantially stronger applicant in one year, based on courses I will be taking, research I will be doing, or experiences I will be having, improved exam scores?  Do I have 3-5 faculty (including two science faculty) and others who can write detailed, specific, and personal letters of recommendation on my behalf?  Can I articulate why I have chosen this path, and that I am a good fit for this profession?  Do I have evidence to demonstrate these claims?

5. Schools do not evaluate applicants on their major. Evaluation is based on:  Grades: All years and schools attended, science GPA, total GPA, non- science courses  Experiences: Sustained commitment, knowledge of field and healthcare in general, personal attributes and desire to serve others  Letters of Recommendation: Faculty, providers, supervisors, mentors, and Committee (medical/dental applicants)  Entrance Exams: Taken only after pre-reqs are completed  Interviews: UNH Committee and Medical Schools

6. National Averages: Accepted Applicants (2013 Cycle) Note: averages do not reflect other factors that come in to play when evaluating an applicant’s file FIELDGRADE POINT AVERAGE Overall/Science EXAM SCORE MedicineMD: 3.69 Overall/ 3.63 Science DO:3.50 Overall/ 3.38 Science Mean MCAT: 31 (Allopathic Schools) 27 (Osteopathic Schools) Dentistry3.54 Overall/ 3.46 Science*DAT: Mean - Academic Average: 18.8 Perceptual Ability: 19.3 Total Science: 18.6 OptometryAccepted range 3.28-3.92Not available Physician Assistant3.51 Overall/ 3.45 Science*303 average on GRE Podiatry3.2 Overall / 3.0 ScienceMCAT: 21 Pharmacy3.38*PCAT Not available Physical Therapy3.54 Overall/ 3.40 ScienceNot available (GRE)

7.  Why have you chosen to prepare for a career in health?  How familiar are you with healthcare environments?  Have you volunteered or worked in a medical or health- related environment? If so, in what capacity? ◦ What do you know about what it’s like to be a patient? ◦ What do you know about what it’s like to be a physician/dentist/other?  If you have worked in a health-related environment, what did you find most enjoyable and most challenging about this work?  If you haven’t, what has kept you from doing this ?

8. Important Attributes of Healthcare Professionals How have you developed/demonstrated these qualities? Adaptability Critical Thinking Integrity Logical Reasoning Intellectual curiosity- resourceful Personal Maturity Reliability Self Discipline Work Habits Motivation for Healthcare Persistence Teamwork Professionalism Ability to use good judgment Ability to balance multiple priorities Resilient Strong interpersonal skills - listening and speaking Ethical, cultural, and social awareness/understanding Dedication to service Empathy Compassion Altruism

9.  Low Grades  It is very difficult to overcome multiple semesters with a low GPA (< 3.3 + C’s in pre-req)  Consult with the HP advisor – what are your options?  Limited experiences  Unprepared to make informed decision about a healthcare career.  Judicial Sanctions and/or Criminal Record  You will be asked on applications – whether the record has been expunged or not.

11. All your file documents Go to your UNH Committee interviewers The contents of your file, including interview notes, are then used to compose: The UNH Committee Letter of Evaluation which is submitted to every school to which you apply.

12.  Your letter packet, which includes: ◦ Committee Letter of Evaluation ◦ Supporting letters of recommendation received We do not send any other materials, such as transcripts or personal essay

13. Year One: Developing your portfolio Fall 2014 – Spring 2015 UNH: Application File Committee Interviews Entrance Exams Professional Schools: Primary application submissions (June) Secondary Applications (Summer) Year Two: Decisions Summer 2015 – Summer 2016 Professional Schools: Secondary Applications School Interviews Apply for Financial Aid Decisions: Accepted Reapply Other

14.  This timetable is designed to help you complete your application and be considered for admission at the earliest possible date (June submission)  Assuming you have a strong application, it is in your best interest to submit your application as early as you can Important:  Most schools use a rolling admissions process  Schools evaluate applications as they are completed  Schools offer interviews as applications are received  There are very limited interview slots given the number of applications received  No interview = no acceptance.

15. ◦ 1 year General Biology w/lab (BIOL 411/412) ◦ 1 year General Chemistry w/lab(CHEM 403/404) ◦ 1 year Organic Chem. w/lab (CHEM 651-654) ◦ 1 year General Physics w/lab (PHYS 401/402) ◦ 1 year English ◦ 1 year Math (Statistics and 1 semester Calculus) ◦ 1 semester Biochemistry w/lab (can be completed over summer or next year) ◦ Psychology/ Sociology * AP Credit is not universally accepted by medical or dental schools. It is strongly recommended that you take the course at UNH. If you do not take the course, you will need to take additional upper level courses in that subject area.

16.  Explored the health professions ◦ Gained exposure to the profession over the past 3-4 years  Volunteer/paid experiences  Shadowing  Informational interviews ◦ Researched the options – been informed  Look at health professions websites  Subscribed to an online health profession newsletter  Reading daily paper

17.  Maintained a balance between academics and social activities Earned good grades (ideal: 3.5> GPA) Gotten to know your professors and advisors Been involved in your major– research opportunities/independent study

18.  Been involved – It’s not a checklist! ◦ Demonstrate committed participation in areas that are truly important to you, such as:  Campus and community organizations  Healthcare environments  Service and volunteering  Leadership  Research  Mentoring/tutoring  Employment  Hobbies  Athletics  Travel

19.  Doubts? Questions? Meet with Caitlin or other trusted advisors. Schedule appointment by calling 603-862-7740.  Ready to start? Review UNH file requirements, materials, deadlines, and timeline at http://www.unh.edu/premed-advising/2016- application-cycle-new-applicant http://www.unh.edu/premed-advising/2016- application-cycle-new-applicant  Deadlines are not negotiable – stay up to date  New Applicant Files can be opened between now and Nov. 14 th