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Medical and Dental School: Preparing to Apply
Careers in medicine or dentistry can be highly rewarding for the dedicated health professional, but successful application to the appropriate professional school is demanding and expensive. Careful thought is required as you consider what distinguishes you from other strong applicants. While MSU course grades are important, as are high scores on the national admissions exams, prospective applicants must also educate themselves about local, regional and national health care as well as ethical issues relating to care distribution. Opportunities taken to travel or to experience other cultures, particularly to learn about health care elsewhere, can make an applicant more interesting. Volunteerism, participation in campus and community service organizations, and frequent contact with working health care professionals are important as well. Professional schools desire students who are well rounded problem-solvers, active citizens of their community, team players and life-long learners.
GRADES & REQUIRED COURSE WORK
The detailed academic record is a prime indicator of talent, performance and judgment. In general, allopathic and osteopathic medical schools expect a grade point average in the range of 3.4 to 4.0. Dental schools, increasingly competitive, will expect a grade point average of 3.3 to 4.0. It should be emphasized that there may be some variation in the GPA due to differences in the degree of difficulty in various courses and curricula. One should be cautious about attempting to raise the GPA by taking courses that are known to be “an easy ‘A’.” In many cases a ‘B’ in a difficult course is more beneficial to a student than an ‘A’ in an easy course. Repeating required science courses to raise the GPA is not advised unless you did not understand the material and received a grade of ‘C’ or lower. When professional schools calculate your GPA they usually count all grades you receive, even if a course is repeated. Frequent withdrawals from courses beyond the stated drop date will result in a transcript with multiple ‘W’s. Professional schools interpret these as a lack of judgment and an inability to finish what has been started. Plan your coursework and outside activities carefully so that you can always fulfill your academic obligations.
If you encounter a problem with your grades at some time during your college years, consult with your academic advisor or the Health Professions Advisor. The professional schools are concerned that you deal with academic challenges maturely and responsibly.
At the end of your sophomore year you should evaluate your performance to date to determine if you should continue to pursue your original goal or if you should begin to consider other options. A conference with your advisor or the Health Professions Advisor is extremely important during this transitional period of your education.
Should your GPA be somewhat low by the middle of your junior year, you will have a chance to redeem yourself on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT). If you score well on these exams and improve your grades during your last two years you will still have a reasonably good chance of gaining admission to a professional school. Conversely, if you padded your GPA during college and attempted as many shortcuts as possible, these tests usually serve to illustrate your poor planning and judgment. We advise that you keep your science textbooks and notes for your MCAT or DAT studying.
Grades are not an end in themselves; you should constantly review your early coursework and integrate the information you have acquired into your advanced coursework. Try to develop good study habits early in college. Study along consistently to avoid desperate “all-nighters” before exams.
Medical schools require a bachelor’s degree and dental schools require at least three years of college. The MINIMUM course entrance requirements, as stated by most medical and dental schools are followed here by MSU courses that fulfill the requirements:
One year or more of English:
ENGL 121 - College Writing I
ENGL 221 - College Writing II
ENGL 123 - Intro to Literary Study
Honors courses in English, including Texts and Critics
UH 201/202
One year of Biology (with labs):
BIOL 101 - Biology of Organisms and
BIOL 102 - Molecular & Cellular Biology or
BIOL 213-214-215 (for Cell Bio/Neuroscience majors)
Note: the following are good electives to complement the basic biology (choose at least two).
BIOL 207 - Anatomy & Physiology I (Required by many dental schools)
BIOL 208 - Anatomy & Physiology II
BIOL 311 - Vertebrate Embryology
BIOL 301 - Genetics*
BIOL 302 - Advanced Cellular & Molecular Biology
BIOL 410 - Advanced Human Anatomy
BIOL 411- Animal Physiology *
MB 201 - Infectious Diseases*
MB 301 - General Microbiology I
* no lab
One year of Inorganic Chemistry (with labs):
CHEM 131 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 132 - General Chemistry II
or Honors General Chemistry – CHEM 141/142
One year of Organic Chemistry (with labs):
CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 312 - Organic Chemistry II
or Honors Organic Chemistry – CHEM 314/315
Also highly recommended:
BCHM 340 - General Biochemistry
One year of Physics (with labs):
PHYS 205 - College Physics I
PHYS 206 - College Physics II
or PHYS 211 - General & Modern Physics I
PHYS 212 - General & Modern Physics II
or Honors General and Modern Physics PHYS 221/222
Competence in Mathematics:
Math 170 - Survey of Calculus and STAT 216
or Math 181 & 182 - Calculus & Analytical Geometry
Some schools may require one or two courses in behavioral science, the second of which should be an upper division course (e.g., PSY 100 and PSY 382).
Some schools have additional requirements and also strongly recommend specific courses, such as additional courses in biology, the social sciences and humanities. Information about specific schools as well as other useful information about the application process can be found in the following publications:
- Medical School Admission Requirements: http://www.aamc.org-Publications
- Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools: http://www.adea.org
In recent years many graduates who did not fulfill the pre-requisites for medical/dental school as undergraduates have returned to college with the intention of gaining admission to a professional school. Depending upon one’s previous background it will normally take an additional one to three years to complete necessary coursework and the application process. Individuals in this category should carefully plan their program with the Health Professions Advisor in order to make the best possible impression on the health professions schools.
CHOICE OF MAJOR / AREA OF STUDY
Students may major in any area that interests them, as long as they satisfy all of the course entrance requirements for medical/dental School. Students should keep in contact with the Health Professions Advisor in 308 Leon Johnson regarding their progress from freshman year on.
NATIONAL ADMISSION TESTS (MCAT OR DAT)
Applicants to medical and dental schools are required to take a national standardized test. From 2007 on, the MCAT is offered in computer format only (Computer Based Testing) 22 times over 19 days each year. The computerized DAT may be taken at any time. It is strongly recommended that these exams be taken in the first half of the year in which you wish to apply, normally at least 12 months before your desired matriculation. You should prepare thoroughly for these exams; numerous study aids can be obtained to help you in your preparation. It is recommended that students visit the AAMC and ADEA web sites for "prep" suggestions (see below). A Kaplan MCAT on-line study course is available throughout the academic year. Consider taking a lighter course load spring semester as you prepare for these tests, as your test prep should consume as much time as a regular course.
For details about the MCAT, go to http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm.
For the DAT, go to http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp
When you receive your scores, you may wish to make an appointment with the Health Professions Advisor for an interpretation of your results and for advice about how to proceed with your application. Where you apply will depend upon your state of residence, your individual interests, your GPA, and MCAT/DAT scores. We will attempt to help you make the best possible application to the most appropriate schools.
Extracurricular Activities/Health Care Experience
It takes more than competitive grades and test scores to gain admission into professional schools. It is highly recommended that students participate in various campus and community activities that serve to broaden their educational experience and develop their leadership. Travel and multicultural experiences are encouraged. Increasingly, medical/dental schools want to know that you have interacted with people from different socio-economic, racial, and ethnic groups, as you will need to in your training and eventual practice.
Students should consider participating in either paid or volunteer work at local or hometown institutions such as hospitals, extended care facilities, programs/camps for patients with special needs, research or clinical laboratories, etc. The MSU Office of Community Involvement maintains a volunteer database and could help you identify possible organizations that need volunteers. Shadow physicians or dentists whenever possible to learn more about their work! This is a link to the Bozeman physician/dentist directory.
It is also important to educate oneself about the social, political and economic issues important in health care. When preparing for professional school interviews, some students find it helpful to create a file of relevant articles, participate in seminars on ethics and medical issues and shadow health care workers. Good resources for information about “hot topics” in medicine are American Medical News at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/, and Washington Highlights at http://www.aamc.org/advocacy/washhigh/start.htm.
In addition to general campus activities, there is an organization on campus that relates directly to your career goals. Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) (http://www.jmu.edu/orgs/nationalaed/) is a pre-professional honor society that schedules speakers, serves as a peer support group and provides information relevant to the health professions. AED activities are open to all students, but official membership is based on academic criteria (3.2 science and overall GPA) and interest in the health professions. Students must complete three consecutive semesters of college at MSU before they are eligible for full membership. It is students’ responsibility to sign up for the AED list serve for information on talks, workshops, deadlines for tests, interview information, application information and other general information. E-mail the Health Professions Advising Office, if you are interested in any of the health professions: hpa@montana.edu. Also check the web site often for updates at http://www.montana.edu/dhs/hpa.
Medical School Application Checklist
Junior Year (or year prior to application year)
18 – 24 months prior to entrance date:
December – April of application year:
- Register for MCAT and take it in April, May, or June
- Request four letters of recommendation
- Attend application workshops presented by the Office of Health Professions Advising
Senior Year (or year applying)
June 1 – October 15 (depending on deadline of individual schools):
- Meet with Premedical Professions Advisory Committee (PPAC) members for interviews and committee evaluations once you have received your MCAT score
- Submit official transcripts to AMCAS and/or AACOMAS
- Complete and submit AMCAS, non-AMCAS and/or AACOMAS application materials
- Ensure that letters of recommendation are collected in the Office of Health Professions Advising by June 1
- Complete and submit WWAMI/WICHE application, if appropriate, before October 15
- Receive and complete secondary applications from individual schools
September – January
- Attend "Interview Workshop" sponsored by Health Professions Advising
- Arrange interviews at schools as invited to do so (mock interviews at Career Services are highly recommended)
February – March
- Submit forms for need-based financial aid
- Report application results to Office of Health Professions Advising. Submit "Health Professions School Interview Report(s)."
DENTAL SCHOOL APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Junior Year (or year prior to application year)
18 months prior to entrance date:
- Be sure you are on the AED list serve. Send email to hpa@montana.edu and request to be added to the mailing list.
- Make appointment with Health Professions Advisor
- Research Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools – http://www.adea.org
- Research individual dental schools on the web for information and financial aid applications
- Begin study for DAT exam
February – May:
- Attend application workshops presented by the Office of Health Professions Advising
- Request three to four letters of recommendation
- Register for and take DAT exam (on computer, on demand) April-July
Senior Year (or year that you are applying)
June – October (depending upon school)
- Meet with Premedical Professions Advisory Committee (PPAC) members for interviews and committee evaluations once you receive your DAT score
- Complete and submit AADSAS application material
- Submit official transcripts to AADSAS
- Complete and submit WICHE application, if appropriate, by October 15
- Attend "Interview Workshop" sponsored by Health Professions Advising
September – January
- Receive and complete supplemental applications as necessary
- Request letters of recommendation be sent by Office of Health Professions Advising to schools at the time supplemental applications are submitted
- Arrange school interviews, as invited to do so (mock interviews at Career Services are highly recommended)
February – March
- Submit forms for need-based financial aid
- Report application results to Office of Health Professions Advising. Submit "Health Professions School Interview Report(s)."
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Medical School Applicant Requirements:
- 2 letters from Premedical Professions Advisory Committee (PPAC) members, one of whom will be the Director
- 1-2 letters from an advisor, instructor or research supervisor, preferably in the sciences
- 1 letter from a physician (MD or DO)
- 1 letter from another instructor, an employer, coach, etc.
Dental School Applicant Requirements:
- 2 letters from Premedical Professions Advisory Committee (PPAC) members, one of whom will be the Director, and the other Dr. William Dorgan
- 2 letters from an advisor, instructor or research supervisor, preferably in the sciences
- 1 letter from a dentist
At MSU-Bozeman, the Office of Health Professions Advising serves as the collection and distribution center for letters of recommendation. A cover letter of instructions is available in the office for distribution by the student to the three-four non-PPAC evaluators. Applicants are encouraged to make an appointment with the evaluators to discuss their past record and accomplishments, and to ask if evaluators have questions before they write their letter of recommendation. Giving these evaluators a résumé is often helpful. The evaluations are returned to the advising office (308 Leon Johnson) by the evaluators and a permanent file is maintained for the student. Letters may be obtained from professors in the humanities and social sciences, but at least one should come from a professor in the sciences. The total number of letters, including the two PPAC evaluations, should not exceed six unless there are exceptional circumstances (discuss with Health Professions Advisor). Letters of recommendation should be in the student’s file by June 1. These evaluations are confidential and cannot be reviewed by the applicant.
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