Creating a Competitive
Application
Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs
College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center
MC 218
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216-687-9321
Workshop Expectations
• Welcome!
• Job responsibilities
• Expectations for time together
– No Cell Phones
– Actively Listen & Engage
– Ask questions where appropriate!
What to Expect
• Learn about the application processes to a variety of
professional schools
• Learn tips and tricks for a successful application
from start to finish
• Differences between 1st and 2nd applications
• Cost of application, interviews, etc.
• Understand the process from when you hit the
submit button through interview offers
Timeline for Application Process
Research &
Choose
Schools
Entrance
Exam
Read
Application
Instructions
Complete
Primary
Application &
Submit
Complete
Secondary
Applications
Entrance Exams
Admission Tests
• Computerized tests
• Standardized measure for score
• Test Preparation Tips
– Choose in advance whether or not you will pay
for a private course
– Plan for 3-5 months of preparation
– Either way, take practice exams!
DAT
Cost: $415
Offered: all year
Time: 5 Hours total seat time
Dental Admission Test
Optional Tutorial 15 minutes
Survey of Natural Sciences 90 minutes
Perceptual Ability Test 60 minutes
Optional scheduled break 15 minutes
Reading Comprehension Test 60 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning Test 45 minutes
Optional Post Test Survey 15 minutes
Total 5 hours
Scoring
Unofficial score available immediately, official scores sent to schools
within a month
Subjects: Survey of Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability (PA) Reading
Comprehension, Quantitative Reasoning,
Schools usually use scaled composite scores: 1-30 with some schools
separately looking at PA and Academic
You can retake after 90 days and can take up to 3 times
Pre-Reqs: Principles of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
GRE
Registration fee: $160 for General
Offered: All year long
Scoring
When available: approximately 15 days
Schools use scaled scores: 130-170, Writing is 0-6 with
percentages
Scores are good for 5 years, but check with each institution
Subjects: Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing and
Quantitative Reasoning
– Subject tests also available for extra fee and are not offered at all
locations on all dates
MCAT
Cost: $300
Offered: January, April-September
2015 Subjects: Biological & Biochemical Foundations (95 minutes),
Chemical and Physical Foundations (95 minutes), Critical Analysis and
Reasoning (90 minutes), Psychological, Social, and Biological Behavior
(95 minutes)
Schools usually use scaled composite scores: 118-132/472-528
Scores are good for 3 years from application or matriculation date,
depending on school.
Pre-Reqs: Principles of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry,
Physics, Biochemistry, Sociology, Psychology
OAT
Cost: $390
Offered: throughout the year through
Prometric Testing Centers
Length: 4 hours 40 minutes of seat time
OAT™ Testing Schedule
Optional Tutorial 15 minutes
Survey of Natural Sciences 90 minutes
Reading Comprehension Test 60 minutes
Scheduled Break (optional) 15 minutes
Physics Test 50 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning Test 45 minutes
Optional Post Test Survey 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 50 minutes
Subjects: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Reading Comprehension,
Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning
Scores: Unofficial right after exam, Official 3-4 weeks after
Pre-Reqs: Principles of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry,
Physics, Math (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry)
PCAT
Registration fee: $210 ($49 late registration)
Offered: January, June, July, September, October
Length of test:
– 240 questions (48 each section)
– 4 ½ hours long
Scoring
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When available: Official within 5 weeks
Subjects:
Writing, Verbal, Biology, Chemistry, Reading, Quantitative
Other notes: Website has a great FAQ section, can take up to 5
times
Pre-Reqs: Principles of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry (recommended: A&P, Microbiology, Biochemistry)
Re-testing
Changes in MCAT Scores between 1st and 2nd
Attempts (in percentages)
Initial Score N
Negative
Impact
0
+1-2
+3-4
+5 or More
5-14
1256
20
9
19
23
30
15-20
4843
22
10
22
22
25
21-23
4951
23
11
25
22
19
24-29
10664
23
12
14
23
15
Data from 2008, 2009, 2010 years of students that tested twice in one year.
Researching Schools
General Tips
• Come up with a strong list of potential schools to
apply to early on & review prerequisite courses to
ensure you’ll meet all prerequisites
• Visit schools within a reasonable distance prior to
application
• Do not decide on a final list until you receive
entrance exam scores
Researching Schools
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What does the school look for in its applicants?
What is the school known for?
Where will you do rotations?
Is the school connected with a medical center?
Is there a focus on research/community based healthcare?
What does the curriculum look like?
How connected are the alumni to the institution?
Look for the best fit…not necessarily the best ranking.
Dental Schools
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65 schools total in 36 states
2 Ohio Dental Programs (CWRU & OSU)
41% acceptance rate
ADEA.org
Medical Schools: Allopathic
• 141 MD Programs
• Ohio Institutions include: CWRU,
NEOMED, OSU, Toledo, UC, Wright State
• 43% matriculation rate
• Average number of schools: 15
• AAMC.org
Medical Schools: Osteopathic
• 35 programs, 41 locations
• Ohio University is the only Ohio DO
school, but has three campuses.
• 31% matriculation rate
• Average number of schools: 9
• AACOM.org
Optometry Schools
• 21 Programs
• Ohio State is the only Ohio optometry
school.
• Average Number of Application: 6
• 71% Acceptance Rate
• Asco.org
Pharmacy Schools
• 132 accredited schools of pharmacy
• Ohio institutions include: NEOMED, OSU,
Toledo (5 spots for transfer), UC
• Average application to enrollment rate of
6.4:1
• AACP.org
Veterinary Schools
• 30 schools
• Ohio State University has the only Ohio
veterinary program.
• Average number of schools: 4.1
• Average Acceptance Rate: 50%
• AAVMC.org
Application Services
Application Services
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Dental: AADSAS
Medical Schools (Allopathic): AMCAS
Medical Schools (Osteopathic): AACOMAS
Optometry: OPTOMCAS
Pharmacy: PHARMCAS
Physical Therapy: PTCAS
Physician Assistant: CASPA
Veterinary: VMCAS
Application Services
• When to submit application: as soon as
possible upon opening
• Submitting before scores come out?
• Centralized vs. decentralized
• Same application sent to each participating
school
• Directions/Instruction Manuals
Costs (2015)
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AACOMAS: $195 + $35/school
AADSAS: $245 + $93/school
AMCAS: $160 + $37/school
CASPA: $175 + $45/school
OPTOMCAS: $125 + $45/school
PHARMCAS: $150 + $55/school
PTCAS: $140 + $40/school
VMCAS: $195 + $100/school
Early Decision?
• AMCAS/PHARMCAS offer this option
– Binding (if accepted, you may not apply elsewhere)
– If not accepted, you can still apply elsewhere starting in
October
– Benefits competitive applicants that know where they
want to go and will still be considered by many
institutions later in season
Re-Applications
• AADSAS/PHARMCAS/VMCAS will
automatically upload previous application
data
• All other application services will require
you to complete application from the start
Common Errors
• Class errors: order a set of transcripts for
yourself
• Grammar: Make sure everything is spelled
correctly, including your name!
• Submitting before absolutely ready
• Uploading essays: do not use MS Word
Components of the Application
Identifying Information
• Contact Information (include a professional
email address)
• Documentation for background checks
Biographical Information
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Contact Information
Residency
Citizenship
Childhood Information
Military Service
Felonies/Misdemeanors
Languages/Language Proficiency (optional)
School History
• High School/Colleges attended
– All schools that you took coursework or
enrolled, even if you withdrew from all courses
• Majors/Minors
• Transcripts
• Institutional Action (academic/judicial)
Coursework
• Enter coursework in one by one as it
appears on your academic transcripts
– Include all courses: WD, repeat, audits,
pass/fail, AP/CLEP/IB
– If you have taken graduate level work as an
undergrad, include it in course list.
– Make sure to enter any post baccalaureate work
as PB.
International Coursework
Independent Attendance, Credits Not Transferred
• Courses (other than M.D. coursework) attempted independently at a
foreign institution are not required to be listed if credit has not been
transferred to a U.S. or Canadian institution, EXCEPT to meet medical
school prerequisites unduplicated by other listed coursework.
• If you include this coursework on your application:
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Include the foreign institution in Schools Attended.
Request a transcript exception for the foreign institution.
Do not send foreign transcripts or certificates to AMCAS.
Provide all required course data except credit hours attempted and grades.
GPA Calculations
• Each Application Service calculates per
their policy.
• All institutions are included in calculation.
• GPA Types: Cumulative, BCPM, Math, All
Other, PB
Work/Extracurricular Activity
• Some application services split, but most have this under
one category.
• Includes: work, leadership, research, shadowing,
involvement, volunteer
• Keep accurate record of dates, total hours, contact
information for one individual
• Some require short explanations of work and how it relates
to field
– AMCAS allows you to pick 3 experiences to highlight as most
meaningful
Personal Essays
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4500-5300 characters (not words!)
Two key questions – why you want to enter the field and what you will
contribute to the field: interwoven with evidence that you understand the life
of professionals in the field.
You may wish to include information such as: special hardships, challenges or
obstacles that may have influenced your educational pursuits; commentary on
significant fluctuations in your academic record that are not explained
elsewhere in your application.
Outline, draft, write, re-write, review, re-write, get opinions…then start all
over and repeat many times.
Creating a Personal Statement Workshop:
October 21st, 12-1PM
Letters of Evaluation
• Each application sets min & max, generally from 310
• Goal is to provide several people that can speak to
your drive, motivation, history, academic ability,
and why you would make a great doctor.
• In most cases, letters are not written to individual
institutions; rather, to the application services.
• CSU does NOT have a Committee Letter
Letters of Evaluation
• Make a list of who you would like to ask for
a letter
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Professors
Practitioners in the field
Coordinator for Pre-Professional Programs
Previous or current supervisors
Never have a family member write a letter on your
behalf.
Letters of Evaluation
• Ask for an in-person meeting.
• Provide a copy of your resume, instructions
for letter writers, applicable websites.
• Ask if they can write a positive letter of
evaluation for you.
• Give a timeline.
• Best month to ask for a letter? APRIL!
Overall Notes for Application
• Organization
– Excel Spreadsheet for each institution
– Folder in computer for each institution
– Separate files for experiences
• Include hours, contact information, dates,
description of experience
Secondary Applications
• Vast majority of schools send to everyone.
• Types of secondaries:
– Asking for more information
– Essay questions
– Transcript review
• $50-150 per secondary app
Secondary Applications
• Complete quickly and thoroughly (2-3
weeks as a general rule of thumb)
• Purpose is to get to know different
information about you
– Do not cut and paste from primary application
or essays
– Research information about the institution to
include in essays
Secondary Applications
Typical content
Usually shorter answers with smaller character limits than Primary.
• What is your interest in XYZ school? They almost all ask this. (It’s
okay to apply to different schools, but don’t give the same reasons for
each school.)
• What do you see as the most significant issues facing the profession in
the next 20 years?
• Please describe any unique characteristics you have that will contribute
to the diversity and educational benefits to the entering class.
• What will you do if you are not admitted to this school?
Pre-Professional Health
Programs Services Provided
Services Provided
• Individualized Timeline Planning
• Assistance in choosing schools
• Application Help
– Help understanding directions
– Organizing content for experiences sections
– Reviewing content in experiences
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Personal Statement Review
Secondary Application Review
Choosing Letter Writers
Mock Interview Program
Final Thoughts
• Read instructions manual from start to
finish.
• Start preparing application materials now.
• Set short term goals.
• Meet to discuss and write out timeline.
• Stay organized.
Quick Quiz
• When do you apply to professional schools?
• What month do you ask for letters of
evaluation?
• How many months do you prepare for your
exam?
• How many hours before a personal statement
review do you send your statement?
Questions?
Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs
College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center
MC 218
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216-687-9321