HEALTH PROFESSIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
REVISED 2/28/08
Medical and Dental Student Information Materials
1. These materials will provide answers to frequently asked questions about professional schools and serve as an
orientation to the process of entering professional schools.
Please read the material carefully and realize that prerequisites change and we don’t get the updates for a
while. Always check the websites of the schools that you are applying to for the latest information.
One of the biggest problems that the professional schools see is “self advising”. Be sure of your
prerequisites!!!
2. Set an appointment with your Premed/Dental advisor to obtain all the necessary forms, answer any questions,
and to begin assembling your Committee Evaluation file.
3. Monitor the progress of your file. This is really important. Be sure to keep up with your application with
TMDAS and make sure all of your material is in. Let your advisor know if there is any problem. I moved a
student’s file to my finished pile and forgot to mail the committee letter. His letter was around 6 weeks late.
That was really bad.
4. Apply early. You cannot hit the submit button on the application until June 1st. However you can send in the
certification page, photo’s and fees after May 1st. Your completed file must be available to the Premed/Dent
committee for the evaluation process well in advance of the application deadlines to medical or dental schools.
It takes at least two weeks to produce and mail a committee letter. The application deadline for the UT
application system for medical applicants is November 1, and for dental applicants is November 1. However, If
you mail your application on October 20, your chances are slim to none.
4. If you are applying to an out of state school let your advisor know which schools are asking for supplemental
information. We won't send a letter till you contact us.
5. The residency rules have changed be sure to double check to see if you fit the residency criteria. Use the
TMDAS website.
6. All schools will be required to do a criminal background check. Drug testing is coming and has already
arrived at some institutions. Read the application question on criminal background and answer it truthfully. This
can really come back to bite you later. Tell the truth. To not think expunged or deferred adjudication means it is
no longer in your record!!
SAC Premedical and Dental Advisors
Dan Hansen/chair
Biology
CAC 365
733-2198
dhansen@mail.accd.edu
Dr. Russell Garcia Jr. Biology
CAC 356
733-2198
rugarciajr@mail.accd.edu
William Haley
Chemistry
CG 207C
733-2704
whaley@mail.accd.edu
Jerry O'Connor
Physics
CAC 238
733-2835
joconnor@mail.accd.edu
Luis A Rodriguez
Biology
AC 359
733-2695
lrodriguez2@mail.accd.edu
Stephen Samet
Counseling
MLC 1st floor 733-2946
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samet@mail.accd.edu
Some New Library Resources
Career opportunities in health care.
Resumes and personal statements for health professionals.
Minority student opportunities in U.S. and Canadian Medical Schools.
There are also other books with tips on applying to medical school, dental school etc.
See Candace Peterson for help.
Criteria for Prescribed Courses
The following material was pulled straight from the website of the Texas Medical and Dental Application
Service.
These can change. Always check the website for the most current information.
Be sure to check for prerequisites when you are trying to register for a course.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the prescribed courses required for admission into a Medical or
Dental School. Advanced placement credit is accepted, if the school granting the credit lists the specific
course(s) and number of units granted per course on an official transcript.
English
6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of college English are required.
Any course accredited by the English Department that fulfills a general education English requirement of a
baccalaureate degree will be accepted. Remedial or developmental courses or "English As a Second Language"
courses ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
The UT Medical Branch at Galveston WILL NOT ACCEPT upper level writing intensive courses taught in
departments other than English to satisfy the requirement.
SAC courses are ENGL 1301 and 1302
Biology
14 semester hours (12 semester hours of lecture & 2 semester hours of formal lab) or 21 quarter hours (18
quarter lecture hours & 3 quarter lab hours) of Biology are required. The coursework must be applicable toward
a science degree. Includes all Biology courses applied toward Baccalaureate degree in traditional science fields,
such as General Biology, Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Immunology,
Parasitology, Ornithology, Anatomy & Physiology, Entomology, Pathophysiology, Marine Biology and
Herpetology.
Biochemistry will be accepted towards satisfying the 14 hour Biology requirement.
Texas Tech University HSC will only accept biochemistry if it is taught in the Biology department.
For UT School of Medicine at San Antonio, 3 of the 14 hours of required Biology coursework MUST BE
Biochemistry (taught in either a biology or chemistry department).
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Courses for non-science majors or for health career majors (Nursing, Pharmacy or Allied Health Sciences) ARE
NOT ACCEPTED
SAC courses are BIOL 1406 and 1407, or BIOL 1411 (botany) and BIOL 1413 (zoology)
Upper level courses are BIOL 2416 (genetics) and BIOL 2421 (microbiology)
Mathematics
3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of college Calculus or Statistics is required.
The Calculus/Statistics requirement is not required for dental schools.
The calculus course can be any calculus course taught by a Math or Physics Department. Business Calculus or
any Pre-Calculus courses ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
The Statistics course should be taught in the Math Department. Individual medical schools may consider
statistics courses taught in other departments on an individual basis.
SAC courses are MATH 2413 (calculus) or MATH 1442 (statistics)
Physics
8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of Physics, as required for college science majors, including the
corresponding laboratory experience are required. (8 semester hours = 6 hours of lecture & 2 hours of lab; 12
quarter hours = 9 hours of lecture & 3 hours of lab)
Includes all physics courses applied toward a baccalaureate degree in any traditional science field.
Courses for non-science majors or for health career majors (Nursing, Pharmacy or Allied Health Sciences)
SAC courses are PHYS 1401 and 1402
General Chemistry
8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of General Chemistry, as required for college science majors, including the
corresponding laboratory experience are required. (8 semester hours = 6 hours of lecture & 2 hours of lab; 12
quarter hours = 9 hours of lecture & 3 hours of lab).
Must be a course that is applied toward a baccalaureate degree in any traditional science field. Should include
familiarity with analytic and volumetric techniques.
Inorganic courses include General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis.
Courses for non-science majors or for health career majors (Nursing, Pharmacy or Allied Health Sciences) ARE
NOT ACCEPTED
Organic Chemistry
8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of Organic Chemistry, as required for college science majors, including the
corresponding laboratory experience are required. (8 semester hours = 6 hours of lecture & 2 hours of lab; 12
quarter hours = 9 hours of lecture & 3 hours of lab).
Must be a course that is applied toward a baccalaureate degree in any traditional science field. Should include
familiarity with analytic and volumetric techniques.
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Courses for non-science majors or for health career majors (Nursing, Pharmacy or Allied Health Sciences) ARE
NOT ACCEPTED
SAC courses are CHEM 1411 and 1412, CHEM 2323 (Organic 1) and CHEM 2223 (Lab), and CHEM 2325
(Organic II) and CHEM 2225 (Lab)
Biochemistry
Required ONLY by UT Dental Branch at Houston, UT School of Medicine at San Antonio and Baylor
College of Dentistry. However, it is strongly recommended by all other TMDSAS schools.
3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of Biochemistry is required.
Must be a course that is applied toward a baccalaureate degree in any traditional science field.
UT School of Medicine at San Antonio:
This requirement may be used to fulfill the Biology requirement of 14 hours.
The course may be taught in the Biology, Biochemistry or Chemistry department.
Cannot be an introductory course.
Baylor College of Dentistry AND UT Dental Branch at Houston:
This requirement is in addition to the Biology requirement of 14 hours and may not be used to fulfill the
Biology requirement.
The course may be taught in the Biology, Biochemistry or Chemistry department.
Must have a grade of C or better.
NOTE: If you are not sure that a course fulfills one of these prerequisites, get it evaluated by the UT
application system. Your premed advisors cannot certify or guarantee that a particular course meets
these criteria.
The Road to Medical School
There are two principal routes to get to Medical or Dental School:
1. Complete a B.A. or B.S1. Degree. Any degree is acceptable provided you have the required science courses.
2. Complete 90 hours at a junior college (including required courses) then apply directly to medical or dental
school. However, you can’t transfer more than 66 hours to a university.
FYI: Generally speaking, more than 95% of all students accepted to Medical and Dental Schools hold
Bachelor's degrees. Many professional schools feel that students who have completed 4 years of studies are
generally more mature, well rounded, and have a better focus. This does not mean that you cannot get in without
a Bachelor's degree. What seems to work is: if you are an older applicant with experience, you can apply
without a degree. If you are fresh out of high school you should get a bachelors degree. It’s the maturity thing.
The burden is on you as an applicant to demonstrate that you possess the necessary attributes to succeed in
professional school: self-discipline, academic excellence, maturity, good "people" skills, an understanding of
medicine and medical/societal issues including relevant work or volunteer experience.
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Medical/Dental College Admissions Test (MCAT & DAT): All applicants are required to take the MCAT or
DAT exam and forward the results to the medical/dental school that they are applying to. The test is designed to
assess the student's general and scientific education. This test is now offered throughout the year. Still, don’t try
to register at the last minute or you may not get a seat. I wouldn’t take it later than June for the following year.
It is not a good idea to take these exams early for practice or before you have had most of your core courses.
You can find practice exams in prep books. Most of the MCAT prep courses give free practice exams.
Don't take the MCAT before you have completed both semesters of organic chemistry. It is a good idea to spend
some time preparing for these exams and looking at practice tests in various MCAT/DAT study guides.
Again, check the MCAT website for the latest information and schedules.
Application Process: For Texas schools, the application process begins at least one year ahead of the
anticipated attendance date. The application for all Texas schools is now online. Applicants will be asked to
furnish all required information (e.g. official transcripts, letters of recommendation /evaluation, MCAT scores,
personal information and a personal statement). It is in the applicant's best interest to apply early. It is vitally
important for applicant to insure that their application packet is complete. It is also highly advisable to apply to
several schools as this increases their chance for an interview.
Application for the following Texas medical and dental schools is now done online.
University of Texas System Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
University of Texas System Medical Branch at Galveston
University of Texas System Health Science Center Houston Medical School
University of Texas System Health Science Center San Antonio Medical School
Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas College of Osteopathic
Medicine
University of Texas System Health Science Center Houston Dental School
University of Texas System Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School
Texas A&M University System Health Science Center - Baylor College of Dentistry
Note: All schools have individual web sites.
The application center is at the following website:
http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/
Note: Don't forget your password and be sure to proofread your application before you hit the
submit button! After you submit, recheck your written statements. Sometimes the conversion
from word to HTML will do some weird word wrapping. You could lose the last word of each
sentence.
This website outlines the unique problems faced by an older non-traditional student.
http://www.NontraditionalMedicalStudent.com
Other useful addresses and websites
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service
702 Colorado, Suite 6.400
Austin, TX 78701
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Phone: (512) 499-4785
Fax: (512) 499-4786
E-mail: TMDSAS@utsystem.edu
MCAT
MCAT Program
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, IA 52243-4056
(319) 337-1357
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm
DAT
Dept. of Testing Service
Dental Association
211 East Chicago Ave., Ste. 1846
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2689
www.ada.org
Suggested Time Line (See big timeline at end of packet)
Fall
Start committee file
Spring
Summer
Fall
MCAT before July
Get your committee
file together, plan to
have your application
in as early as possible.
Applications open up
on May 1.
Get that application
in by the end of June.
Interviews
Acceptance
Aug.-Jan
Application deadline
Nov. 1
Spring
Fall
Matriculate
SAC PROCEDURE FOR PRE-MED/DENT LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
1) The student meets with a Pre-Med/Dent Advisor for advisement.

In some cases the student can bypass the need for a committee letter, for example, if you are
no longer at the college where you took most of your prerequisites. Be sure to check the
Texas application website for more information.

Prerequisites are checked, using a checklist, and the student is advised concerning needed
coursework and application procedures.

The student will be able to download evaluation forms off the TMDAS site. Be sure to sign a
blank form for the committee letter
An applicant file is started for the student. This file initially contains the checklist and other
completed forms are added as they are received.


Privacy. The medical admissions people that review your file will have more confidence in
your evaluations if you waive your right to see the evaluations. Some applicants do waive
their right to see their letters, some don't. The only people at SAC that have access to your
file are members of the Pre-med committee.
2) Supporting documentation is submitted.

The student who is applying to medical school will give an evaluation form to at least 3 of
their professors. Choose professors in your core prerequisite courses such as biology,
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chemistry or physics. Pick someone who knows you! The completed forms should be sent
directly to an advisor or the committee chair and not hand-delivered by the student.

Dental applicants need at least two recommendations plus a letter from a practicing dentist.

The student should give the committee a copy of their personal statement and transcripts

If the student is applying to the UT System, the Health Professions Evaluation form from the
application packet is signed and returned to the advisor. The committee uses this form.
3) The completed file is assembled.
A complete file contains the following:






Student essay.
The evaluation forms from academic or professional sources, if needed.
Request for Letters of Recommendation form. (Where are you applying?)
UT system evaluation form, if needed.
Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
A letter from a dentist for dental applicants
4) A draft letter is composed.

The Pre-Med/dent Advisors comprise a subcommittee, which meets periodically to review
completed files as they arise. The transcripts, student essay and letters of recommendation are
examined and the subcommittee prepares a draft recommendation letter for each applicant.
Copies of recommendation letters sent by individuals will be included.

The draft letter and applicant file is placed on file for review by the full committee. Usually,
the full committee is given a one-week period to review the file. The committee members
give written suggestions/corrections on the draft and initial the cover sheet.
5) Final recommendation letters are sent.

Suggestions/corrections made by committee members are incorporated into the final draft.

Letters of recommendation (or evaluation forms used by the institution to which application
is made) are prepared and mailed via certified post (return receipt). Copies are kept in the
applicant's file.
SO YOU WANT TO ENTER MEDICAL SCHOOL!
First hint; apply as soon as possible. It takes a while to get everything together. Don't miss a deadline!
There is a good chance that you could have the credentials to be accepted, apply before the deadline, and
not get an interview because all of the slots have been filled.
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An August MCAT seems to be the kiss of death. By the time your grade gets to the schools they have set
up all the interviews. There may be some spots left but the competition is fierce. Shoot for June or
earlier.
What do the members of the entrance committee look for in a successful candidate?
First of all, much of their evaluation is subjective. Depending on the overall application the balances of
these factors can shift.
They judge your academic capabilities by your GPA, MCAT, and premed advisor/committee
recommendation.
To have a decent chance you need an:
MCAT > 25
GPA > 3.5
This doesn't mean there is no hope if you are close to these numbers. A good MCAT can help a low
GPA and vice versa. Other factors may compensate somewhat for low scores on both.
The UT system took some applicants with MCAT's of 22/23. They rejected many with 35's. They have
rejected many 3.9/4.0 GPA's.
They will expect a higher GPA from a student who is living at home or in a dorm and has parental
support than they will expect from a single parent juggling work, family, and school.
The Subjective Part
Start keeping a journal! This will help you remember what you did, when you did it, and why you
did it.
Being a physician is more than being able to take tests. The schools will carefully examine and weigh
the rest of your application, assuming that your MCAT and GPA are OK.
What they are looking for are clues that will give them some indication of your integrity, interpersonal
skills, communication skills, leadership abilities, dedication, maturity, wisdom, honesty, stability and
motivation. These are not just words. They will look at your application and letters to see examples that
support these characteristics.
They realize that everyone will talk the talk. You all want to serve mankind, make the world a better
place and of course you are planning to be a primary care physician in a rural community.
They judge you by your deeds.
There is no one perfect candidate!
They look at:
Volunteer Work/ this should be health related.
Work (one area that can help compensate for a low GPA).
Research
Organizations/ especially if you were an officer
Honors/Awards/Scholarships
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Medicine is a dirty job, if you have already had experience with the messy side of medicine that is a plus
for you.
Essay
All Med School applicants are required to submit an essay with their application.
Remember the personal statement is to tell why you want to be a doctor or dentist. You can throw in
things that support you assertion that they should pick you.
Be honest, how did you decide on medicine. Beat your own drum! If you have some problems in your
past record it has been suggested that you be careful about long apologies. My take on this is “don’t
whine, don’t apologize”. Be prepared to be asked about it in the interview.
What is unique about you? Be neat, you should write several draft copies, get someone to proof read it,
and type the final copy and then cut and paste it into the application. Double check to make sure you
submitted it and it converted properly. This should be a carefully written and crafted instrument. It is
your only chance to tell the committee about yourself.
Interview
The applications are given a numerical score based on the application. Interview letters are sent to the
top applicants. All things being equal, you have a better chance with an early application than a late one.
What is the purpose of the interview?
To get a feel of how you are as a person. To judge your maturity, wisdom, etc, etc. It's easy to look
good on paper, how do you do face to face?
Practice for your interview, many schools offer workshops and mock interviews.
It's a good idea to review current medical topics in magazines like Time and Newsweek in case you are
asked your opinion.
If you feel you had a bad interview, you can ask the dean for a re-interview.
Interview mistakes:
 avoid giving too much personal information
 look sharp and shine those shoes, coat and tie are a must for guys
 don’t sound like you are giving rehearsed answers (even though you are to some extent)
 don’t ask “how did I do”
 don’t preach to the interviewer (meaning you have the answer to some problem in medicine that no
one else seems to see)
 Don’t cross the line between assertive and arrogant
 it is OK to ask the interviewer some questions about the program
 try to have some points about yourself to get across to the interviewer
 reread your application and personal statement, but don’t rehash it
How is acceptance determined?
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All of the data on you from your application and interview is compiled into a numerical score. The
candidates are ranked by score and the acceptance letters start from the top and go down.
The applicant pool for medical and dental school is getting bigger and more competitive. Here are some
hints that the committee feels may make you more competitive.
 If you are not applying with a biology or chemistry degree, take some more upper division
biology classes, this helps in two ways; you will have an easier first year, and you will seem to be
going beyond the minimum.
 Know how to write well.
 Know how to read well. This seems silly, but you will have to read a lot and retain it.
 Take a practice MCAT or DAT from a test book. If it looks like you are going to have troubles,
deal with it. There are free summer MCAT/DAT programs. You may need to take a prep course.
Some miscellaneous statistics.
The 2005 entering class of the UT Medical system had an average MCAT of 28.9 and an average GPA
of 3.65.
The 2006 entering class had an average MCAT of 29.6 and an average GPA of 3.69.
However 5% of the 2006entering class had MCATS between 20 and 23 and 9% had a 24 or 25.
21% had GPA's between 3.0 and 3.5.
In 2005 there were 3694 applicants for 1211 places.
The 2005 entering UT Dental students had an average GPA of 3.55 and they had an academic average of
19.5 on the DAT and an average perceptual ability of 17.0.
In 2006, the average GPA was 3.62 , academic average was 19.7 and perceptual was 17.3.
The majority of accepted students have completed a Bachelor degree in some field. It doesn't have to be
science but it helps. Someone with a Bachelor will "seem" more mature than someone with an Associate
plus the required hours. A bachelors in a non-science field, combined with a good prerequisite grades
seems to help.
Getting your BS in clinical laboratory sciences is another option. The UTHSCSA CLS program has a
pre-medical track.
A hint from some first year medical students. Take histology, physiology and biochemistry, it will make
the first year a little easier.
Checklist for Prerequisites
____Biol 1406
____Biol 1407
____Biol 2416
____Biol 2421
____ Biochemistry
____Chem
____Chem
____Chem
____Chem
____Chem
____Chem
1411
1412
2323
2223
2325
2225
____Engl 1301
____Engl 1302
____Phys1401
____Phys1402
____Math 2431
or
____Math 1442
____38 additional hours (no PE) to have a total of at least 90 hours.
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