Choosing a Professional School
OHLPA
Office of Health and Legal Professions Advising
Pre-Health Advising
Academic Advising Center – Farrior Hall
Second floor
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Website: www.advising.ufl.edu/prehealth
Email: Prehealth@advising.ufl.edu
Choosing a Professional School



What factors go into choosing which schools
to apply to?
How can you choose which school to attend
once you've been accepted?
What resources can you use to help make
your decision?
Choosing a Professional School
Choosing schools to apply to...



The average number of medical schools that
students apply to is 15. Most students apply
to between 8-20.
Applying to more than 15 schools does NOT
increase your chances of admission.
Know the timeline, do your research, and
stay ORGANIZED!
Choosing a Professional School
Factors to Consider in choosing the
number of schools to apply to...



How competitive is your application?
How much money are you planning to spend
on the application process (it adds up
quickly)?
How much time do you have to complete
secondary applications and go on interviews?
Choosing a Professional School
What's Recommended...




Choose a few “dream schools” if appropriate.
Choose schools where you will be a
competitive applicant and that you feel are a
good fit.
Choose a few schools where you feel like
you may be very competitive.
Don't apply to a school that you can't see
yourself attending
Choosing a Professional School
Factors to Consider



Mission
Academic Factors
Personal Factors
Choosing a Professional School
Factors to Consider
Mission Statements



READ THEM!
Does the school's mission fit with what you
want?
Note emphasis on special areas (primary
care, etc.)
Choosing a Professional School
Mission Statement #1
Stanford University
Mission Statement
To be a premier research-intensive medical school
that improves health through leadership and
collaborative discoveries and innovation in patient
care, education and research.
Choosing a Professional School
Mission Statement #2
Meharry Medical College
Mission
Our mission is to deliver quality healthcare primarily to the
poor and underserved. We help students and residents with
low resource backgrounds enter and excel the healthcare
professions. We deliver cutting-edge research to help
improve healthcare and eliminate disparities. Our goal is to
become a premier surgical department and national leader in
surgical innovations particularly as they relate to underserved
minority populations.
Choosing a Professional School
Mission Statement #3
University of New Mexico
Mission
Our mission is to provide an opportunity for all New Mexicans to
obtain an excellent education in the health sciences. We will
advance health sciences in the most important areas of human
health with a focus on the priority health needs of our communities.
As a majority-minority state, our mission will ensure that all
populations in New Mexico have access to the highest quality
health care.
Choosing a Professional School
Factors to Consider-Academic
Curriculum

Traditional vs. Case study, PBL, etc.

Types and timing of patient contact

Grading systems (grades vs. pass/fail)
Choosing a Professional School
Factors to Consider-Academic

Research opportunities

Out of State admission

Special programs (MD/PhD)

Average scores and GPA's

Academic atmosphere

Facilities

Service and study abroad opportunities
Choosing a Professional School
Factors to Consider-Personal

Location

Size

Personal support networks

Cost/Financial Aid

Student support services

Diversity

Student activities and involvement
Choosing a Professional School
When you interview...

Talk to students

Stay with a student if possible

Write down questions throughout the day

See the surrounding area if possible

Take notes on likes/dislikes
Choosing a Professional School
Staying Organized


Start an organizational system early
Have a file (digital and hard copy) for each
school

Bookmark important websites

Maintain a calendar (color coded)

Have supplies on-hand
Choosing a Professional School
Resources for Researching Schools





MSAR (Medical School Admission
Requirements)
ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools
VMSAR (Veterinary Medical School
Admissoin Requirements)
Osteopathic Medical Colleges information in
College Information Book online
Pharmacy School Admission Requirements
Choosing a Professional School
Resources for Researching Schools

Professional Association websites (AAMC,
ADEA, AACOM, AAVMC)

Individual school websites

Current students

Brochures, catalogs, etc.

Admissions offices

OHLPA Library
Choosing a Professional School
When in doubt...
Go with your gut.
Choosing a Professional School
Questions????
Send questions to: prehealth@advising.ufl.edu
See an advisor
Workshop Evaluation
Std ID # ____________________________
Workshop Title:
____________________________________________________________
Date/Presenter:
____________________________________________________________
Please rate the areas below using the following scale:
5
Strongly Agree
4
3
Agree
Neutral
The presentation was well organized?
5
2
1
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
4
3
2
1
The material was presented in an interesting matter? 5
4
3
2
1
The workshop provided the information you expected?
5
4
3
2
I feel better prepared regarding the topic?
5
4
3
2
1
I would recommend this workshop to other students? 5
4
3
2
1
1
Please briefly tell us what the most beneficial part or least beneficial parts of the workshop are. Suggestions for improvements?
Questions?