HEALTH PROFESSIONS
SOPHOMORE SESSION
September 2, 2015
Farnsworth Pavilion
Overview of the Presentation
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Strong Candidate
Application Process
Rice Applicant Information
This presentation is meant to build upon information presented during the
Health Professions Advising Orientation. Students who were unable to attend
orientation are encouraged to review the slides on our website: oaa.rice.edu
Office of Academic Advising
Professional Advisors – OHPAs with AAMC
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Director of Academic Advising: Aliya Bhimani
Assistant Directors of Academic Advising: Brad Blunt, Laura Kirkland,
Christine Martinez & Davinia Rodriguez-Wilhelm
Administrative Staff
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Health Professions Advising Coordinator: Noreen Hoard
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Department Coordinator: Aurora Zarate
THE STRONG CANDIDATE
The Strong Candidate
Medical schools are interested in more than your GPA and MCAT
score. There are several common characteristics medical schools
look for which include:
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Academic Performance
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Standardized Test Scores
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Clinical Experiences
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Service
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Leadership and Teamwork
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Research
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Letters of Recommendation
It is important that you incorporate these components into your
Rice experience
Curricular Requirements
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Common entrance requirements
Course
Required
Recommended
Hours
Required Lab course
Hours
English
●
6
General Chemistry
●
6
●
2
Organic Chemistry
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6
●
2
Biology*
●
6*
●
2
Biochemistry*
●
Physics
●
●
2
●
3
6
Mathematics*
3-4
●
*Most Texas medical schools require additional upper level biology coursework (300- & 400-level course offerings)
Statistics*
3
●
●
Humanities/Social Sci (hours=n)
●
12<n
*Some schools may have additional requirements and many have recommendations. Most Texas schools require 12
credit hours in biological sciences along with 2 credit hours of lab. Check AMCAS and TMDSAS to be certain.
*Dental schools require additional coursework in microbiology. BIOC 424 will satisfy this requirement.
Research carefully!
Curricular Requirements(P/F & AP)
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Cannot take required courses as Pass/Fail
Must score “C” or better for Texas medical and
dental schools (highly recommended for others)
AP credit acceptance – see OAA website
Must be on college transcript
 Safer to take upper level courses to meet requirements
 May consider forfeiting AP credit and taking courses to
prepare for MCAT
 Earn a good Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math (BCPM) GPA
in the process
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Curricular Requirements (Summer Classes)
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Though accepted, schools prefer that you complete
your sciences at your home institution
Try to complete at a four-year university
Cannot complete prerequisites outside of the US
Additionally, the summer is a great time to pursue
other types of experiences
Curricular Requirements
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Check program requirements online at each school’s website
Some compilations exist:
 Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)
 For Texas, TMDSAS website
 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book
 ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools
 PharmCAS, VMCAS, SOPHAS, CASPA, PTCAS, etc.
Rice does not make the decision about which courses meet premedical
requirements. Each medical school will determine which courses they will
accept. If you have any doubt about a course substitution, you should
check.
MCAT
 Changed in 2015, longer exam
with new section
 Plan to take junior year (or when
you are ready)
 Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
available (early spring semester
deadline)
 MCAT scores are generally valid
for three years. Check with school
on their specific policy.
MCAT Scoring
MCAT Scoring
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Scores for the four sections are combined to create
a total score
The total score ranges from 472 to 528, midpoint is
500
Do not compare to previous scale
MCAT Resources
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Studying depends on your discipline and style
Typical courses: Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.
Study and Practice Resources
 Official
Guide to the MCAT
 MCAT full-length sample test online
 Khan Academy MCAT Video Collection
 Psychology/Sociology Textbook Resource
 Pre-Health Collection on iCollaborative
DAT Resources
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DAT:
Four hours and 30 minutes
 Offered year around
 Details of how to register for the DAT are available on the
ADA website
 Scoring: 1-30 (national average is 17)
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Numerous prep books and other materials
 ADA
offers a full-length test online
 Practice
DAT test can be purchased for $37
Clinical Exposure
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Significant clinical exposure
Provides understanding of clinical settings
Start with your own network
Relevant experience:
REMS
 Hospitals
 Physician Offices
 Health Care Clinics

Screening Agencies
 Public Health Programs
 Medical Translation

Community Service
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Volunteering at one of the hospitals across the street
Valuable to volunteer in other capacities as well
 Examples:
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Habitat for Humanity, PAIR, Outreach Day
Empathy and altruism important in health
professions
Co-curricular Activities
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Participate in things you enjoy and stay involved
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Builds communication, leadership and teamwork
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Examples: community involvement, volunteering, tutoring,
cultural activities, scholarly pursuits, college government,
athletics, IM sports, O-Week
All qualities medical schools value in an applicant
Way for you to pursue unique interests, perspectives
& experiences
Rice Pre-Medical Society (RPMS)
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OAA sponsors RPMS
Student-based organization for pre-health students
Big Owl/Little Owl (BOP) mentoring program
Physician’s Speaker Conference (February)
Guest speakers from health professional schools
Special panels
Free MCAT prep materials
Rice Pre-Dental Society
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OAA sponsors RPDS
Shadowing opportunities
Volunteer opportunities (T-MOM, Project Smile)
Guest speakers from dental schools
Study Abroad/International Service
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Study abroad is possible with careful planning
Take interesting courses, learn a new language or
conduct research
Opportunity for personal growth and broader
understanding of global health issues
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) has service projects
abroad during winter and summer breaks
Research
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Not absolutely necessary unless pursuing MD/PhD
It is valued and enhances application
Provides understanding and appreciation of research
process
 Yields distinctive letters of recommendation
Remember you do not have to complete bench work,
you can complete research in any field that interests
you
Research
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Attend Research Fair
Join BioSciences Opportunities OWL-Space
Major-related research
Attend CCD Career Expo
Email a professor at Rice or a PI in the Texas Medical
Center
MD/PhD Programs
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7-8 year commitment
Minimum of 2 years of research, 3 preferred
Publishing increases competitiveness
Understand the difference MD, PhD and MD/PhD
Must have strong passion for research
Application is slightly different than MD track
Letters of Evaluation
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Cultivate relationships early
Get to know your professors
Ask well in advance
Consider:
1
Science or Engineering
 1 Major
 1 Character (College Master, Clinical, Job)
 1 Research, if appropriate
Summer Activities
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Summer is a great time to explore your interests
 Research and Clinical Programs
 Study Abroad
 Fellowships
 Volunteering
Planning Ahead
 Research early!
 Most programs have early deadlines
 Annual applications available around mid November
 Apply to programs during winter break/early spring
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Process
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Research schools based on fit, location, cost and a variety of other factors
Rice submits a Health Professions Advising Committee Letter to formally
introduce you to medical schools and provide a narrative on your
candidacy. When you decide you are ready to apply, attend an Open File
Session.
Collaborate with the OAA
 Open File Information Sessions
 Health Professions Advising Committee Letter
 Informational Interviews
 Personal Statement & CV Resources
 Mock Interviews
Personal Statement
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Organized, thoughtful, and personalized statement:
 Personal and career goals
 Philosophy of health care
 Motivation for health profession
 Any unique circumstances or life experiences
 Mirror to your character and ambitions
 Start early, seek help, polish statement
CWOVC - Center for Written, Oral, and Visual Communication
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Located on the 2nd floor of Fondren Library
Offers one-on-one meetings, as well as workshops
and non-credit courses (including ESL)
Extremely useful for personal statements and
presentation skills!
Interviews
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Medical schools invite for interviews in the fall after you apply
Preparation:
 Research the health professional school
 Make sure your story is concise
 Practice possible questions
 The Medical School Interview by Dr. Desai & Dr. Katta
 Multiple Mini Interviews by Dr. Desai
 Show energy and passion
Mock Interviews
 Sponsored by OAA, CCD, CWOVC, RPMS
 Alumni MDs and senior interviewers
 Remove some nerves and kinks
Honor Code and Medical Ethics
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Honor/Character of Applicants
Pressures on Pre-Health Professions Students
Know the Honor Code at Rice
If Violate Code, Admit Mistake, and Move Forward
Importance in Relation to Medical Ethics
Rice Applicants
Mean Cumulative Grade Point Average and MCAT Score
Rice Medical School Applicants (2009-2014)
Calendar Year
Mean Grade Point
Average
Rice Mean MCAT Score
National Mean MCAT
Score
2009
3.697
32
28
2010
3.710
33
28
2011
3.706
33
28
2012
3.712
33
28
2013
3.650
31
27
2014
3.706
33
28
In the past 12 years, 87% of Rice UG first-time medical school applicants using the OAA
services have been accepted to at least one medical school, whereas the national acceptance
rate is about 41%. Even when including all alumni (including seniors who take a “gap year”),
the Rice acceptance rate is more than double the national acceptance rate.
Where Do Rice Grads Go?
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Students are encouraged to apply to schools in their
home state
In fall 2014, Rice graduates went to the following
states for medical school:
TX = 64%
PA, NY, NJ, MA = 8%
IL, OH, MO, TN = 8%
MD, NC, Washington DC = 6%
Other = 14%
Cost of Applying to Medical School
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AMCAS (MD programs)
 First school is $165, $36 for each additional school
 Supplemental applications range from $25-$100
TMDSAS (Texas programs)
 Flat fee of $140, regardless of the number of schools applying to
AACOMAS (DO programs)
 First school is $195, $35 for each additional school
There are application waivers for qualified students for AMCAS and
AACOMAS
In addition to paying for medical school applications, students will pay for
their Rice transcript, Open File Fee, costs associated with interviews
including transportation, meals and accommodations
OAA Tips
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Take a writing class
Begin a professional resume/CV (template online)
Keep a journal of your volunteer work/activities
Practice talking about yourself
Be proactive and take ownership of the application
process
Abide by timelines
Abide by the Honor Code
Suggested Timetable
Sophomore Students
Fall Semester
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Continue focus on your coursework
Get to know your professors
Use the OAA website & explore online resources
Plan the intellectual focus of your curriculum,
narrow choices for a major – declare if ready
Study Abroad for international program
opportunities during for junior/senior year
Get involved in some type of clinical experience
Attend Rice Career Expo sponsored by the CCD
Identify summer program/job opportunities
Begin preparation for standardized tests:
Independent review, Kaplan, Princeton, etc.
Look for announcements of health-related events,
lectures, and opportunities
Spring Semester
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Continue focus on your coursework
Get to know your professors
Declare a major and seek major advising
Check medical/dental/vet school admission
requirements
Continue preparation for standardized tests
Register for appropriate standardized test(s)
Apply for summer programs
Continue volunteer work/altruistic activities
Continue research, if applicable
Look for announcements of health-related events,
lectures, and opportunities
Gap Years & Post Baccalaureate Programs
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Gap Year
 Travel
& Fellowship opportunities
 Gather more volunteer, shadowing or work
 Gain valuable experience outside of medicine
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Post Baccalaureate Programs:
 Career-changer
 Academic

record enhancer
Shift application timeline
Additional Assistance
Office of Academic Advising
aadv@rice.edu
oaa.rice.edu
713-348-4060
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