Health Professions Advising
Open File Session 2015
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, Dr. Danielle Brady,
Laura Kirkland, Christine Martinez & Davinia Rodriguez-Wilhelm
Administrative Staff
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Health Professions Advising Coordinator: Noreen Hoard
Department Coordinator: Aurora Zarate
Purpose of Open File Session
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Details and guidance on the application process
For students applying to medical, dental and veterinary
school, Rice submits a Health Professions Advising
Committee (HPAC) letter to formally introduce you to
schools and provide a narrative on your candidacy
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An optional service but a Rice tradition for over 25 years
Strong Candidate
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Academic Performance at Rice (overall GPA and science
GPA)
Standardized Test Scores (ex. MCAT, DAT, etc.)
Clinical Exposure and Experiences
Service and Community Involvement (Altruism/Empathy)
Uniqueness: Interests, Perspectives, and Experiences
Leadership and Teamwork
Research (Intellectual Curiosity)
Interpersonal/Communication Skills
Character: Ethics, Integrity, Honesty, Responsibility
Letters of Evaluation
Importance of Deadlines
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Need significant information from you
Without sufficient information in a timely manner, cannot
represent your candidacy
Most health professional schools operate on rolling
admissions so delays significantly impact admission
We need your help to maintain this standard
Timeline
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Task
Deadline
Pay $100 Registration Fee (here)
December 18, 2015
Complete HPA Applicant Information Form (Google Form
here)
December 18, 2015
Submit Materials in OWL-Space Drop Box
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Submit SJP Disciplinary Request Waiver
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Submit High School Paragraph
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Submit Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Submit Draft Personal Statement
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Submit Informational Interview Form
January 29, 2016
(by 11:59 p.m.)
Request Supporting Letters of Evaluation
January 29, 2016
Schedule Informational Interview (Strongly Suggested)
February 5 – April 1, 2016
Complete Informational Interview (Strongly Suggested)
April 8, 2016
Start Applications to AMCAS and TMDSAS
Open May 1, 2016
Supporting Letters of Evaluation Received
May 13, 2016
Complete Applications in AMCAS and TMDSAS
May 1 – Oct 1, 2016 (ASAP)
December 18: Open your File
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Two Step Process:
$100 registration fee
https://signup.rice.edu/2017HPFile/
 Applicant Information Form
http://goo.gl/forms/2szjAO5ySe
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Waivers:
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Access to individual letters & HPAC letter
Authorization for Student Judicial Programs (SJP) to release your
disciplinary record information
Rice Alumni in Medicine
December 18: Open your File
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Once all materials are confirmed, you will be added to
the HPA-2017 Applicants OWL-Space using your NetID
If you are an alumnus, contact the OAA at
healthapp@rice.edu for a new NetID
January 29: Submit Materials in OWLSpace
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SJP disciplinary waiver request
High school paragraph
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Personal Statement
Informational Interview Form
January 29: SJP Disciplinary Waiver
Request
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Allows communication between SJP and the OAA
regarding your disciplinary record
SJP disciplinary waiver request
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Release record to the “Office of Academic Advising”
Be sure to sign the bottom of the form
Honor Code or Conduct Violations
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All students are asked to complete the SJP disciplinary
record request
Review Questions 3 and 4 in the SJP FAQ document
Remember: It is best to be honest
January 29: High School Paragraph
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Summarize your achievements
Context about your accomplishments with respect to
your college transition
Example:
In the spring of 2006, Joseph graduated as valedictorian of his class from Rollins
High School in San Diego, California with a perfect 4.0/4.0 cumulative grade
point average, a perfect 1600 SAT score and a perfect 36 ACT score. He had
also amassed 51 hours of Advanced Placement credit. While in high school,
Joseph was also actively involved with Habitat for Humanity, and he participated
in theater while competing on the tennis and golf teams. He was named a
National Merit Scholar and upon his matriculation at Rice, he was given the
Trustee Distinguished Brown Scholarship and the W.L. Moody, Jr. Engineering
Scholarship.
January 29: CV
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All applicants are required to use the template provided
in Owl-Space as it is specifically formatted for the HPAC
Detail your academic achievement, research experience,
clinical exposure, leadership experience, volunteerism,
extra-curriculars, honors and awards, etc.
January 29: Informational Interview Form
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Expand on elements of your CV
Opportunity to articulate your motivation
Provides perspective about the steps taken to prepare
Reflect on information admissions committees want to
know
January 29: Personal Statement
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Opportunity to personalize your application and can
address:
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Personal and career goals
Philosophy of health care
Motivation for health profession
Unique characteristics, circumstances, or life experiences
contributing to diversity of class
Reflect on the experiences in your CV: describe how
these experiences have shaped your motivation to pursue
medicine
January 29: Personal Statement
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Start early, seek help from those who know you well
Will require several iterations
Rice Pre-Medical Society will host workshops
Center for Written, Oral, and Visual Communication
available for consultation
January 29: Request Letters
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Need to consider the following:
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Number of letters: more than 4 for MD/PhD only
Who, how, and when to ask
Provide evaluators with Letter of Evaluation waiver
(found in OWL-Space)
January 29: Request Letters
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We suggest the following letters:
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Professor in your academic major
Professor of science or engineering course (could overlap with
major)
Supervising research professor or related to clinical activities
Individual who can provide a strong character reference
Resources in Owl-Space
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Open File Presentation & Document
Guidelines and templates:
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HS paragraph
CV
Personal statement
Informational interview form
Guidelines for requesting letters
Letter waiver request form
Opportunities and announcements (workshops on
personal statements, mock interviews)
February 5 – April 1: Schedule
Informational Interview
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Students are encouraged to participate
Not a formal interview
Opportunity to clarify documents submitted in OWLSpace
Business casual attire suggested
Before May 1: Research Schools
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Deciding where to apply is critical yet challenging and time
consuming
Important factors include:
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Public school residency requirements
Curricular approach
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Traditional lecture or problem-based learning
Schedule (block class or multiple class)
Basic sciences structure
Grading system
Focus on research, primary care or specialty
School culture
Location
Cost of attendance
Before May 1: Research Schools
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AMCAS American Medical College Application Service
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TMDSAS Texas Medical Dental School Application Service
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Flat fee of $140, regardless of the number of schools applying
to
AACOMAS American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service
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First school is $165, $36 for each additional school
Supplemental applications range from $25-$100
First school is $195, $35 for each additional school
AADSAS Associated American Dental Schools Application Service
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First school is $244, $90 for each additional school
Before May 1: Research Schools
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Resources:
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Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)
Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service
website
AACOMAS and AADSAS books available in OAA office
Where do Rice students go?
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In fall 2015, Rice graduates went to the following states
for medical school:
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TX = 67%
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PA, NY, NJ, MA = 6%
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IL, OH, MO, TN = 6%
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MD, NC, Washington DC = 5%
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Other = 16%
Before May 1: Application Processing Details
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All students are required to carefully read the application
manuals available online (~April)
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AMCAS
AACOMAS
TMDSAS
AADSAS
Most schools operate on rolling admissions, it is best to
apply early
Questions should be directed to each service:
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AMCAS: amcas@aamc.org
TMDSAS: info@tmdsas.com
After May 1: Application Processing Details
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Letters of Evaluation
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List all evaluators in your Information Interview form
If you change evaluators, submit an updated document in
your dropbox and email healthapp@rice to notify us – do
not delete your old forms
All applicants receive an email from the OAA when all
supporting letters of evaluation have been submitted to
our office
If your evaluator submits an electronic copy of your letter,
they will receive an email confirmation from our office
that it was successfully submitted on your behalf
After May 1: Application Processing Details
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Letters of Evaluation Section (AMCAS)
 Please select committee letter
 Provide contact information listed in your packet
May-October: Processing Details
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Transcripts:
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Students are required to submit transcripts for each accredited
institution attended
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To request a transcript, visit the Registrar’s website
Each service requires a Transcript Request Form to be sent with your
transcript, include applicant ID on form
Study Abroad courses on Rice approved study abroad
programs are generally accepted on a Rice transcript
Be sure to follow guidelines for each application service
regarding transcript submission and study abroad credits
May 1-October 1: Secondary Applications
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Secondary applications vary
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Certain schools do not have any
Some are available immediately online (some Texas schools)
Some schools will send you a link to their school specific
website after receiving your application
Some schools will send you a link to their school specific
website after an initial review of your application
Submit as soon as possible, within ~2 weeks of receipt
August 2016- April 2017: Interviews
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Prepare
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Research interview format: traditional versus multiple mini
interviews
Practice possible questions
Make sure your story is concise
Inform your professors of dates as you accept invitations
Mock interviews
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Hosted by Rice Pre-Medical Society and Rice Pre-Dental
Society in February 2016 for students who meet OAA
deadlines on a first come, first serve basis
CWOVC and CCD as well
The Application Timeline
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The application process is long and challenging; be
prepared and have patience
Good luck!
Additional Assistance
Office of Academic Advising
oaa.rice.edu
713-348-4060
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