Lafayette College
Health Professions
Advising Program
Professor Nancy Waters
Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) Co-Chair
Academic Year 2012-2013
Welcome First Year
Students to our HP
Program!!!
Professor Nancy Waters
Health Professions Faculty Advisor
30 August 2012
Our Purpose:
To provide an overview of steps critical
to achieving your career goal in the
medical & allied health professions of:
Medicinae Doctor (Allopathic MD)
Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Dental Medicine & Surgery (DMD &DDS)
Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
Veterinary Medicines (DVM & VMD)
Optometry (OD)
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
In addition…
We interface with Career Services to
assist you in exploring allied health
science careers including:
Nursing
Nurse Practitioner
Physician Assistant
Physical Therapist
Public Health practitioners
….among others.
…shout out for a hot new date!
Allied Health Alumni Dinner Panel
Tuesday September 25th, 6-8:30 pm
• Network and dine with our LC alumni
working as PAs, PTs ,OTs, NPs and
Genetic Counselors!
• Moderated panel opens the evening,
followed by dinner, dessert and
discussion one-on-one with guests!
• Advanced sign-up required in Career
Services Office, Hogg Hall!
Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC)
105 Scott Hall
Focus: to serve and guide students interested in applying to
medical, dental, optometry and veterinary schools
Six faculty members:
Prof Nancy McCreary Waters, Health Professions Faculty Advisor,
HPAC Committee Co-Chair, Department of Biology
…plus 5 other appointed faculty members
Ex Officio members:
Dr Julia A Goldberg, HPAC Committee Co-Chair, Associate Dean of
the College, Scott Hall
Ms Simona Glaus, Postgraduate Studies and Fellowship Assistant,
Dean of the College Office, Scott Hall
Dr Hannah Stewart-Gambino, Dean of the College, Scott Hall
Ms Linda Arra, Director of Career Services, Hogg Hall
Career Services, 201 Hogg Hall
This is where to go for help sorting through career plans, finding
internships/externships, and other opportunities in allied health fields
Undergraduate Preparation for Admission
to Graduate Schools in Health Professions
Each HP school sets their own criteria and
standards but all consider several key areas:
Academic/Science grades (45-55%)*
Admissions tests (20-25%)*
Health-related experiences
Research experiences
Community service and volunteer work
Letters of recommendation
HP school interview
* Percentage of relative importance reported in a 2001 study by the NAAHP.
How important are good grades?
Applicant
Matriculation
Year
Lafayette
6-yr
aggregate
data
2005-11
MD+DO
National 3-yr
2008-10
aggregate
data
MD only **
Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance
ratio for
ratio for
ratio for
GPA
3.60 +
GPA
GPA
3.59-3.20 < 3.20
Overall
acceptance
ratio
ALL GPAs
89%
61%
35%
66%
(55/62)
(46/75)
(13/37)
(114/174)
64%
34%
18%
45%
** Source: AAMC Data Warehouse at http://aamc.org/data
Preparation – Academic coursework
 Graduate with a major/minor that suits you! Follow your
interest and passion! HP schools expect strong natural
science foundation, but no specific major is required.
 Typically, 1 Year of:
Introductory Biology with laboratory (e.g., 101/102)
Physics with laboratory (e.g., 111/112; 131/132/133; 151/152)
Mathematics (e.g., 125 & 186, 161 & 186, 161 & 162 )
Writing-Intensive Coursework (e.g., English 110, FYS, VAST,
plus two additional “W” courses).
 Typically 2+ Years of Chemistry
General Chemistry with laboratory (e.g., 121/122)
Organic Chemistry with laboratory (e.g., 221/222)
Biochemistry (e.g., 351*…MCAT 2015 tentatively will require a
semester of Biochemistry!)
 Other relevant courses include:
Biol 251 Human Physiology (HPAC recommended)
Chem 351 Biochem Survey (requirement for some schools)
Phys 220 Medical and Biological Physics
Psych 240 Health Psychology
Rel 223 Religion and Medicine
A&S 222 Medical Anthropology
Biol 213 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Biol 340 Molecular Medicine
…plan early as some of these may have prerequisites!
 Some HP schools have added specific requirements! Check
out YOUR choice of schools for the latest admissions
requirements! If a course is not offered at Lafayette, plan
ahead to enroll at another institution during the summer or at
an LVAIC school during the academic year.
 Advanced Placement We suggest you use
your AP Credit for Mathematics and
English/writing requirements, but NOT for
science requirements! HP schools want to see
how you handle collegiate laboratory rigor!
…but if you accept AP credit, take higher
level science electives! Provide evidence
of your skills!
 Summer School Do NOT make a habit of
taking core or required courses during the
summer! HP schools want to see how you
handle demanding course loads!
 Pass/Fail Avoid this! Period! HP schools want
to see concrete verification of your success in
many disciplines!
Study Abroad Most HP schools view this favorably,
especially when combined with healthcare-related
experiences. If you are interested in studying abroad—
DO IT! But plan ahead to keep your coursework on
schedule.
Research Independent Research, Honors Thesis
Research, and/or EXCEL work are fast becoming
essential to make you competitive for graduate-level
work in the health professions.
Electives Do not choose courses that “look good to a
med school” but rather choose courses for which you
have a PASSION! This includes art, humanities and
social sciences!
…who you are and
how well-educated you are
contribute to your success!
…but what’s new about MCAT2015?
• Revision 1991: 4 sections: verbal reasoning, writing
sample, physical and biological sciences
• 2015 REVISIONS:
• Writing sample deleted and replaced with Critical
Analysis and Reasoning sections
• Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of
Behavior subsection added
• Different question/time distribution: 60-65 question
items allowing 95 minutes for each of 4 sections
• Implications? You need to include introductory level
sociology, psychology and statistical experience
among your preparation courses! Check out:
• https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/
Preparation – Co-curricular Experiences
Internships/Externships Shadow an MD!
Volunteer at a shelter! Show your commitment!
Check out Career Services early to help
arrange internships/externships.
Extracurricular Activities Demonstrate your
ability to manage time commitments, work in a
hierarchy, master communication, leadership,
and collaborative skills…but show a long term
sincere dedication! These should ENHANCE
your academic record, not IMPEDE it!
Read widely on the subject of healthcare. Keep
up-to-date with current health news. Check out
recommendations on the HPAC web site.
…be PASSIONATE! It is your LIFE!
Academic Integrity and Conduct
HAVE INTEGRITY!!!
Practice Principles of Intellectual Honesty
Make judicious choices in your behavior!
Exhibit high personal standards of ethics—cheating,
plagiarism, alcohol/drug violations, vandalism, etc.
all compromise your character AND your HP
application.
Applications REQUIRE the Dean of the College to
report disciplinary action and/or conduct violations
to HP schools! So think & ACT carefully!
Application Timeline
To attend immediately after undergraduate graduation,
apply in Spring/Summer of your JUNIOR year.
For many students, optimal application includes a ‘gap’
year, so apply in Spring/Summer of your SENIOR year.
HPAC will work with you when you have all the
components in place…
when you have completed your science requirements;
when you have taken or ready to take admissions test
(MCAT DAT OAT, or VCAT/GRE);
when you have a competitive profile of research,
dedicated medical-related experiences, and track record
of co-curricular activities with PASSION…THEN…
HPAC submissions, recommendation letters,
interview, etc., will get scheduled typically around
the 7th week of the semester.
All of us at Lafayette look forward to your
success! We want to help further your
career plans! Stay abreast of what is
happening by visiting our web site:
http://healthprofessions.lafayette.edu/
Attend HPAC events; remember—we
write that letter for you ! Do not be a
stranger!