Lafayette College Health
Professions Advising Program
Pre-Application Meeting
Are You Ready?
Medical, Dental, Podiatry, Optometry and
Veterinary Aspirants
Professor Nancy Waters
Faculty Health Professions Advisor
Dr. Julia Goldberg
Associate Dean Health Professions
Ms Simona Glaus
HP Administrative Assistant
30 September 2015
How important are the
Health Professions?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects
that the health care industry will create over
15.8 million additional jobs by 2022, more
than any other sector.
At the same time, the U.S. Department of
Commerce reports that total health care
spending exceeds 17% of GDP. And of the
100 largest companies in the US, 75 of
them— including surprises like Google, Intel,
Microsoft, and Wal-Mart—are involved in the
health industry.
Your New Best Friends:
HP Advising Page
AAMC and AMCAS
AACOM and AACOMAS
ADEA and AADSAS
AACPM and AACPMAS
AAVMC and VMCAS
ASCO and OptomCAS
AAPA and CasPA
MSAR, MCAT, OAT, DAT, GRE
…shout out for upcoming 2015 events
Oct 1st lunch Columbia U MS Nutrition
Oct 9th lunch Brainstorming HP Student Clubs
Oct 13th NIH Daytrip DC! (register by TODAY!!!)
Oct 14th lunch TCMC Admissions
Oct 16th CS Intern Scholar lunch & learn
Oct 17th Homecoming Student Alumni HP Open House
(preregistration and networking workshop required)
Oct 19th 4 pm ‘Outside the Box’ faculty panel on smart choices
Oct 20th lunch Dr Duryea, PA-C, PhD So you want to be a PA?
(small group sessions available)
Oct 28th lunch Study Abroad for HP
Oct 29th signup deadline for Externships
Nov 4th lunch MANDATORY Application Info Session with
GreenSheet 2015 submission>>Personal Advising Sessions!
Nov 18th lunch Start Your Personal Statement CWP/HP
Nov 23rd 4 pm ‘Candid Conversations’ with Mark Koshar ‘70 MD
….lots to learn and lots to do!
Undergraduate Preparation for Admission
to Graduate Schools in Health Professions
Each HP school sets their own criteria and
standards…but all weight several key areas:
Academic/Science grades (45-55%)*
Admissions tests (20-25%)*
Health-related experiences
Research experiences
Community service and volunteer work
Recommendation Letters (especially CLoE)
HP school interview
* Percentages as reported by NAAHP.
Schools will choose future health care
professionals who best fulfill their mission!
Interpersonal competencies: Service orientation, Social
Skill, Culturally aware, Teamwork, Oral communication
Intrapersonal competencies: Ethical responsibility to
self and others, Reliability and dependability, Resilience
and adaptability, Capacity for improvement
Thinking and reasoning competencies: Critical thinking,
Quantitative reasoning, Scientific inquiry, Written
communication
Science competencies: Life systems, Human behavior
The landscape now?
AMCAS (May 2015) for 20,343 (from 20,055) seats
49,480 (2014)
48,014 (2013)
32,650 (2012)…731,595 applications were
submitted, ~14/person
AACOMAS (May 2015) for 6,392 (from 6,192) seats
17,944 (2014)
9,900 (2013)…185,162 applications were
submitted, ~9/person
mean age is now 24-25, 53.3% ♂, 47.8% ♀
more landscape…
10 MD schools with most applicants?
Drexel (14,648)
LECOM (13,536)
Georgetown (13,016)
Temple (11,286)
TJU (10,204)
also Tufts, Boston U, NYMC, Western U of HS-CA, NYU
10 MD schools accepting the fewest?
Morehouse SOM 85/5173, 1.6%
Mayo MS 94/4692, 2.0%
Stanford U 177/1452, 2.4%
Georgetown 349/13.016, 2.7%
Brown 243/8,240, 2.9%
also GW, WFU, Howard, UCLA, Duke
more landscape…
>Dentistry applications have risen from 1990 to 2010 by 134%, or 5%
APR among 65 US and 10 Canadian schools. ADEA for 5,769 seats,
fielded 12,162 applicants (2013) 53%♂ 47% ♀; DAT 19.9; GPA 3.54
>For veterinary medicine, 30 Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in US,
plus 9 departments of VS, 8 of comparative medicine, 5 Canadian
CVMs, 14 international CVMs and 6 affiliates. AAVMC for 4,127
seats, fielded 6,769 applicants (2013) with GPA 3.56
>For optometry, 21 schools saw 2,604 applicants with 13,164
applications (~5/student) with 69% ♀ and 31% ♂, aged 21-26 with
GPA 3.31. Accepted students were 70%♀:30♂%. 1,846 received 1or
more offers of admission.
> With 9 colleges of podiatric medicine, AACPM reports 997
applicants and 671 matriculants (2013), with 61% ♀ and 39% ♂.
> With 196 accredited programs, average entering PA students are
27 years old (25-28), 72.4%♀ and 27.6% ♂, with accepted GPA 3.49,
and applied to 12 programs, with BIG shift toward MS programs
GPA Decoded !
A: You are doing great so keep it up
A- You are doing well, but work harder
B+ You can do better
B Your performance is average, and health
professions schools have high standards
B- This is for honey…
…what schools require from you might differ
from what Lafayette requires, but the more
important question is…What do YOU
demand from YOURSELF?
…Admissions Tests…
• MCAT https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/
•
•
•
•
•
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations of Behavior
Target: 510 (80th %ile) and GPA 3.6+
• DAT
http://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/aadsas/A
pplicants/Pages/TaketheDAT(DentalAdmissionTest).aspx
• Natural Science (biology, general and organic chemistry)
• Perceptual ability (2- and 3-dimensional problem solving)
• Reading comprehension
• Quantitative reasoning
• Target: 20-21 (75th %ile) and GPA 3.6
…Admissions Tests Continued…
• OAT https://http://www.ada.org/en/oat
•
•
•
•
•
Natural Sciences (Biology, Gen Chem, Organic Chem)
Reading Comprehension
Physics
Quantitative Reasoning
Target: 350 (75th %ile) and 3.5 GPA
• GRE- General Test, Subject Tests
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/?WT.ac=gre
home_greabout_a_150213
• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Analytical Writing
• Biology (CMB, Organismal, EE)
• Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
• VET and PA Target: ~155-160 (70th%ile) and 3.4-3.8 GPA
Preparation – Academic coursework
 As Juniors/Seniors you should have completed most of
the following no matter your major program. HP schools
EXPECT STRONG NATURAL SCIENCE foundation, but NO
SPECIFIC MAJOR is required. All of this is on our HPwebsite
and in the HPHandbook!
 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 that includes calculus and statistics
(e.g., 125 & 186, 141 & 186, 161 & 162 and BioStats)
Writing-Intensive Coursework (e.g., FYS, plus 3 “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)
 Other relevant courses include:
A&S 222 Medical Anthropology
Biol 213 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Biol 251 Human Physiology (HPAC recommended)
Biol 274 Bioinformatics
Biol 340 Molecular Medicine
CM 151 Introduction to Computational Science
NSc 201 Introduction to Neuroscience
Phys 220 Medical and Biological Physics
Psych 240 Health Psychology
Rel 223 Religion and Medicine
…plan early for prerequisites; see MSAR, ADEA
etc, for guidance; think ‘outside the box’ since
coursework is crucial to your performance on your
ADMISSIONS TESTS!
And by now you know about……
Advanced Placement
OnLine and MOOCs
Summer School
Pass/Fail
Study Abroad
Research
Electives
Be true to who you are to be
broadly well-educated
Preparation – Co-curricular Experiences
Internships/Externships Shadow ACTIVELY!
Volunteer at an animal shelter; Consider Medical
Scribe, EMT; Make every experience count
clinically. Show your commitment. Consult with
your Gateway Advisor early and often! For Vet,
PA, OT programs clinical hours matter!
Extracurricular Activities
demonstrate time management
work in a hierarchy
master communication
exhibit collaboration
provide evidence of sincere dedication
ENHANCE don’t IMPEDE your academic record!
Read about healthcare, health news.
…be PASSIONATE! It is your LIFE!
Insightful Personal Essay (see space limitations at each
CAS) Keep a journal! Use WA Program Resources to your
benefit! Make all work perfectly error-free. Watch for HP
programming on reflective writing!
Well-Honed Interview Skills Be articulate, maintain good
eye contact and confident body posture! Practice! A lot!
Read! Prepare! Some obvious topics? healthcare reform,
euthanasia, HIV, Ebola, resistance to vaccination,
emerging infectious diseases, obesity, cancer, aging, end
of life issues. Others? Your favorite course, book, leisure
activity. Be able to answer: “How has SOMETHING IN
YOUR RECORD prepared you for a medical career?”
Watch for HP programming on interview skills!
Timely Application Submission/Turnaround When you
apply later, you encounter more intense competition for
fewer available slots. Complete secondaries quickly!
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 that the Dean report all
disciplinary warning, action and/or conduct
violations! Think before you ACT! No Candles!
ETIQUETTE: MANNERS MATTER!
Do your homework!
Be polite and demonstrate respect
When Can and Should You Apply?
As a Junior? Matriculate right after graduation, but required elements are
a challenge to complete on time for application.
As a Senior? Use a growth year to fill in gaps. Deepen your experiences,
enhance maturity, refine insight, strengthen your technical capabilities,
competitive dossier of research, clinical internships/externships, and
suitable extra- and co-curricular experiences.
As an Alumnus? HP Advising can support your application for up to 3
years after graduation.
If you begin our On-Campus application as a junior, but reconsider, your
decision to re-activate and update your file in the next cycle is subject
to same deadlines; check website for On-Campus & Re-Activation forms.
Choose the timeline that works best for YOU!
>small group advising October/November; HP Office Hours
>Greensheet solo advising January/February
HP Advising works with YOU when your package is ready!
Are you ready to
apply? Is your
application
strong and
competitive?
What do we ALL need?
Compassionate Constructive
Criticism (external)
Honest Self-Assessment
(internal)
CAN I DO BETTER?
CAN I BE BETTER?
“Things I wish I had known/done…”
-STUDIED available online resources!
MSAR, HPAC handbook, links, etc!
-PREPARED BETTER for admission tests
-PRACTICED interviews, REVIEWED
questions, READ more
-OWNED my personal choice of schools—
ASKED myself the “ONLY” question!
-HONESTLY assessed my application;
AVOIDED this trap:
“Except for xxxx, my app is good.”
-Thought more STRATEGICALLY
Is financing part of the equation and
your decision? It should be!
Median cost for 4 years of HP school:
$278,455 (private) or $207,868 (public)
Median debt for 4 years of HP school:
$174,000
Federal loans: 6.8-7.9%
Undergraduate indebtedness: $29,400
Residency training salaries average
$55,300 annually for 3+ years, so an
added debt load of ~$30,000 yearly
…watch for HP programming on this!
Components of a Successful Application
Strong Admissions Test Score (MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE), taken
as early as possible when you are ready! Plan on 500 hours! Limited
test dates and locations. Early registration reduces costs.
TESTING FEES (scores reported within 4 weeks):
MCAT
$300
DAT
$415
OAT
$390
GRE general
$195
GRE subject test fees $150
APPLICATION FEES (verification 4-6 weeks):
AMCAS
$160+ $37
AACOMAS
$195 + $35
ADEA AADSAS
$245 + $93
OptomCAS
$160 + $60
VMCAS
$195 + $100
AACPMAS
$180 + $45/60
CASPA
$175 + $50
Application Timeline for AY ‘15-’16
To matriculate Fall 2017
-core coursework completed successfully
-multiple competitive experiences in HP settings
-recruit 3-5 recommenders Nov/Dec 2015 to write for you
-start your reflective essay & personal statement Nov 2015
-sit for solo GreenSheet Advising Jan/Feb 2016
-arrange for disclosures by 1 February 2016
-arrange for waivers/letters by 1 March 2016
-submit completed Personal Information Form 1 March 2016
-interview on-campus with HPAC in April/May 2016
-sit for exams by 1 May 2016 to have scores by 1 June 2016
-open application services begin ~1 June 2016
-2ndary requests extended beginning July 2016 (2-7 days)
-interviews extended beginning August 2016
-offers extended within 3 weeks… or by late August 2017!
…is it any wonder why incoming classes are ages 24-25!
…enter the GAP year (NOT a ‘year off’ by any measure)
What to do??? Assess your portfolio REALISTICALLY…
Then…fill in the gaps! Enhance and focus! Be creative and
innovative! Push beyond your comfort zone! Is a Post-Bac
Program a good fit? What elements should you consider?
Your Goal? Raise your competitiveness among applicants!
With a gap year, you enter on-campus HPAC
application cycles during your senior year or
thereafter, not your junior year; you complete
secondaries and interviews subsequently!
…But stay connected so you do not miss meeting the on
campus deadlines! Submit your materials so HP Advising
can work with you!
Your Ongoing Obligations?
1) Study – Maintain your grades!
2) Be strategic (May & June) and prepared for your application test!
3) APPLY EARLY! APPLICATION PORTALS OPEN ~ 1 June 2016!
4) Get additional PRACTICAL experience over Interim 2015-2016;
volunteering, externships, internships deadlines at CS is
Halloween! Summer 2015 ONLY counts on 2o applications!
5) Complete your undergraduate RESEARCH experience , with
resultant product (poster, paper, etc.) by 1 June 2016.
6) Provide evidence of commitment through COMMUNITY SERVICE
AND CO-CURRICULAR EXPERIENCES. Hone your people and
social skills, leadership, teamwork , work ethic.
7) Have one or two or three specific backup plans! Be able to
articulate them and meet reapplication deadlines!
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
Register for and Attend HPAC events;
BE PROACTIVE & TAKE CHARGE OF
YOUR CAREER!!!
168 hours in one week
4 courses per semester, perhaps 2 with labs, means 18
hours in class per week BUT 3 hours outside preparation
…54 hours each week in academics
8 hours of sleep per night
…56 hours each week in sleep
2 meals each day, 1 hour per meal
…14 hours each week eating
2 hours each day shower, dressing, etc
…14 hours each week personal time
2 hours each day in extracurricular activities
…14 hours each week
…152 hours, so 16 hours leisure time…USE IT WISELY!!!