PRE-MEDICAL GUIDE UT Austin PAI 5.03 512-471-3172

PRE-MEDICAL GUIDE

UT Austin

PAI 5.03

512-471-3172

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Table of Contents 
Osteopathic Medicine | Allopathic Medicine | MD/PhD .............................................................................. 3 
Selecting A Major ....................................................................................................................................... 4 
Pre-Med Self-Assessment ...................................................................................................................... 4-11 
Medical School Prerequisite Courses Guide ............................................................................................... 12 
Prerequisites Time Line (A note from HP Coaches) ..................................................................................... 12 
Medical School Application & Activities Time Line ..................................................................................... 13 
Taking Courses Away from UT ................................................................................................................... 14 
Studying Abroad .................................................................................................................................. 14-15 
Claiming AP/IB Credit .......................................................................................................................... 15-16 
To Q or Not to Q .................................................................................................................................. 17-18 
Academic Assistance............................................................................................................................ 18-19 
MCAT Information ............................................................................................................................... 19-21 
Need a GPA Booster – Post Bac Information .............................................................................................. 21 
Research Schools Before You Apply ...................................................................................................... 22-23 
CASPer Information……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………........24  
Time Line for Applying to Medical School .................................................................................................. 25 
Application Services............................................................................................................................. 26-27 
Considering International Medical School ............................................................................................ 27-28 
Letters of Evaluation ................................................................................................................................. 28 
Personal Statement ............................................................................................................................. 28-29 
Interview Tips/Preparation .................................................................................................................. 29-30 
Financing Your Medical Education ............................................................................................................. 31 
Summary of Health Professions Office Services  ........................................................................................ 32

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Preface

The information presented in this document provides important resources for UT Austin students planning on

applying to Medical School.

Additional Pre-Health Professions resources including prerequisites, time lines and application information for

the following Health Professions: Dentistry, Physician Assistant Studies, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy,

Physical Therapy, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine can be found on the Health Professions website:

http://cns.utexas.edu/health-professions

Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)

There are two types of fully licensed medical doctors in the United States: M.D.s and D.O.s While the M.D.

degree stands for “Doctor of Medicine,” the D.O. degree stands for “Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.” D.O.s

practice osteopathic medicine, which represents a school of medical thought first introduced by Dr. Andrew

Taylor Still in 1874. Osteopathic medicine encompasses a unifying philosophy and approach to patient care, as

well as a system of Osteopathic hands-on diagnosis and treatment through the use of manipulative medicine.

Like their M.D. counterparts, they are fully licensed to diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, and perform

surgery in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Today, more than 20 percent of all U.S. medical students

are studying at a college of osteopathic medicine. To learn more about a career as a Doctor of Osteopathy,

click here. You can also check out this site to learn more about Osteopathic Medicine.

Allopathic Physician (M.D.)

M.D.s examine patients, obtain medical histories, order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe

and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. They counsel patients about illness,

injuries, health conditions and preventive healthcare (diet/fitness, smoking cessation, etc.). They can also

conduct medical research, teach and run medical centers. People with medical education are in demand in

many areas. Find out more about becoming an M.D. here.

MD/PhD Dual Degrees

AAMC has great resources that help students interested in MD/PhD programs explore their options.

MD/PhD programs provide training in both medicine and research. They are specifically designed for those

who want to become research physicians, also known as physician-investigators or physician-scientists.

Graduates of MD-PhD programs often go on to become faculty members at medical schools, universities

and research institutes.

Regardless of where they eventually work, MD-PhD candidates are being prepared for careers in which

they will spend most of their time doing research, in addition to caring for patients. The MD-PhD dual

career is busy, challenging, rewarding, and offers opportunities to do good for many people by advancing

knowledge, developing new treatments for diseases, and pushing back the boundaries of the unknown.

Find out more about this dual degree option from AAMC here.

Additional MD/PhD Resources:

• MD/PhD Panel - Discussion on the process of applying (video)

• MD/PhD: Is it right for me? Read the AAMC MD/PhD Guide

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Selecting a Major

So what should you major in at UT? A common myth is that you have to major in a science degree as a Pre-

Med student, however, this is not true. We recommend that you choose a degree based on your interests. It

is important to choose a major based on your academic interests rather than one that you think looks good to

medical schools. Choose a major that you are passionate about, whether it is a major in Liberal Arts, Business,

Public Health, or something else entirely, completing the prerequisites for Medical School can be

accomplished.

Certain degrees may cover the pre-med prerequisites; however, medical schools also accept students who

show broad interests in their academic coursework through a non-science major. Major in any subject you

want! Choose a major that may serve as an alternate career path in case you change your mind about medical

school.

Explore Majors/Health Professions further at one or more of the following resources:

• Wayfinder

• My Next Move

• Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Explore Health Careers

Pre-Med Self-Assessment

The assessment below is designed to assess Medical School application strengths, if you are a new

Pre-Med student use this assessment as a planning guide for your Pre-Med Pathway. (Please check

out the New-Pre Health Students Information page at the Health Professions website:

https://cns.utexas.edu/health-professions/current-student-resources/new-pre-health-students).

Are you working towards submitting a well-rounded application?

Start by Developing Your Personal Qualities

Individuals who are successful in their pursuit of a health care career possess qualities that they develop as

young adults. These include: Good Judgment, Self-Discipline, Leadership/Accountability, Reliability,

Motivation/Persistence, Honesty, Maturity, Compassion/Empathy, Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity, Strong

Work Ethic, and Cultural Competency. Develop these qualities through the experiences and activities you

choose to get involved with.

I want to develop my following qualities:

__________________________________________________________________________________

How are you going to develop these qualities (be specific)?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Here are some ideas to get you started:

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Get Involved & Gain Experience

There are several ways you can get involved. Get involved in what you are interested in. This is key! There

are many things you can do to build your application that include but are not limited to: Volunteering,

Shadowing, Studying Abroad, and/or participating in a summer program. Get involved on campus, Tutor,

Mentor, Teach, participate in Rec Sports. The list goes on and on. If you are considering adding studying

abroad to your list, check out the study abroad section in this guide. Always remember to be yourself and do

what you enjoy.

Volunteering

Experience giving back to the community will be looked upon favorably by professional school admissions

committees. If some of your volunteering is in a healthcare setting, you can combine volunteering with

exposure to the field. A community service activity in which you are directly helping people face-to-face is of

the most value, and making an ongoing commitment to that community service gives you time to grow and

gain real value from the experience.

Volunteer Experience

Dates (can list time

period or individual

dates)

Hours

Responsibilities

What have I learned about myself through these experiences?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Have I involved myself in a diverse set of experiences? What skills have I enhanced/gained through these

experiences? (For example: I have become a better communicator through my volunteering experiences at the

local hospital – explain how you have done this)

__________________________________________________________________________________

I want to explore the following volunteer activities:

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

Shadowing

Shadowing means working directly with a healthcare provider in their professional environment. You have the

opportunity to observe how they plan their day, how they interact with their patients, how they chose their

career, and how they feel about current events!

Doctor Name or Name of

Experience

Specialty

Hours

Type of Experience:

Shadow/Volunteer/Paid

Quick Tip:

Experience giving back to the community will be looked upon favorably by professional school admissions

committees. It is a good idea to balance your volunteering and make sure to have some of your

volunteering in a healthcare setting. Track your volunteer hours, as most professional school applications

will ask for details of the time you spent volunteering. Keep a record of your volunteer supervisor(s),

including name(s) and title(s).

Quick Tip

Finding a healthcare provider who is willing to allow you to shadow can be a challenge, but it is worth the

effort. Many students start with their own health care providers. You may also network with other pre-

health students to see where they have shadowed.

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What have I learned from these experiences?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

I want to reach out to the following physicians to see about shadowing:

__________________________________________________________________________________

Direct Patient Care Experience – Get Hands On Experience!

It can be good to gain some hands on experience to add to your application. You can do so in many different

ways. You can get a phlebotomy certification, train for EMT Basic certification, become a Certified Nursing

Assistant, or become a scribe. Find one that you are interested in by doing informational interviews. Speak to a

Pre- Health Professions Coach about these different ways to gain experience.

Leadership

Leadership which can be developed in many different ways, needs to be demonstrated. Think about how you

are developing leadership qualities and skills. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Tutoring

• Mentoring

• Teaching / TA a course

• Get involved in Student Organizational leadership

Name of Organization

Position/Title

(ex.

Communication

Director, President,

Member, etc.)

Total

participation

time (ex. 2

years, 3

semesters, etc.)

Duties/Activities

participated in with this

organization/group

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What is the most important thing I have learned about myself from these experiences?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Brainstorm some specific ways you can develop your leadership skills:

__________________________________________________________________________________

Student Organization Involvement

Extracurricular activities help you become a well-rounded student because you develop not only knowledge

and thinking skills but also social skills, group work, empathy, team building, organizational and motivational

skills relevant when participating in an organization.

I am a part of the following student orgs:

__________________________________________________________________________________

I want to join the following student orgs:

__________________________________________________________________________________

Academics

Academics include your overall and science GPA’s and MCAT Scores. How well are you doing? Are you taking

between 14-17 credit hours per semester? Are you keeping your grades up? Use the GPA calculator.

Overall GPA ________ BCPM GPA (Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math [including statistics])___________

*This includes all course taken at UT and other institutions

Quick Tip:

There are over 1000 registered student organizations on campus, so there are lots to choose from. There

are close to 30 health-related organizations. Check the Office of the Dean of Students (Hornslink website)

for a searchable database of student organizations.

Quick Tip

To be competitive for medical school, you will need average overall and science GPAs of at least 3.6 to 3.8

and above, depending on the schools you plan on applying to. This means you need to be making As and

Bs with more As than Bs. If you are behind in your classes, don’t wait until you get your first poor test

score to ask for help. See the academic assistance section of this guide.

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My MCAT Score _____

Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: ____

Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: ____

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: ____

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: ____

Get in the habit of personal reflection

Your insights about who you are as a person and how your experiences have shaped you will be of tremendous

benefit when it is time to write your personal statement (a required part of your professional school

application). Keep a journal handy so you can jot down your thoughts and observations!

Track Your Progress

Why do I want to be a Physician?

What characteristics do you have that you feel will help you be an excellent doctor?

Have you had experience working with people from backgrounds different from your own? What impact has it

had on you?

Quick Tip

You will want to aim for a score of 509-511 with at least 126-127 in each of the categories. Check out the

MCAT section of this guide for more information on the MCAT. Please see a Pre-Health Professions Coach if

you have further MCAT questions.

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Evaluation

Mark Yes or No for each question. This will allow you to identify areas in which you feel strongest and areas in

which you wish to grow.

Can you explain to someone why you want to be a Physician?

Y N

Is your GPA above a 3.5?

Y N

Have your grades improved over time?

Y N

Have you shadowed more than one type of Physician?

Y N

Does your application reflect a diverse set of extracurricular activities over

time?

Y N

Have you shown consistency with your volunteer activities/community

service?

Y N

Why Do I want to be a Physician?

Can you go beyond loving science and wanting to help? Remember there are many helping professions out

there? Why this one?

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Get to Know Your Faculty

This can be challenging at UT Austin—the campus is huge and most of the classes in your first year have large

numbers of participants. Even though the professors can sometimes seem tough or intimidating, most of them

are very approachable one-on-one. Visit your professors during office hours, even if you are doing well in

their class. It will make your request for a future letter of evaluation much easier! Get to know your faculty!

Who are your letter writers?

I would like to ask the following faculty for letters of evaluation:

1) _________________________________________________

2) _________________________________________________

I would like to ask the following third letter writer for a letter of evaluation; this letter will add a

different dimension to my application:

1) _________________________________________________

***Once you have completed this self-assessment, if you have not spoken with a Pre-Health Professions Coach

either through attending walk-in’s or during an appointment, we recommend that you do so in order to discuss

these topics as well as your application strengths as a whole. Make sure to track your progress!

Notes:

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Medical School Prerequisites Courses

For the most updated and current medical school and prerequisite courses, please visit the Pre-Medical

Pathways page here. Completion of the courses listed on this site will prepare you for Texas and most out-of-

state United States medical schools. If you need to find out the pre-requisites for an out of state school you

can consult the MSAR guide and also contact that particular schools admissions office.

Medical School Prerequisites Time Line

A Note from Your HP Coaches:

This is a recommended time line. There are many different pathways to Medical School and many students are

not ready to apply after the third year of undergraduate school. Many take an additional year to prepare for

medical school, applying in the summer after the fourth year, and then have a year in between undergraduate

and medical school. Whether you are prepared to apply following your 3

year or you are going to wait to

apply after your 4

year, there are some things you can do as a Pre-Med Student, including:

[Completion of these courses prepares you for Texas and most out-of-state U.S. medical schools.]

The time line presents the pre-medical course requirements for Texas and most out-of-state United States

medical schools, including courses that will fulfill the Baylor College of Medicine requirements and help with

preparation for the MCAT and professional life. Six semesters, regardless of the student’s age or year in

college, are generally required to complete the premedical courses and extra-curricular activities needed for

the MCAT and applying to medical schools. It is also common for students to complete the prerequisites and

take the MCAT at the end of Year 4; these students have a bridge year between college graduation and

starting medical school. For many students, this is an opportunity to become better prepared and more

competitive for admission to medical school. Consult your academic advisor for help incorporating these

courses into your degree plan and for selecting options based on your degree requirements. Check the Course

Schedule for prerequisites for these courses.

This time line serves as an example of how students interested in a career in medicine may complete the

minimum premedical requirements at The University of Texas at Austin.

[Requirements can change at any time. Check often for updates and review application service and school

web sites for changes that may occur between updates.]

Year 1

Fall Spring

Statistics or Pre-Calculus or Calculus Biology II

Chemistry I Chemistry II

Biology I Chemistry or Biology Lab

Rhetoric Psychology

Year 2

Fall Spring

Chemistry or Biology Lab Upper-division Biology 3hrs

Genetics Organic Chemistry II

Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry Lab

English Statistics if not yet taken

Year 3

Fall Spring

Physics I Physics II

Physics I Lab Physics II Lab

Biochemistry Humanities or Soc/Behav Sci

Sociology MCAT April or May

SENIOR YEAR OR BRIDGE YEAR Continue in relevant course work and premedical activities to become well-prepared for

medical school and to strengthen your competitiveness if it becomes necessary to reapply.

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Pre-Medical Activities and Application Time Line

First and Second Years

Subscribe to the HPOinfo Emails here.

Take an average to heavy course load: 14-16 hours is considered a normal pre-med course load. It is

okay to take 12-13 hours your first semester at UT Austin.

Get to know your professors. You will need faculty evaluations when you apply to medical schools.

Two from science faculty are recommended.

Meet with a pre-health professions coach in the Health Professions Office to explore health

professions and to discuss your goals and preparation, especially how to make the most out of your

first two years.

Declare a major by your second year on campus.

Non-College of Natural Sciences students are highly encouraged to add the Pre-Health Professions

Certificate. Learn more about the certificate here.

Get involved in extracurricular activities (e.g., student organizations, volunteering, and shadowing in

medical settings, community service).

Attend the Health Professions Fair each year, generally held in February or March, to visit with

representatives from medical schools and other health professions programs.

Attend the medical school presentations. All Texas medical schools visit the UT campus during the

academic year. Check the Health Professions Office web site for details.

Keep viable career alternatives open.

Third Year

Complete premedical requirements by May of your third year.

Prepare for and take the MCAT, ideally no later than the end of your third year.

Visit medical school web sites; decide where you will apply.

Ask faculty who know you well if they will write evaluations in support of your medical school

application; you will need two faculty evaluations. Science faculty letters are recommended.

Attend the Medical School Speaker Series. All Texas medical schools visit the UT campus during the

academic year.

Attend the Health Professions Fair, generally held in February or March, to visit with representatives

from medical schools and other health professions programs.

Complete and submit medical school primary and secondary applications early in the summer, after

your 3

year.

Fourth Year

Most medical school interviews take place during the late summer and the fall semester.

Acceptance offers to medical school begin during the fall semester.

Complete UT Austin degree requirements necessary for graduation.

Throughout your fourth year, continue in premedical activities and additional courses to prepare for

medical school and to strengthen your application in case you need to apply again.

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Can I take Courses Away from UT?

Studying Abroad?

Most health professions schools require that prerequisites be taken at U.S. accredited schools, and some will

accept credits from Canadian accredited schools.

Although exchange program courses and some affiliated program courses are counted as in-residence credit

by UT Austin, according to Texas state law, foreign course work cannot be counted in the GPAs for application

to graduate and post-baccalaureate professional schools. The rules and policies can vary among the

professional schools. Students who plan to study abroad should research this carefully for the schools and

application services they plan to apply to. Look in the education requirements, transcripts, and FAQ sections of

their web sites for information about foreign course work and study abroad. [See example at bottom of page.]

UT Austin faculty-led courses are “in-residence” courses as well as U.S. credits, and so courses like

Organic Chemistry II (CH 320N) taught in Spain by UT Austin faculty can be used to satisfy a prerequisite;

however, for many students taking these rigorous courses in only 5 weeks may not be recommended. It is

important that pre-health professions students master these courses and retain this knowledge for success in

entrance exams and in advanced studies.

The UT Austin Health Professions Office very strongly recommends that our students satisfy their health

professions prerequisites at UT Austin. Use the study abroad opportunity to study the culture and language of

that country and to satisfy general education requirements if approved by your academic advisor. Science

courses that are not considered direct preparation for the health professions can be considered as well.

(Examples: research, ecology, environmental science; but NOT cell, molecular, micro, anatomy, physiology

which figure heavily into your preparation and readiness for professional school and the admissions

committee’s assessment of your application)

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EXAMPLE: from TMDSAS (Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service)

FAQ - Foreign Applicants, Coursework from Foreign Schools and Study Abroad

Do you accept foreign coursework?

No! State law requires that academic work taken at foreign colleges, universities or preparatory schools shall

be excluded from the calculation of the grade point average for students seeking admission to graduate or

post-baccalaureate professional school.

Foreign coursework will not count towards satisfying any of the required coursework.

Undergraduate foreign coursework that appears as transfer credit on the transcript of a regionally accredited

US college will count towards the 90-hour requirement. Each individual transfer course credit granted by the

US school must be listed on the transcript. Lump sum credit with no specific course and hour identification will

not be accepted.

For full content on this topic visit the TMDSAS website: see Foreign Coursework

What about Claiming AP/IB Credit for Prerequisites?

While we generally recommend that as a Pre-Health Professions student you not “claim” AP/IB credit for

prerequisite courses such as Biology, Chemistry, English, Physics, and Mathematics, these are important

decisions that you must make and that require your careful consideration.

It may seem like a convenient way to eliminate hours from your degree plan and accelerate your path to

professional school, but claiming credit can actually be detrimental to your preparation for success on

entrance exams and in professional studies. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses

vary in rigor, and they are generally not equivalent to the rigor of UT Austin courses. However, your AP/IB

courses can be very good preparation for taking these courses at UT Austin, providing the opportunity to

master that material, become better prepared, enhance your GPA, and demonstrate your academic ability and

readiness for advanced study in health professions schools.

Unless you are academically very well prepared, it is best to start with the introductory courses. Please consult

with your academic advisor for help in determining your readiness for higher level science courses. Most

schools that accept AP/IB credit will expect you to take additional upper-division course work in that area of

study. Below are specific recommendations.

Science Courses

Biology and Chemistry

If you claim credit in courses like BIO 311D and BIO 311C you may not be adequately prepared for the rigorous

next course here at UT Austin, BIO 325 (Genetics). If you claim credit for CH 301 and CH 302, your first college

level chemistry course at UT Austin will be CH 310M (Organic Chemistry I).

Honors students in Biology and Chemistry may claim test credit, register in the honors sequence for Biology or

Chemistry, and will take additional upper-division credits in those areas, making up for the lack of first-year

hours in those disciplines.

Your UT Austin faculty will expect you to be prepared to learn and understand the material conceptually and

theoretically in order to understand test questions well enough to earn As on your exams. They will teach

material beyond the textbook that was not presented in your high school courses. You will be in second year

courses with many students who took General Biology and General Chemistry here and are well prepared to

handle the exams in the more advanced courses. They will set the standard for the grade scale or curve in your

classes.

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Physics

Physics is required to prepare for some health professions schools. In some cases, you will be tested on Physics

in your professional school entrance exam. We strongly recommend taking physics at the college level if you

are preparing for a professional school that requires physics.

Calculus and Statistics

For the Texas medical schools, if you take statistics in the classroom here at UT Austin, you can use statistics to

satisfy the math prerequisite. Then if your degree plan or any of your science courses require calculus, you

can decide with your academic advisor whether to use credit-by-exam or take the course(s) in the classroom.

For all health professions schools, both in Texas and out-of-state, it is important to check their admissions

web sites for any restrictions and preferences on credit-by-exam.

Non-Science Courses

It is usually acceptable to claim credit-by-exam for general education or core curriculum requirements such as

history and government. Claiming this type of credit may give you time to take the courses that will prepare

you for professional school and school entrance exams. On the other hand, critical thinking skills and an

understanding of ethics, society, community, cultures, history, and human behavior are important for your

success now and throughout your professional and personal life. Taking college level courses is a good way to

develop these areas of knowledge.

English Literature, Rhetoric, Writing

If you claim credit for freshman writing and literature courses, we recommend taking additional courses in the

classroom at the college level. Even if your high school verbal skills were strong, this type of academic skill

weakens over time if you do not use it.

Verbal skills are extremely important to your success in your undergraduate course work, your entrance

exams, in professional school, and as a health care professional. You must be able to read efficiently, at a

good rate, with high comprehension and critical thinking skills. You must develop and maintain a good

vocabulary, not just for the sciences but also for social and behavioral sciences, ethics, policies and

regulations, and procedural information. Many admissions deans recommend reading well-written novels in

addition to your textbook material.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Although the Texas medical and dental schools accept AP credit for admission, some out-of-state schools do

not. These schools vary in their policies and perspectives on credit-by-exam. For example, Texas medical and

dental schools recommend taking additional upper-division courses in the same subject area to make up for

using AP credits for prerequisite courses. The credit-by-exam policies vary among the health profession

disciplines and from school to school within each professional area.

Review the information on our prerequisite courses lists and check individual school admissions web sites or

contact their admissions offices to be sure about each school’s expectations. Taking courses in the college

classroom will help you to compete for admission and to succeed in professional school. We strongly

recommend that you use these courses as building blocks that will be the foundation for your future career.

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To Q or Not to Q (or to switch to pass/fail)

No admissions committee for any health professional school likes to see “Q drops” on a transcript. This is an

indication that something became too much for you to handle and that you chose to drop the course rather

than see it through. There are times when the Q-drop is the best course of action, however, keep reading to

see how your choice may affect your competitiveness for professional school.

More of a problem if:

1. Q-dropping is a pattern on your transcript. Two Q-drops can signal a possible pattern; three Q-drops

create a definite pattern.

2. It occurs in a context of inconsistent grades. To be competitive for professional school, you should be

making A’s and B’s with more A’s than B’s. If you have semesters which include B’s and C’s – even one

or two C’s, your grades are inconsistent by a professional school’s standard.

3. It’s one of your prerequisite courses for professional school. In this case, you might consider sticking

with the class on a pass/fail basis. Then you only need to earn a D to earn credit. Check with your

academic advisor about whether you can use the pass/fail option.

4. It’s any science-based course, since the bulk of professional school curriculum will be science based.

Less of a problem if:

1. It’s the only Q-drop on your transcript at time of application to professional school. You will want to

choose wisely however, depending on the course. If you are taking a lower division or introductory

course, keep in mind that upper division courses will be more challenging. You may want to hold on to

that “one and only Q-drop” for later.

2. It’s a non-science course. While professional schools want you to do well in all classes, they are likely

to be less concerned if you dropped a sociology or business class.

What if there are non-academic reasons for needing to Q-drop?

Sometimes personal or family emergencies and other special circumstances make it difficult to find time for

and focus on your studies. Sometimes for new students it is difficult to make the transition to UT. If you are

dealing with something that is getting in the way of your school work, it is very important that you get help.

1. Talk to your academic advisor and/or an advisor in your college student division office.

2. Check out the support services at the Counseling and Mental Health Center.

When is switching to pass/fail a better option?

This should really only be undertaken when you are reasonably certain that you can pass the class, in other

words, earn at least a D. An F from a pass/fail course is just the same as an F from a letter grade course.

If you are taking a pre-requisite course that you must repeat (and you meet the above criteria of being

reasonably sure you can pass), you should consider the pass/fail option. This will allow you to continue your

exposure to the material for the entire semester. This will create a much stronger foundation when you repeat

the course.

What if I keep the class and then I make a C or lower?

No one wants to explain a poor grade in a class, but there is actually much to be learned about being

responsible for your grades (see exercise below) Talking about how you might change your strategy going

forward can be not only a sign of maturity and integrity, it can also demonstrate your resilience. All of these

qualities are important to future health professionals.

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What did you learn from this experience?

While it can be tempting to blame others for the need to Q drop a class, you must understand that the

responsibility is 100% yours. To help you identify your responsibility, ask yourself these questions.

1. Could I have met with the professor to see what I could do to improve my understanding?

2. (If my professor was difficult to understand or hard for me to follow) Did I look for other sections of

the courses to sit in on so that I could learn the material in a different way?

3. Could I have identified that I needed assistance earlier in the semester? (In time to have possibly

salvaged my grade)

4. Could I have managed my time better so that I had appropriate time to devote to the class?

5. Could I have checked out resources for tutoring through the Sanger Learning Center?

6. Could I have adjusted my priorities (lowering especially those which are non-academic) to allow focus

on my studies?

Preparing for the possible professional school interview question

You will want to spend some time reflecting on what you could have done differently so that you did not have

to drop the class (see above). If you are asked about the Q-drop, you should be able to explain where things

went wrong, what you learned from the experience, and how you might choose differently in the future.

Remember the Health Professions Office does Interview Prep appointments to help you prepare for your

interviews.

Academic Assistance

Academic Support

Sanger Learning Center’s resources can help you achieve your academic goals. You can get help with course

content. You can make an appointment to meet one-on-one with a tutor for an hour-long session. Together,

you and your tutor will tackle difficult homework problems and review course concepts. You can also receive

coaching on how to understand and work those science exam questions that you need to earn an A. Visit JES

A315A for drop-in tutoring for mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses. It is a great way to study alone or

in groups and is especially good for completing homework assignments. Attend free classes for calculus

refreshers and exam reviews.

Utilize Faculty Office Hours

Your grades in a given course will ultimately be determined by the professor who is teaching it. If you are

struggling in a course, your first request for help should go to the professor. Not only are they experts in the

content being taught, but they also have established the method by which you will be evaluated. Be prepared

to explain to the professor what you have been doing to grasp and retain the content and where you believe

you are falling short. This not only communicates your commitment to learning, it also gives the professor a

starting point for your discussion.

Visit with Your Teaching Assistants (TAs)

These students are hired to help expand the reach of the professor, providing another source of assistance.

While they don’t have the expertise of a professor, they have mastered the course previously, often with the

same professor. TAs are great for quick questions and – depending on their skill level and availability – can be

great “tutors”, explaining concepts in a way that may be easier for you to grasp.

Improve Your Study Skills

Visit the Sanger Learning Center in JES A332 to speak with a learning specialist about your study-related

questions and concerns. Meet weekly with a peer academic coach to develop and implement study strategies

to help you succeed at UT Austin. Attend monthly workshops on study strategies and time management.

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Attend Course-specific Study Groups

The Sanger Learning Center is housed in undergraduate studies and is main resource for academic support.

Supplemental Instruction offers optional weekly discussion sections for students enrolled in some historically

difficult, large-format courses, including calculus. The PLUS program provides peer-led study groups for a

number of difficult, upper-division courses. Visit the Sanger Learning Center website for additional Academic

Support Resources: http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/slc/support

The Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling is housed in undergraduate studies and serves

students across campus who are exploring majors and careers, as well as undeclared students enrolled in the

School of Undergraduate Studies. If you need help finding a major connect, with the Vick Center:

http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/csacc

MCAT INFORMATION

There was a major change in structure and content of the MCAT in 2015.

MCAT Preparation

The MCAT exam is analysis based; answers will be within the question and you will need to think through the

question to get the answer. The exam is 7hrs and 30 minutes (including completing demographics, etc). Actual

test time is 6hrs, 15 min.

The MCAT web site is full of very helpful information about preparation and planning for taking the MCAT. The

Official Guide to the MCAT® Exam, Fourth Edition is now out and can be bought through AAMC’s MCAT here.

The guide includes:

• An official comprehensive overview about the MCAT exam

• 120 practice questions and solutions (30 questions in each of the four sections of the MCAT exam)

written by the developers of the MCAT exam at the AAMC

• Everything you need to know about the exam sections

• Tips on how to prepare for the exam

• Full length practice exams

• Details on how the exam is scored, information on holistic admissions, and more

Below are some options for MCAT preparation materials:

• Khan Academy

• AAMC Preparation Materials

Applicants for the Entering Year 2016 and Later

The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDAS) have informed us that the eight public

medical schools in Texas will accept earlier MCAT scores even after the new MCAT is in use. Baylor College of

Medicine has told us that they will do the same. MCATs taken no longer than 5 years before the date of your

application will be accepted.

We have heard verbally from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) that they expect the

AMCAS schools to honor their normal grace period for older exams as well. Take note that out-of-state

medical schools vary in their MCAT grace periods which are generally from two to four years. Check school

admissions web sites or the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) online www.aamc.org/msar for

information about individual schools.

MCAT Implications for Medical School Preparation

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Although medical school prerequisites have not yet changed, it is important to recognize that medical schools

consider the new content to be essential in your preparation for the medical profession and may look for

evidence of it in other ways; for example: in your transcripts and in your interviews.

We recommend PSY 301, SOC 302, introductory ethics, and other courses that help you to develop critical

analysis and reasoning skills. Strong reading skill will be more important than ever. For a complete

description of the areas and topics that may show up on the new exam, check out the MCAT for Students page

periodically; these will be updated whenever new information is available.

MCAT scoring

Each of the four subsections are scored on a scale of 118-132 with 125 being at the center of the bell curve.

The overall scale is 472-528, with 500 at the center of the bell curve. They chose to center the scale at 500,

since their national data with the previous exam showed that students at the center succeeded in medical

school.

The score report will include total score, section scores, percentile ranks, confidence band, and score profile

showing strengths and weaknesses. Last year’s percentile rank tables are available here..

Should I retake the MCAT?

Can I do better if I am going to retake? Remember – there is also the risk of getting a lower score in one or

more of the test’s categories. Many schools look at the most recent set of MCATs, which needs to be a

consideration. Ask yourself the following questions:

How did I prepare for the exam? Did I take a prep course?

Do I feel that I did not have enough time to devote to MCAT study?

How did I feel the actual test went for myself – Was I sick? Was I overly anxious? Did I have enough

time? Were there other distractions on test day?

What are my summer commitments? Do I have the time this summer to truly dedicate myself to

MCAT study?

What is the relative risk of going down on any section?

Do I feel that my score accurately reflects my ability?

Looking at my past history, how have I tended to perform on standardized tests?

Am I mentally prepared to take on the task of retesting? Do I have the motivation and energy

required?

How is my score? The national average MCAT 508-509 with no less than 127-129 on the subsections and is

rising each year. What schools do I want to apply to? What are their average MCAT scores and GPAs?

What was my breakdown? Are there individual scores that may be viewed as a weakness?

Are there any other considerations that can be taken into consideration when interpreting MCAT

scores?

Do I have a learning disability? Did I use my accommodation?

Is English my second language?

Am I part of a group of underrepresented students?

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How competitive are the other aspects of my application? It’s important for students to view themselves

realistically. The average overall GPA for those accepted to medical school is on average 3.65-3.75 and the

BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) is a 3.69-3.71.

What is my BCPM GPA and overall GPA?

Are my grades at the average, above the average or below the average?

Would I be a more competitive applicant if I waited another year, took additional coursework, retook

the MCAT and added additional experiences to my resume?

Be sure to look individually at one's courses and one's subsections of the MCAT. For example, it will not be

favorable if a student had trouble in the physical sciences both in their coursework and on the MCAT. If you

are planning on retaking the MCAT come and speak with a health professions coach.

*It is important to note that a high GPA does not make up for a low MCAT score and vice versa. Your GPA

reflects your performance over your college career where as your MCAT score represents your performance at

one point in time.

Need a GPA Booster?

A post-baccalaureate program is for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree, and are

interested in a health professions career. They need either to finish pre-requisite courses and/or need to

improve their academic standing for a more competitive professional school application.

What Different Post-Baccalaureate (Post-Bacc) Programs Are Available?

Essentially there are two different types of programs for students hoping to attend med or dent school:

Basic Sciences: This type of program is for students who have not completed the basic

requirements for medical school. Generally this is for “career changers” who have decided to

pursue medicine. The coursework can be done in a formal post-bacc program or individually at a local

university.

Advanced Sciences/GPA Boosters: This type of program is designed for students who were

science majors or have completed the basic science requirements. These are for students who:

• Want to stay academically engaged during a gap year while applying to medical or dental schools.

• Need to raise their GPA to become a more competitive medical school applicant.

How do I Get in?

Selection criteria vary around the country. Most programs require at least a 3.0 GPA and an MCAT score of

that meets a specific threshold; it can be different for each program so please check directly with the program

you would like to apply to. Applications for the fall semester are usually due by March of that year. Check with

individual programs so as not to miss deadlines.

• Follow this link for a list of programs around Texas

• Follow this link for a list of programs around the United States

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Research Schools Before You Apply!

Thinking about what type of medical school you are looking for? Not sure what you want in a school? Check

out the following possible criteria for evaluating a medical school’s fit for you!

1. Size of your cohort

2. Prestige of the institution

3. Training facilities / Hospital affiliation

Examples: Shriners Hospital for Children (UTMB)

Memorial Hermann Hospital (Hou)

Parkland Memorial Hospital (UTSW)

Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital (SA)

Ben Taub General Hospital (BCM)

4. Opportunity to do research

5. Support programs –tutoring, counseling, student health services, childcare

6. Community building – student organizations

7. Options for financial aid/scholarship

8. Outreach/Service to Community

Examples:

• Walkin’ the Talk Initiative (PLF)

• The Monday Clinic (UTSW)

• Health Care for the Homeless Program (BCM)

• Hart School-Based Pediatric Clinic (TT)

• Health For All (A&M)

9. Combined degree programs (MD + MPH, MBA, or JD)

10. Family/Friends (Support in close proximity)

11. Lifestyle - outdoorsy, athletic, cultural arts, etc.

12. Centers/ Institutes /Programs that align with your Medical School Goals

Examples:

• Neuroscience Research Center (Hou)

• Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (SA)

• Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance (A&M)

• Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health (TT)

• The Center for Training in International Health (UTMB)

• Cardiovascular Research Institute (TCOM)

• Center of Excellence in Infectious Disease (PLF)

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Other Resources to explore:

Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR)

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/msar/

Written and published by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This guide is packed with crucial

information on applying about how to make yourself a better prepared and more attractive applicant, and

everything about the entire admissions process. You get details about the MCAT exam, how admissions

decisions are made, and information on diversity in medical schools, financing, applicant and matriculant

data, and more. Order your copy today in print or e-book.

Osteopathic Medical College Information Book

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx

A brief description of all of the osteopathic medical colleges, admissions criteria, minimum entrance

requirements, supplementary application materials required, class size or enrollment, application deadlines,

and tuition. Also includes information about choosing a career in osteopathic medicine.

My Top Ten Schools Are:

1) ______________________________________________________________

2) ______________________________________________________________

3) ______________________________________________________________

4) ______________________________________________________________

5) ______________________________________________________________

6) ______________________________________________________________

7) ______________________________________________________________

8) ______________________________________________________________

9) ______________________________________________________________

10) ______________________________________________________________

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CASPer Information

What is CASPer?

CASPer is a form of situational judgement test.

Situational judgement tests (SJTs) are a type of psychological test which presents the test-taker with realistic,

hypothetical scenarios and may ask the individual what they would do in the dilemma and why they would do

it. Situational judgement tests tend to determine behavioral tendencies, assessing how an individual will

behave in a certain situation, and knowledge instruction, which evaluates the effectiveness of possible

responses.

Why do programs require CASPer?

Many programs have begun incorporating new and innovative tools like the multiple-mini interview (MMI)

and CASPer®, to make sure that students are not only academically capable but also possess the suitable

characteristics of someone who will likely succeed on the job.

Although there is a slight increase in resources for applicants and programs, it is helpful to incorporate a

variety of different tools in the admissions process to gather a more holistic view of the applicants.

The following Texas Medical Schools Now Require CASPer:

• Texas A&M Health Science Center

• Texas Tech Health Science Center

• UTMB

• Long School of Medicine

What is CASPer test comprised of?

Going into the test knowing what to expect will prepare you best! Be aware that there are 12 sections to be

completed in 60-90 minutes. You are given an optional 15-minute break after six sections, where you can

stand up to stretch or you use the washroom.

Each section is comprised of either a video-based or word-based scenario. Each scenario is followed by a set of

three questions. You are asked to type out your response to each question in the designated text box. You

have five minutes to respond to all three questions.

When the timer is up, you are automatically directed to the next section where you are presented with a new

scenario.

Want more information? Check out this video.

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Follow the Time Line for Applying to Medical School

February/March

• Begin compiling list of experiences; include details such as

dates, hours, tasks and responsibilities

• Attend personal statement workshop presented by a Pre-

Health Professions Coach

• Begin drafting personal statement and optional essays

• Ask evaluators for letters of evaluation

• Set up an Interfolio account

• Medical applicants: Purchase Medical School

Admissions Requirements guide online through

www.aamc.org/ Click on “Publications”

• Research schools to determine where to apply

Fall Semester

• For those that are ready, take MCAT; We recommend taking

these exams no later than April

January

• Applications open about May 1

• Obtain official transcripts from all institutions attended.

Review for accuracy of information and use as

reference for completing application

• Print and read application service instructions; Make a

plan or “to do” checklist

• Be sure to read instructions about score reporting;

these vary year-to-year and by schools

• Request transcripts from all institutions attended to be

sent to application services

• Schedule a personal statement review

• Finish personal statement and write optional essays

• Submit when application is complete (this includes your

Spring grades) and you are confident you’ve done your

best! (Earlier is better)

May

• Attend Health Professions Fair, usually held in February or

March to visit with professional schools and have a

professional headshot taken for your application

• Create TMDSAS ID

• Submit when application is complete (this includes

Spring grades) and you’re confident you’ve done your

best! (Earlier is better - ideally end of June)

• Complete and submit secondary applications;

applications are not complete until secondary

applications are submitted

June/July

• Schedule interview prep appointment with Health

Professions Office

• Interviews begin in early August

August/September

• Send friendly reminder to recommenders at the end of the

month if haven’t already submitted letters of evaluation

April

• Interviewing continues until December, maybe

January in some cases

• Deadline to submit TMDSAS is about Sept. 29 (Earlier is

better - we encourage submitting by end of June)

• Deadlines vary by schools for AMCAS

October

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 Apply Early & Know the Process 
Application Services 
There are three application services that you will use to apply to Medical School in the United States.  
• Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) 
• American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) 
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services (AACOMAS) 
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service  
(TMDSAS) is the only application for the state of Texas. It is the application service you will use to apply to the 
9 public medical schools in Texas. They are not listed in the AMCAS application.    
Texas Medical Schools (Public) - Allopathic 
•  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas) 
•  The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston  
•  McGovern Medical School at Houston  
•  The University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio  
•  The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley   
•  Texas A&M University College of Medicine (Bryan-College Station, Temple) 
•  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine  (Lubbock) 
•  TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at El Paso 
•  The University of Texas at Austin – Dell Medical School  
Texas Medical School (Public) – Osteopathic 
•  Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas HSC - (Ft. Worth) 
•  Sam Houston State University (SHSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) – (Conroe) 

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Application Services Continued 
 
American Medical College Application Service  
(AMCAS) is the application service you will use to apply to Baylor College of Medicine and all out-of-state 
allopathic schools. ACMAS FAQ have great information for you to check into. 
Texas Medical Schools (Private) - Allopathic 
•  Baylor College of Medicine  (Houston) 
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service  
(AACOMAS) is the application service you will use to apply to all out-of-state osteopathic schools. If you are 
applying to Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine you will complete the TMDSAS application.    
Texas Medical Schools (Private) – Osteopathic  
•  University of the Incarnate Word School of Medicine (San Antonio)  
MD/PhD Applicants 
If you are applying to Texas schools and MD/PhD programs you will complete both the TMDSAS application 
and the AMCAS application.  
For lists of accredited programs in the United States: 
•  Allopathic Medical Schools – American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) 
•  Osteopathic Medical Schools – American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) 
 
Considering Attending an International Medical School? 
Things to consider… 
•  Why International Medical School?  What strengths/attributes do you possess that will enable you to 
overcome additional difficulties such as difficult living conditions, less extensive learning resources, 
more limited teaching and clinical facilities, etc.? 
•  International Medical School Graduate must prepare to apply for residencies through the National 
Resident Matching Program http://www.nrmp.org/ 
•  Learn about living costs: Create a ScienceWorks account for access to explore ‘Going Global’ Resource  
•  Make sure you are knowledgeable about any post graduate/post residency requirements 
(For example, Duke has a medical school in Singapore and they require 1 year of work in Singapore 
after residency called paying their bond) 
•  Does the University accept UT Pre-Med Prerequisites?   
Make sure the school… 
•  Is accredited and respected: The World Directory of Medical Schools provides accreditation data, 
university affiliations, etc. http://www.wdoms.org/ 
•  Has not been banned from the medical licensing board in the state you would want to practice in (e.g. 
California has banned some schools)   
•  Follows Ethical Guidelines: https://www.cfhi.org/ethics-and-best-practice-guidelines-for-training-
experiences-in-global-health  

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•  Is the School listed on the (FAIMER) Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education 
and Research’s International Medical Education Directory? 
http://www.faimer.org/resources/imed.html  
•  Students must graduate from an International Medical School listed in this directory to be eligible for 
ECFMG certification.  ECFMG certification is required to be eligible for the (ACGME) Accreditation 
Council for Graduate Medical Education’s accredited residency programs in the U.S., and for licensure 
in many states. http://www.ecfmg.org/certification/ 
•  Prepares you to take the (USMLE) United States Medical Licensing Exam  http://www.usmle.org/ 
Consider the Pros and Cons… 
•  Of applying to international medical schools 
•  Of International Medical Schools: attending international medical school 
Quick Links 
•  Search the International Health Opportunities Directory  
•  AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) 
•  UT CNS International Study resources: http://cns.utexas.edu/international-study 
•  Explore the Medical School Application Guide   
•  Caribbean medical schools and other international medical school options: Applying to International 
Medical Schools 
Letters of Evaluation 
Letters of evaluation are key pieces to your professional school application. The number of letters and type of 
letters you need vary from school to school. Each application system has its own way of collecting letters. 
Check with each application service you are using for additional details and guidelines.  
It is important to get to know your faculty because you will need letters of evaluation from them. Review 
additional resources about letters on HPO’s Application Resources webpage: Requesting Letters  
Although you are not required to use Interfolio for letters of evaluation, we highly recommend you do so, 
especially if you are applying through multiple application services. Click here for more information about 
Interfolio, including a guide to using the service and help for letter writers.  
Writing Your Personal Statement 
PERSONAL STATEMENT BRAINSTORMING & CONTENT PLANNING 
Please read the Personal Statement resources below and then you are welcome to meet with a Pre-Health 
Professions Coach to discuss your ideas before starting your personal statement. 
 
PERSONAL STATEMENT POWERPOINT ON WHAT IT’S ABOUT AND HOW TO GET STARTED 
•  Writing Your Health Professions Personal Statement 
 
FIND & READ YOUR ESSAY PROMPT BEFORE STARTING  
•  TMDSAS Application Essay Prompts 
•  Other Application Essay Prompts: Find your prompt before you start - website links  
 
 
TOOLS TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT 
•  Personal Statement Brainstorming Worksheet 

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• Use Action Verbs

• Identify your Strengths Skills with this Word List

PERSONAL STATEMENT & ESSAY WRITING, REVISING, REVIEW & FEEDBACK

The University Writing Center is an excellent resource to utilize when writing application essays. Their trained

Writing Consultants can help you at any stage of writing, from getting started to making recommendations for

a polished finished product.

Interview Tips and Preparation

It is important to professionally and properly represent yourself to an admissions committee. From what to

wear, to anticipating what questions you might be asked, our Pre-Health Professions Coaches are here to help

you prepare for your professional school interview. Go to the HPO Application Resources Page to find

additional resources, including:

• The Medical School Interview Guide & The MMI Interview Guide

• Dressing for an Interview

• Improve Your Interview Skills - Schedule an Interview Prep Appointment with a Pre-Health

Professions Coach by calling our front desk 512-471-3172

Prepare & Practice

Be prepared to discuss your strengths and weaknesses, obstacles and inspirations, current events and

personal attributes. The following sample questions are meant to provide you with a better understanding of

why the interviewer might be asking the questions that they do. By asking you certain questions, interviewers

are attempting to gain a better understanding of your personality.

• What kind of community/volunteer work have you done?

• What is the most rewarding experience of your life?

• Who is your favorite author?

• Have you worked while you have been in school?

• Have you had the opportunity to travel abroad?

• What accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Tell me about the most difficult period of your life. How did you deal with this?

• What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

• What is the most difficult decision that you’ve had to make?

• How do you plan to finance your medical school education?

• How are you going to decide which medical school to attend?

• How do you handle adversity?

• Why should we pick you instead of someone else?

• Why do you want to be a physician?

• What will you do if you are not accepted to medical school?

• When did you first decide that you wanted to pursue a medical career? Was there a specific cause for

your decision? Has anything happened since that time to strengthen or weaken your decision?

• Can you see other careers in which you could achieve the same goals or meet the same needs?

• What steps have you taken to find out more about medicine as a career?

• If accepted to medical school, what field of medicine would you prefer?

• Where would you like to start practicing?

• How do you study? How do you manage your time?

• What courses do you find most enjoyable, most difficult? Why?

• Describe your hobbies and interests.

• Describe your best/least favorite course at UT and why it falls into that category.

• Why did you choose ______________ as your major?

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• Are there any questions you would like to ask me?

• Describe a situation where you've worked with people from different backgrounds.

• What type of person do you enjoy being with? What type of person irritates you most and how have

you dealt with these types of people?

• What about yourself would you most like the interviewer to know?

• Do you have any particular populations you would like to work with? Have you worked with this type

of population in the past?

• How do you handle stress?

• How would you keep health care costs down?

• What is an HMO? / What do you know about managed care?

• What characteristics does a good doctor possess?

• What current event in medicine have you heard about or been following?

• What are the advantages and limitations that you see going into medicine? (Be specific)

• What problems do you predict that medicine will face in the next decade?

Research Current Events

As a medical school applicant, you should be aware of current events happening in the United States and

around the world impacting health care. This can include current research, insurance and health care reform,

ethics, and other topics. Below are some resources to help you keep up. Health Professions keeps a list of links

to current event websites:

American Medical News

• Published by the AMA

Analysis of Health Care Reform Legislation Provisions

• Published by the American Association of Medical Colleges

Kaiser Family Foundation

• A non-profit foundation focusing on health policy and communications

Expanding Health Insurance Coverage & Choice

• News & resources from the American Medical Assn

The American Journal of Bioethics

• Published by MIT Press and Bioethics Education Network

The Hastings Center

• Publications Section - Promoting thoughtful, balanced reflection on the ethical and social issues of

medicine and medical science

Health Research Findings

• Stanford Medical Health Library

National Public Radio Archives

Wall Street Journal

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Financing Your Medical Education

For more information about the cost of medical school and financing a medical education, visit any of the

following resources.

• FIRST for Medical Education

• To find out about tuition and fees at specific medical schools, consult the Medical School Admissions

Requirements (MSAR®).

• Apply for FAFSA

• The Army has Armed Forces Health Scholarships

• The US Department of Health and Human Services National Health Service Corps, a program that

allows medical and dental students in their final year of school to get up to $120,000 in loan

repayment in exchange for a service commitment.

• National Medical Fellowships (NMF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of

underrepresented minority physicians in the healthcare workforce, provides scholarships and awards

to underrepresented minority medical students and offers service-learning programs to students in

the health professions.

• Learn to Budget Check out AAMC’s resources for you: https://students-residents.aamc.org/financial-

aid/article/budgeting-basics-managing-money-during-lean-years/

Add It Up! – Don’t forget to include all Living Costs (Cost of Attendance is often more than tuition alone

Tuition:

Rent:

Food:

Entertainment:

Health Insurance:

Laboratory Fees:

Car Insurance:

Gas:

Other Travel:

Other Expenses:

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Pre-Health Professions Services

Applying to Professional School? We are here to guide you!

See a HP Peer Coach if you have questions in one or more of the following topic areas:

• Going over pre-requisites ("What do I have to take to get into X school?")

• Shadowing opportunities (“how to find, importance of, what is”)

• Leadership opportunities (“how to find, importance of, what are”)

• Patient care experience (“how to find, importance of, what is”)

• Clubs/organizations

• How to ask for letters of recommendation/evaluation

• Course load ("Is this reasonable to take in one semester?")

• Study habits/tutoring resources

• Test-taking strategies

• How to use HPO services

Pre-Health Professions Coaching Appointments

Schedule a Pre-Health Professions Coaching session to meet with a Pre-Health Professions Coach. These

appointments cover:

• Progress checks ("How am I doing?; What else do I need to do?")

• Application Strategies/resources

• Choosing letter writers ("Who should I ask?")

• Academic turnaround ("I am worried about my GPA")

• Potential gap year planning/Post Bacc discussions

• Academic dishonesty/legal issues

• Reapplication strategies

• Study abroad timeline

• Alumni or Post Bacc Student questions

TO Q or NOT TO Q Discussions

Not sure what to do? Thinking of dropping a course? Then you can schedule an appointment with a

Pre-Health Professions Coach about deciding on Q dropping or the pass/fail option. Check out our TO

Q or NOT TO Q guide in this guide before your appointment.

Personal Statement Brainstorming

Come speak to a Pre-Health Professions Coach to discuss your ideas before starting your personal

statement. We will help you brainstorm ideas for the content of your essays. We have additional

personal statement resources here.

We no longer review personal statements in the Health Professions Office. However, we have

developed a partnership with the University Writing Center for personal statements. The University

Writing Center is an excellent resource to utilize when writing application essays. Their trained Writing

Consultants can help you at any stage of writing, from getting started to making recommendations for

a polished finished product.

Interview Prep Appointments

Discuss interview strategies and practice a couple of interview questions with us! You will go over any

questions you have and practice a couple questions of your choice with a Pre-Health Professions

Coach in this 30-minute appointment. You will receive tips and feedback to help you in your

professional school interview. Dressing up for your HP Interview Prep appointment is optional, if you

would like feedback on your clothing choice and you want to test whether it will be comfortable, or

they can just discuss appropriate attire with you.