Deciding where to apply takes some time and research.• Start by reviewing print and online materials. The Health Professions Office maintains resources listing health professions schools. • Professional web sites provide links to schools. • You can access a searchable database for medical schools. • Members of the Health Professions Committee and the Health Professions can inform you about schools where UMaine graduates have continued their education in the past.
Past experience suggests that most students should apply to eight to ten schools. How to ApplyMany schools do not want to receive an application from you directly, but only through an application service. AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) is one such association; AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) is another. The application service provides medical school applicants with the ability to complete one application in order to apply to multiple medical schools that belong to their association. AMCAS applications must be completed online. AACOMAS and the Canadian medical school service applications may be completed online. Other health professions schools have similar application services. For example, dental schools utilize the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Make sure to do your research so that your application is completed and submitted on time. Health Professions File Requirements: Please note that your Health Professions file should be complete by May 1st of the year you intend to apply to professional programs.
A completed Health Professions Student File Information Form, and Waiver of Right to Review the File. These are downloadable from the Health Professions Handbook folder in First Class. National Test ScoresNearly all health professions schools require you to submit scores on specific national exams as a part of your application. • These scores are reviewed carefully, and are especially important when other considerations (such as grades) suggest an applicant is "borderline" in suitability. • These exams normally should be taken during the spring semester of the junior year if you plan to enter a professional school for the fall semester following graduation. • Exams may be taken more than once, however, it is advisable to prepare thoroughly and do well the first time. You should familiarize yourself with the format of these exams early in your career. Commercial study guides are available to help you prepare for specific tests. In addition to these practice materials there are professional MCAT Preparation Courses. MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) • The MCAT is required of all applicants to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. It is given in April and August of each year. Registration deadlines are approximately one month before the exam, but you are advised to submit the materials well in advance. You can apply online at: • The MCAT takes 5 _ hours to complete and it covers four sections: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, biological sciences, and a writing sample. • Scores range from 1 to 15 in each of the first three sections and J through T in the writing sample. • It is best to take the MCAT in the spring of the junior year. • You should have completed or be near to completing General Biology, Biology of Organisms, General and Organic Chemistry and Physics. • Have a good idea of the specific schools to which you will be applying, as you will be asked to designate these at the time of the exams. If you need to send scores to schools after your initial designation, see the registration materials (keep copies) for additional forms, procedures, and charges. • Consider taking the MCAT review course offered on campus. Contact the Health Professions Office for more details or visit GRE (Graduate Record Exam) • There are two types of GRE Exams, the General Test and the Subject Test. • The General test measures verbal, quantitative and analytical ability in three different sub-tests. This test takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. • The Subject Tests measure knowledge and understanding in various disciplines. This test takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. • The GRE is required for admission to some veterinary schools, and for admission to most research-oriented post-baccalaureate programs (leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees). VCAT (Veterinary College Admissions Test) • The VCAT is given three times a year, usually in September/October, November, and January. The test takes 4 hours • It covers 5 areas: verbal ability, biology, chemistry, quantitative ability, and reading comprehension. • The VCAT should be taken in the year preceding the fall in which you will be making your application. • You should have completed or be near to completing General Biology, and General and Organic Chemistry. DAT (Dental Admissions Test) • The DAT is computerized and may be taken when you are ready. • Upon processing your registration materials you will be able to take the DAT here on campus at the Testing Center located in 126 Alumni Hall. • It covers: natural sciences (biology, and general & organic chemistry), reading comprehension (natural and basic sciences), quantitative reasoning, and perceptual ability (two and three dimensional problem solving). • The DAT is usually taken in the spring of the junior year. • You should have completed or be near to completing General Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. OAT (Optometry Admissions Test) • The OAT is given twice a year in the spring and fall, usually in February and October. • Registration deadlines are approximately one month before the exam. You are advised to submit your materials well in advance. • The OAT covers four sections: survey of natural sciences, physics, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. If you are unsure about your standing after taking one of these exams, consult with the Health Profession Office. It may be to your advantage to retake the exam (which you can do without penalty). Retaking an exam, however, may delay your date of admission. Recommendations And Composite Letters Health professions schools require recommendations, most request a composite letter others will request individual letters of recommendation. The Health Professions Committee prepares a composite letter. This committee is composed of faculty members from the various colleges at the University of Maine. It is advisable that you meet members of the health professions committee prior to requesting your composite letter. A list of Health Professions Committee members is available in the Health Professions Office or online. Your composite letter is a compilation of your individual letters of recommendation. The faculty member authoring your letter is recommending you on behalf of the University of Maine and the Health Professions Committee. In order to write an effective letter, he/she will need a complete health professions file including the following information: • 5-7 letters of recommendation for medical school, 3-5 letters for all other programs– request that both an email and hard copy of the letters be sent to the Health Professions Office. • A personal statement explaining your motivation for pursuing a health professions career • An updated transcript • A typed list of the schools (with addresses) to which you are applying emailed to the Health Professions Office • A resume or list of additional information including paid and non-paid experience • A completed waive rights to review the file form Tips: • Letters of recommendation should be from people who know you well, and can assess your qualifications with objectivity and insight. • Ask some faculty members to write letters assessing your abilities and potential for a successful health professions career. • At least two letters should be from members of the science faculty. • Obtain letters from people who know you in a professional manner, for example employers, coaches, summer internship coordinators, and physicians or researchers with whom you have worked. • Your Health Professions Mentor is a particularly important resource. He/she will be able to comment on your personal qualities as well as your aptitude and potential for a health profession career. • Avoid letters from your personal physician, family friends, relatives, clergy and politicians; these letters tend to be seen as highly subjective and biased. Admissions committees do not find such letters useful. Original letters remain on file in the Health Professions Office archives even after the student has graduated. Please contact the office if you desire to reactivate your file after graduation. Please Note: Recommendors and health professional school admissions committees prefer that you waive your right to read these recommendation letters. This action shows that you have confidence in yourself and in the people you have chosen to write on your behalf; also, school admissions committees tend to regard confidential letters as more candid. It is your choice whether or not you waive your right to view the file. The HPO has copies of waiver forms for you to sign if you so choose. The form is also included as part of the HP Student File Information Forms. Health Professions file must be completed by May 1st of the year you are intending to apply. Requests for composite letters must be received by the Health Professions office by May 1st. We cannot guarantee composite letters for requests received after May 1st. Students who GPA's are under a 3.0 must petition the Health Professions Committee for a composite letter. InterviewMost health professions schools require an interview as part of the admissions process. Perhaps the best advice is to be yourself, and to do so confidently but without arrogance. During the interview you may be asked your opinion of important issues affecting the health professions. In order to be well informed, you should regularly read newspapers, news magazines, and professional journals. Of course, you will not be informed on every issue, and it's best to say you are unfamiliar with an issue rather than to try to hide your ignorance. Other topics that may be explored in an interview include your motivation for a professional career, your personal assessment of your strengths and weaknesses, and your plans for meeting the financial aspects of your professional education. Thus, you should expect to be asked why you want to become a physician (or a veterinarian, or a dentist, etc.), why you have applied to that particular school, what you plan to do if not accepted, what aspects of your personality suit you to your planned profession, and even how you plan to finance your professional education. Check out http://www.interviewfeedback.com for questions that have been asked at interviews and for applicants' perspectives. Consider scheduling a practice interview. Arrangements may be made with the Career Center located in the Memorial Union. Thank You Notes and Other Professional CourtesiesAfter you have interviewed at a professional school, it is common courtesy to send a formal thank you note. You may use this opportunity to restate your interest in the program and provide additional information as to why they should consider you to be a strong candidate. For tips on writing thank you letters, visit: Applicant Responsibilities: • Observe application procedures at each school to which you apply • Applicants should respond promptly to all invitations for interviews • Make sure to notify the schools regarding any address and telephone number changes • Once you make a final decision as to where you will attend, please promptly withdraw any outstanding applications and notify any other schools to which you have been accepted. |
