Pre-Med FAQs 2013-2014

The following information represents some of the most frequently asked questions by health professional school applicants. This list was drawn up by W. Brian and Karen F. O'Connor, Pre-Medical Advisors. WE RECOMMEND STRONGLY THAT YOU READ THIS INFORMATION VERY CAREFULLY. This brochure has information pertinent to all students; from first semester freshmen to present applicants to health professional schools.

1. Where is the Pre-Medical Office?
   The office is located in Shade Tree Labs (a small blue building behind the south part of Morrill). THERE ARE NO SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS. Please drop by to pick up a handout (available on door) listing the hours and days for open advising times for W. Brian and Karen F. O'Connor, Pre-Med Advisors. Phone number (413) 545-3674 and email briano [at] bio [dot] umass [dot] edu and kareno [at] bio [dot] umass [dot] edu.
2. How and when should I register with the Pre-Med Office?
   All regular students who are completing their third semester at the university (1^st semester for transfers, special students, continuing education, 2^nd degree, graduates) should register at the pre-med office. This should be done regardless of your academic major. By registering with the office a student can then take advantage of advice and counseling from the Pre-Med Advisors.
3. Can one major in pre-med or pre-dent?
   The University offers a standard pre-medical/dental curriculum, which meets all of the requirements necessary to apply to health professional school. There is NO PRE-MED-PRE-DENT MAJOR. You should select a major that is interesting and challenging and allows you to pursue a variety of different career opportunities. You should select a major in the field of your greatest interest and ability. This should be done no later than 2nd semester Freshman year.
4. What and how important are the letters of recommendation for medical/dental and other professional schools?
   The Pre-Med Advisors, W. Brian O'Connor and Karen F. O'Connor will write the letter of recommendation. They will assess your academic performance at this university and when appropriate, relative to the academic performance of other students applying. These letters also address your laboratory research and health- and community service-related experiences. We also present an assessment of your overall personal qualities, (e.g. motivation, communication and writing skills) and evidence of your commitment to a medical/dental career. You can be very helpful to us by encouraging some of your instructors who are familiar with your academic and/or laboratory performance to send their comments to the Pre-Med Office. Such letters can be solicited anytime during your academic career here or elsewhere and can be sent to us in c/o of the Premed Office, c/o Department of Biology, Morrill Science Center UMass/Amherst, 01003, and we will begin a file on you. You have the right to read the letter or you may waive your right. Admission committees rely heavily on these to support and explain an academic record. Letters from family physicians, dentists or politicians usually do NOT help since they cannot evaluate your academic potential. Therefore it is absolutely necessary for you to get acquainted with your major advisor and/or instructors so they can evaluate your academic performance.
5. What are the minimal requirements for medical/dental schools or other health related schools?
   All health professional schools require a BS or BA and consequently students must have completed at least 90 credits toward a degree before applying. AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION (usually 12 months before matriculation), you should have completed at the time of application at least the following: one year of Biology with labs, two years of Chemistry with labs (1 of inorganic and 1 of organic) one year of Mathematics (preferably calculus), one year of Physics with labs and one of English. Many schools recommend/require additional courses in biology, biochemistry, chemistry and psychology. PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE THE MINIMAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND MANY MORE COURSES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF NOT REQUIRED.
6. Is there a good book where I can learn more about specific medical/dental schools without requesting several schools to send their catalogues?
   Your best bet is to write to the following or checkout Websites.
   
   Medical schools:
   Association of American Medical Colleges
   2450 N St. N.W.
   Attention: Section for Publication Orders
   Washington, D.C. 20037-1127
   Request the book entitled "Medical School Admission Requirements," 2013-2014, USA & CANADA
   
   Osteopathic medical schools:
   American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
   Office of Communications and Marketing
   5550 Friendship Blvd. Suite 310
   Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815-7231
   Request the book: “Osteopathic Medical College Information Book” 2013
   
   Dental schools:
   American Association of Dental Schools
   1400 K Street, N.W. Suite 1100
   Washington, D.C. 20005
   Request the book entitled: "Official Guide to Dental Schools: for students entering in Fall 2013"
   
   They are well worth the price and include a summary of admission requirements of each allopathic and osteopathic medical and dental school in this country and Canada. WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL STUDENTS ORDER THE APPROPRIATE BOOK THE SPRING BEFORE THEY PLAN ON SUBMITTING THEIR APPLICATIONS. In addition to admission requirements, they have valuable information regarding state residency preferences, foreign medical schools, and financial aid, as well as profiles of accepted applicants from the previous year (e.g. GPA, MCAT, DAT scores).
7. What is an approximate timetable for a student expecting to enroll in a medical, dental, or osteopathic medical school in August/September 2014?
   
   1. January through August 2013-submit application to MCAT, DAT, or other appropriate testing agency. We recommend taking the MCAT no later than mid-August and DAT no later than late November.
   2. March 2013-Order medical or dental school handbooks (see #6).
   3. Spring terms 2013-visit your advisor and make certain that he/she is up-to-date on your academic record, extracurricular activities, independent study, senior honors, etc. Remember he/she will be composing your letter of recommendation and coordinating your packet of letters.
   4. Attend workshop on application procedures on May 1, 2013 at 5:00 PM in Morrill II 222. ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING IS MANDATORY FOR APPLICANTS TO HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS FOR AUGUST 2013
   5. May –August 2013-request application(s).
   6. Summer 2013-Complete all applications, preferably no later than August 15-September 1, and request transcripts from the Registrar’s Office. Remember--YOU are responsible for requesting transcripts from each college/university you have attended and ONLY the appropriate Registrar can send your transcripts to the appropriate application service, school etc. WE DO NOT AND CANNOT SEND ANY TRANSCRIPTS ANYWHERE! Complete all forms mailed from the Pre-Med Office and either mail them back or bring them to the office when you return to campus. These forms indicate what schools we should mail your letters. We remind you again to please read the appropriate admission requirement books concerning residency requirements when determining which schools to apply to.
   August 15-September 1, 2013-all applications should be sent via electronic transmission to the appropriate agency. It is true that all medical and dental schools have deadlines later than September 1st , but past experiences force us to recommend that you try to get all the applications completed and sent before you get involved in classes, exams, etc., in September. Now, all you have to do is wait until August 1, 2014 to hear about interviews and/or acceptances.
   
   NOTE: Students interested in applying to any medical school via the EARLY DECISION PLAN must consult with the O’Connor’s before submitting an application. Generally only students with superior academic records and outstanding MCAT scores (36 or higher) are encouraged to apply through EDP. Deadline for EDP is August 1 and applicants must have taken the MCAT no later than June.
8. What is the so-called "success rate" of UMass/Amherst applicants to medical (allopathic and osteopathic) and other health professional schools?
   In the past 5 years the competition among applicants to both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools has been the greatest in the history of medical education in the United States.
   
   UMass/Amherst applicants to medical school for 9/11 who were accepted had AT LEAST a 3.6 cumulative average and at least a score of 32 on the MCAT. The academic profile for the 9/11 entering class at UMass Medical School: 120 students, GPA-3.7, average MCAT scores 10.75 in all areas (for a total of 33). Other necessary criteria were volunteer experiences, preferably health related and/or laboratory experience and excellent communication and writing skills. We do NOT wish or plan to discourage future applicants to medical school but we do expect all applicants to be realistic and to become very aware of the competition that they face.
   
   Applicants to dental, podiatry, optometry, and chiropractic schools have been very successful with approximately 80% for dental applicants and 95% for podiatry, optometry, and chiropractic applicants earning an acceptance.
9. What are some of the tests required for graduate and professional schools?
   
   ADMISSION TEST DATES FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS
   

   TEST	TEST DATE
   DENTAL ADMISSION TEST (DAT)	Computerized tests are available year round
   GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE)	Computerized tests are available year round
   MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (MCAT)	Computerized tests are available January-September
   OPTOMETRY ADMISSION TEST (OAT)	Computerized tests are available year round

10. How and when do I get applications for medical, osteopathic, dental, podiatry, and optometry schools?
    Most schools belong to a central online application service and initially require only one application, which is received and processed electronically and forwarded to indicated schools. The Pre-Med Office sponsors an application workshop on the last day of classes in the spring semester (May 1, 2013 at 5:00 PM Morrill II 222).
    
    APPLICATION SERVICES
    American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
    
    American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
    
    American Association of Dental Schools
    
    Association of American Medical Colleges
    phone: (202) 828-0600
    email: amcas [at] aamc [dot] org
    
    Central Application Service for Physician Assistants
    phone: (240) 497-1895
    email: CaspaInfo [at] caspaonline [dot] org
    
    American Association of Pharmacy Colleges
    phone: (703) 739-2330
    email: info [at] pharmcas [dot] org