Many students majoring in Biology at Loyola College consider a career in medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine. For these students, the best place to start when considering a pre-health career is to consultwith the Pre-Health Advisor at Loyola, Dr. Bradley Levin (bhlevin@loyola.edu; Tel 410-617-2874).  It is also advisable to discuss these career options with your academic advisor, other students considering pre-health professions, and practitioners in your desired field of interest.  

The success of Loyola’s pre-health professions program has been outstanding. Our medical, dental and veterinary school acceptance rates typically exceed the national average. Traditionally, most of our pre-med students have gone to University of Maryland, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins University, but in recent years more of our students have applied to and have been accepted by a broader range of schools including Loyola University Chicago, Harvard University, Rochester University, Duke University, Emory University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Pittsburgh, St. Louis University, Medical College of Virginia, University of West Virginia, Robert Wood Johnson University, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Uniformed Services University. In addition, we have been sending 2-3 students a year to colleges of osteopathic medicine throughout the United States. Close to 100% of our pre-dental students are accepted by dental colleges. Loyola has also experienced outstanding success in the placement of its pre-veterinary graduates. Many students choose biology or chemistry as majors for pre-professional preparation. It is also possible to take a non-science major and to gain pre-medical, pre-dental or pre-veterinary preparation by taking electives in biology, chemistry and physics.

FAQ For Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Students
(Note: This Document has been Adapted from University of Syracuse, St. Mary’s College in California, Stony Brook State University of New York and Providence College pre-Health Advising websites.)

Do I need to have a 4.0 GPA to get accepted to medical/dental school?

No. The average GPA for admitted students to medical school is approximately 3.5 and to dental schools is approximately 3.3. You should aim to get A’s and B’s in your courses. Remember too that every grade you get in college will be looked at by medical schools, so any poor grades on your transcripts will also be taken into account when considering your application.

I know that admissions committees look at how much volunteer experience I have. How much time should I spend doing volunteer work?

Quality is more important than quantity. You should commit at least four to six hours each week for the year prior to application. You should select at least one activity where you are making an impact and the work is making an impact on you. It is important to take an active role in your volunteer work.

What does it take to enter and succeed in medical/dental school?

1. Motivation and intelligence
2. Well-rounded college education. 
3. Completion of college prerequisites for medical school entrance:
4. 1. Good academic performance
   2. High grade point average--usually, between 3.3 and 3.6 on a 4-point scale
5. Preparation for the medical college admission test (MCAT) or dental admission test (DAT)
6. Timely and successful performance on the MCAT or DAT. Competitiveness of MCAT and DAT scores varies with the institutions that you are applying to and the strength of your other credentials.
7. Evidence of motivation for the profession
8. Evidence of interest in service
9. Evidence of leadership
10. Strong letters of recommendation
11. Well written personal statement
12. Timely applications to medical schools
13. Good communication skills

Do I have to major in science to become a competitive candidate for medical/dental school?

Many students planning to apply to medical school think they should major in science and they will be less competitive candidates as humanities or social science majors. This, however, is not the case. Premedical/predental students should use the same criteria for choosing a major that other students use: What discipline is most interesting and most challenging? Which field draws best on your talents and abilities? Premed/predental course work can fit into a nonscience major with careful planning and advice from the premed adviser and program faculty advisers.

When deciding on a major, several points are worth noting:

I have heard Organic Chemistry is a “weed out” course for premedical/predental students.

Organic chemistry is a very challenging class that covers a lot of material, and so it is similar to the kinds of classes you will encounter in medical schools and that is why the admissions committee will look closely at these grades. In addition organic chemistry is required before you take the MCAT/DAT.

What are the steps to applying to medical/dentalschool?

The primary medical school application you will submit is through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for MD schools, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) for DO schools and  for dental school it is the American Association for Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Your AMCAS/AACOMAS/AADSAS application will contain your personal information, college transcript, MCAT/DAT scores, volunteer work, awards, and personal statement. The same information is sent to all of the schools to which you wish to apply. If you are applying to one of the non  AMCAS/AACOMAS/ AADSAS schools it's best to contact the school directly for application details.

Complete required coursework

When do I take the medical school or dental admission test?

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT ) examinations are usually taken in the Spring of the junior year. The admission test must be taken the year before the individual wants to begin attending medical or dental school. The MCAT is offered in April and August. It is recommended that you take the Spring MCAT because of the rolling admission nature of medical schools. Similarly, you should plan to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in the spring of your junior year or the summer before you apply to dental schools.

How do I select a medical/dental school?

Before you apply to medical and dental school, it is crucial that you do your research as it is time consuming and expensive to apply. Begin the process by narrowing down the list. Review the medical and dental schools admissions information. Some schools only accept in-state residents so if you are not a resident in that state then it is not worth your time and money to apply there. Your best chances of acceptance into medical or dental school are in the state schools where you claim legal residence. State schools are supported by tax dollars and, therefore, are obligated to accept students from that state. Some states do not have medical or dental schools. If you live in such a state, your state has a contract with public or private schools in other states that require them to treat you as an in-state student. Generally, out-of-state applicants to a state-supported medical or dental school need to present credentials superior to those of state applicants. Private schools place less emphasis on state of residency.

Since schools differ in their admissions requirements, you will need to determine those schools that you are qualified to attend. Competition to get into medical and dental schools is intense. You need to be realistic about your admission chances. Look at the average GPA and admission test scores of the people that are getting accepted to the various schools. Check to see where students from your college with your GPA and admission test scores have been accepted.

School Ranking/Reputation

Many applicants try to identify "the best medical school." There are probably ten to fifteen schools which most professionals agree are prestigious, although they might argue about their exact ranking. Before you put undue emphasis on the rankings, study the methodology used to determine them. A school's reputation does play a role in how easily its graduates obtain some competitive residency positions. How much of a role is uncertain and varies with the specialty.

Cost

Cost is another factor to consider. The average charges for medical or dental school tuition and fees vary markedly among schools. The charge, especially at public schools, may be different for students who are in-state from out-of-state residents. In general, state schools are less expensive than private schools. Some schools consider you an in-state resident for admission purposes but not when it comes to calculating your tuition so be sure to check that you are in-state resident for both admission and tuition.

Location

There are medical and dental schools throughout the United States, its Territories, Canada, and in most other countries. Students normally consider factors such as geographic locations, their state-residency status, where they want to live and practice permanently, the location of their support systems, and unique personal or family requirements when selecting a school.

The first factor you should consider when selecting schools is your state of residence. Being considered an in-state student is one of the few ways to still get a (relatively) inexpensive education. You do not necessarily have to live in the state where the school is located to be considered in-state. Several states have made special arrangements so that their citizens can be considered in-state applicants at specific schools located in other states. You also, of course, have a better chance of acceptance at your state school(s) than at most other schools. Note that many private schools also give some preference to in-state residents.

Some students pick a school on the basis of where they want to live permanently. This is a mistake. Most physicians do not ultimately practice in the city where they attended medical school. Rather, physicians tend to settle near the city where they complete their residencies.

Finally, you need to feel comfortable at the school. Would you feel safe, comfortable, and "at home" in that area of the country, that city, or that part of the city? Just because you are not familiar with a particular type of locale, however, is no reason to dismiss it. Locations often grow on you.

Teaching Hospitals and Clinics

Knowing about the school's affiliated teaching hospitals or clinics is also a part of the selection process. You will be doing your clinical rotations predominantly in those hospitals and clinics that are designated as teaching hospitals of that school.

Safety

For some schools, actual physical safety may be a concern. The federal Campus Security Act requires all U.S. colleges and universities to publish an annual security report containing campus security policies and procedures, campus crime statistics, campus programs to prevent sexual assault, and procedures to report sex offenses. These reports must be distributed to current and prospective students. Few schools spontaneously send out such information; but they will if you ask for it.

Curriculum

Different schools emphasize different aspects of medicine and dentistry. Some schools are geared toward research. Others are more clinically oriented, sometimes giving the students patient contact during the first or second year. Some medical colleges prefer to produce family practitioners while others like to train specialists. With your interests in mind, become familiar with an institution's emphasis.

Special Programs

Many medical colleges offer special programs to their students. One such program is the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). This six-year program, specifically designed for high-achieving students interested in a career in academic medicine, is funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and leads to a combined MD.-Ph.D. degree. Tuition plus an annual stipend are awarded. Other M.D.-Ph.D. programs exist, as well as M.D.-M.P.H. and M.D.-M.S. programs. Some schools even offer a combined M.D.-J.D. program for students interested in careers in legal medicine or medical law.

Many dental schools offer combined degree programs that give students the opportunity to obtain their D.D.S. or D.M.D. Twenty-schools have formal combined bachelor's and dental degree programs. These programs may shorten the length of training.

How many schools should I apply to?

Applying to graduate schools of the health professions is an expensive, time consuming process, but the number of schools you apply to as well as the quality of your applications can have an impact on when and if you get into a professional school. As a strategy, applying to a low number of schools is most effective when an applicant is exceptionally strong, and would most likely be able to have their pick of schools no matter how many applications they put in. For an applicant who does not have the luxury of resting his or her hopes on a record that is absolutely outstanding in all ways, applying to a low number of schools can often be a counterproductive factor.

Important Points to Remember

A lot of students have to be careful with their money. You might benefit from looking at last year's application materials, or getting this year's materials early and estimating the cost of your application.

The average age of students entering medical schools is approximately 26 and so this means that a lot of students wait to apply. Many of these students have chosen to pursue other interests before applying to medical schools, such as working in the biomedical profession, teaching, working in service organizations or even completing masters degrees. The advice would be to pursue something that you truly are passionate about experiencing. In some cases students complete post-baccalaureate degrees to improve their academic credentials.

Should I take the  MCAT in April Or August?

All other things being equal, the April MCAT is better than August. That is, if your MCAT score (and everything else) would be just as strong regardless of whether you took the test in April or August, you would be better off with an April MCAT. Your applications would be completed quicker; you might start getting interviews earlier in the season; and you might even hear about acceptances sooner. These things sound good, don't they?

However, anyone who is involved in medical school admissions will tell you that there are a good number of August MCAT takers who get more interviews than many April MCAT takers. Some of these August MCAT takers get more medical school acceptances--and get accepted to more competitive schools..

If going for an April MCAT is going to weaken the rest of your application, August is probably a better bet.

Think of a premedical student who is taking a full course load. Some heavy science courses make the program particularly challenging. In addition to that, the student is working on a research project. Perhaps this premedical student also holds down a part-time job . Don't forget the need to visit professors during office hours, to ask for letters of recommendation, or gain more health-related experience. Now, take that schedule and add an MCAT review course to it, a few more hours of study in the evening (every evening), and the extra stress and worry that come from the slow, steady approach of a difficult and draining exam. As fatigue and frustration increase, good grades and the ability to go into the MCAT prepared and confident could slowly slip out of reach.

So, if a student has a sensation that the additional burden of preparing for an April MCAT would have a negative influence on other crucial aspects of the application package, the August MCAT is worthy of the most serious consideration. Moreover, one reason why many August takers opt for an MCAT at the end of summer is that they want more time to review for the exam. This is a perfectly plausible reason to choose August. Opinions differ as to how much a student can benefit from the extra summer months of study. One thing, however, is certain: taking the time to prepare well for the MCAT is better than not being ready!

Some April MCAT takers get into medical school. Some do not. The same holds true for August MCAT takers. After all the years of hard work that you have put towards your career goals, you want to make sure that you make a well-motivated decision that is right for you, one that maximizes your chances for success.

Postscript: Of course, premedical students who are applying to one medical school as an EDP (Early Decision Program) applicant do need to have an April MCAT (or an MCAT taken a year prior).

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Courses Required for Admission to Medical School
(MD, DO, DVM, DPM)

1. Courses on the MCAT and required for admission
2. General Chemistry I, II + labs (1^st year)
3. Organic Chemistry I, II + labs
4. BL118/119 (Cell and Molecular Biology and lab) and BL121/126 (Organismal Biology and lab)
5. Introductory Physics I, II + labs (or General Physics I, II + labs)

1 other required course for admission

• Math - 1 semester at level of MA251 (Calculus I) or MA265 (Biostatistics) (Some schools require 2 courses.)
• Other recommended courses
• BL201/202 (Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity)
• BL431 (Biochemistry)

Additional recommendation for Dental school (DDS)

• BL 332/334 (Microbiology w/lab)

All students interested in a career in the health professions are strongly recommended to enroll in General Chemistry I + lab during the first semester of their freshman year.

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Overview of the Application Process for Medical and Dental Schools

(Note this is adapted from the St. Mary’s College of California Undergraduate programs school of Science web site)

There are several steps to be accepted to medical or dental schools. You must have:

• A competitive grade point average (GPA)
• Completed the required course work
• Earned competitive scores on the admissions test (MCAT, DAT)
• Submitted an application
• Submitted letters of recommendation/committee evaluation
• Submitted secondary applications (if required by the school)
• Have an interview at the medical or dental school (if required by the school).

In addition to strengthen your application, it is highly recommended that you participate in volunteer or part-time work. You must note however that simply completing these steps will NOT guarantee entrance to professional school. Also, just meeting the minimum standards does not make the student a competitive applicant as many student's GPAs and admission test scores far exceed the minimum requirements.

Grades

Good grades are extremely important. Most schools state a minimum grade point average. Because of the high caliber of large numbers of applicants, students should realize that acceptance with only the minimum grade point average is highly unlikely. On the other hand, it is impossible to say that all those with outstanding GPAs are accepted since grades are only one criterion for selection.

Required Course Work

For most medical and dental schools, the science prerequisite requirements include the following courses:

• One year of calculus (NOTE: this can vary from school to school)
• One year of general chemistry
• One year of biological sciences
• One year of organic chemistry
• One year of physics

The prerequisites vary slightly (especially the math requirement) but all schools recommend the above course work. Some schools have additional required course work. Applicants should contact the individual schools for the admission requirements for that particular institution.

Complete the Application

Both medical and dental schools have a central application service. The application service for medical school is the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), for osteopathic school it is the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS), and for dental school it is the American Association for Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). The central application services do not make admission decisions. Their only responsibility is to process, duplicate, and send your application, admission test scores, and transcripts to the participating schools to which you apply.

The application must be completed the year prior to beginning medical or dental school. This is usually the student's junior year. Completing the application includes providing demographic information, submitting transcripts, paying the fee, writing a personal statement, and choosing the medical or dental schools that you want to receive your application. Once your application is complete, a copy will be sent by the central application service to the schools that you have chosen to receive your application.

Letters of Recommendation

Usually letters of recommendation are required by the school to which you are applying. At Loyola we have a  pre-health committee and so you will obtain a committee letter instead of individual letters. This is based on letters from faculty members (at least one should be from a science professor), physicians or dentists that you have worked with, or organizations with whom you have done volunteer or part-time work. Faculty evaluations are very important to the admissions procedure; therefore, it is necessary to become acquainted with your professors. The trend at many professional schools is to emphasize "intangible" qualities that a person in a health profession should possess. They seriously evaluate your ability to be successful both in professional school and as a practicing professional. They prefer information from both science and non-science proffessors who can address your ability to read, write, support your ideas, logically draw conclusions, and organize your work.

Some medical or dental schools may request individual letters from professors, and in this case, you are responsible for requesting these letters.

Secondary Applications

About five weeks after you submit all your application materials, you should begin receiving secondary applications from some schools. Each medical and dental school has their own form. The secondary application often includes another essay. Most forms will ask specific questions such as the reasons you are particularly interested in that school.

The worst possible move is to procrastinate in filling them out and with submitting any requested materials. Be sure that you return your secondary application in a TIMELY fashion. If you delay, it may appear that you are not very interested. Some schools will not consider secondary applications returned more than three weeks after they were sent to the applicant. When you return the application material to the school, use a fast delivery method, such as overnight mail, with a way to track it.

Admission Examination

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for most medical and osteopathic schools. It is offered in April and August. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required for dental schools. This exam is offered on a computer year round. These exams should be taken the year before you want to begin medical or dental school. This is usually the student's junior year.

It is recommended that you begin studying for these exams months in advance. Do not plan on "cramming" for the exam the night before.

There are professional courses offered to assist with your preparation. These courses are offered by profit oriented organizations who have made a business of assisting students in the preparation for these exams. The average cost is approximately $1,000-$1,500. Two organizations that offer review courses are Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Centers and Princeton Review. In addition, you may also want to purchase one or more of the professional books that assist with the preparation for these exams. These books are sold at bookstores.

Interview

Nearly everyone who gets invited for an interview has the "paper credentials" to get into medical or dental school so the interview is a very important determinate as to whether an individual is accepted or not. Most, but not all, medical and dental schools interview applicants. These interviews have two purposes: to assess applicants' characteristics and to "sell" students on their schools.

In general, interviewers want to be sure that candidates fit in with their school's culture, that the applicant has good social skills, and that he or she has the maturity to make a career decision to be a physician or dentist. Characteristics that interviewers most commonly assess are: evidence of extracurricular activities; communication skills; empathy and concern for others; social awareness and self-awareness; and knowledge, judgment, and problem-solving abilities.

Medical and dental schools also strive to entice individuals whom they see as the "best" applicants to come to their school by showing off the school's best points. They do this by demonstrating their academic strengths and most-impressive facilities, and by emphasizing their community's benefits.

Volunteer or Part-Time Work

Extra curricular activities are taken into account by most admission committees. A student's work load, work experience both in and out of the chosen profession, hobbies, and more traditional activities seem to be helpful toward admission.

Volunteer work is important for several reasons. It shows that the individual is interested in helping members of the community. Volunteer or part-time work in a health-care setting can help the applicant become familiar with the profession and give thoughtful insight into the career that they want to enter. Some ideas are to observe a doctor or dentist; volunteer at a hospital, medical or dental clinic; or volunteer at a hospice program. There are endless possibilities on the type of volunteer/part-time work you can pursue in the health arena. While it is important to participate in some volunteer work in a health-care setting, not all of the applicants volunteer work needs to be in this type of environment. Participation in community activities such as Habitat for Humanity or other service groups is an excellent means of demonstrating a concern for others. Other activities such as serving as a committee member on a local club or student organization demonstrates your ability to work well with others.

Students often participate in research work during the summer months. This is great exposure and experience and it is recommended that students get involved in some type of research. Even if you chose to not do research, be sure that you have exposure to the profession that you want to pursue.

The activities that you choose should be ones that you are genuinely interested in and ones that you are willing to devote adequate time. A few well chosen activities in which you actively participate in is better than a long list of activities for which you merely sign up. Remember that your academic performance is your first priority. It will not do you much good to have a lot of extracurricular activities if your grades suffer.

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Information on Medical and Dental School Interviews

(Adapted from University of Syracuse, and St. Mary’s College in California Pre-health Websites)

One of the common mistakes that student make is that they do not prepare for the interview. The interviewers want to know that you have given thought to your personal characteristics. They want to know what makes you special from the other applicants. They want to see that you are familiar with what is occurring in the profession (new research, information on managed care, new procedures etc).

Purpose of the Interview

Most, but not all, medical and dental schools interview applicants. These interviews have two purposes: to assess applicants' characteristics and to "sell" students on their schools. In general, interviewers want to be sure that candidates fit in with their school's culture and mission and have the maturity to make a career decision.

Part of the purpose of assessing an applicant's characteristics is to predict the individual's success in medical or dental school. The characteristics that most medical and dental school interviewers commonly assess are: evidence of extracurricular activities; communication skills; empathy and concern for others; social awareness and self-awareness; and knowledge, judgment, and problem-solving abilities. Other characteristics assessed include: emotional stability, integrity, responsibility, academic performance and ability, learning approach and study habits, health-related clinical-research experience, coping skills and support, community service, leadership, work experience, and appearance. Interviewers generally assess communication and language skills informally. However, most students' interview ratings are affected by extremely good, or poor, language skills.

Medical and dental schools also strive to entice individuals whom they see as the "best" applicants to come to their school by showing off the school's best points. They do this by demonstrating their academic strengths and most-impressive facilities, and by emphasizing their community's benefits.

How Important is the Interview

VERY important! Nearly everyone who gets invited for an interview has the "paper credentials" to get into medical or dental school. Their GPAs are at least adequate, their MCAT or DAT scores are competitive, they have some clinical or research experience, and their reference letters imply that they possess most of the qualities necessary to survive medical or dental training and to be physicians or dentists. So the interview is a very important determinate as to whether an individual is accepted to medical or dental school.

How to Prepare for Your Medical/Dental School Interview

• Research the school. Browse through their catalog; look at their web page; if possible, contact students that are currently attending the school or contact graduates.
• Conduct a self-assessment. What are you strengths and weaknesses, why do you want to be a physician or dentist, what were important events that happened to you?
• Read professional journals and newspapers. Become familiar with current trends in the profession and changes in the health care system.

Confirm Your Interview

Although you are expected to be on time and at the correct location, either you or the school may have made a scheduling error. It is very embarrassing for an applicant to show up on the wrong day for a scheduled interview because of miscommunication.

Occasionally there is an unexpected event at the school that mandates that interviews be postponed or rescheduled. Mistakes also can happen, especially when there are dozens or hundreds of individuals interviewing at the same school during a short period of time. And since you may very well be on the road, there may be no way to contact you about such a situation. The professional way to avoid complications is to call ahead to confirm your interview a day or two before traveling to the school. That way you stand little chance of making a wasted trip or being embarrassed by a scheduling mistake.

General Interview Tips

• Be prepared
• Wear appropriate interview attire
• Be yourself, remember that the interviewers are human
• If you do not understand a question, ask them to clarify it, do not attempt to stumble through it
• If you do not know the answer to a question, it is appropriate to say "I do not know"
• Smile, use your good sense of humor
• Have good eye contact
• Have a positive attitude
• Arrive early...DO NOT BE LATE
• Have a healthy and confident body posture
• Listen, answer the question
• Be honest
• Manage your stress (arrive early, being prepared, breathe)
• Use good manners
• Prepare questions for you to ask during the interviews

Dressing for the Interview

It is best to dress conservatively. Wear clothes that are comfortable and that you are not going to have to adjust during the interview.

Timeliness

You will make a major impact on all interviewers, a significantly negative impact, if you are late for your appointments. Excuses do not work on medical or dental school faculty. Their time is valuable, and faculty members have set some of it aside to interview you. Do not waste their time, or yours, by being late.

Of course, unavoidable delays do occur. Unexpected bad weather and transportation breakdowns are the two most common causes. If you run into difficulties that will cause you to be late, have the courtesy to call ahead. Even if you only think that you might be delayed due to these or other valid factors, let the school know early. They will then be able to reschedule people and, possibly, to work you in at a later time or on a later date. Do not leave them wondering what happened to you.

Interview Format

A Typical Interview:

The most common interview is the one-on-one serial interview, in which you go from interviewer to interviewer, with each asking his or her own questions. Some schools have panel interviews.

Most experienced interviewers begin the interview, after suitable amenities, by gathering information, such as why the applicant wants to be a physician or dentist, how he or she got interested in medicine or dentistry, what the applicant knows about the profession, and what direct exposure he or she has had to medicine or dentistry. Next, they will often inquire about the applicant's family, personal background, interests, education, and anything in the application packet that needs to be clarified. Finally, most interviewers allow time for applicants' questions. If interviewers believe the applicant to be a "good catch" as a prospective student, they make a sales pitch for the school.

Panel Interviews:

Occasionally, you will be faced with the panel or group interview, in which several individuals all interview you at the same time. These interviews will generally be conducted using either a question or a scenario format. In the question format, each panel member asks his or her own questions. In the scenario format, candidates discuss scenarios/situations with the entire panel.

Your best approach in the panel type of interview is to look at the individual who asked the question when you answer. In the case of the scenario, since it is a question from the entire group, look at all the members while answering. If an individual member asks you a follow-up question, address only that person when answering. Do not try to determine the most influential people on the panel and direct most of your attention to them.

Open and Closed-File Interviews:

Most schools supply their interviewers with at least the important information from applicants' admission packets, so that they have an opportunity to review it in advance. This way, interview time is not wasted re-hashing information the applicant has already supplied to the school. This is an "open-file" interview.

Some schools do not supply the interviewers with anything other than the applicant's name. They believe that without this information, the interviewer will have a more objective view of the applicant and will not be influenced by knowledge of the applicant's academic record. These are "closed-file" interviews. If you are faced with this situation, you will need to recite everything you put in your application to many interviewers. In this setting, some interviewers simply abandon the factual information and ask questions designed to demonstrate your personal characteristics.

After Your Interview

After your interview send a thank-you letter to the interviewers within a few days after your interview, not a month later. Do not send a generic letter. Include information in the letter that refers to items that you talked about. This will refresh their memory about your conversation and it will also show that you have thought about your interview. You may want to summarize why you are interested in attending that school.

Interviewers may be faculty members (physicians or biomedical researchers), medical students, administrators, or sometimes alumni of the medical school.

Rather than being asked questions about yourself, you may be asked to respond to questions on bioethics with hypothetical situations described and you respond as to how to deal with them. Two real examples from recent interviews around the country are:

• A patient who has been in an accident needs a blood transfusion. She states that her religion does not allow them. You are the physician in charge. What will you do? Will you override her strong objection? Why/why not?
• If you have the choice of giving a transplant to a successful elderly member of the community or a 20-year old drug addict, how do you choose?

There are no correct answers to these kinds of questions, but you are expected to be able to respond clearly and thoughtfully, and to continue to do so if the questioner presses you beyond your first response. The fact is, that you have, presumably, already been thinking about the moral dilemmas and ethical questions that physicians face and that you personally will face if you become a physician. The kind of reading you should have done because of your interest in medicine, whether in newspapers, medical journals, novels, nonfiction material, or other sources, will be useful to you.

One statement that is very commonly discussed these days at the beginning of an interview is:

• Tell me about yourself-I have not read anything about you! Think about this ahead of time, and how you will choose to describe yourself. When you describe yourself include information about your experiences, academics, as well as the social aspect of your life (e.g. hobbies).

It is recommended that you have some of your own questions for the interviewers. These questions can include information about the curriculum, faculty, teaching styles etc.

Questions/Topics Often Discussed/Observed

• Why do you want to go into medicine? To become a doctor? Why not a nurse?
• What will you do if you are not accepted to medical school this year?
• Where do you envision yourself in ten years? (geographical location and type of practice)
• Since I have control of the interview, what have I not directed you to that you feel I should know about you?
• Tell me about any work/volunteer experience you have had in a medical setting.
• Describe yourself in terms of your greatest strengths and weaknesses.
• I have not heard of Loyola College. Tell me about it.
• Where do you hope to practice? In what setting?
• What motivated you towards the study of medicine?
• Tell me about your research project, if any.
• What recent books have you read? What newspapers, journals, etc., do you read on a regular basis?
• Why did you choose your undergraduate major?
• What extracurricular activities were you involved in during your undergraduate major?
• What qualities do you look for in a physician?
• Where do we stand in your list of medical school preferences?
• What is the most pressing health issue today?
• What experiences have you had in community involvement that demonstrate your commitment to medicine?
• How do you think your personal background will affect your practice?
• How do you plan to finance your medical school education?
• What is special about you as a candidate for medical school?
• What do you think are a doctor's social responsibilities?
• What are the negative aspects of medicine from a professional standpoint?
• Would you like academic medicine as a career?
• How might you deal with a terminally ill patient?
• If you want to help people, why not social work?
• Describe any travels that you have undertaken and exposure to other cultures than your own, if any. 
• Do you prefer the idea of basic research or of working with people?
• Have you an alternative career plan?
• When you need counseling for personal problems, whom do you talk with?
• Describe your childhood and present living conditions.
• How will you keep in touch with community needs?
• How did you handle blood and gore (or how do you expect to)?
• Tell us your opinion of this medical school's curriculum. 
• Discuss National Health Insurance and how it would affect the physician and the patient.
• Do you feel that medical students receiving federal loans should spend time practicing medicine in a rural area to give society something in return?
• What are the differences between Britain's health care delivery system and ours?
• What do you think about Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)?
• What other schools have you applied to?
• What is the biggest problem in the world today?
• What is your solution to terrorism?
• How do you feel about euthanasia?

Interviewers may be faculty members (dentists or biomedical researchers), dental students, administrators, or sometimes alumni of the dental school who interview you in their own office.

Rather than being asked questions about yourself, you may be asked to respond to questions on bioethics with hypothetical situations described and you respond as to how to deal with them. There are no correct answers to these kinds of questions, but you are expected to be able to respond clearly and thoughtfully, and to continue to do so if the questioner presses you beyond your first response. The fact is, that you have, presumably, already been thinking about the moral dilemmas and ethical questions that dentists face and that you personally will face if you become a dentist. The kind of reading you should have done because of your interest in dentistry, whether in newspapers, dental journals, novels, nonfiction material, or other sources, will be useful to you, as will the discussions you have probably had in classes and with friends and family over the years.

One question is very commonly asked these days at the beginning of an interview:

• Tell me about yourself. (Think about this ahead of time, and how you will choose to describe yourself). When you describe yourself include information about your experiences, academics, as well as the social aspect of your life (e.g. hobbies).

It is recommended that you have some of your own questions for the interviewers.

Questions/Topics Often Discussed/Observed

• Why do you want to become a dentist?
• What kind of dentistry might interest you?
• What experiences stirred your interest in dentistry?
• Why are you applying to this school?
• Is it your first choice? If not, where does it come on your list?
• Do you like this city?
• Are any of your relatives dentists? If so, where did they go to school?
• How would you rate your ability with your hands on a scale of 1-10? Why?
• At what age were you first aware that you have good manual dexterity?
• Why did you take the DAT only once (if so)?
• If there are weak areas in your DAT scores, interviewers may ask about them.
• Do you have any questions? (It is a good idea to have some ready).
• Have you had any practical experience in dentistry?
• What other work experience have you had?
• To which other schools are you applying?
• How do you plan to pay for dental school and living expenses?
• Why dental, rather than medical school?
• What if you had a patient who did not pay?
• What is your opinion of National Health Insurance?
• Do you like people? Are there any your dislike? Why?
• What negative things have you heard about dentistry?
• Do you get depressed? If so, how do you deal with it?
• What kinds of interpersonal relationships do you have?
• Extracurricular activities.
• Why did you choose your undergraduate major?
• What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of your personality?
• Political attitudes about dentistry, government, etc.
• How might you calm a nervous patient?

There are chalk-carving, clay modeling and coordination tests at some schools. They may tell you about them and how to practice ahead of time.

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Writing Your Personal Statement
(Adapted from St. Mary’s College in California and Franklin and Marshall pre-health advising websites)  

The medical school and dental school applications require that you write a personal statement. This statement allows you to tell the admissions committee anything that you want them to know about you that is not included in other parts of the application. For allopathic medical schools and dental school you have one-page to tell the admissions counselor what you want them to know about you. On the application for osteopathic schools, you have a half-page to convey this information. Since this is the only contact you will have with the admissions committee members prior to an interview, your objective should be to write as clear, concise, well-organized and interesting an essay as possible. Try to let your personality and individuality come through in your writing: Admissions committees are trying to develop a better understanding of you as an individual, so do all you can to help them.

The personal statement is often the part of the application that students put off until the end because they do not want to do it. This is not a good idea. You will want, and need, plenty of time to make changes. It is a good idea to ask others to read it over for you. Ask people that are willing to provide you with honest feedback and remember that their comments are just suggestions. Ultimately, it is YOUR PERSONAL statement.

You are allowed only one page for personal comments and you must use at least a 10 point font. Once you submit your personal essay no changes can be made to your application so be sure that it is well-written and proof-read over and over again. Be sure that there are no typos!

This is your opportunity to convey your message so be selective about what you chose to write. It is not a good idea to include a lot of information about what is included in other parts of the application. For example, do not tell the reader what courses you have taken.

Your essay should be focused, positive, and personal. Pick one theme for your essay and stick with it; your first statement should be related to your closing statement. Do not try to write about six different topics in a one-page paper. Provide specific examples, drawing from your own experience. Illustrate your point with examples. Be honest and do not exaggerate your responsibilities or qualifications.

In order to stimulate ideas for your topics, here are some questions that you can ask yourself:

• Why did I choose medicine or dentistry as a career?
• What were some of the turning points in my life?
• What were some of the biggest challenges in my life, and how did I handle them?
• What person most influenced my life, and how?
• What event most influenced my life, and how?
• What are the reasons for the major decisions in my life?
• What are my future goals, and why?

If you have anything in your background which you feel needs to be explained, include it in your personal statement. If you missed a year because of illness or family problems, or had a difficult semester because your work schedule was too heavy, discuss these here. On the other hand, do not feel compelled to discuss the only "C" you received as this will just call attention to it. Make the explanation as positive as possible, stressing what you have learned from the experience. Could it be that you are a stronger candidate because you have been through this experience?

Anecdotal events are often more effective than pure descriptive passages. A well-written, heartwarming anecdote about delivering "meals on wheels" to an elderly shut-in is often more effective than a statement listing such qualities as compassion, empathy, and understanding. Anecdotes about unusual topics are often informative and more interesting reading for the admission committee.

Anything you choose to write in your personal statement should also be something which you feel comfortable discussing. It is best not to broach a topic which you know little about, but which you feel looks impressive. The interviewer may well start a discussion about this, and if you are not prepared, it will raise a question about the credibility of your whole application. Be yourself and write about your best points.

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Should I Pursue an MD/PhD?
(Adapted from Franklin and Marshall pre-health website)

There are three routes to a career in academic medicine. One is to earn an MD or DO and to pursue post-MD or DO research training. The second is to either complete the MD or DO first and then pursue a Ph.D. or to complete the Ph.D. first and then pursue the MD or DO. M.D./Ph.D. programs, however, are designed to prepare students for a career in academic medicine. Students who pursue M.D./Ph.D. degrees are primarily interested in biomedical research, although they may hope to teach and/or to have a limited clinical practice. Completion of both degrees generally takes 6 to 8 years. The most common format is: 2 years of medical school training; 3 years for Ph.D. research and dissertation; and, depending on the school, 1 or 2 years for completion of medical school requirements. Students who are admitted to M.D./Ph.D. programs are generally awarded funding for medical school tuition and a stipend; some schools, however, offer support solely for the Ph.D. portion of the program.

There are currently about 110 medical schools that offer M.D./Ph.D. programs; 29 institutions have Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP) that are funded by the National Institute of General Medical Studies. While most schools focus on Ph.D. degrees in the basic sciences, or in areas pertinent to medicine, some schools offer opportunities to earn Ph.D. degrees in disciplines outside of the sciences.

Students who are interested in applying to M.D./Ph.D. programs must have substantial research experience and strong academic credentials, particularly in science. Most applicants are science majors, although a few engineering students apply. Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to a career in research and a talent for independent investigation.

Application Process

Students must request an application from the M.D./Ph.D. Program Office at each medical school. The application generally requests information concerning the applicant's research interests and experience and is submitted in addition to the AMCAS and secondary applications. Two sets of Committee letters and/or recommendations must be sent: one to the M.D./Ph.D. Program Office, and one to the medical school admission office. Most medical schools evaluate students' credentials for the M.D./Ph.D. program and let applicants know early in the process if they are not competitive. Students are often given the option of being considered for the M.D. program only.

Students who are invited to visit can expect a lengthy day of interviews with research scientists at the medical school. Most schools will arrange overnight accommodations as the interview process for both degrees usually takes at least a day and a half. Applicants are asked to talk about their research experiences in detail.

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

Within the biomedical science community, the need for clinical investigators who have been well trained in basic research has long been recognized. To help meet this need, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) established the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) to encourage and support the training of students with outstanding credentials and potential who, through an integrated program of scientific and medical study leading to the combined MD-PhD degree, are motivated to undertake a career in biomedical research and academic medicine. The program's goal is to prepare its graduates to function independently in both basic research and clinical investigation. The majority of MSTP graduates go on to careers in basic biomedical or clinical research.

The MSTP was established in 1964. It currently provides funding support to MD-PhD programs at 39 U.S. medical schools. There are approximately 75 medical schools that do not have NIGMS MSTP training grants but offer opportunities for MD-PhD studies. 

MSTP participants may choose from a wide range of research training programs in the biological, chemical, or physical sciences. Other disciplines in which MSTP participants can pursue graduate study are the computer sciences, social and behavioral sciences, economics, epidemiology, public health, bioengineering, biostatistics, and bioethics.

MSTP grants are made to universities and their medical schools, which are responsible for program operation and trainee selection. About 170 positions for new students are available nationwide each year. (Many institutions also support additional students using funds from other sources.) Selection for admission is highly competitive. For those selected, the program provides a maximum of six years of support, although an individual's course of study for the combined degree may take somewhat longer. All institutions identify other sources of support for a trainee's additional years of study. Trainee support provided by an MSTP grant includes the following:

• stipend of $11,748 a year;
• tuition allowance; and
• modest sums for travel, equipment, and supplies.

Many institutions supplement the basic stipend provided by the MSTP grant.

Continued support for an individual student is subject to annual renewal based on the trainee's satisfactory performance in the program and the institution's successful competition for funds at the time of grant renewal every three to five years. Since MSTP grants are a type of National Research Service Award (NRSA), trainees must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess an alien registration receipt card I-151 or I-551). Trainees incur no payback obligation.

The 39 schools offering the MSTP are listed below and can also be found using the link to the NIGMS. Other information about the MSTP may be obtained by Contact Using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) MSTP Administrator Room 905, Westwood Bldg. Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 594-7744.

• Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Baylor College of Medicine
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Cornell University Medical College
• Duke University Medical Center
• Emory University School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Medical University of South Carolina
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• New York University School of Medicine
• Northwestern University Medical School
• Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine
• Tufts University School of Medicine
• University of Alabama School of Medicine
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine
• University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 0606
• University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
• University of Chicago Biological Sciences Learning Center
• University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
• University of Connecticut Health Center
• University of Iowa College of Medicine
• University of Michigan Medical School
• University of Minnesota Medical School
• University of North Carolina
• University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
• University of Virginia Health Systems
• University of Washington School of Medicine
• University of Wisconsin Medical School
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Washington University School of Medicine
• Yale University School of Medicine

Other MD/PhD Programs

A number of medical schools offer combined MD- PhD degree programs which provide students the opportunity to earn both the MD and the PhD in areas pertinent to medicine. Although only 39 schools have Medical Scientist Training Programs that are supported by the NIH, other medical schools have similar programs. Since these options vary among schools, students should investigate the funding packages that are offered and the number of funded positions available for other MD-PhD programs. A complete list of schools offering MD-PhD programs can be found using the AAMC link to MD-PhD programs in the United States. Individuals who wish to enter a particular MD-PhD program should Contact Us the specific institution directly for curriculum information and admission requirements.

For more information, try these:

• AAMC Programs
• AAMC Application

Links

• NIGMS -- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Institutions
• AAMC Research: Combined MD-PhD Programs in the United States
• AAMC Research: MD-PhD Directors' Association

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Advice for: Pre-Dental Students
(Adapted from Case Western Reserve University Pre-dental Advisor Joanne Westin, Ph.D).

Revised Summer 2002

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that dentistry will grow more slowly than the average of all professions from now until 2010, but there will still be plenty of job opportunities. Many dentists are expected to retire and dental care will be in demand by an aging population whose members have kept their teeth. New techniques and a variety of specialties make this an exciting, interesting, and satisfying career - one in which you can still run your own small practice and set your own hours, or you can join a group practice.

I. What Courses Do You Need?

A. General Requirements

Admission requirements are set by the dental schools, so they do vary from school to schoolThus, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements of the dental schools that you areconsidering. These should include any publicly funded dental schools in your state of residencesince these generally give preference to state residents.

In general, dental schools require an understanding of the basic principles of science – commonly requiring: one year of biology, two years of chemistry (one year of inorganic and one year of organic chemistry), and one year of physics - all of these to be accompanied by a laboratory experience. A few dental schools require only one semester of organic chemistry, and when this is true they often recommend the second semester of organic or a semester of biochemistry or a semester of physical chemistry. A few dental schools require mathematics. Communication skills are valued, and a year of English may be required. Studies in the humanities and in the social and behavioral sciences are often suggested, and sometimes required. any courses that improve hand eye coordination are also valuable. Commonly recommended (but rarely required) courses include: biochemistry, statistics, and microbiology.

Information on the requirements, tuition, application procedures and curriculum of individual dental schools, can be found in the book, ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools, published by the American Dental Education Association. You may order your own $35 copy (and other publications, such as Opportunities for Minority Students in United States Dental Schools for $10) on-line here or from:

ADEA, Attn: Publications
 1625 Massachusetts Avenue
 NW Washington, DC 20036-22122

B. Choice Of Major

Your choice of major should be based on your interest and aptitude. Though dental schools are looking for students with demonstrated ability in basic science courses, and they like to see some advanced work in science, they also value a strong overall academic performance in any major.

II. What Else Do Your Need To Do To Prepare For Dental School?

A. Observe a dentist

There are not as many options for "dental volunteer work" as there are for medical volunteer work. However, it is important that you spend some time observing a general practice dentist.Some schools even require this. Perhaps you can eventually even assist the dentist once you get familiar with procedures. You may also want to observe a specialist, such as an orthodontist, but it is important that you find out if you will like general practice since not everyone gets to become a specialist. When looking for an opportunity to observe, the best place to start is with your own personal dentist in your home town.

B. What about research?

Research is a valuable experience, if you are interested in research, but it is not a requirement for entering dental school. Some of you may eventually want to include dental research in your career, so now is good time to explore and find out if you like doing research. You will at least be reading dental journals in your practice, and research is also valuable to gain a better understanding of the research process leading to the journal articles.

C. Take the DAT

All U.S. dental schools require the Dental Admission Test (DAT). This allows dental schools to compare the ability and achievement of applicants from schools that differ in admissions standards and/or academic rigor. Generally, you should take the DAT in the spring or early summer of the year before you plan to enter dental school. This will allow you to apply to dental schools during the summer after your junior year or early fall of your senior year. (The DAT may be retaken butonly after 90 days have passed.)

The only format for taking the DAT is by computer at a Sylvan Technology Test Center. To register for the test, you need to fill out an application and send it in with a fee of $160 (certified check or money order) to the Dental Admission Testing Program. This covers having your scores sent to five dental schools, with an additional fee of $10.00 for each additional school beyond five. Do not send DAT scores to AADSAS. The DAT Program will then send you an 800 number to call to arrange for the computer test.

Register for the DAT online here or obtain a paper registration packet from:

Dental Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: (312) 440-2689

You can obtain a $10 DAT tutorial here.

Another way to practice for the DAT is a program called Top Score that can be purchased here.

The DAT consists of four sections, each made up of multiple choice questions:

The maximum score on each part of the DAT test is 30, and a score of 17 is considered average.

When scores are reported, the perceptual aptitude test score (PAT), an average of the other scores (Academic Average), and an average of the science sections (Total Science) are presented separately.

III. Application To Dental School

A. Where should you apply?

First, and foremost, you should apply to any dental schools in your state of residence that receive public funding, since these generally give preference to state residents. Private dental schools are less prone to favor state residents. You should choose additional schools based on