{"id":320,"date":"2018-01-22T17:47:19","date_gmt":"2018-01-22T17:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/?p=320"},"modified":"2018-01-22T17:47:19","modified_gmt":"2018-01-22T17:47:19","slug":"tips-for-the-professional-health-school-application-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/2018\/01\/22\/tips-for-the-professional-health-school-application-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for the Professional Health School Application Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Cheryl Doss<\/p>\n

Applying to professional health schools such as medical, dental, and physician assistant schools is probably the most intensive application process there is.\u00a0 It is not something that can be done quickly or without careful thought.\u00a0 Developing a plan to submit your application when the application cycle opens will relieve some of the stress.\u00a0 We recommend our students begin the process approximately six months before the cycle begins.\u00a0 Below are some tips for a smoother application experience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Schedule and prepare for the MCAT or other admissions tests <\/strong>\u2013 Research and select a test date that works for your schedule. Allow six to eight months to prepare.\u00a0 For those taking the MCAT, investing in an MCAT course will help refresh concepts and develop test-taking strategies, but will also offer scheduling and discipline to keep you on task.\u00a0\u00a0 Take the test when you are ready, but the sooner, the better.\u00a0 You will want to know your test score before you hit the submit button on your application.\u00a0 If your test score is not competitive, you may want to consider delaying your application to the next cycle.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Strong personal statement<\/strong> \u2013 Your academic performance and readiness will speak for itself in your transcripts, test scores and in the recommendation letters. Use the personal statement to address your reasons for pursuing a career as a healthcare practitioner.\u00a0 Expand beyond the \u201cI want to help people\u201d statement.\u00a0 Consider including the defining moment when you were called to this career.\u00a0 Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses; how have you grown and developed in areas that needed improvement, and how can you continue to grow.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Secure recommendation letters<\/strong> \u2013 You will want to select your references carefully. Natural science professors are a must, as well as a practitioner you have spent time with shadowing\/observing.\u00a0 It goes without saying, you should be confident they will provide an honest but positive recommendation.\u00a0 Give them ample time to prepare and send the letter.\u00a0 Remember that they are busy professionals and should not be expected to provide a letter on short notice.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         <\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Begin the application<\/strong> \u2013 Don\u2019t wait until you have all of your documents ready before beginning the online application. The application is a work in progress, and it is set up to allow you to update with additional information.\u00a0 You will want your part of the application to be finished when recommendation letters, transcripts, and test scores are uploaded.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

           <\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Advocate for yourself<\/strong> \u2013 Monitor your application and supporting documents carefully. If there is a delay in the uploading of some documents, it is fine to inquire why and when they may be ready.\u00a0 \u00a0Just be sure to be respectful when following up, but remember \u2013 you are responsible for your future and assuring everything is in place for review.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

             <\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Prepare for the interview<\/strong> \u2013 It is imperative to carefully review your application and personal statement before the interview. Schedule a practice interview with Careers Service or a friend.\u00a0 Get plenty of rest the night before.\u00a0 Dress professionally and be yourself.\u00a0 Be prepared to ask questions; you are interviewing the school as much as they are interviewing you.\u00a0 You\u2019ve come this far, and the interview is to determine if you and the school are a good fit.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               <\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Stay in touch<\/strong> \u2013 When you\u2019ve been accepted, share the good news with your professors and others who have supported you during the process. They want to share your excitement and joy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                Be intentional in preparing your application to professional health school by scheduling self-imposed due dates for certain tasks as you move through the process.\u00a0 Having a plan is a great way to combat being overwhelmed and stressed, which allows you to give proper attention to continued academic studies or work.\u00a0 The professional school application process is a marathon, not a sprint; a stronger beginning will translate into a stronger finish.<\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                by Cheryl Doss Applying to professional health schools such as medical, dental, and physician assistant schools is probably the most intensive application process there is.\u00a0 It is not something that can be done quickly or without careful thought.\u00a0 Developing a plan to submit your application when the application cycle opens will relieve some of the....<\/p>

                Read more about Tips for the Professional Health School Application Process<\/span><\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":269,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/269"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=320"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":324,"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320\/revisions\/324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/ma-biomedicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}