What do I need to What do I need to Know to be Know to be

competitive for competitive for Medical/Professional Medical/Professional

School?School?

How do I get started?How do I get started?

1.1. Use the Pre-Health Professions OfficeUse the Pre-Health Professions Office2. Inquire about professional schools and their 2. Inquire about professional schools and their

requirements requirements EARLYEARLY!!3. Know the importance of academics: 3. Know the importance of academics:

especially your GPA, test scoresespecially your GPA, test scores4. Begin your personal essay and brush up on 4. Begin your personal essay and brush up on

your interview skillsyour interview skills5. Develop you interpersonal and 5. Develop you interpersonal and

communication skillscommunication skills6. Show your interest in the field6. Show your interest in the field7. Show your compassion and caring for others7. Show your compassion and caring for others

Where to Start:Where to Start:

Pre-Health Pre-Health Professions OfficeProfessions Office

Sci & Eng 308Sci & Eng 308 561-297-3307561-297-3307 Open Daily From 9-5 p.m.Open Daily From 9-5 p.m. Full library of resources:Full library of resources:

Catalogs, videos, various applications, guide Catalogs, videos, various applications, guide books, books on admission requirements, etc. books, books on admission requirements, etc.

Pre-Health Professions GuidebookPre-Health Professions Guidebook available available online at: online at: ww.science.fau.edu/preprof.htm

Opening a Folder Opening a Folder with the PHP Officewith the PHP Office

Open file Open file the semester before you take your the semester before you take your admissions testadmissions test so you will not have out of date so you will not have out of date information/evaluations in your folderinformation/evaluations in your folder

You should have at least a You should have at least a 3.0 GPA3.0 GPA What goes in your folder?What goes in your folder?

Transcript, waiver form, 2 evaluations from professors, 1-2 Transcript, waiver form, 2 evaluations from professors, 1-2 evaluations from Health Care Professionals, copy of you evaluations from Health Care Professionals, copy of you applicationapplication

What is the Pre-Health Professions committee?What is the Pre-Health Professions committee? Dr.’s and professorsDr.’s and professors Interview you and write a recommendation letter Interview you and write a recommendation letter

based on their evaluation of youbased on their evaluation of you

Know the Schools and their Know the Schools and their RequirementsRequirements

AllopathicAllopathic

UF UCFUF UCF

UM FIUUM FIU

FSU FAUFSU FAU

USFUSF

DentistryDentistry

UFUF

NSUNSULECOM LECOM (soon)(soon)

FAMUFAMU (soon) (soon)

PharmacyPharmacyFAMUFAMU

NOVANOVA

UF UF LECOMLECOM

Palm Bch Palm Bch Atl.Atl.

VeterinaryVeterinary

UFUF

Phys. AsstPhys. Asst

NSUNSU

BarryBarry

UFUF

Phys. Ther.Phys. Ther.

UFUF

UMUM

FAMUFAMU

FIUFIU

OptometryOptometry

NSUNSUOsteopathiOsteopathicc

NSUNSU

LECOMLECOM

ACADEMICSACADEMICS

a. Admissions testsa. Admissions tests

b. Pre-requisite Coursesb. Pre-requisite Courses

c. GPA/ timelinec. GPA/ timeline

d. Broad Based Curriculumd. Broad Based Curriculum

Standardized Standardized Admissions TestsAdmissions Tests

MCAT- Medical College Admissions MCAT- Medical College Admissions TestTest

OAT- Optometry Admissions TestOAT- Optometry Admissions Test

PCAT- Pharmacy admissions TestPCAT- Pharmacy admissions Test

DAT- Dental Admissions TestDAT- Dental Admissions Test

GRE for Vet school, PA, PT, OT…GRE for Vet school, PA, PT, OT…

Information about all admissions Information about all admissions tests available on our website: tests available on our website: www.science.fau.edu/preprof.htmwww.science.fau.edu/preprof.htm

What is the MCAT?What is the MCAT?

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Standardized, multiple-choice examinationStandardized, multiple-choice examination Designed to assist admission committees in Designed to assist admission committees in

predicting which of their applicants will perform predicting which of their applicants will perform adequately in the medical school curriculum. adequately in the medical school curriculum.

Includes:Includes: Problem solving, Problem solving, Critical thinkingCritical thinking Writing skills Writing skills Science concepts and principlesScience concepts and principles

Pre-requisite Courses Pre-requisite Courses (Classes Needed Before Taking The (Classes Needed Before Taking The

MCAT)MCAT)

READ, READ, READ!!!READ, READ, READ!!! (medical journals, current information). (medical journals, current information). We recommend reading We recommend reading Scientific AmericanScientific American andand Smithsonian.Smithsonian.

Very important to read Very important to read quicklyquickly and thoroughly to score high on and thoroughly to score high on the MCATthe MCAT

1 year of general biology 1 year of general biology w/labs w/labs

1 year of general chemistry 1 year of general chemistry w/labsw/labs

1 year of organic chemistry 1 year of organic chemistry w/labsw/labs

1 year of physics w/labs1 year of physics w/labs

Math through calculusMath through calculus

English composition (extra English composition (extra English for verbal)English for verbal)

Biochemistry 1 Biochemistry 1

Human Morphology Human Morphology and Function 1 & 2 and Function 1 & 2 w/labsw/labs

GeneticsGenetics

Microbiology w/labMicrobiology w/lab

Pre-Professional Studies Pre-Professional Studies CertificateCertificate

Maintain 3.0 GPAMaintain 3.0 GPA Minimum 100 hours of volunteer workMinimum 100 hours of volunteer work Courses:Courses:

Biodiversity & Bioprinciples w/LabBiodiversity & Bioprinciples w/Lab General Chemistry 1 & 2 w/LabsGeneral Chemistry 1 & 2 w/Labs Organic Chemistry 1 & 2 w/LabsOrganic Chemistry 1 & 2 w/Labs College Physics 1 & 2 w/LabsCollege Physics 1 & 2 w/Labs Biochemistry 1Biochemistry 1 GeneticsGenetics Microbiology w/LabMicrobiology w/Lab Human Morph & Function 1 & 2 w/LabsHuman Morph & Function 1 & 2 w/Labs Intro to Pre-professional Studies w/LabIntro to Pre-professional Studies w/Lab Premed SuccessPremed Success Calculus and StatisticsCalculus and Statistics

BSC 1011/LBSC 1011/L

CHM 2045/LCHM 2045/L

ENC 1101ENC 1101

MAC 1105MAC 1105

BSC 1010/LBSC 1010/L

CHM 2046/LCHM 2046/L

ENC 1102ENC 1102

MAC 2233MAC 2233

Summer Summer InternshipInternship

VolunteerVolunteer

CHM 2210CHM 2210

PHY 2053/2048LPHY 2053/2048L

StatisticsStatistics

Premed SuccessPremed Success

Basic Clinical Basic Clinical SkillsSkills

CHM 2211CHM 2211

CHM 2211 LabCHM 2211 Lab

PHY 2054/2049LPHY 2054/2049L

Med ExternshipMed Externship

DIS (research)DIS (research)

Summer Summer InternshipInternship

VolunteerVolunteer

Biochem 1Biochem 1

GeneticsGenetics

HMF 1 w/labHMF 1 w/lab

Med ExternshipMed Externship

HMF 2 w/labHMF 2 w/lab

Microbiology/LMicrobiology/L

Intro to PP Intro to PP Studies/LStudies/L

MCAT PREPMCAT PREP

(If SAT ABOVE 1100)/ See Advisor for individual scheduling

When do you take the When do you take the MCAT?MCAT?

The MCAT is offered multiple times / The MCAT is offered multiple times / year on computeryear on computer

You should normally take it by You should normally take it by AprilApril of of your Junior year your Junior year (so you will be in the first (so you will be in the first round of considered applicants, especially for round of considered applicants, especially for those schools with rolling admissions)those schools with rolling admissions)

Re-take the test in Summer if necessary Re-take the test in Summer if necessary Take a prep class first!Take a prep class first!

TheThe MCAT FormatMCAT Format

4 sections:4 sections: Physical SciencesPhysical Sciences scoring range of 1-15scoring range of 1-15

Physics and general chemistry questionsPhysics and general chemistry questions

Verbal ReasoningVerbal Reasoning scoring range of 1-15scoring range of 1-15 Read passages and answer multiple choice questionsRead passages and answer multiple choice questions

Writing sampleWriting sample scoring range of J-Tscoring range of J-T Biological SciencesBiological Sciences scoring range of 1-15scoring range of 1-15

Biology and organic chemistry questions, Biology and organic chemistry questions, a few questions on DNA and a few questions on DNA and geneticsgenetics

Need special permission to take the MCAT more than 3XNeed special permission to take the MCAT more than 3XTakes ~30 days to get your scores backTakes ~30 days to get your scores back

MCAT scores are valid for 3 yearsMCAT scores are valid for 3 years..

Centralized Centralized Application ServicesApplication Services

AMCAS- Allopathic Medical SchoolsAMCAS- Allopathic Medical Schools AACOMAS- Osteopathic Medical SchoolsAACOMAS- Osteopathic Medical Schools AADSAS- Dental SchoolsAADSAS- Dental Schools VMCAS – Veterinary SchoolsVMCAS – Veterinary Schools PharmCas- Pharmacy SchoolsPharmCas- Pharmacy Schools Caspa- PA schools Caspa- PA schools OptomCAS – Optometery schoolsOptomCAS – Optometery schools

The applications take ~4 weeks to processThe applications take ~4 weeks to process Start early!Start early! Find out more information onlineFind out more information online

What do these primary What do these primary application services application services

do?do?

They send out a complete verified set of They send out a complete verified set of data to the schools you designatedata to the schools you designate

Including:Including: Applicant contact informationApplicant contact information Biographic informationBiographic information Personal StatementPersonal Statement Colleges attendedColleges attended Admission test scoresAdmission test scores GPAGPA

GPA/ TimelineGPA/ Timeline(The Competitive Applicant)(The Competitive Applicant)

GPA- minimum 3.4 (avg: ~3.7)GPA- minimum 3.4 (avg: ~3.7) MCAT- spring of junior yearMCAT- spring of junior year

Avg score accepted ~30Avg score accepted ~30 APPLY- summer between jr/sr year APPLY- summer between jr/sr year

((Apply to 10-15 schoolsApply to 10-15 schools)) INTERVIEW- fall of senior yearINTERVIEW- fall of senior year ACCEPT- spring of senior yearACCEPT- spring of senior year ATTEND- fall of graduation yearATTEND- fall of graduation year

Secondary Applications

Graduate from FAU

Open PHP File

Review for MCAT

Broad Based Broad Based CurriculumCurriculum

(Do I have to be A Biology Major to (Do I have to be A Biology Major to go to Medical School?)go to Medical School?)

NOT NecessarilyNOT NecessarilyPick a major that interests you!Pick a major that interests you!Medical Schools appreciate well Medical Schools appreciate well

rounded studentsrounded studentsExpand your horizonsExpand your horizons

(Note: Studies show that those student with (Note: Studies show that those student with advanced science courses do better in advanced science courses do better in medical school)medical school)

Other FactorsOther Factors (besides GPA and (besides GPA and

Admissions test)Admissions test) Considered by Considered by Professional SchoolsProfessional Schools::

Course load each semester Course load each semester ((minimumminimum 24 24 credits/year)credits/year)

State of residency (best chances in your state)State of residency (best chances in your state) Your interviewYour interview Your personal statement, experience in the Your personal statement, experience in the

field, motivation, character and maturityfield, motivation, character and maturity Letters of evaluation from Pre-professional Letters of evaluation from Pre-professional

Committee, community service, employers, Committee, community service, employers, professors, etc.professors, etc.

Research (DIS)Research (DIS)

Interpersonal and Interpersonal and Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

Show your ability to interact with a Show your ability to interact with a diverse populationdiverse population

Develop leadership skills (via student Develop leadership skills (via student groups/clubs)groups/clubs)

Take a speech course (will help with Take a speech course (will help with interviews)interviews)

Extracurricular activities (outside Extracurricular activities (outside interests)interests)

Interest in the Field/Interest in the Field/Patient ExperiencePatient Experience

Volunteer: Show your commitment Volunteer: Show your commitment (Show (Show you know what medicine is all about)you know what medicine is all about) With Alzheimer’s patientsWith Alzheimer’s patients At a hospiceAt a hospice Pediatric CarePediatric Care

Observing/ ShadowingObserving/ Shadowing Investigate various health settingsInvestigate various health settings Check out FAU’s volunteer centerCheck out FAU’s volunteer center (UC 221) (UC 221)

Courses of InterestCourses of Interest

Basic Clinical Skills for Pre-Health Students - Provides undergraduate students with basic clinical skills that will ensure more meaningful medical experiences (through shadowing or volunteering) prior to entering a health related graduate program (medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant, veterinary, and optometry). Students will learn professionalism, patient care and communication skills and gain medical knowledge through training on blood born pathogens, vital signs, CPR, HIPAA, EKG’s and taking patient histories.

Shadowing Externship - You will be permitted to register for one credit (IDS 3940) each semester, six semesters maximum (3 credits of which may count towards a Biology major).  You must shadow a minimum of three hours per week to receive credit. 

Introduction to Pre-Professional Studies and Lab (PCB 3083 & Lab) – The purpose of this course is to familiarize premedical or allied field students with the requirements, demands, and rewards of a career in medicine. The course features lectures about a variety of medical disciplines. The lab requires shadowing of physicians in hospital and office settings, including visits to local facilities and observations of actual medical procedures.

Pre-Med Success (IDS 3122)- Designed to help pre-health professional students (medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, etc.) negotiate the complex and often confusing world of medical school applications, admission tests, admission essays, interviews, financing medical school and much more. The scope of this course can be expanded to fit student needs and interests.

Involvement at FAUInvolvement at FAU

The Center for Civic The Center for Civic Engagement and ServiceEngagement and Service – – Located in the Student Union, the Located in the Student Union, the Campus Volunteer Center has many Campus Volunteer Center has many volunteer opportunities available. If volunteer opportunities available. If you log your volunteer hours, they you log your volunteer hours, they will record them on your transcript. will record them on your transcript. www.fauvolunteer.org

Compassion and Caring Compassion and Caring for Others: Getting for Others: Getting

InvolvedInvolved

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement TutoringTutoring Habitat for HumanityHabitat for Humanity Public School ProgramsPublic School Programs Study AbroadStudy Abroad

Involvement at FAUInvolvement at FAU

Pre-Health Professions Clubs at FAUPre-Health Professions Clubs at FAU

Instructions to join a group in MYFAU:Log into MYFAUClick on the link “Groups” at the top near the email linkClick the tab (at the top) called GROUPS INDEXClick ACADEMIC or SERVICE to find a list of all groups in that categoryClick on the group you want to join

Club For more information

American Medical Student Association Facebook page: AMSA@FAU

Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Facebook page: Pre-Veterinary Medical Students Association at FAU

Pre-Dental Society Facebook page: Pre-Dental Society at FAU

Pre-Professional Club Facebook page: Pre-Professional Club at FAU

Pre-Pharmacy Club Facebook page: FAU Pre-Pharmacy Club supporters

Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS)

Facebook page: Minority Association of Premedical students (MAPS) at FAU

Stay up-to-date…Follow us on

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Health Professions Office