HEALTH PROFESSIONS SOPHOMORE SESSION

September 2, 2015 Farnsworth Pavilion

Overview of the Presentation Strong Candidate Application Process Rice Applicant Information

This presentation is meant to build upon information presented during the Health Professions Advising Orientation. Students

who were unable to attend orientation are encouraged to review the slides on our website: oaa.rice.edu

Office of Academic Advising

Professional Advisors – OHPAs with AAMC

Director of Academic Advising: Aliya Bhimani Assistant Directors of Academic Advising: Brad Blunt, Laura

Kirkland, Christine Martinez & Davinia Rodriguez-Wilhelm

Administrative Staff Health Professions Advising Coordinator: Noreen Hoard Department Coordinator: Aurora Zarate

THE STRONG CANDIDATE

The Strong Candidate

Medical schools are interested in more than your GPA and MCAT score. There are several common characteristics medical schools look for which include: Academic PerformanceStandardized Test Scores Clinical ExperiencesServiceLeadership and TeamworkResearch Letters of Recommendation

It is important that you incorporate these components into your Rice experience

Curricular Requirements

Common entrance requirements

*Most Texas medical schools require additional upper level biology coursework (300- & 400-level course offerings)

*Some schools may have additional requirements and many have recommendations. Most Texas schools require 12 credit hours in biological sciences along with 2 credit hours of lab. Check AMCAS and TMDSAS to be certain.

*Dental schools require additional coursework in microbiology. BIOC 424 will satisfy this requirement.

Research carefully!

CourseRequire

dRecommen

dedHours

Required Lab course

Hours

English ●   6    

General Chemistry ●   6 ● 2

Organic Chemistry ●   6 ● 2

Biology* ●   6* ● 2

Biochemistry* ● ● 3    

Physics ●   6 ● 2

Mathematics* ●   3-4    

Statistics* ● ● 3    

Humanities/Social Sci (hours=n)

  ● 12<n    

Curricular Requirements(P/F & AP)

Cannot take required courses as Pass/Fail Must score “C” or better for Texas medical

and dental schools (highly recommended for others)

AP credit acceptance – see OAA website Must be on college transcript Safer to take upper level courses to meet

requirements May consider forfeiting AP credit and taking

courses to prepare for MCAT Earn a good Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math

(BCPM) GPA in the process

Curricular Requirements (Summer Classes)

Though accepted, schools prefer that you complete your sciences at your home institution

Try to complete at a four-year university Cannot complete prerequisites outside of

the US Additionally, the summer is a great time

to pursue other types of experiences

Curricular Requirements

Check program requirements online at each school’s website Some compilations exist:

Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) For Texas, TMDSAS website Osteopathic Medical College Information Book ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools PharmCAS, VMCAS, SOPHAS, CASPA, PTCAS, etc.

Rice does not make the decision about which courses meet premedical requirements. Each medical school will determine which courses they will accept. If you have any doubt about a course substitution, you should check.

MCAT

Changed in 2015, longer exam with new section

Plan to take junior year (or when you are ready)

Fee Assistance Program (FAP) available (early spring semester deadline)

MCAT scores are generally valid for three years. Check with school on their specific policy.

MCAT Scoring

MCAT Scoring

Scores for the four sections are combined to create a total score

The total score ranges from 472 to 528, midpoint is 500

Do not compare to previous scale

MCAT Resources

Studying depends on your discipline and style

Typical courses: Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.

Study and Practice Resources Official Guide to the MCAT MCAT full-length sample test online Khan Academy MCAT Video Collection Psychology/Sociology Textbook Resource Pre-Health Collection on iCollaborative

DAT Resources

DAT: Four hours and 30 minutes Offered year around Details of how to register for the DAT are

available on the ADA website Scoring: 1-30 (national average is 17)

Numerous prep books and other materials ADA offers a full-length test online

Practice DAT test can be purchased for $37

Clinical Exposure

Significant clinical exposure Provides understanding of clinical settings Start with your own network Relevant experience:

Community Service

Volunteering at one of the hospitals across the street

Valuable to volunteer in other capacities as well Examples: Habitat for Humanity, PAIR,

Outreach Day Empathy and altruism important in

health professions

Co-curricular Activities

Participate in things you enjoy and stay involved Examples: community involvement,

volunteering, tutoring, cultural activities, scholarly pursuits, college government, athletics, IM sports, O-Week

Builds communication, leadership and teamwork All qualities medical schools value in an

applicant Way for you to pursue unique interests,

perspectives & experiences

Rice Pre-Medical Society (RPMS) OAA sponsors RPMS Student-based organization for pre-health

students Big Owl/Little Owl (BOP) mentoring program Physician’s Speaker Conference (February) Guest speakers from health professional

schools Special panels Free MCAT prep materials

Rice Pre-Dental Society

OAA sponsors RPDS Shadowing opportunities Volunteer opportunities (T-MOM, Project

Smile) Guest speakers from dental schools

Study Abroad/International Service Study abroad is possible with careful

planning Take interesting courses, learn a new

language or conduct research Opportunity for personal growth and

broader understanding of global health issues

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) has service projects abroad during winter and summer breaks

Research

Not absolutely necessary unless pursuing MD/PhD

It is valued and enhances application Provides understanding and appreciation

of research process Yields distinctive letters of

recommendation Remember you do not have to complete

bench work, you can complete research in any field that interests you

Research

Attend Research Fair Join BioSciences Opportunities OWL-Space Major-related research Attend CCD Career Expo Email a professor at Rice or a PI in the

Texas Medical Center

MD/PhD Programs

7-8 year commitment Minimum of 2 years of research, 3

preferred Publishing increases competitiveness Understand the difference MD, PhD and

MD/PhD Must have strong passion for research Application is slightly different than MD

track

Letters of Evaluation

Cultivate relationships early Get to know your professors Ask well in advance Consider:

1 Science or Engineering 1 Major 1 Character (College Master, Clinical, Job) 1 Research, if appropriate

Summer Activities

Summer is a great time to explore your interests Research and Clinical Programs Study Abroad Fellowships Volunteering

Planning Ahead Research early!

Most programs have early deadlines Annual applications available around mid

November Apply to programs during winter break/early spring

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Process

Research schools based on fit, location, cost and a variety of other factors

Rice submits a Health Professions Advising Committee Letter to formally introduce you to medical schools and provide a narrative on your candidacy. When you decide you are ready to apply, attend an Open File Session.

Collaborate with the OAA Open File Information Sessions Health Professions Advising Committee Letter Informational Interviews Personal Statement & CV Resources Mock Interviews

Personal Statement

Organized, thoughtful, and personalized statement: Personal and career goals Philosophy of health care Motivation for health profession Any unique circumstances or life

experiences Mirror to your character and ambitions Start early, seek help, polish

statement

CWOVC - Center for Written, Oral, and Visual Communication

Located on the 2nd floor of Fondren Library

Offers one-on-one meetings, as well as workshops and non-credit courses (including ESL)

Extremely useful for personal statements and presentation skills!

Interviews

Medical schools invite for interviews in the fall after you apply

Preparation: Research the health professional school Make sure your story is concise Practice possible questions

The Medical School Interview by Dr. Desai & Dr. Katta Multiple Mini Interviews by Dr. Desai

Show energy and passion Mock Interviews

Sponsored by OAA, CCD, CWOVC, RPMS Alumni MDs and senior interviewers Remove some nerves and kinks

Honor Code and Medical Ethics

Honor/Character of Applicants Pressures on Pre-Health Professions

Students Know the Honor Code at Rice If Violate Code, Admit Mistake, and Move

Forward Importance in Relation to Medical Ethics

Rice Applicants

Mean Cumulative Grade Point Average and MCAT ScoreRice Medical School Applicants (2009-2014)

Calendar Year

Mean Grade Point Average

Rice Mean MCAT ScoreNational Mean MCAT Score

2009 3.697 32 28

2010 3.710 33 28

2011 3.706 33 28

2012 3.712 33 28

2013 3.650 31 27

2014 3.706 33 28

In the past 12 years, 87% of Rice UG first-time medical school applicants using the OAA services have been accepted to at least one medical school, whereas the national acceptance rate is about 41%. Even when including all alumni (including seniors who take a “gap year”), the Rice acceptance rate is more than double the national acceptance rate.

Where Do Rice Grads Go?

Students are encouraged to apply to schools in their home state

In fall 2014, Rice graduates went to the following states for medical school:

TX = 64%

PA, NY, NJ, MA = 8%

IL, OH, MO, TN = 8%

MD, NC, Washington DC = 6%

Other = 14%

Cost of Applying to Medical School AMCAS (MD programs)

First school is $165, $36 for each additional school Supplemental applications range from $25-$100

TMDSAS (Texas programs) Flat fee of $140, regardless of the number of schools

applying to AACOMAS (DO programs)

First school is $195, $35 for each additional school There are application waivers for qualified students for AMCAS

and AACOMAS In addition to paying for medical school applications, students

will pay for their Rice transcript, Open File Fee, costs associated with interviews including transportation, meals and accommodations

OAA Tips

Take a writing class Begin a professional resume/CV (template

online) Keep a journal of your volunteer

work/activities Practice talking about yourself Be proactive and take ownership of the

application process Abide by timelines Abide by the Honor Code

Suggested Timetable

Sophomore StudentsFall Semester Spring Semester

Continue focus on your coursework Get to know your professors Use the OAA website & explore online

resources Plan the intellectual focus of your

curriculum, narrow choices for a major – declare if ready

Study Abroad for international program opportunities during for junior/senior year

Get involved in some type of clinical experience

Attend Rice Career Expo sponsored by the CCD

Identify summer program/job opportunities

Begin preparation for standardized tests: Independent review, Kaplan, Princeton, etc.

Look for announcements of health-related events, lectures, and opportunities

Continue focus on your coursework Get to know your professors Declare a major and seek major

advising Check medical/dental/vet school

admission requirements Continue preparation for standardized

tests Register for appropriate standardized

test(s) Apply for summer programs Continue volunteer work/altruistic

activities Continue research, if applicable Look for announcements of health-

related events, lectures, and opportunities

Gap Years & Post Baccalaureate Programs

Gap Year Travel & Fellowship opportunities Gather more volunteer, shadowing or work Gain valuable experience outside of

medicine Post Baccalaureate Programs:

Career-changer Academic record enhancer Shift application timeline

Office of Academic Advisingaadv@rice.edu

oaa.rice.edu713-348-4060

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