Selecting Schools

Selecting SchoolsSelecting Schools

Bio 311 - Professional School Bio 311 - Professional School PreparationPreparation

Questions to Ask YourselfQuestions to Ask Yourself What type of Professional do I want to be in?What type of Professional do I want to be in? Will a school provide the learning and Will a school provide the learning and

experiences necessary for me to excel in my experiences necessary for me to excel in my profession?profession?

Will a school treat me the way I want to be Will a school treat me the way I want to be treated?treated?

Would I like to be a student there?Would I like to be a student there?


Things to ConsiderThings to Consider Be RealisticBe Realistic Geographic considerationsGeographic considerations FinancesFinances Familiar with BYU-IdahoFamiliar with BYU-Idaho School PhilosophySchool Philosophy Early Decision ProgramEarly Decision Program RankingsRankings


1. Be Realistic1. Be Realistic Don’t waste your time if you don’t have Don’t waste your time if you don’t have

outstanding credentialsoutstanding credentials GPAGPA MCAT, DAT, OATMCAT, DAT, OAT

Do you want to be accepted by a good school or Do you want to be accepted by a good school or rejected by a top school?rejected by a top school?

It may be OK to apply to a few top schools, but It may be OK to apply to a few top schools, but do NOT apply to all top schools.do NOT apply to all top schools.


Admissions StatisticsAdmissions Statistics Research SchoolsResearch Schools

1.1. HARVARD UNIVERSITYHARVARD UNIVERSITY 2.2. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYJOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY 3.3. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY 4.4. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIAUNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 5.5. DUKE UNIVERSITYDUKE UNIVERSITY 6.6. UNIV. CALIFORNIA AT SAN FRANCISCO UNIV. CALIFORNIA AT SAN FRANCISCO 7.7. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITYCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 8.8. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANUNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 9.9. YALE UNIVERSITY YALE UNIVERSITY 10.10. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON


Admissions StatisticsAdmissions Statistics Primary Care SchoolsPrimary Care Schools

1.1. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 2.2. OREGON HEALTH SCIENCES OREGON HEALTH SCIENCES 3.3. UC SAN FRANSICOUC SAN FRANSICO 4.4. UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICOUNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO 5.5. U MASS WORCESTERU MASS WORCESTER 6.6. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-C.HILLUNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-C.HILL 7.7. HARVARD UNIVERSITYHARVARD UNIVERSITY 8. 8. UNIV OF ROCHESTERUNIV OF ROCHESTER 9.9. UNIV OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCESUNIV OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCES 10.10. UNIVERSITY OF IOWA UNIVERSITY OF IOWA


Schools AcademicsSchools Academics Residency Match Rates.Residency Match Rates. National Board Pass Rates.National Board Pass Rates. Licensing Exam Pass Rates.Licensing Exam Pass Rates.


Schools AcademicsSchools Academics What is course load like?What is course load like? How many hours are spent in classes and labs?How many hours are spent in classes and labs?

Services.aamc.org/currdir/start.cfmServices.aamc.org/currdir/start.cfm Do they have notes online?Do they have notes online? Clinical Experiences?Clinical Experiences? Tutoring and Retention Programs?Tutoring and Retention Programs? Academic ScheduleAcademic Schedule Research OpportunitiesResearch Opportunities What is the grading system?What is the grading system?


Non-AcademicsNon-Academics What is area and community atmosphere?What is area and community atmosphere? Housing availability and costsHousing availability and costs Fees, tuition, and equipment costsFees, tuition, and equipment costs What kind of student/spouse support services What kind of student/spouse support services

are available?are available? Financial Aid, grants, scholarships, etc.Financial Aid, grants, scholarships, etc.


Do your researchDo your research Professional school guidesProfessional school guides Web sitesWeb sites Interview / school visitInterview / school visit


2. Geographical Considerations2. Geographical Considerations Apply to schools in your area, especially in your Apply to schools in your area, especially in your

home state.home state. Most state schools accept 90-100% from state Most state schools accept 90-100% from state

residents.residents. East vs West coast.East vs West coast. Small Town vs Big citySmall Town vs Big city Church presenceChurch presence Include your spouse in the processInclude your spouse in the process


3. Finances3. Finances Don’t apply if you:Don’t apply if you:

Can’t afford to go to the schools to interview.Can’t afford to go to the schools to interview. If you would not go to the school, if accepted, because If you would not go to the school, if accepted, because

of tuition, living expenses, etc.of tuition, living expenses, etc. Don’t waste your time, your money, or the schools Don’t waste your time, your money, or the schools

time.time.


4. Schools Familiar with BYU-Idaho4. Schools Familiar with BYU-Idaho If a school has never accepted a BYU-I student If a school has never accepted a BYU-I student

before:before: You may be wasting your time and money unless.You may be wasting your time and money unless.

Your father owns the school.Your father owns the school. Uncle Joe can give a million dollars to the school.Uncle Joe can give a million dollars to the school.

Or it may be an advantageOr it may be an advantage Unfamiliar with BYU-IdahoUnfamiliar with BYU-Idaho Unique applicantUnique applicant


4. Schools Familiar with BYU-Idaho4. Schools Familiar with BYU-Idaho DangerDanger

Many LDS students apply to the same schoolsMany LDS students apply to the same schools Competition with other BYU-Idaho studentsCompetition with other BYU-Idaho students All look the sameAll look the same


5. School Philosophy5. School Philosophy Does the schools philosophy match your Does the schools philosophy match your

philosophy?philosophy?


6. Early Decision 6. Early Decision Apply to one school by August 1Apply to one school by August 1stst.. Notified of acceptance by October 1Notified of acceptance by October 1stst.. If accepted you must go.If accepted you must go.


6. Advantages of Early Decision 6. Advantages of Early Decision Shows school it is your top choiceShows school it is your top choice Receive decisions earlyReceive decisions early Saves time, money, anxiety, etc.Saves time, money, anxiety, etc.


6. Disadvantages of Early Decision 6. Disadvantages of Early Decision Makes you later for all other applicationsMakes you later for all other applications Interview later at other schoolsInterview later at other schools Fewer seats availableFewer seats available


8. Rankings8. Rankings Does it really matter?Does it really matter?

Documents

Selecting Schools