PRE-HEALTH HANDBOOKS

SOME FINAL NOTES

The application process is long, frustrating, and expensive. It can be extremely stressful. Approach it with confidence (not cockiness). Be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses. Know that you may not be accepted (even if you have excellent grades and test scores), and prepare yourself mentally for this possibility, especially if your GPA and test scores are below the schools' averages. You need a backup plan. What will you do if you are not accepted by next summer? Reapply? Go to graduate school? Consider another health profession? You should begin answering these questions now as a precautionary measure. You may want to think about it, but if you do find yourself in this situation, you will be glad to have put some thought into it. Also, do not get discouraged as you hear of your friends getting interviews and even acceptances before you. Many people are accepted late in the process. Congratulate your friends and share in their happiness.

You should be available at all times during the application process. You may not be given much notice for an interview. Make sure the schools have your correct address and phone number, and that you have a way to get to the schools quickly if you are offered an interview.

In January, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and release the information to all schools at which you are still in consideration. Check with each school to find out about its financial aid. Some will use different applications, and many will require additional information if you are admitted.

Make sure you send your fall transcripts to the schools (and/or to the application services, per their instructions), as soon as the semester is over, and make sure you continue your strong academic performance. Schools will take into consideration courses you complete during the application process, not just the ones you completed before you applied. Also, if you have any significant experiences (publish a paper, participate in a new activity, etc.), send a letter to the schools at which you are still in consideration to let them know. Your application might not be seen as competitive as someone else’s until the committee learns that you have just become coordinator of the new homeless project in town. However, do not send a weekly letter letting them know of every little thing you are doing. You do not want to annoy the committees. They have a lot to read!

Finally, relax. This whole process will be much easier if you take it seriously, yet do not let yourself get too stressed out over it. If you begin to freak out, talk to your friends who are applying – you’ll find they are just as nervous as you. Go to the Counseling Center and meet with a counselor or meet with a peer counselor at Open Door in the Thompson Student Health Center. Also, enjoy yourself! This will hopefully be your last year before entering a rigorous curriculum (and you thought all those organic and physics courses were rough!).

And last, but not least…

Good Luck!!!