Choosing a Professional School

1. Choosing a Professional School

2. OHLPA Office of Health and Legal Professions Advising Pre-Health Advising Academic Advising Center – Farrior Hall Second floor Office hours: Monday – Friday 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Website: www.advising.ufl.edu/prehealth Email: Prehealth@advising.ufl.edu

3. Choosing a Professional School Choosing a Professional School • What factors go into choosing which schools to apply to? • How can you choose which school to attend once you've been accepted? • What resources can you use to help make your decision?

4. Choosing a Professional School Choosing schools to apply to... • The average number of medical schools that students apply to is 15. Most students apply to between 8-20. • Applying to more than 15 schools does NOT increase your chances of admission. • Know the timeline, do your research, and stay ORGANIZED!

5. Choosing a Professional School Factors to Consider in choosing the number of schools to apply to... • How competitive is your application? • How much money are you planning to spend on the application process (it adds up quickly)? • How much time do you have to complete secondary applications and go on interviews?

6. Choosing a Professional School What's Recommended... • Choose a few “dream schools” if appropriate. • Choose schools where you will be a competitive applicant and that you feel are a good fit. • Choose a few schools where you feel like you may be very competitive. • Don't apply to a school that you can't see yourself attending

7. Choosing a Professional School Factors to Consider • Mission • Academic Factors • Personal Factors

8. Choosing a Professional School Factors to Consider Mission Statements • READ THEM! • Does the school's mission fit with what you want? • Note emphasis on special areas (primary care, etc.)

9. Choosing a Professional School Mission Statement To be a premier research-intensive medical school that improves health through leadership and collaborative discoveries and innovation in patient care, education and research. Mission Statement #1Stanford University

10. Choosing a Professional School Mission 
Our mission is to deliver quality healthcare primarily to the poor and underserved.  We help students and residents with low resource backgrounds enter and excel the healthcare professions.  We deliver cutting-edge research to help improve healthcare and eliminate disparities.  Our goal is to become a premier surgical department and national leader in surgical innovations particularly as they relate to underserved minority populations. Mission Statement #2Meharry Medical College

11. Choosing a Professional School Mission Our mission is to provide an opportunity for all New Mexicans to obtain an excellent education in the health sciences. We will advance health sciences in the most important areas of human health with a focus on the priority health needs of our communities. As a majority-minority state, our mission will ensure that all populations in New Mexico have access to the highest quality health care. Mission Statement #3University of New Mexico

12. Choosing a Professional School Factors to Consider-Academic Curriculum • Traditional vs. Case study, PBL, etc. • Types and timing of patient contact • Grading systems (grades vs. pass/fail)

13. Choosing a Professional School Factors to Consider-Academic • Research opportunities • Out of State admission • Special programs (MD/PhD) • Average scores and GPA's • Academic atmosphere • Facilities • Service and study abroad opportunities

14. Choosing a Professional School Factors to Consider-Personal • Location • Size • Personal support networks • Cost/Financial Aid • Student support services • Diversity • Student activities and involvement

15. Choosing a Professional School When you interview... • Talk to students • Stay with a student if possible • Write down questions throughout the day • See the surrounding area if possible • Take notes on likes/dislikes

16. Choosing a Professional School Staying Organized • Start an organizational system early • Have a file (digital and hard copy) for each school • Bookmark important websites • Maintain a calendar (color coded) • Have supplies on-hand

17. Choosing a Professional School Resources for Researching Schools • MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) • ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools • VMSAR (Veterinary Medical School Admissoin Requirements) • Osteopathic Medical Colleges information in College Information Book online • Pharmacy School Admission Requirements

18. Choosing a Professional School Resources for Researching Schools • Professional Association websites (AAMC, ADEA, AACOM, AAVMC) • Individual school websites • Current students • Brochures, catalogs, etc. • Admissions offices • OHLPA Library

19. Choosing a Professional School When in doubt... Go with your gut.

20. Send questions to: prehealth@advising.ufl.edu See an advisor Questions????

21. Std ID # ____________________________  Workshop Title: ____________________________________________________________ Date/Presenter: ____________________________________________________________ Please rate the areas below using the following scale: 5 4 3 2 1 Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree The presentation was well organized? 5 4 3 2 1 The material was presented in an interesting matter? 5 4 3 2 1 The workshop provided the information you expected? 5 4 3 2 1 I feel better prepared regarding the topic? 5 4 3 2 1 I would recommend this workshop to other students? 5 4 3 2 1 Please briefly tell us what the most beneficial part or least beneficial parts of the workshop are. Suggestions for improvements? Questions? Workshop Evaluation