1 / 17

UMKC PreDental Society: Getting into the programs for the schools of your choice: the application process

UMKC PreDental Society: Getting into the programs for the schools of your choice: the application process given by Kathleen V. Kilway, Ph.D. on November 28, 2007 Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri – Kansas City Purpose of This Talk Getting into the program of your choice

oshin
Download Presentation

UMKC PreDental Society: Getting into the programs for the schools of your choice: the application process

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. UMKC PreDental Society: Getting into the programs for the schools of your choice: the application process given by Kathleen V. Kilway, Ph.D. on November 28, 2007 Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri – Kansas City

  2. Purpose of This Talk • Getting into the program of your choice • Career Choices - how to know what you want to do • Preparation for your future career • Application Process

  3. My background • Why me? • Undergraduate Advisor for Chemistry • Chair of the Recruiting Committee in the Department of Chemistry at UMKC • Ph.D. in Chemistry at UCSD

  4. Your Career Choice • Finding your passion • Shadow a physician, dentist, nurse, . . . • Talk to an advisor, peers, other professionals in that field • Check on website or at the career center • Volunteer in a research lab (after organic chemistry or genetics) or at the appropriate setting

  5. Your Career Choice • Must have some ability in the classes • Differences between graduate school and professional schools • Paid to go to graduate school with either graduate teaching or graduate research fellowships • Not paid to go to professional school but check for special scholarships at financial aid or scholarship office

  6. Choosing your major • Professional schools • Pick a major from classes that you enjoy taking (BA or BS) • Should be flexible so that you can take required classes and perform well in them • May not correspond to what you think • Philosophy • Graduate School • Need a BS in that field

  7. Application Process • Apply to several schools including safety school • Talk to alumni, peers, or professors about your choices • Look at their requirements for admission including the deadlines

  8. Application Process - The package • Application - Different requirements for different Schools • May have different requirements • Personal statement - in English and use resources including Writing Center • The Admission Exam - practice and you may have to take it several times. Check dates. • GPA - is important, check to see if they replace classes in science GPA • Letters of recommendation

  9. Application Process - The package (continued) • Objective Criteria • 3.0 Minimum GPA (3.4 or higher preferred) after completion of 90 hours of college credit • 16 minimum on DAT (17 or higher preferred) - take all parts of the exam seriously • One semester of general biology (with lab), anatomy (WL), cell biology (WL); one year of general chemistry (WL), organic chemistry (WL), physics (WL), and English composition • Reference http://dentistry.umkc.edu/bec_student/assets/pdf/SuggestedPredentalSchedule.pdf

  10. Application Process - The package (continued) • Subjective Criteria • Investigation of Dentistry (five offices for 80-100 hours) • Social conscience and compassion (active/ongoing volunteering) • Personal character (maturity, self-reliance, and leadership) • Critical thinking/problem solving skills • Interpersonal communication skills • Time management skills • Reference http://dentistry.umkc.edu/bec_student/assets/pdf/SuggestedPredentalSchedule.pdf

  11. Application Process - The package • Other things • Work/Volunteer in a laboratory setting • Do research if applicable • Try SI or be a UTA • Peer Tutor • Honors Program • Spend time in a different country

  12. Letters of Recommendation • May need 3-5 letters • Request - in English, give time for response • Provide advising transcript, personal statement, resume, and any other information • Provide self-addressed, prestamped envelopes • Write a thank you note and keep them updated

  13. Example of letter of recommendation form • Personal information and Program and due dates • Provide the following material: • Self-addressed, stamped envelopes for each letter • A personal statement • A copy (unofficial) of your transcript • A resume including education, awards/honors, work history • Any other material which might help with the recommendation • Please initial the following statements: • I waive the right to see this letter of recommendation. • I release my grades and GPA to be used in a favorable recommendation. • Sign and Date

  14. Application • Follow directions • Good penmanship counts • Waive your right to read the letters of recommendation (very important) • Trust them. If not, do not ask • Professor, advisor, research or shadowed person

  15. Resume • Start now if you have not already done so. • Include activities, awards, honors, work experience (including high school) • Any activities should not take away from your classes and performing well in them

  16. Summary • It is not the rest of your life. • Enjoy the time that you have now. • Take the time to research what you want to do. • Also be reasonable with your expectations.

  17. Acknowledgements • ACS Student Affiliates • UMKC Department of Chemistry • This will be on the website but could develop a checklist.

More Related