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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
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
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
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 [email protected]
oaa.rice.edu713-348-4060
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Additional Assistance