Committee Letter Packets for Medical School application.
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Frequently asked questions from pre-Health students (pre-Med, pre-Dent and pre-Vet, pre-Nursing, etc.):
1. What academic credentials are required for admission to medical school? In 2007, the entering class at University of Colorado School of Medicine looked like this: 157 students (selected from 3019 applicants ... 566 applicants were invited for interviews); median MCAT 32.3 P and median GPA 3.71; median age 24 years, 2 months (oldest 46, youngest 21). In 2008, CU's entering class: 156 students; mean MCAT 32.5 P and avg GPA 3.72. In 2008, national averages were: mean GPA 3.65, mean MCAT 30.8 P.
2. What are the general requirements for gaining admission to the professional school of my choice? Most students entering a professional graduate program have earned an undergraduate degree from a college or university in a traditional academic discipline. The most popular undergraduate majors are Biological Sciences and Chemistry/Biochem. You DO NOT have to major in a science, but you MUST satisfy the prerequisites for application. A Biology major (with elective coursework in your areas of interest) will prepare you to succeed in graduate training and in your chosen career. See the response to Question #4 below for a listing of the minimum science requirements for application to most graduate level health care programs (medical, dental, veterinary).
3. Do I have an advantage if I major in one subject rather than another? No. There is no "pre-med" major. Instead, students choose a major based upon personal interests. Classes both inside and outside the major are selected to satisfy prerequisites for application. Most medical programs favor students with strong background in the "liberal arts and sciences", including arts, humanities, and social sciences along with science and mathematics (DU's University requirements). No particular major is required for application to medical programs, but a Biology major can build a strong academic foundation for graduate training.
4. What are the specific courses "required" to make application to a professional school? In addition to the required general education courses (Writing, Math, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities), the following courses in science are almost universally listed as the minimum requirements for admission to medical, dental or veterinary schools.
2 years of Chemistry with labs = 1 yr of inorganic + 1 yr of organic
1 year of Biological Sciences with labs
1 year of Physics with labs
Most schools require college-level mathematics; many schools recommend college calculus. We also strongly recommend courses in Cell Structure and Function, General Genetics, and Human Physiology prior to taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Other specified courses may be required by an individual school. It is the responsibility of each applicant to learn about specific requirements for schools of interest.
5. When do I make application to graduate school? As a general rule, your application should be submitted during the year preceding your planned enrollment. You will begin assembling your application materials in the spring of your Junior year. The application will be completed and submitted in the summer or fall of that year, depending upon the application deadline for the programs that you have selected.
6. What is indirect application? Most medical programs (medical, dental, veterinary, nursing, etc.) are using online application services. These application services receive the application information from the applicant and the letters of recommendation. It is up to the applicant to investigate specific prerequisites for each individual program, investigate application processes, and meet application deadlines.
Indirect applications to allopathic Medical Schools are processed by the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) of the AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges). Most medical schools use AMCAS as the primary application method.
Indirect applications to osteopathic Medical Schools are processed by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). Most osteopathic schools use AACOM as the primary application method.
Indirect applications to Dental Schools are processed through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Most dental schools use AADSAS as the primary application method.
Veterinary colleges process applications through the Veterinary College Application Service (VCAS).
7. How are letters of recommendation submitted? Letters of recommendation to support applications to graduate medical programs are submitted electronically to the online application service.
- Medical schools will accept EITHER a committee letter packet OR letters of recommendation submitted directly to AMCAS or AACOM.
- Dental schools accept individual letters of recommendation submitted through AADSAS.
- Veterinary schools, nursing schools, pharmacy schools accept individual letters of recommendation submitted directly to online application services.
8. What should I be doing during my undergraduate years to prepare for graduate application?
FIRST YEAR: Get involved on campus; begin to develop strong academic credentials and work to maintain strong academic standing throughout your undergraduate career.
SECOND YEAR: Get involved with clinical work (job or volunteer); investigate prerequisites for medical programs of interest.
THIRD YEAR: MCAT (or appropriate entrance exam) preparation and testing. June - complete applications; solicit letters of recommendation from faculty and non-academic referees.
FOURTH YEAR: Fall - follow-up with referees to make sure letters of recommendation have been submitted; Nov-Dec - Prepare for upcoming interviews; Nov-Jan - Complete supplemental applications; Participate in interviews (as invited); Feb - Submit more recent transcript (if it strengthens application); WAIT !! - contact waiting-list schools to express continued interest. Be willing to reapply if needed.
9. If I attend the University of Denver, is there financial aid available? Most undergraduates at the University of Denver receive some form of financial aid -- grants, loans, scholarship support or work-study. In addition to the financial aid offered by the Financial Aid Office, the Department of Biological Sciences has additional scholarship support for pre-health students who have been accepted by the University of Denver with a declared major in Biological Sciences. To apply for these funds, contact the Biology Office to request a scholarship application.
10. What is the acceptance rate for students applying to professional schools from the University of Denver? During the past 8-10 years, the acceptance rate of our students has ranged from 60-75%. Nationally, the average age of entering first-year medical students is 24- to 26- years old. Life experience, clinical experience, and maturity are important credentials. Any student with a genuine interest in pursuing a health care career must be willing to reapply to their program(s) of choice if not accepted in the first round of application.
11. If I re-apply, can I use old letters that were submitted in a previous application cycle? Online application systems purge their data files at the end of each application cycle. New letters need to be submitted for the most current profile of your credentials and preparation for medical training. The Biology office keeps letters on file for ONE YEAR. If more than one year has passed since a previous application cycle, then new letters of recommendation need to be requested.
12. What can the Pre-Professional Committee do to help? Who is on the committee? The Pre-Professional Committee is a group of faculty who are familiar with the process of making application to medical programs. They are available for general advising, and Committee members can offer feedback about how your personal efforts meet the general requirements and expectations for making application to medical programs. Also, Committee members review the individul letters of recommendation that are submitted for a letter packet and write a summary statement for the packet.
12. Who is on the PreProfessional Committee at the University of Denver? Contact the Biology office (303-871-3661) to learn which faculty members are serving on the PreProfessional committee.
September 15, 2009