Most medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, physician assistant and podiatry schools utilize a centralized application service. The applicant sends one application to a central processing location which verifies transcripts and calculates GPA's, and then forwards the information to the schools designated. Not all schools utilize these services, so it is important to make sure you check with each school to make sure you know how to apply!
Many schools, after receiving the preliminary application from the centralized application service, will require additional information (sometimes known as secondary applications), which may involve an additional application fee.
Applications are generally reviewed on a rolling basis
The sooner you get your application in, the better your chances. Every year we see highly qualified applicants on wait lists – wondering if they will get in and not finding out until late spring or even summer - because they didn’t send in their applications until Fall. Don’t let this happen to you!
What you will need:
- Transcripts from every college attended – this includes community colleges, etc.
- This will be the most time consuming part. You will need to categorize the courses into Biology/Chemistry/ Physics/Math (BCPM) versus all others.
- List of all volunteer, work experiences – you will need to provide a contact/supervisor name for these.
- Personal statement
Completing the Application
- Follow all instructions carefully! The applications are quite detailed, and even small mistakes may delay the processing of your application, or cause incorrect information to be sent to the schools to which you are applying. Take your time and be careful. Correct is always better than early.
- After submitting your preliminary application, you will receive a copy of your profile from the application service. Carefully review this information, and follow the instructions for changing any incorrect information. You may also want to contact individual schools with especially important changes, since it may be a while until they receive the updated information.
- Ensure that the academic information you list on your application exactly matches the information on your transcripts.
- Apply as early as possible, even if you have not taken your standardized tests! Be aware of all schools' deadlines!
- Make sure you have an application for the appropriate entering class year.
- Proofread the application carefully before submitting it. Make sure all required information, including appropriate fee, is included.
- Answer all questions honestly, including any questions about academic performance, conduct violations, or criminal charges. Most applications provide a place to explain such incidents. Explain them honestly and openly, without making excuses.
- Permanent address - list an address that you do not expect to change over the next year.
- Regularly back up your information, or even print out a copy of all pages. If it gets lost, you will want that information to fill out a new one!
- Many schools only accept in-state residents, or strongly prefer them. You may only be a resident of one state. If you are not sure of which state you are a resident, contact the schools to which you plan to apply.