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IV.            Selection of Applicants to Medical, Dental, and Veterinary School.

     The selection of applicants into medical, dental, and veterinary schools is based on:

-  Undergraduate GPA, with an emphasis on the science courses

-  Standardized test scores (MCAT, DAT, and GRE)

-  State of residence

-  Personal statement

-  Extracurricular activities

-  Work, voluntary work, and research experience

-  Letters of recommendation

-  Secondary applications and interviews

Undergraduate GPA:  Unfortunately, there is not a specific GPA that will guarantee acceptance into medical, dental, or veterinary school.  However, a GPA of approximately 3.60 or higher is typical of most successful applicants.

Standardized test scores:  As with the GPA, there is no specific standardized test score that will guarantee acceptance into medical, dental, or veterinary school.  A score of 10 or higher on each section of the MCAT and a 70^th percentile ranking on each section of the DAT is typical of most successful applicants.  Remember that these numbers are only averages, so there are successful applicants both above and below the numbers given.

State of residence:  State-supported medical, dental, and veterinary schools are usually required by law to give preference to state residents who apply for admission.  Thus, state-supported schools have quotas of in-state residents.  In 1997-1998 for example, 78% of first-year medical students entering the Ohio medical schools were residents of Ohio.  Even at Case Western Reserve University, the only private medical school in Ohio, 62% of the entering students were Ohio residents.  The best chance for admission into a medical, dental, or veterinary school is within the state of residence.  Also, it is less expensive to attend a medical, dental, or veterinary school that is within your state of residence.

Personal statement:  This is usually a one-page essay that describes something significant or unusual that has happened or that you feel strongly about in your personal life.  The personal statement is a chance to express yourself and allow yourself to stand out from the other applicants.  The personal statement should describe one aspect of your life that is unique.  Avoid the personal statements that describe how you want to save the world or help heal people. 

Extracurricular Activities:  A well-rounded student who is actively involved in organizations, clubs, or athletics is looked upon favorably by medical, dental, and veterinary schools.  Be advised that it is more important to be actively involved in a few organizations, clubs, or athletic activities than to be passively involved in many organizations, clubs, or activities.

Work, volunteer work, and research experience:  In selecting students, medical, dental, and veterinary schools consider  applicants’ work and research experience that is related to the particular school.  It is highly recommended that students spend at least one summer doing some type of science research.  It is also highly recommended that students do volunteer work or community service during the summers.  Observations of various practices are helpful for a student’s decision on different career paths.  While most medical schools do not require a certain number of verified hours of observation, some dental and veterinary schools do require a certain number of hours observed in a private practice.

Letters of recommendation, secondary applications, and interviews:  These topics are discussed in the application materials  for medical, dental, and veterinary schools.

     It may be helpful to acquire the AMCAS, AADSAS, or AAVMS universal applications to medical, dental, or veterinary schools, respectively, to familiarize yourself with the type of information that the schools consider for admission.  Please consult the pre-health advising program for these applications, and for additional information describing the application process to medical, dental, and veterinary school.