Suggestions to be a successful application (Taken from OUHSC Health Advisors Day):
Join the Pre-Med / Pre-Health Club (or other available organizations)
Select a Major of Interest
Prioritize Academics
Gain Health Care Experience
Volunteer Time
Become involved on Campus
Additional Suggestions from the Pre-Medical Professions Advisory Committee
START EARLY
Find out what it takes in terms of classes and extracurricular activities – and do
it
Strive to do well academically from the start (or from that point on…)
Start your application as soon as becomes available – most are online by June
Apply as early as you can – even before the application deadline – to get the best
chance of an early interview and early acceptance
Seek advisement – from instructors, professionals in the field, the school to which
you are applying, and other students who have been there.
NOTE: While other students are good sources of information, please verify what they
tell you!
Have other people review your application
This is especially true of your personal statement – this is the first impression
that the professional school gets
Demonstrate Leadership in at least one activity
Do well on the pre-professional test – study for the test and do practice tests!!!!
Gain knowledge about your field of interest
Read the information found under the Pre-Professional Information section and visit the individual website(s) of the school(s) to which you are applying
Go to the Helpful Websites section or search online to research the field
Interview a professional within your field of interest
Display a true passion for that field of interest
You’ve made the academic cut and you’ve got an interview – now what do you do?
Be able to articulate an understanding of health care in general, the specific profession
for which you are interested, and the program to which you are applying
Show that you are excited about that field – know specifically why you want to go
into it
Be able to describe at least one example from actual volunteer / work / shadowing
experience that left an impression on you
If it is in your application, you better be able to explain it! (i.e., research experience,
volunteer work, participation in a club event, etc.)
Mock interview so that you are familiar with common questions and are prepared to
think on your feet
Be honest and be yourself – the interviewers want to get to know you as a person and
see if you are a good “fit” for the program
Avoid canned answers – you will only get flustered if you can’t remember every word
that you had memorized
Show up early and come prepared, with a copy of your application, resume, and transcript,
as well as pen and paper.
Treat EVERYONE as if they were the interviewers
Ask questions of the interviewers
Make eye contact, try to relax as much as possible, and be confident – this is your
moment to succeed
What if you don’t get in the first time you apply?
Try not to be discouraged
Honestly assess the situation – is there a realistic chance for you to get in next
year if you make certain improvements to your application?? Improvements may include:
Re-taking pre-requisites (although some professional schools are no longer honoring
academic forgiveness policies)
Taking advanced courses in science
Improving GPA (especially by taking more upper level science courses)
Finishing your degree
Taking classes to earn Graduate School credit
Becoming more familiar with the profession (i.e., by researching on the internet or
interviewing health care professionals)
Gaining more experience by volunteering or working in a health care setting
Doing more shadowing in the specific field
Seek advisement for specific recommendations
Contact the professional school to make an appointment to go over the application
packet and interview scores
Follow their recommendations and try again
Re-interview with the SWOSU Pre-Medical Committee – be prepared to tell the Committee
why you are a stronger applicant and even more prepared now to enter into this field.
By applying again, you are demonstrating that you have made a commitment to this field
and that (hopefully) you are now a more qualified applicant than in the previous year.
Being older and wiser definitely weighs in your favor in the medical fields!