The health professions school application process begins about one and one-half years before the date when you will actually enter a health professions school. For many people, this means the winter of the junior or senior year in college. For others, it means waiting until completion of one or more years of post-baccalaureate education. The checklist below is intended to provide a detailed guide for students applying to medical, dental, or other health professions schools.
Application is usually expensive and entails travel, application fees, and other interview costs.
Several professional organizations have centralized electronic application services. Many schools prefer this. Be sure to contact the AAMC for MCAT preparation materials. While a number of commercaial review courses are available, consult your pre-medical advisor before taking one of these courses. If you haven't attended a summer program that provides exposure to the health professions, along with test preparation, look over the programs listed in your pre-health professions office and apply to at least three of them.