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C H A R L I E H U N G E R F O R D , M . A .

A S S O C I A T E D I R E C T O R O F A D M I S S I O N

M E R C Y C O L L E G E O F N U R S I N G A N D H E A L T H S C I E N C E S

A L I C E A R R E D O N D O , E D . D .

A S S I S T A N T D E A N , A D M I S S I O N S A N D R E C R U I T M E N T

U M K C S C H O O L O F M E D I C I N E

S H E L L Y J A N A S Z , M . S .

D I R E C T O R , S T U D E N T A F F A I R S U M K C S C H O O L O F P H A R M A C Y

ACCEPTED!

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PREPARING STUDENTS

Start in high school – what you do really matters Choose the right school – factors to consider Start well – what to do during that first year of

college End strong – be prepared to keep trying

.

Develop good study habits and time-management skills

Look for interesting, practical, and various health-care related experiences

Challenging curriculum: Four years of math, science, and English; advanced coursework (AP, IB, honors, dual-enrollment)

Research area(s) of highest interest and become familiar with them

START IN HIGH SCHOOL

“Knowledge isn’t much value if you can’t recall the information, but you also need a functional understanding of what it means.”

~ Daniel Brown, Pharm.D.

“Deep learners don’t limit themselves to memorizing facts about drugs and diseases; they seek to understand the mechanisms behind the facts. Deep learners go on to ask why, how, and what if.”

~ Pharmacy Careers, Fall 2014

LEARNING TO BECOME A BETTER LEARNER

START IN HIGH SCHOOL

Develop Good Study Skills

Build habits of reading and studying before the class begins

Make and keep scheduled study times each week

Break down the study schedule into manageable sections

Look for alternative ways to study – reading, flash cards, practice quizzes, etc.

Determine your preferences and learning styles and build study groups around those preferences

Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for tests or projects

Study ahead

START IN HIGH SCHOOL

Interesting, practical and various health-care related experiences

Job shadow in a variety of clinical settings and careers

Conduct informational interviews of people doing what you would like to be doing

Get connected with student groups that are helping out in the community working with people who are different than you

Look for and take advantage of opportunities in your community that offer career speakers

Join a career exploration program like Medical Explorers or CAPS

Strengthen your communication skills, including written and oral, as well as listening skills

Begin to establish your “Why” for the profession you choose

Find part-time employment at a hospital, clinic, nursing home or other healthcare facility

Get to know your instructors

Find another student or small group to study with

GO TO CLASS! Make your study

sessions count Color coding

organization and plan ahead schedule

Recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and seek out resources to support you

Be ready, before you get to college, to have other study skill strategies you can try. “The Master Student”

Resiliency and coping skills – what went wrong, how do I fix it, who is my support system, have a plan B, try again.

Be willing to ask for help – use tutoring, supplemental instruction, etc.

DEVELOP GOOD ACADEMIC HABITS

EXPERIENCES

“When I started x-ray school, I didn’t even have a basic understanding of what I would be experiencing. It was culture shock. Spending a little time in the hospital or on a clinic site would have gone a long way toward showing me the actual job and not the layman’s concept.”

~ Tara Hathcock, Radiography Instructor

START IN HIGH SCHOOL

High School Coursework

Take as many math and science courses as you can

Take a challenging college preparatory schedule that includes four years of math, science and English

If your school offers it, take advantage of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, honors or dual-enrollment courses

Strong foundation of communication skills

“Of course sciences and health science, but I think they should have a good foundation of English to help with writing skills as they further their careers in health care.” ~ Sylvia Barber, MSN

“Depending on the [health] profession, different levels of education and training are required, but they all have one feature in common. They need high school graduates to enroll in academic programs who are well prepared in science, mathematics, and English, in addition to having computer skills.”

~ Dr. Thomas Elwood, Executive Director of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professionals

START IN HIGH SCHOOL

Research

Visit healthcare schools during Junior or Senior year, at the latest

Researching the program(s) before applying or entering can help with transition and the intensity of the program Don’t be afraid to ask questions – make a point to visit:

Recruiters/admissions staff Professors Current students Sit in on a recommended lecture or lab

Gain a basic understanding of medical terminology One less thing to memorize Terms in books and lectures will be familiar Easier transition to medical courses

Research the program and the requirements at each school

Know each school’s entrance, retention and graduation stats

Research what out-of-classroom experiences are offered in the program

Consider the time necessary to complete the program

Consider the entire cost, not just tuition and fees

Consider other opportunities of interest, outside of academic opportunities

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCHOOL

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Program Requirements

Learn about the specific prerequisite coursework required to enter the program and check to see if there is a timeline to complete

Research whether or not dual-credit, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement or other similar courses will transfer

Know what standardized test(s)/minimum scores are required for entry

Understand the career/education path and whether or not additional training is required after graduation

Clinical/internship/practicum opportunities available

Coursework success (course failure vs. remaining in program)

Accreditation

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Institutional Statistics

Size of the applicant pool

Anticipated acceptance rate

Average grade point and or test scores of applicants/of admitted class

Entering class demographics

Retention rate

Persistence to graduation rate

Licensing exam requirements and success rate

Employment/placement rate

Students and Graduates satisfaction with the program

Alumni involvement in the program

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Cost

Tuition each year of the program

Fees

Living expenses

Other expenses

Housing

Transportation to clinical/practicum experiences

Federal aid and scholarships available

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Completing the program

Identify the total length of the program – coursework plus internships/practicums

Research whether it is possible to go part-time or sit out a semester

Learn to prioritize

Establish a support system

Be aware of minimum Technical Standards you must be prepared to meet

“School admission committees look for applicants who have the potential to successfully complete the program. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity do the academic work entailed in earning a medical degree. That means that you must show that you have the capacity to handle all of the math and science required.…Your undergraduate coursework is the only indicator of your preparation and your potential for academic success.”

~Tara Kuther, Ph.D.

Academic performance during the first year is critical

Begin building relationships with professors, university staff and peers

Choose student organizations carefully and purposefully

Select major and coursework with your ultimate goal in mind

Work hard to retain information, rather than just to pass the next exam/class

START WELL

START WELL

Academic performance during the first year is critical

Grades are the best indication of a student’s capacity to excel in advanced study

Follow a suggested plan of study / Know & meet periodically with academic advisor

Take courses in proper progression

Know what pre-requisite coursework is required for your chosen field and excel in those classes

The more science, the better

Know which courses will support the standardized exams you may have to take (e.g. MCAT, PCAT, etc.)

GPA always matters – Cumulative, Science/Math, and Pre-requisite

Inquire about appropriate general education and elective courses Communications, Psychology, Sociology, Ethics, Economics, Philosophy

START WELL

Build relationships with professors, university staff, peers and health care practitioners

Letters of recommendation

Increased opportunities for research

Mentoring and advising

Get Involved with Student Organizations

Professional connections/networking

Build resume

Enhance academic opportunities

Hands on health initiatives experiences and leadership positions

Learn about specialties in the area of study you are interested in

Memberships in national professional associations

START WELL

Select major and coursework

Pre-med major not required / Baccalaureate degree recommendations, if necessary

Specific coursework is required

Other coursework is recommended (math, communications)“The more science the better. Students who choose majors outside the sciences will

likely use all of their electives on science or may find themselves delaying graduation in order to complete the science requirements….A premed or science major is not necessary to apply to medical school, but it makes it easier to complete the science required by all medical schools.” ~ About.com

“Nurse practitioners must possess excellent writing and speaking skills. Being able to concisely explain a procedure to patients and families is extremely important.”

~ education-portal.comRetain informationDevelop strategies to retain information in preparation for future exams and practice,

rather than simply learn for the test, class, or grade

Grade point average and academic records are important

Pay attention to deadlines

Develop a strong application

Understand how the admissions process works

Work on interview skills (if required)

Acceptance based on successful completion

BE PROFESSIONAL! Understand that

non-acceptance may occur, and work to strengthen your application

END WELL

IS HEALTH CARE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Do you like to work with and help people? Are you comfortable with science? Are you prepared to keep up with

developments in your field? Are you comfortable in a health care

setting? Are you a team player? What lifestyle do you envision?

THANK YO

U!

Charlie Hungerford, M.A.

Associate Director of Admission

Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Southwest Baptist University

chungerford@sbuniv.edu / 417.820.3272

Alice Arredondo, Ed.D.

Assistant Dean, Admissions and Recruitment

UMKC School of Medicine

arredondoal@umkc.edu / 816.235.1870

Shelly Janasz, M.S.

Director, Student Affairs, UMKC School of Pharmacy

janaszs@umkc.edu / 816.235.2400