Health Professions Advising

Open File Session 2015

Office of Academic AdvisingProfessional Advisors – OHPAs with AAMC

Director of Academic Advising: Aliya Bhimani Assistant Directors of Academic Advising: Brad Blunt, Dr.

Danielle Brady, Laura Kirkland, Christine Martinez & Davinia Rodriguez-Wilhelm

Administrative Staff Health Professions Advising Coordinator: Noreen Hoard Department Coordinator: Aurora Zarate

Purpose of Open File Session Details and guidance on the application

process For students applying to medical, dental and

veterinary school, Rice submits a Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) letter to formally introduce you to schools and provide a narrative on your candidacy An optional service but a Rice tradition for over 25

years

Strong Candidate Academic Performance at Rice (overall GPA and

science GPA) Standardized Test Scores (ex. MCAT, DAT, etc.) Clinical Exposure and Experiences Service and Community Involvement

(Altruism/Empathy) Uniqueness: Interests, Perspectives, and Experiences Leadership and Teamwork Research (Intellectual Curiosity) Interpersonal/Communication Skills Character: Ethics, Integrity, Honesty, Responsibility Letters of Evaluation

Importance of Deadlines Need significant information from you Without sufficient information in a timely

manner, cannot represent your candidacy Most health professional schools operate on

rolling admissions so delays significantly impact admission

We need your help to maintain this standard

Timeline Task Deadline

  Pay $100 Registration Fee (here) December 18, 2015

 Complete HPA Applicant Information Form (Google Form here)

December 18, 2015

  Submit Materials in OWL-Space Drop Box

January 29, 2016(by 11:59 p.m.)

  Submit SJP Disciplinary Request Waiver

  Submit High School Paragraph

  Submit Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  Submit Draft Personal Statement

  Submit Informational Interview Form

  Request Supporting Letters of Evaluation January 29, 2016

 Schedule Informational Interview (Strongly Suggested)

February 5 – April 1, 2016

 Complete Informational Interview (Strongly Suggested)

April 8, 2016

  Start Applications to AMCAS and TMDSAS Open May 1, 2016

  Supporting Letters of Evaluation Received May 13, 2016

  Complete Applications in AMCAS and TMDSAS May 1 – Oct 1, 2016 (ASAP)

December 18: Open your File Two Step Process:

$100 registration feehttps://signup.rice.edu/2017HPFile/ Applicant Information Form http://goo.gl/forms/2szjAO5ySe

Waivers: Access to individual letters & HPAC letter Authorization for Student Judicial Programs (SJP) to release

your disciplinary record information Rice Alumni in Medicine

December 18: Open your File Once all materials are confirmed, you will be

added to the HPA-2017 Applicants OWL-Space using your NetID

If you are an alumnus, contact the OAA at healthapp@rice.edu for a new NetID

January 29: Submit Materials in OWL-Space SJP disciplinary waiver request High school paragraph Curriculum Vitae (CV) Personal Statement Informational Interview Form

January 29: SJP Disciplinary Waiver Request Allows communication between SJP and the

OAA regarding your disciplinary record SJP disciplinary waiver request

Release record to the “Office of Academic Advising”

Be sure to sign the bottom of the form

Honor Code or Conduct Violations All students are asked to complete the SJP

disciplinary record request Review Questions 3 and 4 in the

SJP FAQ document Remember: It is best to be honest

January 29: High School Paragraph Summarize your achievements Context about your accomplishments with

respect to your college transition Example:

In the spring of 2006, Joseph graduated as valedictorian of his class from Rollins High School in San Diego, California with a perfect 4.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average, a perfect 1600 SAT score and a perfect 36 ACT score. He had also amassed 51 hours of Advanced Placement credit. While in high school, Joseph was also actively involved with Habitat for Humanity, and he participated in theater while competing on the tennis and golf teams. He was named a National Merit Scholar and upon his matriculation at Rice, he was given the Trustee Distinguished Brown Scholarship and the W.L. Moody, Jr. Engineering Scholarship.

January 29: CV All applicants are required to use the template

provided in Owl-Space as it is specifically formatted for the HPAC

Detail your academic achievement, research experience, clinical exposure, leadership experience, volunteerism, extra-curriculars, honors and awards, etc.

January 29: Informational Interview Form Expand on elements of your CV Opportunity to articulate your motivation Provides perspective about the steps taken to

prepare Reflect on information admissions committees

want to know

January 29: Personal Statement Opportunity to personalize your application

and can address: Personal and career goals Philosophy of health care Motivation for health profession Unique characteristics, circumstances, or life

experiences contributing to diversity of class Reflect on the experiences in your CV:

describe how these experiences have shaped your motivation to pursue medicine

January 29: Personal Statement Start early, seek help from those who know

you well Will require several iterations Rice Pre-Medical Society will host workshops Center for Written, Oral, and Visual

Communication available for consultation

January 29: Request Letters Need to consider the following:

Number of letters: more than 4 for MD/PhD only Who, how, and when to ask

Provide evaluators with Letter of Evaluation waiver (found in OWL-Space)

January 29: Request Letters We suggest the following letters:

Professor in your academic major Professor of science or engineering course (could

overlap with major) Supervising research professor or related to

clinical activities Individual who can provide a strong character

reference

Resources in Owl-Space Open File Presentation & Document Guidelines and templates:

HS paragraph CV Personal statement Informational interview form

Guidelines for requesting letters Letter waiver request form Opportunities and announcements (workshops

on personal statements, mock interviews)

February 5 – April 1: Schedule Informational Interview Students are encouraged to participate Not a formal interview Opportunity to clarify documents submitted in

OWL-Space Business casual attire suggested

Before May 1: Research Schools Deciding where to apply is critical yet

challenging and time consuming Important factors include:

Public school residency requirements Curricular approach

Traditional lecture or problem-based learning Schedule (block class or multiple class) Basic sciences structure Grading system Focus on research, primary care or specialty

School culture Location Cost of attendance

Before May 1: Research Schools AMCAS American Medical College Application Service

First school is $165, $36 for each additional school Supplemental applications range from $25-$100

TMDSAS Texas Medical Dental School Application Service

Flat fee of $140, regardless of the number of schools applying to

AACOMAS American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service

First school is $195, $35 for each additional school AADSAS Associated American Dental Schools Application Service

First school is $244, $90 for each additional school

Before May 1: Research Schools Resources:

Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)

Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service website

AACOMAS and AADSAS books available in OAA office

Where do Rice students go? In fall 2015, Rice graduates went to the

following states for medical school: TX = 67%

PA, NY, NJ, MA = 6%

IL, OH, MO, TN = 6%

MD, NC, Washington DC = 5%

Other = 16%

Before May 1: Application Processing Details All students are required to carefully read the

application manuals available online (~April) AMCAS AACOMAS TMDSAS AADSAS

Most schools operate on rolling admissions, it is best to apply early

Questions should be directed to each service: AMCAS: amcas@aamc.org TMDSAS: info@tmdsas.com

After May 1: Application Processing Details Letters of Evaluation

List all evaluators in your Information Interview form If you change evaluators, submit an updated

document in your dropbox and email healthapp@rice to notify us – do not delete your old forms

All applicants receive an email from the OAA when all supporting letters of evaluation have been submitted to our office

If your evaluator submits an electronic copy of your letter, they will receive an email confirmation from our office that it was successfully submitted on your behalf

After May 1: Application Processing Details Letters of Evaluation Section (AMCAS)

Please select committee letter Provide contact information listed in your

packet

May-October: Processing Details Transcripts:

Students are required to submit transcripts for each accredited institution attended To request a transcript, visit the Registrar’s website Each service requires a Transcript Request Form to be

sent with your transcript, include applicant ID on form Study Abroad courses on Rice approved study

abroad programs are generally accepted on a Rice transcript

Be sure to follow guidelines for each application service regarding transcript submission and study abroad credits

May 1-October 1: Secondary Applications Secondary applications vary

Certain schools do not have any Some are available immediately online (some

Texas schools) Some schools will send you a link to their school

specific website after receiving your application Some schools will send you a link to their school

specific website after an initial review of your application

Submit as soon as possible, within ~2 weeks of receipt

August 2016- April 2017: Interviews Prepare

Research interview format: traditional versus multiple mini interviews

Practice possible questions Make sure your story is concise Inform your professors of dates as you accept

invitations Mock interviews

Hosted by Rice Pre-Medical Society and Rice Pre-Dental Society in February 2016 for students who meet OAA deadlines on a first come, first serve basis

CWOVC and CCD as well

The Application Timeline

The application process is long and challenging; be prepared and have patience

Good luck!

Office of Academic Advisingoaa.rice.edu

713-348-4060Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

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