The Application Process

Is your GPA competitive for the profession you wish to enter? Do you have any particularly low grades? What story does your transcript tell about you? (For example, do your grades show an upward trend? A challenging transfer to Smith from another school?) Admission offices evaluate your academic record to assess whether an applicant can handle the rigors of professional school and be competitive on the exams required for licensure. A competitive candidate will have an above average GPA and entrance exam score. Any academic missteps, such as an F (E on your Smith transcript), incomplete, or other conditional grades should be discussed with a health professions adviser.

Entrance examination scores strongly influence the likelihood of admission to a health profession school. Though the entrance examination is just one part of your application, do not believe that other qualifications will compensate for poor scores. Similarly, do not believe that excellent scores will compensate for weak qualifications in other important areas.

How have you investigated your field of choice? Admission committees require evidence that you know why you are choosing this career path and are confident that it is the right fit. Evidence may include experience shadowing practitioners, conducting research, attending clinical internships, or volunteering in a healthcare setting.

Health care is ultimately about caring for others, whether people or—in the case of veterinarians—animals. How have your experiences demonstrated this passion? Perhaps through substantive student activities, volunteer work, internships or post-graduation employment.

Have your experiences allowed you to develop the qualities necessary to interact with people in need? Reflect upon whether you have cultivated patience and an open mind for serving diverse populations. Because you will work with a larger care team, admission committees also seek evidence of organizational and leadership skills, motivation to work both independently and as part of a team, and strong written and oral communication skills. Aspiring veterinarians: This applies to you, as well! Your ability to interact with an animal's owner or caretaker will be critical to your success in this field.

Health care workers may face ethically and morally ambiguous decisions. Admission committees seek evidence of good judgment, even-handedness, integrity, and maturity. How have you developed these skills? Also evaluate your professionalism. Does your public persona raise questions? Admission officials do check social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and inappropriate or questionable content could jeopardize your chances of admission. Your email address and voicemail greeting should similarly be professional and mature.

Any academic or legal misconduct (including any violation of Smith's Honor Code, large or small) should be confidentially discussed with the Director of the Health Professions Advising Program before you decide to continue with your application. You will be required to enter this information on your professional school application, and serious infractions may disqualify you for consideration at your chosen health profession schools.

How have your experiences prepared you to practice innovative health care? Many health profession schools consider research the primary mechanism for improving standards of patient care, and thus a necessary part of what it means to be a health care professional. Research should be considered broadly and does not need to be confined to laboratory work. Many successful applicants conduct research in the social sciences, arts and humanities. All independent research ultimately demonstrates responsibility, initiative, innovation, the ability to self-monitor and self-motivate, and critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Bear in mind that each health profession school has its own personality. If your goal is to attend a school that has a strong focus in scientific research, you should have demonstrated a sustained interest in learning what it means to be a scientist by working in a lab, attending a summer internship, or completing a senior thesis project. Moreover, most health profession schools will want to see that you have developed strong laboratory skills, whether or not this connects directly to your independent research experience.

All of your experiences are particularly valuable if you have demonstrated leadership in creating, sustaining, or reviving an area of your interest. Pursuing the experiences about which you are most passionate will help your leadership skills to grow and shine.

An otherwise qualified applicant will receive little consideration by health profession schools without strong supporting letters of recommendation. In order for a reference to write an outstanding letter, you, the applicant, must put in the effort to help your potential letter writers get to know you. Actively participate in your classes, visit office hours and speak with your professors about your interests and career goals. Employ similar relationship-building strategies with supervisors and mentors, and you will receive rich and detailed recommendation letters that can set you apart from other applicants.

Are you financially, emotionally, and physically ready to attend a rigorous training program? The application process is expensive, time consuming, and emotionally draining. Once in school you will need money for living expenses in addition to your tuition, so think carefully about how to fund your education. Also consider whether you are mentally prepared for the stress that can accompany a fast-paced academic program. Finally, if you have any health concerns, consider how you might prepare for the physical rigors of school.

Improving your qualifications and building a "Plan B"

Building evidence of qualifications takes time. For those who need to strengthen one or more elements of their application, the wisest path is often to summon patience and apply in the following cycle. Even the most qualified individuals will need to think about what they will do over the course of the application cycle to continue improving the weaker areas of their application, while also developing a backup plan in case they are not accepted the first time.

"I will apply and see what happens"

This is a common sentiment, and it rarely serves the applicant well. In most cases, we hear this from applicants who recognize that they are not yet fully qualified. We cannot stress enough the importance of working with the Board of Health Professions Advisors to assess your qualifications and determine the optimum timeline for applying. We will be honest and inform you if we believe you need additional time for preparations. Certainly, we cannot predict who will be admitted to a health profession school, but we can predict with a good deal of accuracy who will not gain admission. We urge you to take our advice seriously.

For applicants to medical school, you will want to focus on 15 to 20 schools. Applicants applying to MD and DO programs may end up with a combined total of 20 to 25 schools. Applicants to most other health professions apply to a smaller number of schools, usually 8 to 12 programs.

Research average grade point averages and entrance exam scores of admitted students at different schools. You do not need to fall at or above the median numbers for all of your schools, but you should certainly fall within a given school's ranges in these areas. If you are in the lower ends of a school's ranges, you should have stellar qualifications in other areas.

Be sure a school matches your interests. Look at the philosophies of schools where you may be a qualified applicant. Read mission statements. Investigate what the school's current students and alumni/ae are doing and how the school is (or is not) integrated into the surrounding community. Ascertain the general campus climate around any religious, political or social issues about which you feel strongly. Does what you find resonate with your values and career goals?

At the same time, be flexible! Your choices may change dramatically as you interview. Most students report feeling the right fit—or not!—after they have visited a school.

Geographic preferences are important, but some flexibility in this area will allow you to select from a broader range of schools. Remember that your time in professional school is only a few years, not the rest of your career.

There is no way of knowing the cost of your professional school education until you have been given an offer of admission with a financial aid package. If you are interested in a school but concerned about the costs, carefully research the financial aid available, and then determine whether you feel it is worth the cost of your application. It is important to note that while public institutions generally have lower tuition than private ones, private institutions may have greater financial resources to offer scholarships to eligible students.

Selecting both public and private schools is usually in the best interest of most applicants. Above all, do include schools in your home state or region. Many schools give preference to in-state residents, and tuition for in-state residents is often much less than that for private school.

Do not apply to any school that you would not be happy attending if it is the only school that makes an offer of admission.

The following resources provide concise overviews of admission requirements for individual schools based on profession.

• AANMC Member Schools (naturopathic medicine)
• ACA Chiropractic Colleges
• ACAOM Find http://acaom.org/directory/A School (acupuncture and Oriental medicine)
• ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools
• "All Access" Med School Admissions Podcasts
• Discover Nursing List of Schools
• Medical School Admission Requirements (allopathic medical schools, including Canadian schools)
• OptomCAS Information About Schools and Colleges (optometry)
• Osteopathic Medicine Choose DO Explorer (osteopathic medical schools)
• OTCAS Participating Programs (occupational therapy)
• PAEA Program Directory (physician assistant)
• PharmCAS Directory (pharmacy)
• Podiatric Medical College Information Book
• PTCAS Programs Directory (physical therapy)
• SOPHAS Participating Institutions and Program Search (public health)
• Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements

The Health Professions team uses Hireflix, an industry-standard asynchronous mock interview platform, to help you practice your interview skills. Hireflix allows you to record your answers to interview sets created by your adviser. No account is needed and interviews can be completed on any computer or phone with a camera.

You can access pre-made mock interviews on your own time. Lazarus Center advisers are also happy to meet with you for interview practice. Schedule an appointment via Handshake or call 413-585-2582.

Interviewing is stressful, and you will be most relaxed and 'yourself' if you feel well prepared. Make sure to book flights as soon as possible to avoid rising fares and consider student hosts if your school offers them. You can also contact Smith alumnae in that area using the Stay with a Smithie Facebook group.

A note about contacting alumnae: Please use good judgment when reaching out to alumnae who you do not know, and avoid putting them on the spot. For example, it would not be appropriate to ask an alumna if she could provide you with accommodation. She may, however, be able to offer advice on local accommodation and transportation options. 

Practice Interviewing

Research the interview format of the school so you can prepare for the types of questions that may be asked. Read through commonly asked interview questions and practice articulating your answers. Prepare to discuss emerging issues in health care by reading current journal articles and forming your own questions and opinions. Above all, practice, practice, practice! You can practice interviewing with friends, family, co-workers, professors...anyone who is willing. We strongly recommend using Hireflix and to schedule a mock interview via your Handshake account.

Plan for the Day

Prepare for interview day by fulfilling any requests of the admission office. Plan professional attire for that day. At a minimum, applicants should wear dress pants and a blazer, or a dress or skirt with an appropriate jacket. Jewelry and makeup should be unremarkable. Conservative colors, such as grey, blue, or black are safe choices. Be sure to arrange enough time for a non-rushed arrival and departure, and know where to go. A pocket-sized notebook is useful for writing down names of people you will meet. A padfolio can be useful and professional.

‘Open File’ Interviews

The interviewer has access to your application information.

‘Blind’ or ‘Closed File’ Interviews

The interviewer has limited information about you and, at a minimum, does not know your test scores.

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)

A series of short, timed, sequential, scenario-based questions that assess a candidate's communication, logic, judgment, and interpersonal abilities. These are increasingly common among medical schools in the United States and Canada. If you get this type of interview, it is strongly advised that you review the process (more here) and practice a few scenarios.

Behavioral Event Interviews

A series of open-ended questions that require you to give evidence-based answers about how you work, communicate, and make decisions.

Stress Interviews

Questions that are increasing in difficulty, or that are uncomfortable, personal, or otherwise distressing. The purpose of this type of interview is to evaluate how you function under stress.

Arrive a few minutes early. Be friendly, professional and nice to everyone, including the other applicants! Do a brief review of your itinerary.

Listen and ask thoughtful questions. Take time to reflect on the school's values as the day progresses. What is the school proud of? Do their values fit your professional goals? Write down the names of everyone you meet. Use down time to note small details that you thought were interesting or unique. Maybe you witnessed a student helping someone who had dropped their books, or you connected with a faculty member over a shared interest.

M.D.-Ph.D. candidates should be prepared for at least one in-depth conversation about their research, with a faculty member who works in a similar field. Be confident but not presumptuous. Recognize that you do not have all of the answers. Practice for this portion of your interview with a current PI or other research mentor. Read current peer-reviewed publications in your area of research.

Do not be thrown off if an interview is not what you expect. Some faculty will ask formal questions, while others may simply wish to talk about the future of health care. If you have a group interview or exercise, you will be evaluated for your ability to work in a team. Respond thoughtfully to the ideas of others, and do not monopolize the conversation. Try to avoid the mindset that all questions have 'right' answers. Often, questions are asked to assess your ability to think logically and communicate clearly.

Be formal. Unless instructed otherwise, address faculty formally, using professor, doctor, Ms., Mr., etc. Thank your interviewers, tour guides, and the admissions office for inviting you to interview.

Turn off your phone. Your cell phone should be off or stowed throughout the day. Nothing conveys disinterest faster than consulting your cell phone during any part of the interview, including what you may perceive as 'down time.'

Smile! You will get far by showing enthusiasm for the school and a passion for health care.

Thank-You Notes

Send thank-you notes to those who interviewed you. Handwritten may be appreciated (provided your penmanship is legible), though an emailed note can be easier to add to your file. Be sure to include anything that you particularly liked or noticed throughout the day. Some schools have policies against applicants contacting interviewers directly. When this is the case, it is acceptable to send a thank-you to the general admissions office address.

Letter of Interest

You may also send a letter of interest (LOI). A letter of interest (LOI) is any letter sent to an admission committee that is not required as part of your application. The purpose of an LOI is to convey your continued interest in a particular school. There are no hard rules about submitting an LOI, but you should do your homework and send LOIs judiciously. Some admission committees discourage LOIs, while others welcome them. In almost all cases, an LOI is appropriate following an interview, but be aware of schools that have policies against contacting interviewers directly.

Notes About Difficult Experiences

Though rare, negative interview experiences do take place. If you encounter a bad experience, remember to keep your cool. You can report a poor experience and, if you choose, withdraw your application. Many schools ask for anonymous feedback. It may also be beneficial to discuss a poor, uncomfortable or confusing interview experience with your health professions adviser.