THE SUCCESSFUL SCIENCE STUDENT: Timetable
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Medical School Application Timetable
Most pre-health students plan to enter a professional school immediately after graduation and therefore must start the first phase of their application process in December of their junior year. The following time-line is based upon this schedule; however, if you plan to enter professional school at a different time, you should adjust your schedule accordingly.

Freshman and Sophomore Year

• Open a file with the Pre-Health Office
• Read outside of your textbooks and develop outside interests
• Begin volunteering
• Review MCAT material as you take your science courses.
• Collect letters of recommendation and evaluations from faculty/work/volunteer/research
• Look for research opportunities

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Junior Year – Fall

• Begin research
• Check transcripts for mistakes
• Complete courses needed to prepare for the MCAT or other exams.
• Start a first draft of personal statement
• Check on who has sent letters of recommendation/evaluation and thank them!
• Begin studying for MCAT (or other) exams
• Look for applications to summer programs

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Junior Year – Spring

• Begin application process
• Apply for fee waivers
• Take the April MCAT or other health professions exam.
• Begin practicing interviewing techniques
• Begin choosing schools you think will offer you the most chance of success and researching the qualities you think are important to you.

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Senior Year - Fall

• Complete research projects
• Complete degree requirements
• Complete secondary applications
• Go on interviews
• Send updated transcripts to schools
• Start making INFORMED choices
• Get parents to file taxes early!!!

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Senior Year – Spring

• File financial aid forms for schools of your choice
• Begin letting go of schools you will not be attending
• Start looking at aid awards
• Loan deferements
• Ask about summer pre-matriculation programs
• Plan for air fare
• Apartment hunting
• Car or no car?
• CELEBRATE!!!

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