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- The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) moves from a written-based test to a computer-based test starting January, 2007. There will be a shorter test day—about 4 hours and 20 minutes of actual test time—(as opposed to nearly 6 hours as in the previous test!) and students will be able to work at their own pace, moving on to the next section if they are ready before the allotted time is up. Breaks are built in, and are optional, but recommended to avoid fatigue. Scores will be available in 30 days instead of 60 days.
The test will be offered 22 times during the year, but as seats are limited at Thomson Prometric Centers, students are encouraged to register early. Also, TIMING is important! It is recommended that students take the MCAT in April or May so they have time to retake it in the same application timeframe (retaking the exam in July, August, September). Registration for the April or May exams opens December 13, 2006. The test currently costs $210, with a cost of $50.00 for a change of test center or a change of date. If students do both at once, the charge is $50.00. To register for the exam, go to www.aamc.org/mcat.
Taking the exam in the spring gives lets you know your first scores by the month of June, which opens the application period. Student’s best course of action is to apply early—an early application is always stronger because most schools have rolling admissions, filling their classes with the top students as they are interviewed.
There are computer-based practice tests available through e-mcat.com, available through the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC.org - practice tests.)
- “More students make way to medical school” notes an article in the Chicago Tribune from October, 2006, “Despite the growing outcry among doctors and organized medical groups about everything from what they are paid to hassles with insurance companies, young people are flocking to medical schools in record numbers….The Washington-based association (AAMC) said first-time enrollees in the incoming 2006 class increased 2.2%to nearly 17,400—a record…
‘These latest figures clearly indicate that medicine remains a compelling career option for more and more well-qualified students,’ said the association’s president, Dr. Darrell G. Kirsh. ‘With the looming doctor shortage, these results are good news indeed, and we hope this encouraging trend continues.’”
- SIU School of Dental Medicine is now interviewing student applicants (as of fall, 2006). Interviews are one-on-one with a member of the admissions committee. They are 30 minutes long, and students are typically asked open-ended questions. The School of Dental Medicine is optimistic about the interviewing process, as more attention will be given to applicants.
Committee Interview - The University's Health Preprofessional Committee interviews most preprofessional students---medical, dental, veterinary and optometry---at SIUC in Spring Semester in order to obtain a composite letter of recommendation to send to professional schools. It's an important part of your application. Three areas will be assessed: academic achievement, personality/motivation, and time management. If you are applying to enter the fall of 2008, you will need to interview with the Health Preprofessional Committee in the spring of 2007-it comes up quickly! Checklist:
- Your evaluations for your interview will need to be in to the HP Office by Feb. 1st. (This is a projected date.) Evaluation forms are available at the COS Advisement front desk or online from the HP web site.
- You may schedule your interviews in February, March, or April.
- Your biographical sketch and list of Preprofessional courses need to be in 2 weeks before your interview. Please meet with your HP Advisor to get more details.
That All-Important Junior Year Soon you will be applying to the professional schools of your choice. Are you ready? Most of you may be having a difficult time imagining the application year looming ahead of you in the very near future! Some of you will decide that you are not quite ready yet. No problem, it is far better to make yourself a better applicant before you apply than to waste precious time and money. Many students wish they had taken a year off before beginning their professional programs anyway. You can stay fresh by taking a few courses and working in a health care setting during that time. Tips for those who are about to jump full-tilt into the year-long application process:
- Start preparing for your admission test now! Yes, it is not too early. It will not be easy preparing for your exam while taking other courses, but you will not be able to cram for your DAT, MCAT, or OAT. It is recommended that you have at least 1-2 hours per day of study time for 4-5 months prior to the MCAT. If you decide to take a commercial preparation course, it is still wise to read daily (Time, Newsweek, New Yorker magazines), and study science areas on a consistent basis. Get some clinical experience- When you apply, admissions officers want evidence that you have a good idea of what you're getting yourself into. It will also help you to either confirm your desire about your profession. Do not wait until the last minute to get this underway! Regular observation, employment, or volunteer experience makes you look much more serious as an applicant, and can really assist you in writing your personal statement. The minimum cumulative hours of experience you should apply with should be at least 20.
- You should be meeting with your health professions advisor on a regular basis, as often as needed. There is a wealth of information! Frequent visits are helpful.
- SUBSCRIBE TO THE LISTSERV TO RECEIVE PRE-HEALTH RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS! To subscribe, send an email to: listserv@siu.edu The subject line can be ignored. The text of the note should contain the following listserv command: SUB PREHEALTH-L firstname lastname (Print out the directions about the listserv, and save them.) To send an email to the list: PREHEALTH-L@SIU.EDU Your email will be dispensed to the whole list.
- If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE to the Pre-Health listserve, send an email to LISTSERV@SIU.EDU with the command: UNSUB PREHEALTH-L
You will receive a removal confirmation and will be unsubscribed from the list. If you have trouble unsubscribing, please email Gail Robinson at grobin@siu.edu.
For additional information:- Gail B. Robinson, M.S.Ed.
Health Professions Advisor
College of Science Advisement
Neckers A185
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901-4404
(618) 536-2147/ Fax (618) 453-7067- Email: health-professions@cos.siu.edu
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