Application Process
Applying to health professional school is a complex process starting in the spring of the year before you wish to matriculate—that’s approximately eighteen months prior to your first day of class. It is a long, sometimes tedious, sometimes stressful, and sometimes downright frustrating process, requiring great attention to detail and patience. Every year, applicants report back to us that the completion of applications took much longer than they expected, but that the interview process was less traumatic than anticipated (sometimes even fun). The trick is to start the application process early and break it down into small steps so as to avoid becoming overwhelmed, particularly amidst a senior thesis, or extracurricular commitments, or the MCAT, or a new full-time job—or any combination of all these demands on your time.
For a variety of reasons, roughly 50% of Princeton applicants elect to take one year off before continuing their education, waiting until after senior year to apply. Sometimes an academic record is not quite competitive yet and needs the full senior year, including the thesis and a letter of recommendation from a thesis adviser, to accurately represent the applicant’s full potential. Just as often, an opportunity to work in a clinical or research setting attracts the applicant, as does the desire to live on one’s own outside the walls of a university before entering another educational institution.
Successful applicants to health professional school also know themselves well and are capable of addressing their weaknesses as well as their strengths. They have a solid background of health-related experience as well as a good academic record. Most of all, they are able to articulate what their intended health profession means to them and why they wish to enter the field, using their direct experiences to demonstrate that desire. A common question for a pre-health student to have is, “Am I a competitive applicant?” It is important to remember that no one factor gets a student into medical, dental, or veterinary school, or keeps a student out. As for grades, you will be evaluated according to your entire academic record; one “C” in science will not keep you out. Try not to get too bogged down with GPA’s. We will be happy to speak with you about your record and give you our assessment of how things look. Remember that the acceptance rate for Princeton applicants has always been excellent. However, in addition to solid grades, these individuals had service experience, health-related experience, and a genuine love of science and service.
They also had a competitive MCAT, DAT, or GRE score. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required by all U.S. medical schools, the DAT by all dental schools, and the GRE by most vet schools. Each tests slightly different things. The MCAT and DAT test your knowledge of science from the required coursework and, therefore, should not be taken until those courses are virtually complete. The period of months following your completion of the requirements is the best time to take the MCAT or DAT. This may be the spring of junior year, or the summer after sophomore year, or anytime during senior year or beyond; it will depend on your individual timeline. The MCAT and DAT are knowledge-based tests for which you must study. How you prepare is up to you. Commercial test preparation outfits operate in the Princeton area and many students avail themselves of these services. An MCAT or DAT score is good for three years at most schools, so taking the test in the spring of junior year does not necessarily mean that you must enter med school right after college graduation. The GRE, required by vet schools, is an aptitude test. Preparation is definitely required, but the test will not be based on the content of any courses you have taken.
In this section of our website you will find the Application Guide, including everything you need to know to apply to health professional school. Please read the Introduction carefully. It contains valuable information on the committee letter, on the timing of your application, on where to apply, and more. You will also find an Applicant Checklist that outlines the many months of the application cycle. Lastly, there is information on gathering letters of recommendation and on the interview process at health professional schools. Do not be overwhelmed. Your advisers at HPA will be there every step of the way, starting with the mandatory pre-application meeting in the fall (two years before you want to enroll) and continuing on through several info sessions, “check-in” chats, and countless “Advice to Applicants” emails. Good luck!