Medical, Dental & Health Careers

There is no doubt about it…getting into medical school is a challenge! Most medical schools state that it is beneficial for students to major in the academic area most interesting to him or her. Pre-med students, however, frequently choose to major in biology or chemistry courses because of the required sciences courses. Admission to medical school usually include two years of biology, general and organic chemistry, one year of physics, English and in some cases, calculus and behavioral sciences.

Successful candidates for medical school thoroughly prepare to do well on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test.) The MCAT tests general knowledge and knowledge of specific subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics as well as communication and critical thinking skills.

The Physical and Biological Sciences sections contain multiple-choice questions. Most of the questions accompany brief informational passages; a smaller number are independent of any passage and of each other. Questions assess knowledge of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics through their application to the solution of science problems.

The Verbal Reasoning section contains multiple-choice questions based on reading selections from the social and natural sciences and the humanities. The section will assess your ability to comprehend, reason, and think critically. Subject-matter knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences will not be tested.

The Writing Sample consists of two items, each composed of a brief topic statement and a set of writing tasks designed to elicit a unified, coherent, first-draft essay exploring the meaning and implications of the statement.

For detailed information on each test section, read Preparing for the MCAT Exam.

Medical school admission officers usually suggest that you take the test in the calendar year prior to the year in which you plan to enter medical school. They generally recommend a Spring testing date because receipt of the Spring scores allows for summer or early fall completion of your application. A Spring test date is also recommended because it permits examinees who feel that their scores do not accurately reflect their abilities to retest in the Summer or Fall. Later scores may then be submitted to medical schools in the same application year as the earlier scores. For 2009, registration will usually open 120 days before a scheduled test date. However, for the initial January 2009 dates, registration opened on October 22, 2008.

3PR provides you also with the benefit of a Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC.) This integral committee is made up of two science professors and one non-science professor of your choice. The HPAC committee in conjunction with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the Director of 3PR interviews you on behalf of the medical school. The culmination of the interview results in a letter of recommendation on your behalf, sent to the medical schools to which you have apply.

Dental School

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) and has been in operation on a national basis since 1950. The Dental Admission Test is administered by computer through Prometric Testing Centers throughout the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.
While all dental schools require examinees to participate in the Dental Admission Testing Program, test results are only one factor
considered in evaluating the admission potential of an examinee. For more detailed information about the DAT, read Examinee Guide.

Pre-dental students have a definite advantage when choosing to study at Texas Wesleyan University because of our relationship with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. We offer the 3+4 dual-degree program – the only school in North Texas to do so!

Although the 3+4 program precludes international students, Texas residents (who have more than 12 but less than 30 college hours) can apply for “conditional” early admittance into the dental program at the San Antonio campus. Students at Texas Wesleyan University apply credits earned during their dental school to college requirements and receive two degrees in seven years. This saves the student one year’s worth of work. A minimum GPA of 3.4 is required and applications are available in the 3PR office, room 310 of the PUMC building on the historic campus.

Pre-dental students receive the full benefits of 3PR, including one-on-one academic advising, mock interviews, the DAT preparation book, and the HPAC recommendation letter.