Application Resources
The application process for a healthcare program can be intimidating and expensive. Utilize the resources below to familiarize yourself with the following:
- Knowing what you need, to be considered a competitive applicant for a healthcare program
- How to prepare to apply to a healthcare program
- What application, exam, and supplemental materials you need when applying to the programs of your choice
Click on the links below to explore more information on the healthcare application process and materials to best prepare you to apply for your chosen program.
Medical School
AMCAS Application
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is the centralized medical school application processing service. Students wishing to attend an MD (Medical Doctor) professional program will utilize this application. Applicants will not apply directly to the school, but through the AMCAS service if they are entering their first year. MCAT scores are automatically uploaded to an active AMCAS application, making the application process easier. The AMCAS system also offers additional services and FAQs to help streamline the application process. Fee waivers are available for applicants who meet the required criteria. The AMCAS application system opens May 1, with the first day to submit an AMCAS application to a medical school being May 30. It is recommended to submit your application by June 15, as June 28 schools begin to pull applications. AMCAS does not have a deadline for submission, so each applicant should consult each institution for application deadlines. Applications submitted after August 1 are at a significant disadvantage for consideration for admission.
AACOMAS Application
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is the centralized application service for students wishing to enter a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) Program. Like the AMCAS system, applicants will not apply directly to the schools but through the service. Unlike the ACMAS system, students filling out an AACOMAS application must have their MCAT scores sent to the service, they are not uploaded automatically. AACOMAs offers fee waivers for applicants who meet the required criteria. The AACOMAS application system opens May 2 with first AACOMAS applications released to medical schools June 15. AACOMAS application deadlines range from October to April depending on the institution, consult each institution for application deadlines. Applications should be submitted as early as possible to be competitive.
CASPer test
CASPer is a situational judgement test some medical schools require during the application process. It is not a requirement for all programs, and students will want to pay attention to the requirements of the programs to which they are applying to see if the test is needed. The test is 60-90 min and can be completed on any computer with a working webcam.
MCAT
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a computer based standardized exam for students planning on attending medical school. Students wishing to gain entrance to MD or DO programs must take this exam as part of the application process. Registration begins in October and the exams are offered between January and September on specific dates. Applicants are encouraged to register for the exam as soon as registration opens to obtain their desired time and location. Need based fee waivers, offering the exam at a reduced rate are available for applicants who meet the required criteria.
Recommended MCAT Course Completion Timeline
The Cost of Applying to Medical School
The AAMC Preview is a standardized exam that presents a series of hypothetical scenarios students may encounter in medical school and asks examinees to evaluate the effectiveness of a series of behavioral responses to each scenario. Applicants are invited to take this exam by participating in medical schools. Only the medical schools that have invited a student to take the exam can see the results. Students will register and complete the exam through the AAMC and are able to indicate test information on the AMCAS.
Physician’s Assistant Programs
CASPA Application
The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) is the centralized application system for students wishing to attend a PA program. Applicants will not apply directly to the school, but through the CASPA service. Application materials such as transcripts, GRE scores, and personal statements are uploaded directly to the service. The CASPA system also offers additional services and FAQs to help streamline the application process. Fee waivers are available for applicants who meet the required criteria. The CASPA Application system opens April 25 and closes the April of the following year. However, all institutions have their own deadlines, consult each institution for application deadlines. It is important to be mindful of the type of deadline concerning the CASPA, some institutions require all submitted application materials be verified by the deadline for consideration, while others require they just be submitted. Consult the UTC Pre-Health Professions advisor for additional information on CASPA deadlines.
GRE
The Graduate Record Exam is the most common admissions requirements for graduate programs. Registration for the exam as well as test dates are almost year round. Students must register for the exam before taking it, it is recommended to register months in advance. Need based fee waivers, offering the exam at a reduced rate are available for applicants who meet the required criteria.
Direct Patient Care Experience (DPCE)
PA program applicants are often required to complete direct patient care experience hours prior to applying to PA school. These experiences require that students are placed in direct contact with patients and their care. The linked list shows examples of what could and could not be considered direct patient care. Please refer to the specific program(s) admission websites for information on the number of hours required for admission to that program, and any program specific requirements regarding direct patient care.
Shadowing
PA program applicants may be also required to log shadowing hours with a PA. Shadowing consists of observing the day-to-day tasks/care a PA offers their patients. There is no direct contact with the patient, rather you will observe the PA care for the patient. For this reason, DPCE hours and shadowing are not the same, and most PA programs will have separate requirements for DPCE and shadowing. If you have additional questions about shadowing, please schedule a meeting with the UTC Pre-Health Professions Advisor.
Dental School
ADEA AADSAS Application*
The ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service is the centralized application service to apply to dental programs. Applicants will not apply directly to the school, but through the ADEA AADSAS service and designate what schools they wish to have their application sent to. DAT scores must be sent to the ADEA AADSAS, be mindful of processing time and deadlines for the acceptance of scores. The ADEA AADSAS system also offers additional services and FAQs to help streamline the application process. Fee waivers are available for applicants who meet the required criteria. The ADEA AADSAS application system opens May 14 with applications being able to be submitted to dental schools starting June 4. The application cycle closes February 15, however, all institutions have their own deadlines, so each applicant should consult each institution for application deadlines. Secondary applications and interviews begin in late July to early August, it is best to apply as early as possible to be competitive.
DAT
The Dental Education Admissions Test is required for admission to most dental programs in Canada, the United States, and its territories. Registration for the exam is almost year round, but it is recommended you register early. Be mindful of program requirements, as some dental schools will not accept an ADEA AADSAS without completed DAT scores included. Fee waivers are available for applicants who meet the required criteria.
Recommended DAT Course Completion Timeline
Pharmacy School
PharmCAS Application
The Pharmacy College Application Service is a centralized application service to apply to PHARM. D programs in the United States. Applicants can apply to multiple pharmacy schools through this application system, and will not submit applications to the individual schools. Applicants can upload PCAT scores to the PharmCAS, however, many pharmacy programs do not require the PCAT for admission. It is important to determine the programs of interest and their requirements regarding the PCAT before opting out of the exam. The PHARMCAS application cycle opens Mid-July. PharmCAS will not accept application materials after June 1 when that year’s application cycle ends. Each institution has its own application deadline, so each applicant should consult each institution for application deadlines or reference the PharmCAS School Directory for specific application deadlines.
Timeline for Pharmacy Admissions Worksheet
PCAT
The Pharmacy College Admission Test is a computer based standardized test required by some pharmacy schools for consideration for admission to PHARM.D programs. The exam is offered in January, February, July, September, October, and November. As of August 2018 there is not a pharmacy program in the state of Tennessee that requires the PCAT for admission. Consult with the Pre-Health professions advisor about the programs you are considering and if the PCAT is a requirement for those programs.
Occupational Therapy
OTCAS Application
The Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) is a program of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). It allows prospective students to use one application to apply to multiple participating OT programs through a single application process. Applicants are able to select any program accredited by AOTA and submit one application to multiple programs. Once received by OTCAS, applications and materials go through a verification process before being transmitted to selected programs. A majority of programs require volunteer hours be logged in OTCAS, it is important to follow up with the programs of interest if additional steps outside the OTCAS must be taken to log volunteer hours.
GRE
The Graduate Record Exam is the most common admissions requirements for graduate programs. Registration for the exam as well as test dates are almost year round. Students must register for the exam before taking it, it is recommended to register months in advance. Need based fee waivers, offering the exam at a reduced rate are available for applicants who meet the required criteria.
Physical Therapy
PTCAS Application
The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) is a service of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). PTCAS allows applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to apply to multiple DPT programs. Prospective students can review all accredited programs by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as well as the role of a physical therapist and other resources.
GRE
The Graduate Record Exam is the most common admissions requirements for graduate programs. Registration for the exam as well as test dates are almost year round. Students must register for the exam before taking it, it is recommended to register months in advance. Need-based fee waivers, offering the exam at a reduced rate are available for applicants who meet the required criteria.
Recommended Physical Therapy Course Timeline
Veterinary Medicine
VMCAS Application
VMCAS is the centralized application service for Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. VMCAS applicants can complete one application and send all required materials through this service. Applications are then processed, verified for accuracy, and sent to the veterinary medical schools designated.
GRE
The Graduate Record Exam is the most common admissions requirements for graduate programs. Registration for the exam as well as test dates are almost year round. Students must register for the exam before taking it, it is recommended to register months in advance. Need based fee waivers, offering the exam at a reduced rate are available for applicants who meet the required criteria.
Optometry School
OptomCAS
OptomCAS is a service of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and is administered by Liaison International. OptomCAS allows optometry applicants to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple schools and colleges of optometry. Applicants who apply through OptomCAS submit a completed web-based application comprised of biographical data, colleges and universities attended, academic course history, recommendations, work experience, extracurricular activities, honors, and a personal essay. Applications typically open at the end of June and remain open until late spring of the following year. Students are encouraged to apply early as Application deadlines will vary for each school or college of optometry.
OAT
The OAT is a comprehensive exam that enables optometry education programs to assess the knowledge and preparedness of program applicants. OAT test results are accepted by all optometry schools in the U.S. and Canada. The four-part test is administered year-round by Prometric Test Centers in the U.S. and its territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Canada. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is the governing body for the OAT. The test is implemented by the Department of Testing Services (DTS), which is a shared service of the American Dental Association.