This session provides an overview of the application process — ways to work with the Careers in Health and Medicine Office and how to begin to prepare to apply — is required of all applicants who are requesting a preapplication interview.

Timing: October

This session will provide provide prospective applicants with mock applications to aid in evaluating their candidacy for this cycle.

This session is required of all applicants who are requesting a preapplication interview.

Timing: November

Any student or alum desiring to take advantage of the preapplication interview should complete this form. It will give the Careers in Health and Medicine Office some background information about each potential applicant and provides some reflection questions to help the applicant begin to develop their narrative as a future health professional.

Timing: After attending the Applicant Information and Choosing Who to Interview Sessions. 

Deadline: December 31st

In this session, applicants will be provided with some tips to help prepare an effective personal statement that is genuine, reflects who they are, and tells their story.

This session is required of all applicants who are requesting a preapplication interview.

Timing:  January

This session will provide provide prospective applicants with resources to narrow down your list or begin your research on different pre-professional schools, by asking the all important questions of: “What am I looking for in a program?” and “Is this school the right fit for me?”

This session is required of all applicants who are requesting a preapplication interview.

Timing:  February

Applicants planning to utilize the Letter Collection Service should gather at least 3 individual letters of recommendation from faculty, staff, supervisors, and mentors who know them well.

If you are a currently enrolled student, it is recommended that your letters meet the criteria below:

• One letter from a Kalamazoo College faculty member who has taught the applicant in a science class and can speak to their readiness for the science curriculum in professional school
• One letter from a faculty member who can speak to the applicant’s pre-professional competencies
• One from someone whose letter will complement the above letters and speak to the pre-professional competencies
• Additional letters (optional)

Alumni applicants, it is recommended that you seek to obtain the following types of letters:

• At least one letter from a Kalamazoo College faculty member who has taught the applicant in a science class and can speak to their readiness for the science curriculum in professional school
• If you are unsure of the remaining letters of recommendation, please connect with the Careers in Health and Medicine Office to determine who may be the best persons to write letters of recommendation on your behalf.

Timing:  Ask for letters in the winter/early spring term. Provide writers with at least a month’s notice to produce the letter (but the more notice they have, the better).

Deadline: The Letter Collection Service deadline is August 1st for matriculation the following year, but the Careers in Health and Medicine Office, highly recommends that letters should be received by June 1st.

This session aims to help prepare applicants for the various types of interviews you may experience throughout the professional school application process. This session is required of all applicants who are requesting a preapplication interview.

Timing: April

This 30-40 minute interview is designed to help prepare you for your admissions interviews. In order to obtain a PAI, you must have attended all of the designated APP sessions, completed the intent to apply form, and submit the list of written materials detailed below by April 1st.

The following written materials are due by April 1st:

• Preapplication Profile
• Personal & Short essays
• Activities overview & activities list
• Transcripts
• SIP summary or abstract
• Photo

Timing: mid-April through mid-June

Deadline: Interviews are scheduled on a first come, first served basis in late March/early April.

This session is designed to provide applicants with an in depth overview of the online CAS application as well as tips for completing the application.

Timing: April

Medical school applicants will take the MCAT and dental school applicants will take the DAT. Other tests are required for other professions. Do not forget some programs are also requiring some form of a Situational Judgement Tests in addition to standardized tests.

Timing: For MCAT, ideally by May of the application year. For DAT, ideally by July of the application year.

The primary application is the “Common App” — all schools to which you apply will receive your primary application.

Timing: Applications open for preparation in May and may be submitted in late May/early June. Submitting early is optimal.

Deadline: To take advantage of the Letter Collection Service applicants must submit the file completion form by August 1st.

Individual professional schools will require an additional secondary or supplementary application that is unique to that school.

Timing: Summer, ideally within two weeks of being invited to complete the secondary application.

Deadline: Varies by school.

Interviews are required by most health professions school.

Timing: Depending on the program you are applying too, interview invitations are released between July and April with the majority in August through October.

After the interview, admissions committees will deliberate and extend acceptances. 

Timing: For medical school, October through April for regular decisions; before the first day of classes for wait list decisions. For dental school, regular decisions begin in December.