Department of Biology
PRE-MEDICAL & PRE-DENTAL STUDENTS
MOST OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT SHOULD MY MAJOR BE?

Medical/Dental schools do not have a preference for any specific majors.  Therefore, you may major in almost anything.  You should consider a major which you enjoy, in which you perform well, or which might serve as a basis for further graduate work or for employment in the event you choose not to apply or you are not admitted to medical school.  Admission committees expect variety in an educational program, including a significant number of humanities and social and behavioral science courses if you choose a major in a science.  Many applicants majoring in non-science areas are successful applicants to the Indiana University School of Medicine or Dentistry as well as to other medical/dental schools.  All applicants must meet the schools' specific requirements, which generally include a minimum of 8 semesters of basic science regardless of major.

IS THERE A PREFERENCE SHOWN FOR THE 
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OR BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE?

No.  Each applicant's record is evaluated on an individual basis.  Both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are acceptable for premedical/predental programs.  An admission committee would expect an applicant to do well with either degree.  Committees look at the quality of the transcript rather than the name of the degree.

SHOULD I ENROLL IN THE HONORS COLLEGE?

If it interests you, yes.  Admission committees look at the level of difficulty of an applicant's course work.  In many instances, the greater depth and breadth of honors programs/courses are reflected in a greater knowledge of the subject area in question.  Classes are often smaller, and classmates are similarly motivated achievers.  Many successful medical school applicants have enrolled in the honors college; however, many successful applicants have completed rigorous curricula which did not include honors courses.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS?

Most medical schools require one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physics.  Dental school requirements are similar but vary somewhat particularly from school to school.  All courses must have laboratories.  Admission committees of some schools also require or recommend college mathematics through calculus.  You should consult "Medical School Admission Requirements", published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, for the specific requirements and recommended courses for each school. Likewise, you should consult the "Official Guide to Dental Schools" for specific requirements for the different Dental Schools.  These books are available in the Pre-Health Professional Advisor's office in Cooper Science Building (CL 232).  If you are  interested in a particular school, you should learn as much about that school as possible as early as you can. 

DO MEDICAL SCHOOLS REQUIRE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE FOR ADMISSION?

Most medical / dental schools do not.    

WHAT'S SO DIFFICULT ABOUT BEING A PREMEDICAL / PREDENTAL STUDENT?

For many freshmen, the most difficult task is to acquire the study skills and self-discipline required to attain academic excellence.  Many freshmen have been highly successful in high school.  They have been accustomed to being "stars", sometimes without having developed systematic study habits.  The success of your academic transition to Ball State University depends not only on ability, but strongly upon motivation, organization, and the learned skills of studying effectively.  Some of you will initially be discouraged and will have to have the determination to learn how to learn.  The demands of the premedical/predental curriculum are rigorous.  You may have to work harder than some other students who are not aiming for competitive admission graduate programs.

ARE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IMPORTANT?

In addition to high levels of academic achievement, medical schools look for many traits in applicants, including motivation, evidence of humanism, responsibility, maturity, leadership, breadth of interests, and ability to manage multiple tasks.  These attributes may well be developed in activities beyond the classroom.  Students are encouraged to participate actively, but not to substitute activities for academic excellence.  Moreover, a list of organization memberships means little to experienced committees.  A committee will be interested to know what you have contributed.  There are many volunteer activities on the Ball State campus, and a central location may be found in the Student Volunteer Services office.  Community activities which relate to social concerns or health issues, such as adult day care centers, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Community Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, and many more, might be of particular interest to those who profess an interest in health careers--but, so might undergraduate research or campus activities.  When you apply to medical school, you will be asked about achievements within your undergraduate years, and that question will relate to attainments inside and outside the classroom.  It is expected that you can talk about more than your grade point average, your social life, and the television schedule.

WHAT FACTORS DO MEDICAL SCHOOLS CONSIDER 
WHEN EVALUATING APPLICANTS?

A number of factors may be considered by medical school admission committees.  Factors differ by school, but will probably include academic credentials, MCAT scores, a personal interview, and letters of evaluation, as well as demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to the profession and perhaps knowledge of the school and its program.  Some schools interview only those applicants meeting certain initial requirements such as residency, GPA, and MCAT standards.  The Indiana University School of Medicine states:  "Students are offered places in the class on the basis of scholarship, character, personality, references, performance on the Medical College Admission Test, and personal interview."¹

IS IT BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO GET INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL?

Note below the increase in applicants to medical schools

Obviously there are implications.  Nationwide, less than half of all applicants gain entrance to Medical School.  You must be determined, well-prepared, and well-informed.  You should actively explore alternative approaches and alternative careers.

WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVE HEALTH PROFESSIONS?

Osteopathy       Physician's Assistant       Medical Technology               Doctor of Audiology
Optometry         Physical Therapy              Pharmacology                        Veterinary Medicine
Public Health

All of these careers/professions require similar training/course work which pre-med/pre-dent students have.  In addition, many students become so interested in research while in college that graduate school becomes an attractive alternative.

IS IT ALL OVER IF I HAVE A BAD SEMESTER?

There is a false but persistent rumor among premedical students that if you have a bad science grade or a bad semester you will have to give up.  That's not true.  Medical/Dental school admission committees look carefully at student abilities and development.  They realize that not every student enters college with a burst of academic brilliance.  They expect an excellent academic record, but will make allowances for problem semesters or a slow start--some allowances.  But realize that the average GPA for incoming medical students at I.U. was about 3.72 in 2002 and for I.U. Dental School has been about 3.4 in recent years.

WHAT IS THE MCAT?

The Medical College Admission Test is a standardized test that measures aptitude and achievement in science and other areas related to the study of medicine.  We strongly urge looking at the MCAT Student Manual (published by the corporation which gives the test) as early as the sophomore year in order to plan a thorough review of materials encompassed by the test.  Understanding what skills the test measures might affect the way you study/learn in your course work.  For instance, many students assume that science skills are tested, but are not aware that reading comprehension and writing skills are tested.  The four sections of the test are:  Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Samples, and Biological Sciences.  If your SAT verbal score shows a possible weakness, pay special attention to the Verbal Reasoning section of the MCAT.  Rather than avoid reading courses, it might be a good idea to take some.  The Verbal Reasoning section of the test measures your ability to "...understand, evaluate, and apply information and requirements found in prose texts."²  Within the science portion, the test measures your ability to think critically and analytically, employing science concepts.  Memorizing is not enough.

WHAT IS THE DAT ?

The Dental Admission Test is a standardized test comprised exclusively of multiple-choice questions that measure aptitude and achievement in science and other areas related to study of dentistry. We strongly urge you to obtain a DAT study guide as early as your sophomore year. Again, understanding what skills the test measures might affect the way you approach your course work. The DAT is split into four sections : Survey of Natural Sciences; Perceptual Ability Test; Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning. Although biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry are included in the Natural Science section, physics is not. You must have physics to go to dental school but it is not included on the DAT exam. The DAT is now computerized and is administered at Sylvan Technology Centers throughout the country. (Your DAT scores must be 14 or higher on all sections before you can schedule your interview at I.U. Dental School).

WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE MCAT / DAT?

You should take the MCAT in the spring prior to the year of application to medical school.  For example, if you apply for the entering class of 2004, you should take the MCAT by April 2003, and repeat it in the fall if necessary.  The late summer of the senior year is usually the last time students should take the test in time to apply for the following year.

The DAT should preferably be taken the fall before the application deadline, but Dental Schools are somewhat more flexible than Medical Schools about when you have taken the DAT.

DO I NEED LETTERS OF EVALUATION (RECOMMENDATION LETTERS)?

Yes.  Academic evaluations, which indicate knowledge of your abilities in comparison to other students, may be extremely important.  These can be collected or asked for in the sophomore and junior years and at the conclusion of the class, rather than a year later.  If you have had particularly noteworthy achievements in a freshman class, these too may provide a valuable evaluation.  We strongly urge enrollment in some small size or seminar type classes in which you work closely with your professors.  Make yourself known to instructors if they have time to talk during office hours.  Taking more than one  small class from a teacher may be helpful.  A small upper level class in which you have demonstrated exemplary work may be ideal in terms of an evaluation request.  For more information see your advisor.  

In order to be a stronger candidate, it is imperative for you to get to know some of your professors so they know you well enough to write a convincing letter of recommendation.

WHAT CHANCE DOES A NONRESIDENT HAVE AS AN APPLICANT TO THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE/DENTISTRY?

Most state-supported schools generally show preference to their own state residents.  The Indiana University School of Medicine typically offers places to 40 or more nonresidents per year, and Ball State students with good records are encouraged to apply.  The I.U. School of Dentistry typically offers places to 20 or more nonresidents per year and Ball State students with good records are encouraged to apply.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MEDICINE / DENTISTRY  IS THE RIGHT CAREER FOR ME?

Read, talk, listen, observe, and compare.  Read about issues and the changes occurring in the profession of medicine.  Talk with physicians about what they like and don't like about their profession.  Attend the BSU Pre-Med/Pre-Dent Club meetings and listen to health professionals and students who come to talk about their careers and to answer student questions.  Observe your progress in the sciences.  Are you a good science student?  Observe through volunteer opportunities what it will be like to work with sick people.  Investigate other careers so you have a comparison.  That's a lot of work-but if you enter the profession, you will be a physician or dentist for forty or more years.

HOW CAN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS ADVISOR HELP ME?

Preparing for medical school requires careful long-range planning and accurate information.  The pre-health advisor specializes in helping students prepare for medical/dental school.  Course selection, course sequencing, MCAT preparation, planning for recommendations, and the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application are among the subjects discussed.  The Advising Office (CL 232) contains useful medical school reference works, medical school bulletins, and information about related medical fields.  A group meeting will be held for premedical students during the fall semester.  Attend this meeting.  The Advising Office also works closely with the Pre-Med/Pre-Dent Club.  The club sponsors a number of speakers and activities related  to dental and medical professions.

You probably have more questions.  Call and make an appointment for a meeting with the Pre-Health Professional Advisor at 765-285-8857.

Both I.U. Dental School and I.U. Medical School have websites.

I.U. Dental: www.iusd.iupui.edu                                    I.U. Medical: www.medicine.iu.edu

1.  1999/2001  Indiana University School of Medicine Bulletin, p.7.
2   Explanation of Scores for Advisors, Association of American Medical Colleges, Sept. 1994, p.1.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Rev. 9/03