Apply to Professional School
Test Preparation, Application, and Interview
Resources to download or print to help you gear up for some of the major milestones on your path to health professional school including the entrance exam, application, and admissions interview.
Test Preparation
This sample plan is outlined for an early June test date. Adjust as needed for your exam date. On average, students spend about 3 hours/day over the course of about 3-6 months preparing for their test, and take 3 to 10 full-length practice tests prior to the actual exam. More important than the number of practice tests you take is that you simulate test day by taking the exam in the allotted timeframe and that you carefully review each completed practice exam. Building up your test-taking endurance and learning from your mistakes will help you be successful. Remember that this is just an example to help provide you with some guidance; use your best judgment and customize this plan in a way that works for you.
PRINTABLE EXAM STUDY PLAN/SCHEDULE TEMPLATE
Materials & Timeline
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is developed and administered by the American Dental Association (ADA). Prepare yourself for the DAT by reviewing the DAT Guide well in advance – ideally before registration.
Register for the DAT
- Obtain a DENTPIN
- Apply and pay for the DAT
- Schedule a test date at a Prometric test center after you register and pay for the test
Review for the DAT
There are many ways students choose to review for the DAT ranging from prep courses to test prep books to individual review coupled with practice tests. UND is a Kaplan Test Prep partner, meaning UND students receive a significant discount on Kaplan’s test prep courses when they register through UND’s website. Below you will find a list of various review materials that previous students have utilized and recommended.
- ADA test info and prep - Practice tests and practice modules written by the developers of the exam.
- Kaplan DAT Prep – Prep courses, review books, practice tests, and adaptive Qbank. If you choose a Kaplan course, be sure to register through UND to receive a discount.
- Anki Flashcards – free flashcard app. Create your own cards or download a pre-made deck. Utilizes a spaced repetition system for maximum retention
- DAT Boot Camp – Practice tests, practice questions, and video tutorials
- Princeton Review – Prep courses, practice questions, review book, and practice tests
- Crack the DAT – Offers tests, questions, and explanations for all sections
- DAT Destroyer by Orgoman – Offers subject review, problems, and solutions for all sections - especially good for Organic Chemistry
- DAT Flashcards by Mometrix
Suggested Timeline for DAT Preparation and AADSAS Application
- Fall semester
- Select review materials and make a study plan for spring semester
- Weeks 1-8 of Spring Semester
- Register for a May or June date in January-March
- Review and take practice tests
- Spring Break
- Fill out WICHE forms if applicable (for residents of AK, AZ, CNMI, HI, MT, NM, ND, WY)
- Weeks 9-16 of Spring Semester
- Review and take practice tests
- Late May or Early June
- Take DAT
- June
- Work on AADSAS (aim to submit by end of June - rolling admissions, beneficial to apply early in the application process)
- July-August
- Secondary applications (aim to submit within 2 weeks of receipt)
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is developed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Prepare yourself for the GRE by reviewing the GRE Information Bulletin and other available resources – ideally before registration.
Register for the GRE
Create an ETS account and register on your home page. You can choose your test center and date at the same time.
Review for the GRE
There are many ways students choose to review for the GRE ranging from prep courses to test prep books to individual review coupled with practice tests. UND is a Kaplan Test Prep partner, meaning UND students receive a significant discount on Kaplan’s test prep courses when they register through UND’s website. Below you will find a list of various review materials that previous students have utilized and recommended.
- ETS - Lots of free prep material available as well as review books and online practice tests
- Kaplan - Prep courses, review books, practice tests, and adaptive Qbank. If you choose a Kaplan course, be sure to register through UND to receive a discount.
- Princeton Review - Prep courses, review books, practice tests
- Magoosh - Video lessons, practice questions, practice tests
- Prep Scholar - Video lessons, practice questions, practice tests
Suggested Timeline for GRE Preparation and CASPA/VMCAS Application
- Fall semester
- Select review materials and make a study plan for spring semester
- Weeks 1-8 of Spring Semester
- Register for a May or June test date in January-MarchReview and take practice tests
- Spring Break
- Fill out WICHE forms if applicable (PA: AK, CNMI, NV, WY residents; Vet: AZ, CNMI, HI, MT, NM, ND, Wy residents)
- Weeks 9-16 of Spring Semester
- Review and take practice tests
- May
- Pre-PA students: Take GRE, aim to submit CASPA by end of May (rolling admissions, beneficial to apply early in the application process)
- June-August
- Pre-PA students: secondary applications (aim to submit within 2 weeks of receipt)Pre-Vet students: Take GRE, aim to submit VMCAS by early August (no rolling admissions, deadline is Sept. 15)
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is developed and administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Prepare yourself for the MCAT by reviewing the MCAT Essentials well in advance – ideally before registration.
Register for the MCAT
- Create an AAMC account and register by following on screen instructions
- Opens in October for the January-June test dates
- Opens in February for the July-September test dates
- Can choose your test center and date at the same time
Review for the MCAT
There are many ways students choose to review for the MCAT ranging from prep courses to test prep books to individual review coupled with practice tests. UND is a Kaplan Test Prep partner, meaning UND students receive a significant discount on Kaplan’s Live Online (formerly Online) and On Demand (formerly DIY) courses when they register through UND’s website. Below you will find a list of various review materials that previous students have utilized and recommended.
- AAMC - Official Guide written by the developers of the exam, practice questions and practice tests
- Kaplan - Prep courses, review books, practice tests, and adaptive Qbank. If you choose a Kaplan course, be sure to register through UND to receive a discount.
- Khan Academy - Free content review videos and practice questions supported by the AAMC
- Altius - Self-paced courses, practice exams, tutoring and mentoring programs
- UWorld - Qbank with 2,000+ MCAT-style questions and digital flashcards
- Anki Flashcards - Free flashcard app. Create your own cards or download a pre-made deck. Utilizes a spaced repetition system for maximum retention
- Jack Westin - Combination of free materials (especially for CARS) and review courses (which require payment).
- Blueprint - Prep courses and subject review books, testing strategies, practice questions, explanations, practice tests
- Princeton Review - Prep courses and subject review books, testing strategies, practice questions, explanations, practice tests
- ExamKrackers - Prep Courses, subject review books, tutoring
- Destroyer by Orgoman - Review for Organic Chemistry and Physics
Suggested Timeline for MCAT Preparation and AMCAS/AACOM Application
- Fall semester
- Register in October/November for January-June test dates
- Select review materials and make a study plan for spring semester
- Spring Semester
- Review and take practice tests
- Spring Break
- Fill out WICHE forms if applicable (MED: CNMI, MT residents; OSTEO: AZ, SNMI, MT, WY residents; POD: AK, AZ, MT, UT, WY residents)
- Late May or Early June
- Take MCAT
- June
- Work on AMCAS/AACOM (aim to submit by end of June - rolling admissions, beneficial to apply early in the application process)
- July-August
- Secondary applications (aim to submit within 2 weeks of receipt)
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is developed and administered by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). Prepare yourself for the OAT by reading the OAT Guide – ideally before registration.
Register for the OAT
- Obtain a PIN
- Apply and pay for the OAT
- Schedule a test date at a Prometric test center after you register and pay for the test
Review for the OAT
There are many ways students choose to review for the OAT ranging from prep courses to test prep books to individual review coupled with practice tests. UND is a Kaplan Test Prep partner, meaning UND students receive a significant discount on Kaplan’s test prep courses when they register through UND’s website. Below you will find a list of various review materials that previous students have utilized and recommended.
- ASCO - Offers full and partial practice tests
-
Kaplan - Prep courses, review book, practice tests and Qbank. If you opt for a Kaplan course, be sure to register through UND to receive a discount
- Anki Flashcards - Free flashcard app. Create your own cards or download a pre-made deck. Utilizes a spaced repetition system for maximum retention
- Crack the OAT - Video lessons, practice tests, flashcards
- OAT Destroyer by Orgoman - Subject review, problems and solutions for all sections - good for Organic Chemistry
- OAT Flashcards by Mometrix
Suggested Timeline for OAT Preparation and OptomCAS Application
- Fall semester
- Select review materials and make a study plan for spring semester
- Weeks 1-8 of Spring Semester
- Register for a June test date in January-March
- Spring Break
- Fill out WICHE forms if applicable (residents of Ak, AZ, CO, HI, MT, NM, ND, UT, WY)
- Weeks 9-16 of Spring Semester
- Review and take practice tests
- June
- Take OAT
- July
- Work on OptomCAS (aim to submit end of July, will be released to schools beginning in August)
- August-November
- Secondary applications (aim to submit within 2 weeks of receipt)
The Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT), developed by Exam Master, is a specialized, discipline-specific exam designed to assess applicants’ knowledge and application of key prerequisite science subjects typically required for PA school.
Register for the PA-CAT
- Visit www.pa-cat.com to determine eligibility to test
- Once determined eligible, use the PA-CAT Eligibility number from your Eligibility Confirmation Email to create a Pearson VUE web account
- Schedule test with Pearson VUE after creating your account
Review for the PA-CAT
Resources available to study for the PA-CAT include:
- Exam Master
- PA Pre-Matriculation Bootcamp through Exam Master that provides practice exams, question banks, and learning modules
- PA-CAT Candidate Handbook providing a comprehensive guidance on test preparation
- PA-CAT Study Guide providing detailed information about the structure and contents of the exam, as well as scoring information and sample test questions.
- Rosh Review PA-CAT QBank (approved and in collaboration with Exam Master)
Suggested Timeline for PA-CAT Preparation and CASPA Application
Please note, this timeline varies depending on when students apply and which schools they apply to, as PA schools can vary matriculation dates and deadlines.
- Spring/summer semester
- Select review materials and make a study plan for Fall semester
- Fall semester
- Study and review for entrance exams (GRE, PA-CAT, MCAT) for PA school
- Register for entrance exams prior to April
- January
- Ask for letters of recommendation
- Create or modify personal statements
- Take entrance exams
- February - April
- Finalize personal statements (what is your why for PA school)
- Gather remaining letters of recommendation
- Take or re-take entrance exams
- April
- CASPA portal opens. Apply early!
- Take the Casper test if required by certain PA schools
- Fill out secondary applications from PA schools
- May - July
- Applications from CASPA sent out to PA schools and verified
- August
- CASPA applications due
- September
- All CASPA applications left are verified
- Fall Semester
- Interviews
- Offer letters sent out via CASPA
Application Process
Check the Requirements
Each school has established requirements when it comes to letters of recommendation (how many letters, who they are from). Make sure you know the requirements for the schools to which you plan to apply.
Many schools require two letters of recommendation (LOR) from faculty members in the sciences.
Schools may require a letter of recommendation from a health professional in the field (e.g. a physician, osteopathic physician, dentist, veterinarian). Many have waived this requirement for the current application cycle due to COVID, but not all.
Recruit Letter Writers
Approach prospective authors during the spring semester of your application year. They will need at least a month to write the letter.
Offer to provide information to aid in their LOR writing, such as
- Personal interview (virtual or in-person)
- Personal statement
- Grades/transcripts
- Resume or list of experiences
- Why you chose them to write you a letter and what you think it can tell the letter reader (i.e. the strengths and/or skills you think they can attest to)
- You may also wish to direct them to the AAMC Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation. Although this is for medical schools in particular, the information can be applied to LORs for all health professional schools.
- Give them an approximate deadline, such as the date you plan to submit your initial application. Note that letters can still be submitted after you submit your initial application.
- Once your application is started (i.e., you have an id # with the application service or school), contact your authors again to remind them about the LOR and associated deadlines
- Thank them for agreeing to write you a letter
- Ask if there is any additional information they feel they need
Additional Information
Means of submitting letters
- Allopathic Medical Schools - AMCAS
- Osteopathic Medical Schools - AACOMAS
- Dental Schools - AADSAS
- Physician Assistant Schools - CASPA
- Pharmacy Schools - PharmCAS
- Optometry Schools - OptomCAS
- Veterinary Schools - VMCAS
- Podiatric Medical Schools – AACPMAS (Most schools require letters be sent to them directly)
- Chiropractic Schools - There is no application service for chiropractic schools. Apply to schools individually
The Letter
Information typically included in a letter of recommendation:
- The relationship to the applicant (i.e., professor, employer, etc.)
- The length of time the author has known the applicant
- Your strengths or personal attributes the letter writer can attest to, such as
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to empathize with others and to the needs of society
- Motivation and staying power – health professional school requires maturity, flexibility, dedication, stress management and a number of other qualities
- Approach to ethical dilemmas and ability to see multiple sides of an issue
- Ability to work effectively and productively in group settings – leader, team player
- The author’s overall assessment – this includes all of those qualities they think would make a good physician/health care professional, including honesty, responsibility, communication, cultural competence, etc.
Verify Receipt
Monitor arrival of letters in your application service and remind authors to submit if necessary. Remember that they are doing you a favor, so be respectful with your reminders.
Gratitude
Share your status (accepted, waitlisted, etc.) and experience with the authors through a final thank you note.
WICHE collaborates with 12 Western states and Pacific Island jurisdictions to provide a solution. Through the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP), students pursuing careers in 10 health fields – ranging from optometry to dentistry to veterinary medicine – may enroll in participating programs across state lines and receive substantial tuition support from their home state or territory.
The State of North Dakota participates in the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) in three professional areas of study, including optometry, dentistry and veterinary medicine. The PSEP program provides the opportunity for ND resident students to attend out-of-state programs in these professional areas since they are not available in North Dakota.
Interview Preparation
UND Career Services offers tools and resources to help you prepare for your interview, including one-on-one mock interviews with a Career Services staff member. The lists below may help you prepare as well.
Originally produced by the UND SMHS, this list includes questions that most Admission Committees from most health professional schools will ask applicants during interviews.
Compassion, Humanism, Recognition of Societal Needs (N.D. needs?), Depth of Commitment
- Life experiences such as summer work or work during college or after. Jobs with responsibility? What degree of responsibility? How were responsibilities handled?
- If a person has been involved in health services in the past, how did he/she relate to a patient?
- In the person’s general activity, have they tended to be individual-related, person-related, or were they object-related.
- Have candidate discuss current medical issues and look for evidence of recognition of multiple points of view. Such questions might be asked on issues of abortion, child abuse, migrant farm workers, ghetto dwellers, etc.
- Questions might be asked about future medical goals, looking specifically for people-oriented goals rather than object or non-people oriented goals.
- Look for occasions where the applicant has been responsible for another person and, the applicant’s assessment of that responsibility.
- The applicant’s selection of course work, such as Sociology, Philosophy, etc.
- Has there been a history of any significant family illness and the applicant’s response to that illness.
- If a candidate states that one of his/her goals in becoming a physician it to, “help people”, ask the applicant what has been done to show this concern.
- Has your family ever needed you? This relates to a family illness, but also to other forms of family need.
- Has the student been willing to sacrifice something (time, grades, social life) to help others?
- Social service type activities and the student’s reason for involvement and length of involvement.
- Finally, as the applicant answers these questions, note not only the answers but also how they talk about their family or activities, etc.
Ethical Behavior and Integrity
- Ask the candidate how he or she might react if he noted, while under the honor system, that a classmate was cheating on examinations.
- When acting as a dormitory manager, etc., what might the applicant do if he/she knew that a resident on his floor was using illegal drugs.
Decision Making and Problem Solving
- Do you have plans or alternate goals should you not be able to get into medical school?
- What is the toughest problem the applicant has dealt with as a dormitory counselor or in some other supervisory capacity?
- Ask a tough question and see how the applicant deals with it. For instance, using human subjects (such as prisoners in experiments).
Relating to Others; Sensitivity in Interpersonal Relationships
- To whom does the candidate turn when he or she has a problem; is the candidate a resource person within his family or among his peers?
- Attitudes expressed in the interview itself should be helpful in this category. Does the candidate recognize the interviewer as a person rather than an object to be manipulated for good interview results? Does the candidate show empathy?
- The student’s perception of parent maturation and analysis of family organization and relationships within the family would be revealing in terms of perceptions and maturity and sensitivity.
- Sensitivity can be looked for by raising controversial issues such as euthanasia, racism, abortion, and looking, for the affect of the student in dealing with the issues rather than the content.
- Experiences with other ethnic groups, interpersonal relationships during summer jobs and/or other types of jobs, and exploration of the kind of relationships that the applicant seeks out might be useful.
- Who is your best friend? Describe your relationship to this best friend and why you like this person.
- Again, the point was made that the interviewer should not only listen to what but how the applicant says it. Look at facial expressions and listen for clues in the tone of the voice as well as other non-verbal clues.
Coping Capabilities, Staying Power
- Did you ever fail at anything? How did you feel about this failure?
- Has the candidate ever run afoul of the “establishment” (for example, a problem with the University). If so, how did the applicant solve that?
- Has the applicant felt physically disadvantaged in a situation and how did the applicant deal with that?
- What does the applicant do when under pressure?
- Is the person solution-oriented or problem-oriented?
- Is the person optimistic in the face of problems? Does the person know his/her own limits?
- Inquire about the most significant support person the applicant would turn to if needed.
- Again, questions on what the applicant would do if not accepted to medical school. How has the applicant dealt with failure and disappointment in the past?
- Look for evidence of long-range goals as opposed to short-range satisfaction, such as a dishwashing job in college for three years because that job paid more money to prepare for medical school even though the job was hated.
- Evidence of lifestyle planning and follow through, including planning of summer jobs, college attendance, career choice, and application to medical schools.
Ability to Communicate
- Does the applicant appear self-confident? How does he/she communicate this self-confidence?
- Is he/she fluent, clear, decisive?
- Can he/she think on his/her feet? Pursue an item of interest in depth.
- Does the applicant appear manipulative?
Approach to Learning - Continuing Education
- If the candidate has had a job over a period of time, how has he or she learned to do it, has he been promoted or given extra responsibility within it, and has he shown any tendency to develop his own skills?
- Has the person taken many non-required courses in college versus the typical premed program?
- How does the applicant find out things that he or she doesn’t know?
- Does the applicant have a hobby, and if so has the applicant shown a continuing interest in developing that hobby or extracurricular activity over a period of time?
External Interests Versus Overachieving and Narrowness
- Depth and numbers of external interests, hobbies, etc.
- Study habits for premed years.
- Social life, types of leisure activity.
- Sources of gratification; can applicant learn without external coercion or re-enforcement.
Self Concept, Emotional Stability, What Strengths Could be Brought to Medicine
- Has applicant ever failed? How have they felt with failure?
- Realistic assessment of career.
- Ability to evaluate their own emotional reactions. Has there been a death in the family. How did the applicant deal with the death? How did they feel about it?
- Sense of humor, etc.
General Goals in Medicine
- How they see themselves in 10 years with respect to profession and family.
- How do their goals mesh with the needs of North Dakota?
Miscellaneous Potential Interview Questions
- What are some of your hobbies?
- What do you do in your spare time for enjoyment?
- Have you achieved some goals that you set for yourself?
- Have you persevered at something other than medicine?
- Why do you feel medicine and you could have a good marriage?
- What are some of your weak points?
- How are you working on them?
- Can you give me the pros and cons of a current medical issue without making a decision as to which side you believe in?
- What were your feelings the first time you saw a person die?
- How would you calm a frightened patient?
- Have you had much contact with old people?
- Give an itinerary of your average day.
- What one thing has happened in your life that made you a better person?
- If you “got in over your head” in something, what would you do?
- Have you considered other career choices besides medicine?
- What do you think plays a more important role in medicine, the art or the science?
- What was the last novel you read? Or favorite novel?
- What have you done to improve yourself? (If not 1st application)
- Have you ever overcome any of your weak points? (If not 1st application)
- What went through your mind when you found out you were rejected? (If not 1st application)
- What will you do if you do not get into medical school this year?
- What do you see yourself doing ten years from now?
- What would you do with a 9 year old patient who you just found out has terminal cancer?
- What do you feel are the pros and cons of medicine as a career?
- Has there been any one person that has influenced you most.
- Describe your best friend.
- How would your best friend describe you?
- What magazines do you read regularly?
- How do you define (terms in autobiography that are ambiguous?)
- Go into more detail on experiences related in autobiography.
- What are some of your strong points?
- Is there a person you know that you can’t stand?
- Relate a crisis in your life and how you overcame it.
- What role do you plan to have in your community?
- How will you improve next year’s freshmen class?
- Have you noticed any problems in hospitals in which you have worked?
- Can you tell us how you have helped a person?
- Have you had much time to talk to patients?
- Give three adjectives that describe yourself?
- What made you choose medicine as a career?
From the AAMC's Organization of Student Representatives (OSR)
Medical schools, like individuals, are very different - in their philosophies, faculties, curricula, and the type of students they attract. Consequently, selecting the "best" medical school for you can be challenging. This list of questions was compiled by medical students from across the country to assist you in evaluating the schools you will visit. This list is by no means complete; it was designed to serve as a base for your own questions. Keep in mind that the interview represents a wonderful time for you to learn, so don't be shy about asking anyone your questions. Make sure your research the institution before the interview and ask informed questions. Congratulations on your career choice and good luck with interviews!
Curriculum
- Are there any special programs for which this medical school is noted?
- Please tell me more about the integrated curriculum.
- What modalities are used for student lectures?
- What are the opportunities for research? What are the policies for taking time off for research opportunities?
- How do students get assistance if an academic need arises?
- Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
- Are standardized tests used such as the NBME shelf exams?
- Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked?
- How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass?
Evaluations
- How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed?
- Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback?
- Counseling/Student Support
- What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children?
- Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisors-faculty members, other students, or both?
- How diverse is the student body? Are there support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women?
Facilities
- Tell me about the library and extracurricular facilities (i.e., housing and athletic/recreational facilities). Is designated study space available?
- Are students required to have a laptop?
- What type of clinical sites-ambulatory, private preceptors, private hospitals, rural settings, international-are available or required for clerkships? Does this school allow for students to do rotations at other institutions or internationally?
- Is a car necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem?
Financial Aid
- What is the current tuition and fees? Is this expected to increase yearly? If so, at what rate?
- Are there stable levels of federal financial aid and substantial amounts of university/medical school endowment aid available to students?
- Are there students who have an "unmet need" factor in their budget? If so, where do these students come up with the extra funds?
- Are spouses and dependents/children covered in a student's budget?
- Is someone available to assist students with budgeting and financial planning?
- Does this school provide guidance to its students, and to its graduates/alumni, on debt management?
Student Involvement
- What medical school committees (e.g., curriculum committee) have student representation?
- Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service?
- How active is the Student Council/Government? Are there other student organizations
Policies
- What is the student medical insurance coverage and what is the cost to students?
- Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases?
- Does this school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident?
- Is disability insurance provided to cover exposure?
- Is there a school Honor Code? Is there a grievance process/procedure? Are the students involved?
Residency
- May I see a list of residency programs to which this school's recent graduates were accepted?
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Does this school have strengths in the type of medicine (primary versus specialized care, urban versus rural practice environment, academic medicine versus private practice) that I will want to practice?
- Would I be happy at this school for at least the next four years?