Health Careers for BSU Students Community Guide: General Application Steps

The major steps to the application process to health professions are as follows.

1. Application - Many schools in the health professions use a centralized application service while some schools preferring applications through their individual websites. Students should check which way their applications should be submitted. 

2. Standardized Entrance Exam (i.e. MCAT, DAT, GRE)

3. Official Transcript(s) - Transcripts need to be submitted from each college/university the student attended

4. Personal Statement

   • Reach out to Dr. Alexandra Zilz if you have questions about how to write a personal statement

   • Video: Tips on how to write a personal statement

   • Advisor Corner: Crafting Your Personal Statement 

   • 3 Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement 

   • Tips for writing personal statements:

     • Why you want to attend health professions school?

     • What influenced your decision to pursue this particular path?

     • What experience do you have that will help you as you pursue this career path?

5. Letters of Recommendation 

   • For medical and dental schools applications, see the section on Committee Letters

   • Recommendation letters are an extremely important part of the student's application, so the request of letters should be handled appropriately. A student should request letters from professors and supervisors who know them well and on whom they have made a favorable impression. A student should ask professors with whom they have taken a class with and/or have done a research project or a clinician with whom they have shadowed as these individuals can best comment on the student's abilities and potential to excel in the profession. While many professors or supervisors can provide a recommendation, the question of whether the individual knows or remembers the student well enough to provide a good letter of recommendation is most important.

   • Students should provide the reference writer with the following:

     • A current copy of the InfoBear print out or transcripts from BSU or any other institutions attended

     • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) of experiences to date, including research experience, presentations, grant funding, pertinent coursework

     • A brief description of the program/department to which the student is applying and why that department/program fits the student's personal career plans

     • A personal statement which includes a student's personal motivations (educational and career goals) for applying to graduate or professional school

   • How to request letters of recommendation