The Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Preparation (CHPP) program at Nova Southeastern University's Dr. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM) is designed to enhance the academic qualifications of students in preparation for direct matriculation into NSU's D.O. The academic world of healthcare and medical specialties is vast and the way to potentially pave the way towards a niche career involves pursuing one of many Medicine and Health Masters Programs. It is true that an undergrad degree may be enough for some entry-level roles, but if you aspire to practice medicine, dentistry, osteopathy or advanced nursing, or hold an administrative role in.
UConn's Special Program in Medicine links undergraduate preparation with four years of medical education, resulting in dual degrees from UConn: a BA/BS and a MD. Students focused on a career in medicine can choose from our more than 115 undergraduate majors while taking advantage of opportunities in the UConn School of Medicine through special seminars and health-profession events. This eight-year program aims to develop accomplished physicians, while also providing flexibility to accommodate individual choices. All students accepted to the Special Program in Medicine will be enrolled UConn's Honors Program. Special Program students are required to be enrolled in the Honors Program as they enter UConn.
Admissions Requirements and Deadlines
Applicants must be entering as a first-year student and demonstrate exceptional performance in academics, including advanced preparation in mathematics and laboratory sciences. In addition, extracurricular activities and commitment to the health profession are also considered. There are no state residency requirements, although Connecticut residents will receive special consideration. UConn is committed to attracting members of underrepresented populations for its programs. International students are eligible to apply.
To be considered, an applicant should have:
- An overall secondary school grade point average of 3.5 (4.0 scale)
- A completed application to the University, which includes all supporting documents, the responses to the program-specific essay questions, and an optional resume. All documents must be received by December 1. A secondary school profile should also be submitted along with the secondary school transcript
- Two additional letters of recommendation, received by December 1
- An interview with the Special Program in Medicine Committee (by invitation only)
The application process for the Special Program in Medicine follows our test-optional policy. No admission decision shall be impacted, and no student disadvantaged, if a standardized test score is not provided. Should you feel your standardized test score is an accurate reflection of your academic ability, and would like to have it considered as part of the application review, UConn requires official SAT or ACT scores to be sent directly from the appropriate test provider. SAT II subject tests are not considered in the application review.
In order to matriculate into the School of Medicine, students must do the following during their undergraduate career:
- Maintain a 3.6 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale);
- Achieve MCAT total scores in the 80th percentile rank (equal to a score of 30 on the old MCAT) with no subtest scores below the 55th percentile rank (equal to a score of 8 on the old MCAT);
- Complete course work in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry;
- Participate in clinical, research, and community service activities;
- Have favorable interviews during the senior undergraduate year.
How to Apply:
Students can apply to the Special Program in Medicine directly through the Common Application. The Supplemental Application is also available for students who will not be using the Common Application to apply to the University as well as for those who have already submitted the Common Application. The University does not have a preference to which application is used.
Applicants must:
- Indicate their interest in the program under the 'Academics' tab in the University of Connecticut questions section.
- Answer the program-specific questions and name their recommenders under the 'Member Questions' tab in the 'Writing Requirements' section.
- Refer to the statement on recommendation letters below for additional information.
The optional resume can be uploaded as an attachment within the Common Application.
Applicants must:
- Have submitted an application for admission to the University and activated your University issued NetID in order to access the supplemental application.
- Answer the program-specific questions and name their recommenders on the supplemental application. Essays questions must be saved in a single Word or PDF document and uploaded to the supplemental application. Remember to include your name and date of birth in the document's header. Please do not use your Social Security Number.
- Refer to the statement on recommendation letters below for additional information.
The optional resume can be uploaded through the supplemental application.
- Please briefly share the influences on your decision to pursue the field of medicine, including shadowing experiences and other medical related activities.
- Please describe your interests, activities, hobbies, etc., outside the area of health sciences.
- Please describe a role you have held in a meaningful group/peer-related activity.
Recommendation letters should address your current academic status, extracurricular achievements, personal qualities, and potential for future success in/contributions to the medical field and the community. Applicants will be asked to name their recommenders as a part of the application. Recommendation letters may be sent via:
- Fax to (860) 486-1476. The fax cover sheet should be sent attention to 'Special Program in Medicine.'
- Email to beahusky@uconn.edu. The subject line should read 'Special Program in Medicine Recommendation.'
You've completed your undergraduate degree and are looking forward to attending medical school, but are looking for a way to set your application apart. If you have a strong undergrad science GPA, pursuing an SMP can be a fantastic way to do just that.
There are currently more than 75 different science-based SMPs nationwide. There are two different types of SMPs: one-year programs and two-year programs. The one-year programs offer a strong science foundation, while the two-year programs include a research project thesis and/or literature review. Some of these programs are located on grad school campuses while others are offered through med schools themselves. Students attending programs affiliated with med schools take classes with the med students. The advantage of this arrangement is that the credit you earn towards your Master's Degree may also be used to satisfy some of your med school requirements.
Any coursework that you complete as part of an SMP will be calculated separately on your AMCAS application, as part of your graduate coursework GPA. If your undergrad GPA needs that improvement, an SMP may not be the way for you to go. Look into postbaccalaureate coursework instead.
10 Ways to Benefits From Doing a Specialized Masters Program Before Applying to Medical School
An SMP will allow you to:
1. Gain additional science coursework.
Since these programs are science-based, you will spend the year – or two – immersed in science courses. You will have the chance to increase your knowledge of some subject areas, and possibly get a higher grade than you did in your undergrad class. New and different courses will also be available to you, thereby broadening your science base.
2. Access valuable mentors.
Your SMP professors will be able to help guide you to where your talents most lie. Never thought about research? This may be where you shine. Classes will be smaller than most college lectures, which will give you the opportunity to form relationships with your professors. Their letters of recommendation can be very influential on your med school app. Your professors want you to succeed.
3. Demonstrate that you can excel at the graduate level.
Special Masters Programs List
Excelling in your SMP will show the med school adcoms that you have the ability to conquer the demanding science courses in med school. Often the courses that you take will be the same as first-year med school courses, and sometimes with med students. This will give you a chance to take these courses without the additional pressure of med school, and see how you fare.
Special Masters Program Medicine
4. Gain expertise in the area of your interest that may inform and guide your long-term career goals.
Being able to take additional courses in your area of interest can cement your plan to pursue this in med school and in your career as a physician. Interested in pediatric oncology? A two-year SMP can give you the time to do a research project or literature review of the subject. The material that you learn can help you become a better clinician.
Special Masters Programs Medical
5. Earn an additional credential.
Having a Master's Degree can help your application stand out from the others. It boosts you in terms of life experience and clinical experience. It shows the adcoms that you have motivation, and can show additional research experience. Taking the time to pursue an SMP shows that you have a passion for medicine.
6. Network with other students, medical students, researchers, professors, and other experts in the field.
We all know that building a strong professional network can lead to limitless opportunities. Take time to get to know others in your classes, your professors and others – and let them get to know you. Often a well-placed word from the right person can open doors you thought were closed to you. You never know who the right person might be, so always be well prepared, friendly and offer assistance to others.
7. Gain the opportunity to request current letters of recommendations from graduate or medical school faculty.
This is connected to benefit #6. Giving your professors the opportunity to get to know you, your work ethic, and passion for medicine can lead them to write letters of recommendation that will truly impress the adcoms. Volunteer to work in their labs or on research projects. Ask intelligent questions during class. Find creative ways to make yourself stand out and your letters of recommendation will do the same.
8. Conduct an independent research project at a university, hospital, or medical center.
Doing a research project at a medical facility will allow you to have hands-on experience in this environment instead of a sterile academic environment. You will also have access to possible mentors or others who can guide you in your path to a medical career. Candidates to write your letters of recommendation also abound in these settings.
9. Demonstrate and establish your expertise through poster presentations, abstracts and journal presentations.
Emphasize the role you played in your research project. Any opportunity you have to prove your importance in the project is a positive for you. Having your name appear as a participant in a research project is very important and will make you stand out.
10. Gain valuable life experience and confidence.
Pursuing an SMP will directly enhance your ability to guide patients towards the best resources and most current information available. Taking extra science courses, participating in a research project, and networking will all give you these life experiences and increase your confidence in your abilities as a future physician. Use your time inside and outside the classroom wisely, and this can be one of the best decisions of your academic career.
An SMP can help you become a more competitive med school applicant in a number of ways. It can set your application apart by highlighting a graduate-level GPA, as well as showing that you've had the guidance and endorsement of a mentor. Furthermore, it informs the direction of your career and provides resources and learning opportunities that will result in a year or two of intense self-development and professional achievement.
Do you have questions about how an SMP (or other post-graduate work) may improve your medical school candidacy? Work one-on-one with an expert med school advisor when you purchase our Admissions Consulting Services – build your profile, boost your competitiveness, get ACCEPTED!
Alicia McNease Nimonkar worked for 5 years as the Student Advisor & Director at the UC Davis School of Medicine's postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and other health professional programs. She has served Accepted's clients since 2012 with roughly a 90% success rate. She has a Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric as well as Literature. Want Alicia to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!Related Resources:
8. Conduct an independent research project at a university, hospital, or medical center.
Doing a research project at a medical facility will allow you to have hands-on experience in this environment instead of a sterile academic environment. You will also have access to possible mentors or others who can guide you in your path to a medical career. Candidates to write your letters of recommendation also abound in these settings.
9. Demonstrate and establish your expertise through poster presentations, abstracts and journal presentations.
Emphasize the role you played in your research project. Any opportunity you have to prove your importance in the project is a positive for you. Having your name appear as a participant in a research project is very important and will make you stand out.
10. Gain valuable life experience and confidence.
Pursuing an SMP will directly enhance your ability to guide patients towards the best resources and most current information available. Taking extra science courses, participating in a research project, and networking will all give you these life experiences and increase your confidence in your abilities as a future physician. Use your time inside and outside the classroom wisely, and this can be one of the best decisions of your academic career.
An SMP can help you become a more competitive med school applicant in a number of ways. It can set your application apart by highlighting a graduate-level GPA, as well as showing that you've had the guidance and endorsement of a mentor. Furthermore, it informs the direction of your career and provides resources and learning opportunities that will result in a year or two of intense self-development and professional achievement.
Do you have questions about how an SMP (or other post-graduate work) may improve your medical school candidacy? Work one-on-one with an expert med school advisor when you purchase our Admissions Consulting Services – build your profile, boost your competitiveness, get ACCEPTED!
Alicia McNease Nimonkar worked for 5 years as the Student Advisor & Director at the UC Davis School of Medicine's postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and other health professional programs. She has served Accepted's clients since 2012 with roughly a 90% success rate. She has a Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric as well as Literature. Want Alicia to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!Related Resources:
• Fitting In and Standing Out, a free guide
• Assess Your Qualifications for Medical School
• How Your Academic Statistics Should Influence Your Medical School Choices
