The answer to this question can have a large impact on when and for how long you study abroad. However, we will first give you an overview of the application timetable and then we will discuss the three year and four year program options.
Overview of the Medical/Dental School Application Process: Individuals generally apply to health professions graduate school more than one year before they plan to matriculate (see timetable below). Some students apply during the summer after their junior year and this allows them to matriculate the fall after graduating from
Approximate Application Timeline
October Annual Application Meeting - Application Packet & Checklist Calendar
November Initial Forms submitted to Premedical Office
January Remaining Forms submitted to Premedical Office
Jan. - April Meet with Assigned Premedical Advisor
March 1st Deadline for Letters of Evaluation
April-mid June Suggested Dates to Take MCAT/DAT/GRE
June/early July Recommended submission dates for your applications
Sept.- Feb. If competitive, you will be invited for interviews
August If accepted, you will begin graduate school
· Three Year Program:
If you are an undergraduate and plan to enter medical/dental/veterinary school the fall after you graduate, you will need to complete all of the required courses (see IV above) by the end of your junior year so that you can file your applications the summer before you begin your senior year. While simultaneously taking junior year coursework, we recommend that you study for and take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) between April and mid June. Students taking the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) are encouraged to take it in early summer (e.g. May/June). In addition to a competitive test score, health professions graduate schools also expect a high level of academic performance, significant exposure to the health field, and other meaningful experiences.
Clearly this is a lot to accomplish in three years and, for this reason, increasing numbers of students choose the four year option below. Nevertheless, if you follow the three year, program and are a competitive candidate, you would be invited for interviews during the fall or early winter of your senior year. If accepted, you would begin graduate school in August/September after your graduation from B.C.
· Four Year Program:
We note that the majority of students at B.C. (and other institutions) are applying to health professions graduate schools at the end of their senior year -- or even later. Students who follow the four year (or four year plus) program have the opportunity to pursue other interests and/or opportunities (e.g. study abroad, completing a thesis, minoring in a nonscience discipline, volunteer work, research) in a more leisurely fashion, thus potentially making them more attractive candidates. This is an especially good option if you have had a modest performance during your freshman year, as it may allow you to bring your grades into a more competitive range. The four year option also allows for more flexibility in terms of deciding when to take the entrance exams (MCAT, DAT). We note that the average age for students beginning health professions graduate school is approximately 25, and therefore the majority of students do not enroll directly after graduating from college.