Medical and dental school applicants submit a “primary” application in June or early July of their application year, as do applicants for physician assistant programs.
Deadlines for other programs range from later summer to early fall of the application year. Most programs have rolling admission policies, and thus the earlier, the better.
Applicants who have a “primary” application service will use the few months following the primary application submission to complete “secondary” applications, which are individualized applications for each graduate health school.
- Note: Submitting an application close to the “apply by” date demonstrates procrastination or a lack of interest in the program. Your application will likely be rejected, resulting in a very expensive and fruitless application year.
Be sure that all necessary materials have been forwarded to the primary application service or sent directly to the graduate schools as directed or requested by these organizations. (i.e., transcripts, recommendations, and test scores).
- Complete all secondary applications in a timely and thorough manner.
To be eligible for financial aid, complete the FAFSA form.
- Consider other means of financing, if necessary, and if standard FAFSA timing applies.
- Complete all scholarship and loan applications as directed by the schools and as soon as possible.
In early Autumn Quarter of the application year, continue to evaluate your admission potential and prepare for interviews.
- Continue to discuss the application process with the PPHS coordinator.
Notify your instructors if you have been selected for interviews and will need to travel when classes are in session.
- As the application year progresses, send any additional items (i.e., new experiences, scholarships or honors awarded, and recent grades) to the schools considering your application.
If you are admitted to the school of your choice, submit the required deposit as soon as possible to ensure your seat in that school’s entering class.
- Notify all other schools in which you are no longer interested as a courtesy to them.
- Begin your transition plan (i.e., loans, housing, and moving) — and congratulations.
If you are placed on the waiting list, continue to add to your record all additional credits, honors, experiences, etc., to strengthen your application. Let the school know of your strong interest in its program.
If you are not admitted, consider and discuss alternatives with the PPHS coordinator.